5 Tips for Building a Fence
More than just to secure your perimeter, building a fence also adds to your house’s curb appeal, increases property value, protection from environmental factors, and privacy. A proper fence should be able to help you feel more secure in your property and should also be in consideration with your neighbor. You are not the only one who will see the by fence. You don’t have to be a master carpenter to build a fence.
A basic knowledge about the skill should be enough for you to erect a fence. If you want to build a professional looking fence, here are some tips.
Plan For Success
Before you start with your construction endeavor, you need to make sure you have laid out a plan. Your plan should include the style of fence you are going for, the material you prefer to use, the labor and time it will take, the budget you have to work with, and the location you are going to install it. It is important to check with the local building code and construction ordinance in your area to prevent any mishap with your neighbors, just in case.
Call your utility provides to make sure the spot you are going to work on will not damage or hinder gas, water, or electric lines. You just want to improve your home; you don’t want to make a public mess.
Make Your Neighbors Happy
People commonly build a fence just to secure their property and increase house value, and not to make enemies with neighbors. An unofficial rule in terms of building a fence to have the nice side of the fence facing your neighbors. The railings and other undesirable looking pieces in a fence should face your house instead. This not only keeps your neighbors happy but also adds to the total aesthetics of your property.
Material
The material you are going to use will dictate how much long your fencing project will last. Majority of fence used are made of treated wood like a white picket fence, but remember that you have other options. Fences made out of wood deteriorates a lot faster than other materials, mainly due to being out in the environmental waters like expending between the heat of the sun and soaked in the middle of rain.
Remember to use rust-resistant materials when it comes to the bolts, screws, hinges and nails you are going to use. Materials like vinyl, aluminum, steel iron and even bamboo offer more benefits due to being low maintenance and structure integrity. Other materials you can use for your fence are:
- Cedar
- Composite
- Redwood
- Masonry
- Chain Link
Space In Between
When you are installing your fence, make sure your railings does not touch the soil. Better if you can right above the ground. This is to prevent it from early deterioration due to the moist from the ground, or bug infestations.
The spaces between your fence posts is also important for proper balance and design. It largely depends on the type of material you are going to use and the kind of terrain you have. But the general rule is to no more that ¼ inch gap for privacy fences.
Ask For A Professional Help
Yes, building a fence only requires minimal skills, but having it done by a professional will ensure you have a quality, sturdy fence that is worth your money. In addition, your local handyman are likely to know the conditions of your area in terms of wind, soil, and the material that is appropriate for it. They can build it fast and seamless. Hiring a professional not only leaves you with a value for your money but also prevents headaches that may come in constructing it and in the future.
Thank you so much for all of your tips on building a fence. I agree with you that it is important to choose rust-resistant materials so that it is not damaged by rain. I think that it would also be essential to have reliable tools made specifically to use for fence building.
Great article. Yes please remember to use rust resistant bolts or screws.
Great article! We just moved and ended up having a professional install our new fence, but only because we were busy with a lot of other projects and wanted it up right away so the kids could play outside. This article would have been super helpful if we had done it ourselves!