Metal Fences Are For Security not Privacy

Why Metal fences are not the best to use as privacy fences, but serve other security and aesthetic purposes.

A fence is simply defined or identified as a human-constructed barrier or boundary between two or more properties. Fences have been around for ages and have been used for different purposes by different individuals. They are mostly used as boundaries to separate objects, lands, properties, etc.  or different things as the case may be. They could be used to deter potential burglars (no matter how small) or to keep animals away from your home.

Uses of fences

Security
Fences give a true and physical sense of security as they prevent intruders, burglars, trespassers and makes you feel overly safe on your property.

Privacy
A lot of homeowners love to have friends over and eat out back on a picnic table or porch setting. Having a fence keeps people from just walking up on you while you’re entertaining. It gives you much-needed privacy as well as a sense of security.

Aesthetic Purposes
Fences could be used to beautify your homes or make them more attractive. When designed for these purposes, they generally give homes an elegant and classy look.

Types of fences
The characteristics of fences, and in particular the privacy features of fencing, depend largely on the material from which the fence is constructed.

There are different types of fences to prevent or deter people/animals from trespassing on your property, and these include wooden fences, metal fences, vinyl fences, etc. Each of these types of fences have their various benefits and disadvantages as they serve different purposes, but this article focuses on metal fences and why they are discouraged as a source of fencing for privacy.

Metal Fences
Metal fences are generally made from metals such as wrought iron, steel, aluminum, ornaments, etc. and give a true sense of security compared to different kinds of fencing materials used because of their strength, durability, maintained visibility and are not easily vandalized.

Metal fencing try to create a balance between aesthetics and privacy, but there are a lot of drawbacks which are listed and explained below:

Cost
Metal fencing is great when used for security or aesthetic purposes but are not ideal for privacy use due to their high costs. Metals are generally expensive to procure compared to wood fences(commonly used for privacy fences) and are not the best fencing choice when erecting fences on a low budget.

Visibility Problems
Metal fences have huge visibility problems as intruders, trespassers or even your next-door neighbors could easily see through your property depriving you of your much-needed privacy just when you require it. They generally make bad choices when fencing for privacy purposes as most metals have tiny or large holes in their designs which makes it relatively easy for people to see through compared to other forms of fencing.

Attracts vandalism
Inasmuch as metal fences beautify homes and are more secure, they are not ideal for privacy use as they encourage would-be thieves or burglars since they see through your property giving them visibility access to things they could possibly steal or vandalize.

Difficulty in installation
Metal fencing is generally better than wood or other forms of fencing as they are durable and easily maintained but the difficulty in installing them coupled with the fact they are expensive and see-through makes them not so great for privacy uses.

The post Metal Fences Are For Security not Privacy appeared first on My Fence Guys Inc.

Wood Fencing: The Best for Privacy and Aesthetic Value

When it comes to choosing which type of fence is best for you, more than just aesthetics should be considered. Fences should look great, of course, but another important function they serve is privacy.

When it’s all about your privacy, what material will you use?

When it comes to choosing which type of fence is best for you, more than just aesthetics should be considered. Fences should look great, of course, but another important function they serve is privacy. Indeed, you might be in the market for a fence for this very reason - to get privacy from your neighbors, to corral pets and kids safely inside your yard, and to deter outside threats to your property, such as burglars and trespassers.

Privacy

Wood fencing is a fantastic option when you want quality material that offers the most privacy. Unlike chain link fencing, wood fencing provides a natural opaque barrier between your property and the outside world. Last I checked, without a special superpower the human eye can’t see through wood. You can also choose a fencing design that minimizes the spaces between panels, making your fence virtually impenetrable to outsiders. With wood fencing, you can rest easy knowing you can enjoy maximum privacy on your property.

Aesthetics

Wood is also the classic, sustainable material that brings out the natural beauty of its surrounding environment. It has an All-American appeal that will never go out of style. If you want the optimum balance of privacy and aesthetics, wood is an excellent choice. You can paint or stain wood to give a custom look, and choose the cut and height of the panels and posts. Wood can be easily shaped to give a special character to your house and increase overall curb appeal.

Grade and Wood Type

Another virtue of wood fencing is the wide array of options available. For example, you will need to select the grade of wood, as well as the wood type. When choosing a wood grade, you can pick from options like construction, select, premium, or clear grade. These vary in price, and the more expensive choices-clear and premium grade-tend to have a uniform appearance, and are the most durable. Select and construction grade wood are less expensive, and they are of good quality, but may have slight imperfections.

Types of wood include:

Pine, Fir, or Spruce

These are the most common choices for wood fences because of their affordability and durability. Pine and fir wood can also be treated with a water-repellent stain that will increase the life and durability of your fence.

Cedar and Cypress

Cedar and Cypress woods are rot-resistant, which give them a longer lifespan than other choices. They also both contain natural oils and chemicals that deter insects. These options are middle of the road in terms of costs.

Redwood

Redwood is one of the most expensive fence materials, but it provides exceptional aesthetic value and quality. Redwood is the most durable wood, and is resistant to most insects and rot, increasing its overall lifespan.

When you expect both privacy and beauty from your fence, wood is the clear best option. With the myriad grades and types available, you are sure to find a style that fits your budget and aesthetic goals.

The post Wood Fencing: The Best for Privacy and Aesthetic Value appeared first on My Fence Guys Inc.

