Designing Your
Landscape by Kathy Scott
Fencing can play a key role in the landscape of
one’s home. Its purpose can be as simple as keeping
the family dog in or as important as keeping young
children out, especially from hidden dangers like
a pool. The U.S. fencing industry is a billion
dollar market which continues to grow more than
five percent a year. What once was limited to
chain link and wood products has grown to include
PVC and vinyl fencing.
Tim Carter, nationally syndicated newspaper columnist
and founder of AsktheBuilder.com, has been dispensing
sage advice to homeowners for more than two decades.
He firmly advises any fence purchase be made through
a reputable dealer who will also come out and
construct it. Most dealers will warranty their
work and products. For those homeowners who think
they can save money and do it themselves, Carter
warns them to think twice. “If you’ve never installed
[a fence], it is much harder than you think,”
says Carter. “You would be shocked to know how
much work it is. You also need to have the proper
tools.”
Chain link fencing has consistently been a popular
choice for homeowners interested in preserving
their view while also wishing to define property
lines and enclose pets. Chain link is both economical
and strong with many manufacturers now adding
color coating like green and brown so that it
easily blends with surrounding vegetation and
landscaping. Chain link fences come in various
weights and gauges. The American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM) recommends that the chain
links be at least 11 gauge in order to maintain
quality standards.
Wood fencing is many homeowners’ product of choice.
Designs can vary from split rail, solid board,
spaced-picket, lattice top, basket weave and ranch
rail, just to name a few. Wood can add natural
beauty to the surrounding landscape of your home
and its architecture. “Wood is gorgeous, but it
can be expensive to buy and install,” says Carter.
Wood can also be costly to maintain, as much as
$.70 per foot per year, but many find its beauty
worth the compromise. Wood should be treated to
guard against rot, insect infestation and decay.
Fences constructed of cedar or red wood have natural
preservatives and tend to last longer.
PVC or vinyl fencing can provide a faux wood look
without the maintenance. Originally introduced
in the 1980s, sales for vinyl fencing have grown
more than 20 percent each year. Fortunately for
homeowners, manufacturers have continued to improve
their product over time. “Vinyl fencing is pricey.
Often it can cost up to twice as much as a similar
wood fence. However, there is absolutely no maintenance
once it is installed,” says Carter. “When you
figure you have to paint your fence every two
or three years, a wood fence system can actually
cost far more than a vinyl system.”
The reason for vinyl fencing’s high cost is titanium
dioxide which is layered onto the PVC because
of its ability to absorb and reflect UV rays,
preventing the vinyl from chipping or cracking.
Vinyl fence manufacturers have also designed lattice
accents as well as picket, post and rail styles.
“Let price be your guide,” adds Carter. “Vinyl
with lower amounts of titanium dioxide simply
succumbs to the UV rays at a faster rate. The
more titanium dioxide layered on the fence product,
the higher the price.”
Most importantly, before considering any fence,
make sure your county and city zoning laws don’t
prohibit them. It is not uncommon for city planners
to put a cap on the height of a residential fence
or outlaw them all together, so do your homework
before you invest.
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