Key takeaways
Privacy and security are the main reasons homeowners build a fence
New fences are major investments that add curb appeal but may not increase resale value
Proper fence etiquette involves installing the “attractive” fence side facing your neighbor’s property
Good fences make good neighbors, as the saying goes. They prevent intruders, provide a safe haven for kids and pets, keep out wild animals and pests, and block the prying eyes of nosy neighbors.
As more families move indoor activities outdoors, the demand for new fences has increased. Yelp searches and reviews for “fences” increased 60% in 2020. And fence projects are expected to top the list of home-improvement trends this year, according to Yelp’s 2021 Home Trend Forecast.
A new fence, however, is a considerable investment. And there’s no guarantee that a charming white picket fence will improve the resale value of your home. But the investment may boost curb appeal and attract buyers with small children and pets. Conversely, a home fence in disrepair could negatively affect the value of your property.
While many homeowners try to save money by installing a fence themselves, know this: It’s a hard job that requires skills, strength, and advanced tools. These projects are best left to a licensed fence and gate contractor, who can do the heavy lifting, as well as the planning and design.
Whether you’re dreaming about a new fence or ready to plan the project, our home-fence buyer’s guide can answer questions and get you started. Read on to learn more about:
Fence basics
What type of fence do you need?
Which is the best fence style for your home?
What’s the best fence material?
How to pick a fence gate
How to start a fence project
What does a fence cost?
Fence tips: How fencing installation pros have helped Yelpers
How to hire a fencing contractor near you
Fences have three basic parts that can be customized to any style, material, or color.
Like a picture frame, a fence pulls together your home’s overall look, while also providing safety and security for your family. Fences have three basic parts that can be customized to any style, material or color. They include:
Vertical posts. These are a fence’s backbone, anchoring the structure to the ground. To ensure stability, they’re set in concrete, 6-8 feet below ground level (deeper in frost-prone areas). Posts not set in concrete can cause a fence to lean (and potentially fall over) due to weather exposure.
Horizontal rails. These rails connect vertical posts. Depending on fence type, there may be two or three rails fastened to—and running horizontally between—the vertical posts.
Pickets. Also known as slat, boards, or panels, pickets define a fence’s look. These vertical elements can either have space between them or abut each other for privacy. They fasten to posts and horizontal rails with nails or screws.
It’s possible to customize a fence with add-ons. Commonly used features include:
Gates. Adding security to a fenced yard, gates have hinges and latches that allow them to open and close. For greater protection, they often include locks.
Post caps. Also known as finials, post caps add style and attach to the tops of vertical posts.
Kickboard or mudboard. This horizontal board, often used on wood structures, runs along the bottom of a fence to create a finished look. They also protect pickets from water damage and decay.
Security fences include spiked tops and limited horizontal rails to deter climbing.
Different types of fences serve different homeowner needs. There are three basic fence options to choose from for a front yard or backyard. Some fences may serve multiple purposes, such as providing home privacy and security.
Privacy fences solve many issues: They can shut out nosey people, dampen noise from neighbors and pets, and soften the annoying drone of highway traffic.
Made from a wide range of fencing materials—such as wood, stone, or even live hedges—privacy fences are typically 4-6 feet high and include closely spaced boards or pickets with no see-through gaps.
“Our most popular style is the privacy fence,” confirms Yvette Roth of Vinyl Concepts in Newbury Park, California. “The vinyl comes in an array of colors. Most customers choose a color that matches their home.”
To deter intruders, security fences are generally 6-8 feet or higher with heavy-duty gates and metal or wire mesh materials. Some include spiky tops to deter fence climbers. Others have fewer horizontal rails (which give thieves a leg up in climbing), can’t be cut through, and are secured into the ground with concrete.
Depending on a homeowner’s needs, vertical panels or pickets can be loosely spaced with a partial view, or tightly arranged tightly for extra privacy.
Decorative fences are typically installed to enhance, not block, the view. Ranging from 2-4 feet high, they establish property lines, add a structural element to the landscape, and boost curb appeal. Most popular materials are wrought iron and aluminum. The height of the pickets can be increased to boost security.
Just 3-4 feet high, picket fences are ideal for smaller homes.
Properly designed and installed, fences can last 15-20 years. The first step is deciding which type of fencing works best with your lifestyle needs and type of home.
