You might have heard the saying, “Good fences make good neighbors.” If you are looking for a little more privacy from your neighbors or just want to give your home more curb appeal, investing in a fence for your property is a great solution. We detail 8 reasons why you should install a fence in your yard.
8 Reasons to Install a Fence
1. Safety for Kids and Pets
Perhaps one of the most important reasons to install a fence is to protect your home and loved ones. Whether you are looking to keep the kiddos in or keep intruders out, a fence can serve as a protective barrier around your home.
Adding a fence to your yard will provide a safe space you can send your children for outdoor play time, ultimately getting them away from the digital devices that rule our world. Once installed, children and pets would be free to run and play without fear of them running into traffic providing you with a little peace of mind.
A fence can also protect kids from dangerous elements outside your property like lakes, ponds, cliffs, or hills. It can even prevent a stranger from approaching your children.
If you have a pool, a fence can also help prevent incidents such as drowning, as it can serve as a deterrent to prevent people from using your pool without your permission.
A fence is also a way to provide an aggressive dog with space to run and play without worry it may attack an innocent passerby.
Best fence types for safety:
- Wood
- Vinyl
- Aluminum
- Iron
- Chain-link
2. Provides Security
No one wants a bunch of strangers traipsing through their yard or garden and potentially ruining their precious petunias. A fence is your first line of defense against any type of trespasser, intruder, criminal, or vandal. It can also act as a barrier and even protect your home from an out-of-control vehicle on the road.
Best fence types for security:
- Steel
- Iron
- Aluminum
- Chain-link
3. Creates Boundaries
Building a fence will clearly define your property lines which could prevent possible future disputes with any current or future neighbors. This can be especially important if you live in a neighborhood where your houses are close together. It also will mark where your maintenance responsibilities begin and end for lawn mowing, cleaning leaves, and removing trees.
Visually it can also make it easy for future landscape or home improvement planning. If you plan to add on to your home or build a swingset or treehouse or install a pool, it helps to see how much space you have for your project.
Best fence types for creating boundaries:
- Wood
- Steel
- Iron
- Aluminum
- Vinyl
- Stone
- Chain-link
4. Adds Privacy
Many homeowners think of their outdoor living space as their oasis away from the world, their little piece of paradise, or even an extension of their indoor space. A privacy fence can be a great solution to prevent the neighborhood busybody from spying on your family. You can also plant trees and/or bushes near your fence to add even more of a barrier helping to prevent prying eyes.
As many dogs love to bark at anyone walking past, a non-see-through fence such as a wooden fence could help stop your dog from barking at passers-by.
Best fence types for privacy:
- Vinyl
- Wood
- Shrub
- Aluminum
- Bamboo
- Brick
5. Increases Curb Appeal
A fence doesn’t have to only serve a security or privacy purpose. Installing a high-quality fence also can be a way to add to the visual aesthetics of your property.
Whether you choose a stylish ornamental fence or the classic white picket fence, a carefully chosen fence can make your yard go from ordinary to the envy of the neighborhood. You could even incorporate it into your garden with vines or shrubs along the fence. Just be careful, as it can be easy for vines to overtake your fence.
It’s advisable to pick a design that will match the look of not just your home but also the look of your neighborhood. You don’t want your house to stick out like a sore thumb by choosing a fence that clashes with the aesthetics of your neighborhood.
Best fence types to increase curb appeal:
- Steel
- Iron
- Aluminum
- Wood
- Vinyl
- Stone
6. Boosts Property Value
A good-quality fence can increase the resale value of your home and may even help sell it faster. A fence is one of the first things buyers can see of your home. Spending the time and money could just be that one thing extra your home may have over another home.
However not just any fence will do, you need a fence that buyers would want. Buyers typically are looking for something that provides security and privacy as well as curb appeal.
Best fence types to boost property value:
- Wood
- Iron
- Aluminum
- Vinyl
7. Protects Against Weeds and Wind
While not 100% effective, a fence can help deter intruding weeds from your yard. Choose a fence without gaps and one that touches the ground to help keep unwelcome plant life from springing up on your property.
A fence also can help provide protection from the wind for some of your more delicate landscaping. A well-chosen fence can help shield property and tender plants from the harsh winds of a springtime storm, summer tropical storm or winter snowstorm.
Best fence types to protect against weeds/wind:
- Vinyl
- Wood
- Iron
- Stone
8. Barrier for Sights and Sounds
A tall fence can help absorb some of the noise from the surrounding area such as loud neighbors or traffic along a nearby road. Anyone who lives near a school, concert venue, restaurant, or generally lively streets may benefit from a noise-buffering fence. Look into a foam-filled aluminum fence to help muffle street noise or noisy neighbors.
Fences are also a great way to block out any unsightly scenes lying beyond your property such as a neighbor’s trashed backyard that may be overgrown with grass and plants.
Best fence types for sight/sound barriers:
- Vinyl
- Aluminum
- Wood
- Shrub
- Stone
FAQ About Installing a Fence
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to hire a contractor to install your fence or do the work yourself.
* Budget: You may save money by doing it yourself. But you’ll likely pay for it with your blood, sweat, and tears. And if something goes wrong, it could be a costly mistake.
* Knowledge: While it’s not necessary to hire a professional fence contractor, they are the experts. They have fence installation down to a science and know local city ordinances, regulations, and permitting.
* Customization: While there are ways to make DIY easier by buying a pre-made fence kit or buying pre-built sections, you get what you get. There’s no room for customizing for the graze of your land or personal preference.
Naturally, there are many factors that will determine how much your fence will cost. The material and the size of the area you are fencing will be the two factors that drive the cost. Fences typically range from $1,330 to $5,550 with a national average of about $3,440.
Do your homework before handing over any of your hard-earned cash to a contractor.
* Read online reviews and estimates from other homeowners in your area. Google and Yelp are good resources for customer reviews.
* Research the company or contractor on the Better Business Bureau website.
* Always get an estimate in writing. Any reputable contractor will always provide you with a written contract to review.
* Ask about any warranty they may offer.
When to Hire a Professional
Whether you decide to DIY a new fence or call a fence contractor, you can’t go wrong with installing a fence. If your fence is simply for aesthetic purposes or to protect the things most precious to you, it will be worth it in the end.
If you planning a fencing project, Fence Gnome connects you to the best fencing professionals near you.
Main Image Credit: Pxhere
