FINE FENCING

Adding a fence to your yard can enhance your home’s appeal while transforming your property into a safer and more private haven.

Before you build, consider why you are erecting a fence.  There are many valid reasons

·                     to demarcate property lines

·                     to gain privacy

·                     to contain children or pets

Once you determine the purpose you should verify your property lines to confirm your boundaries.  Out of courtesy discuss your plans with your neighbour .

A fence is not just a fence, it is an extension of your home and can add a great deal of charm and character.  Look for a fence that harmonizes with your home’s architectural style, or select an element to match your home’s exterior, such as stone, wood or painted trim.  Consider choosing an interesting architectural detail, for example a porch railing or filial, and repeat it in the fence to achieve a coordinated look.

·                     Wrought iron or cast iron fences tend to be ornate and are suitable for more formal, historic homes.

·                     Stone walls, which are amongst the oldest known type of fencing, make great garden walls or boundaries around more traditional style homes.

·                     A picket fence is used to define property rather than secure it and is a universally popular style flexible enough to work with any style of home.

With a little care you can keep your fence looking as good as the day it was installed.  To allow a wood fence’s natural beauty to show through, apply a sheer stain or water sealant to protect it.  Vinyl or PVC fencing requires very little maintenance besides an occasional spray with a hose to remove dirt.

The right landscaping along a fence improves its looks while also reducing your workload. 

·                     Plant climbing vines that can be easily trained.

·                     Put in low-growing flower beds at the base of the fence.  This will eliminate the need to mow that hard-to-reach grass along the base of the fence

·                     Plant trees to hide a tall, plain privacy fence or put up a trellis and grow creepers or vines.

And remember that, according to one of Robert Frost’s poems, “Good fences make good neighbours”!

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