To get ideas, take a drive around any neighborhood and snap photos of the fences you like. Some will be open and welcoming, while others provide a boundary around a property. Whether you’re looking for privacy, security, or aesthetics, you’ll have decisions to make about fence style and materials.
A picket fence in wood or vinyl is a popular style for traditional Cape Cod homes or farmhouses. At just 3-4 feet high, they’re well proportioned for smaller homes. Pickets themselves differ, with tops that are pointed, dog-eared, scalloped or straight across. Even the spacing between pickets can vary.
This fence style is made from pickets that slide together for a gap-free surface. It provides a great privacy barrier and can cut down on sound.
“Tongue-and-groove is the most common fence that we install, because all the components lock together to make it a secure, solid structure,” according to Rob Gogola of H&Y Fence in Sarasota, Florida.
A popular choice among homeowners, metal fences are durable, easy to maintain, and less expensive than wood or vinyl.
Many of today’s yards are surrounded by metal fences reminiscent of the ornamental wrought iron fences found in older and urban neighborhoods. Metal fences are popular because they’re not as expensive as vinyl or wood fences, and they’re attractive for many different home styles, from traditional to contemporary. Pickets can be straight square bars or more decorative, with a galvanized coating for protection.
A board-on-board fence, also called “board on batten,” is another popular privacy-fence style. It’s a solid surface with tightly spaced wood panels that act as a barrier. A batten board—made of thin wooden strips—overlays the back board, creating a no-see-through fence.
One of the most widely used barriers today, chain-link fences are a practical, long-lasting solution for homeowners seeking a boundary between neighboring properties. The strong framework of steel posts and rails is covered with mesh, then often coated with zinc to prevent rust and corrosion.
Vinyl or polyester coatings may be used to add color. Black is most popular because it blends into the landscape; green and brown are also common. Slats can be added for greater privacy or to soften the industrial look. “Chain link is our lowest-cost fence, and the wood/aluminum/vinyl versions are all relatively close in price,” says Gogola of H&Y Fence.
Chain-link fences usually carry 5-to-15-year warranties that cover manufacturing problems, including the vinyl coating, according to the American Fence Association.
This new style of fencing uses horizontal steel cable, or wire-rope railing, stretched across vertical wood, metal, or composite posts. Cable railing fences are often used to surround decks, and as railings on stairways. The ability to combine different materials makes it easy to custom-design the fence of your choice.
A natural style that blends into the landscape, split-rail fences are ideal for wide-open properties. With two or three wood rails and space between, this fence creates an open feeling without obvious barriers or obstructed views.
Split-rail fences have just two components—posts and rails that slip together like pins in a slot—so they’re easy to construct. Fence height is determined by post height and number of desired horizontal rails.
A wooden stockade fence is a good choice for a high, solid barrier to soften noise and create a clear property line. It’s made of tightly spaced, 6-foot-high, pressure-treated wood pickets with pointed top edges. This style is used often to enclose a backyard from adjoining property.
Vinyl Pro Fence, San Diego, California
Because it’s a long-lasting, natural material, wood fencing enhances the landscaping of any home—whether it’s a traditional brick colonial or a more modern style. Wooden fences are available in cedar, redwood, and southern yellow pine, depending on the area of the country.
Cedar, a popular fence material, also repels insects naturally. Applying a waterproof sealer prevents splintering or cracking that can occur from damaging weather conditions. Wood fencing can also be pressure- or chemically treated for protection from termites and rot, and can be painted or stained. It should be cleaned once a year with a power washer to preserve its natural good looks.
Vinyl fencing offers a wood look without the weight or upkeep. Made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) it’s durable and long lasting, so it’s a popular choice for any style of house. Components are easy to install and come in a wide range of colors, styles and sizes. Vinyl is also low-maintenance; simply clean with a power washer and mildew-killing cleaner.
Environmentally friendly composite fences are a synthetic blend of plastic and wood fibers that look like real wood. Like vinyl fences, they’re maintenance-free and provide great curb appeal. Composite fences come in easy-to-install kits or pre-assembled panels that provide security, privacy, and a decorative touch to pool and garden areas.
Made of weatherproof aluminum panels and posts, metal fencing is widely used for security, durability, and easy care. Fence panels come in sections that connect at posts secured in the ground with concrete, then welded and fit together with fasteners. Concealed fasteners are more attractive than those with bare screw heads.
When planning a gate, be mindful of how the property will be entered and exited, who may need access, and whether extra security is needed.