Working With the Right Contractor for Fence Installation

Working with a certified fence builder entails a long procedure. You can begin by getting in touch with relative as well as peers for prospective recommendations. These persons will certainly recommend competent contractors.

Employing a certified fence builder involves a long procedure. You could start by consulting member of the family and peers for potential recommendations. These individuals will certainly recommend skilled contractors. It is one means of preventing ineffective service providers. An additional choice is to talk to respectable contractor associations in your community and adjacent communities. These organizations can give a checklist of certified companies with plenty of experience.

Browse the web. There are websites of highly related to firms that you can take a look at. Nevertheless, you ought to hold your horses sufficient to compare services and also costs. Have a look at customer reviews as well. These on the internet testimonials offer you with positive and also adverse remarks concerning fence contractors manassas. Get numerous names and also verify the credential of every one. Counter-checking is crucial in finding a good provider.

Begin calling your potential customers. Schedule individual conference given that this is a reliable method of finding out if the contractor is truthful and also skilled. Home builders need to be capable of interacting with customers. The success of the task will certainly depend essentially on just how both parties communicate. There are numerous issues to discuss like the fence design, products, permits, timeframe, completion, warranties and also costs. The contractor will recommend whether a wood or vinyl fence is more appropriate.

Ask your contractor to take the essential dimensions. Recommend your next-door neighbors as a motion of respect. Concrete or steel fencings might ready choices to supply you outright personal privacy and sanctuary from natural elements. These are strong as well as fireproof but are not rally appropriate for stunning landscapes. Privacy screens are produced from timber. These are also ending up being prominent in different neighborhoods.

It is essential to match your fencing framework with the house layout. It is likewise reasonable to hear out the suggestion of your contractor before picking this version. As soon as you have done all these actions, it is currently possible to begin building the framework. The hardest component of the building is to dig the holes. Nevertheless, the problem depends upon the period of your structure as well as sort of soil. Contractors have the necessary equipment to accomplish these objectives.

Fences must have the ability to define your house lines. This is a benefit especially for small whole lot locations. The unit could avoid aloof next-door neighbors from infringing into your house with their very own secure fencing or landscape design. At the very same time, fences which are set up properly will protect against possible misunderstandings in between you as well as your next-door neighbor pertaining to border problems.

How to Build a Paddock Fence

Four board, Paddock, Horse Fences are often terms used to describe the fence pictured above. This fence, particularly when painted, provides a classic look that suits a wide array of properties, ranging from pastures with rolling hills to multi-million dollar homes. A typical paddock fence has three or four horizontal rails made from oak and pressure treated pine posts. These fences can have metal mesh (coated with black pvc) to prevent pets or some critters from getting out/in. Typical mesh has 2? x 4? openings. You can replace that mesh with 1?x 2? mesh that will meet pool code requirements. Paddock fences are sometimes constructed with 4x4 posts and pressure treated pine rails. My Fence Guys uses 40 lbs of concrete around each post. Each post is set 24-30? deep. We typically build paddock fence gates from all cedar (2x4 and 1x4). The cedar is lightweight, strong and doesn’t warp or twist as easily as some other materials.


 The post How to Build a Paddock Fence appeared first on My Fence Guys.

Planning your New Fence

There’s much more to planning and installing a new fence than simply “planting” a couple posts from your local hardware store and nailing boards to them.  To avoid making a costly (or life-threatening) mistake, you should always take the following steps:

1. Check with your local city planning office to find out what type of fence you are allowed to install.  Most localities publish their fence restrictions online. In general, restrictions are for public safety and usually deal with height and distance from public right of ways.  For example, as shown in the link above, you wouldn’t want your visibility restricted by a fence when approaching an intersection, so some localities don’t allow you to build right up to the corner of your lot even though it is your property.  Violators of these restrictions will be made to move or lower their fence to comply or be faced with a recurring monetary penalty until such a time when the fence is brought into compliance.
2. Call Miss Utility before you dig.  It’s not just a catchy jingle, it could save your life!  Power and gas lines running to your house are supposed to be 30″ – 36″ deep, which shouldn’t interfere with most fences, but this is not something to bet your life on.  For a number of reasons (e.g. final grading, landscaping, error during installation) these utility lines could be shallower.  You can call 811 to request utility marking on your property.  You can also go online to make a request.  Miss utility will locate and mark all public utilities on your property, usually within 48 hours.  They mark each utility (gas, water, electric, cable) with different color paint.  If you must dig near a marked utility, you should take extra caution and never use a piercing tool like a breaker bar or post hole diggers.  Keep in mind, these markings are only valid for a certain amount of time, usually about 25 days.  If the marks fade, or you suspect your utilities were not marked correctly or at all, you can often request a 3-hour locate from Miss Utility.
3. Some localities require your new fence to be marked on your plat. Your plat, if you have one, can often be found with all the other real estate documents that you received when you purchased your home.  If you do not have a plat, or can’t find it, a property survey is recommended, especially if you want to build along your property line.  You can either pay the surveyor to construct a new plat from scratch, or, to save money, you can simply ask them to locate your property lines in the vicinity of where your fence will be installed.  A plat (or survey) is need during installation so that your fence ends up in the right place.  The last thing you (or your neighbor) wants is to have to move your fence because it was on your neighbor’s side of the property line.

Find answers to other common questions about fences here.

My Fence Guys is a licensed contractor in the state of Virginia.

The post Planning your New Fence appeared first on My Fence Guys.