by Don Disner

Finding the Right Fence to Seclude, Protect and Beautify Your Property
According to Lynn Hayworth, president of the American Fence Association, there are several factors to consider including personal taste, safety, privacy and budget.  She says that with careful planning, you can ensure a trouble-free fence.

Do Your Research
Johnny Panjarjian, owner of Vinyl Pro Fence, says the first thing to do is research.  Look around your neighborhood and browse through magazines.  He advises homeowners to get a feel for their preferences in style and materials and to determine the type of fence that will complement the architectural style of their home, landscaping and neighborhood.

Safety
Panjarjian says to consider safety in selecting fencing for your home.   Do you need to keep children and pets in?  Do you need to enclose a pool area?

Privacy
Don Kidder of San Diego Fence Company adds that privacy may be an important concern.  How much privacy do you want?  Do you prefer six-foot-tall fencing with a solid board or a shorter version with more space between the boards?

Budget
Kidder advises homeowners to determine a budget range.  He cautions, however, to remember that the least costly fence initially may not be the least expensive over the fence’s lifetime.

Once you’ve answered these questions, it’s time to select the right material for your fence.

Wood Fencing
Advantages: Attractive, affordable, natural look, quick and easy installation
Picket fencing remains one of the most popular types of wood fencing today. In San Diego, with its generally mild climate and low frequency of precipitation, issues like cracks, rotting and chipping paint on wooden fences are less common than in other climates.  Kidder points out that cedar is the most popular type of wood used in wood fencing.  Of all wood fencing materials, bamboo is one of the most up-and-coming, durable and green fencing materials available to homeowners today, even though bamboo can be quite expensive.  

Metal
Advantages: Economical, maintenance-free, good for pet control, graffiti resistant
- Chain-Link The traditional, metallic-coated chain-link fence remains one of the most effective, economical fencing barriers on the market today, notes Hayworth.  Chain-link fencing is less costly and more durable, but the chain-links provide only minimal privacy for your home.  However, shrubs and small trees can reduce visibility into your yard.    
- Aluminum Lightweight, sturdy, rust-resistant and available in many colors, these fences are excellent alternatives to steel or wrought iron fences that have to be carefully maintained.  These fences are also far lighter than their steel or wrought iron counterparts, meaning easier installation and longer-lasting life because aluminum won’t stress joints and posts like heavier metals.   
- Wrought Iron Wrought iron fences provide privacy and can enhance the appearance of your yard by becoming a visual part of the landscape.   Consisting of handmade metal bars that can come in any size and shape, wrought iron fencing is strong, while attractive in appearance.  Though difficult to damage, wrought iron fences may need small repairs as time goes by, depending on function and location.

Vinyl
Advantages: Virtually maintenance-free, U.V. protected, never needs painting, does not rot or rust, strong and flexible
If you’re looking for the last fence you’ll ever have to buy for your property, check out vinyl fencing.  The only cleaning your vinyl fence will need is a yearly hosing off with soap and water.  Although it may cost slightly more initially, over the course of its lifetime it will cost much less due to reduced maintenance expenses.  Panjarjian explains that vinyl fencing comes with a lifetime warranty, and is fire retardant. The look doesn’t lose its shine, so it will appear the same in 10 years as the day it’s installed.  Kidder notes that in 2008, there’s a greater variety of vinyl fencing with textures and colors that blend well into landscaping.

Stone
Advantages: Easily installed, provides instant isolation, sound barrier
Stone walls are the oldest known type of fencing and are used for a variety of purposes including privacy, security, freeway sound barriers and perimeter safety barriers.  These fences are designed to seclude an area from the outside world.  Simulated stone walls are a new option for homeowners in 2008, according to Hayworth.

Whichever material and treatment you choose, fences can make your yard instantly practical, functional and charming.  Do your homework upfront to ensure the fence material you select is going to meet your needs so you can enjoy your new fence for years to come.