An integral part of a fence installation, gates provide access into and out of an enclosed area. A fence gate has two diagonal supports for strength and heavy-duty hinges and hardware that allow it to open and close easily. A gate can be made to swing in either direction, but opening into the property is most common.
When planning a gate, keep in mind the following:
How will homeowners and visitors enter and exit the property?
How will they be allowed entry—for example, via radio, telephone, or card reader?
Who may need future access? A landscaper carrying loads of material, an excavator or tree-removal service, or even delivery of a ready-built shed would all require a wide opening.
A fence-installation company can help you make these decisions. They’ll suggest where to locate a gate, how wide it should be, and recommend hardware that’s secure and easy to operate.
Before buying or installing a fence, it’s important to take these steps:
Review your property survey. This document describes exactly where your property begins and ends, and is needed before locating a fence. If you don’t have a property survey (you should have received one when purchasing your house), contact the county deed and assessor’s office for a copy.
Talk to your neighbor. Make sure you’re both on the same page about the distinction between property lines. They should not be surprised about a new fence that will be part of their landscape.
Observe fence etiquette. The finished side should face the neighbor’s property, while the back side, with horizontal supports and in-ground posts, should face the owner’s home.
Contact your local building department. They will inform you of code requirements for fences on your property. Your fence contractor will know about these, but you should also be aware of any project limitations during the planning stage. This can include zoning ordinances for maximum height and “setback”—the distance from other property lines.
Call 811. This free service for homeowners, operated in each state, locates and marks underground cables, wires or obstructions below the surface before you start digging fence posts.
For best results when working with fence installers, ask about licenses and certifications from the American Fence Association, and other reputable trade organizations.
Building a fence is hard, strenuous work. Although lumber yards and home centers sell fence sections and gates for handy homeowners to install, DIY projects require a lot of time, specialized equipment, and muscle. Fence building is best left to an experienced contractor with the expertise and tools for the job.
When searching for fencing contractors, make sure to:
Get references from neighbors and previous customers.
Check Yelp reviews for pros in your area.
Ask for examples/portfolios of previous work.
Get at least 3-5 quotes from contractors, including materials and installation costs.
Ask about licenses and trade-association affiliations. Certifications by the American Fence Association, and designations of CFP (Certified Fence Professional), CAGOI (Certified Automatic Gate Operator Installer), CI (Certified Installer), or Blue Ribbon Company indicate high levels of expertise.
Ask about warranties on fencing materials and installation.
A wood privacy fence costs about $2,000 including installation; a chain-link fence is more affordable, at about $1,400 for parts and labor.
The cost of a fence depends on the materials, style, design, and labor required for the chosen fence. Soil conditions and terrain, building permits, lawn regrading, and removing shrubs or trees also affect total price.
Chain link is the cheapest, most affordable option, at $10-15 per foot. Pressure-treated pine and cedar, the most common fence materials, run $15-20, while vinyl, composites, and aluminum metal average $20 to $25 per linear foot.
In general, a 100-foot, 6-foot-high wood privacy fence will cost about $2,000, including labor and materials; a 4-foot-high chain-link fence can be installed for about $1,400.
Fence experts can help you create a safe, dog-friendly backyard.
Whether you’re hiring a contractor to design and build a new fence or make an emergency repair to one that blew over, it’s important to find the right fence installation partner. Yelp reviewers share their experiences.
“We have a fenced yard for our dog and kids,” says Monica M. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “However, there were a few weak spots in the fence and our dog kept getting through to the neighbor’s yard. Zofe Fence…came out super fast …and replaced the whole fence. It’s awesome to have peace of mind that I can leave my dog in the yard without having to be out there with him.”
“A windstorm blew over half of our fence, the gates and concrete/stucco structure attached to it,” says Devin M. of Hayward, California. “Our HOA has strict requirements… and Luis, the lead contractor (at Bay Side Fencing) literally sketched out the fence on paper and texted photos. He also came up with some alternate options I could choose from, last minute, with the job already under way!”
“I had an old wooden fence that was discolored and started to attract termites,” says Patricia A. Redondo Beach, California. “Ew! I had seen neighbors moving towards vinyl fencing and it looked really good. [Vinyl Fencing & Patio Covers] gave me ideas to reduce the price and still accomplish my goal of giving my home good curb appeal,”
Find a fence and gate contractor in your area.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit stainless steel window screen mesh, 316 stainless steel perforated sheet, stainless steel wire mesh factory.