A Guide to Selecting Your Next Fence
The next time you’re at home, take a quick glance at your yard. Is there a fence? If there is, does it look like it’s in good condition? Maybe it is, but then ask yourself this: is it up to your standard?
While you may have a fence that has been installed since you’ve moved into your current home, that’s not to say that it doesn’t need an upgrade! Sure your current fence can get the job done of simply creating a physical boundary along property lines, but is it up to your standard in regards to its true functionality, and more importantly, its style?
Privacy Fence
Privacy fences are the typical, traditional, and go-to design for homeowners – and are perfect for pure functionality, especially younger and newer families.
This is largely in part due to their ability to not just represent property lines, but also keep out unwanted guests. They could be rodents, snakes or other wildlife, other neighborhood pets, and other people. While their maintenance and upkeep is simple – only needing re-stains on an annual basis – their installation may require helping hands or even a professional contractor. So take that into account when determining which design you’ll choose.
Here is an article that can go into more detail in regards to younger families and fence building. But as the name suggests, these fences are made for keeping families safe through seclusion.
Post and Dowel
Post and Dowel fences utilize a traditional post and rail look with a more modern twist. The rounded posts and rails, coupled with a greenish coloring gives way to a sleek, yet natural, fence design.
Post and Dowel fences are relatively easy install and maintain, and even hold some resistance to things like rot or moisture. This resistance is caused by the chemical pressure treatment that the Pine goes through – which also gives way to the greenish hue.
These fences provide a clean look while straying away from a stereotypical or conservative design – giving you a unique project unlike other homes in your neighborhood.
Split Rail Fence
Coloradoans just love the outdoors.
Which explains why so many of them are bringing a piece of nature right to their very homes by incorporating a split rail fence.
These fences are becoming more and more popular every day, especially in Colorado. The organically rustic look fits perfectly into the current trends of interior designs.
DIY builders also enjoy split rail fences because of their easy install. Not requiring too many tools or hardware, you can easily fasten the rails into your posts in just a day. A Split Rail fence may have a more minimalistic appearance, but that doesn’t take away from its long lifespan or durability to the elements.
But what if you like the design of a post and rail fence, but you aren’t completely set on a rustic style? What if you’re looking for something a little more modern?
Ranch Rail Fence
A Ranch Rail fence will make you feel like you’re really in the countryside, enjoying the little things in life, while still keeping a modern vibe. The design of these fences are, as the name suggests, perfect for ranch or farm areas because they can keep livestock in and predators out. But using them to keep your kids in the yard would work as well.
However, we’ve seen Ranch Rail fences successfully installed in metro areas. They provide a good alternative to a typical privacy fence, yet will look much cleaner and modern than a split rail fence.
Ranch Rail fences also have more design options than split rail because split rail fence posts come with pre-drilled holes, thus limiting your creative side.
So, which one is the best?
Ah, the age old question of which fence is the best. This is probably the most critical take away from article: there is no “best” fence.
If you’ve come to our blogs before and read some of our other articles, you’ll know that what we largely preach the idea of “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder”. This means that the “best” fence in terms of functionality and visual appeal will always be determined by you and you alone.
What do you want, in terms of function, out of your fence? Do you want to reduce noise or keep out animals? What if it’s for your cabin up in the mountains? A split rail would look good there, but maybe you’d prefer post and dowel?
Preference. It’s what this whole “home-remodeling” game is all about.
