With this blog, we hope to educate homeowners on the many common mistakes of fence building, as well as how to overcome them. Overall, fences are a wonderful asset to your home, especially when properly installed and taken care of.
6 Top Fencing Mistakes
1. Compromising Quality
Cutting corners is never a good idea for anyone doing any sort of construction project. This is especially true when you are choosing materials for pool fencing. Cutting costs by using inferior materials or hiring your cousin Jim, who has run a table saw exactly one time (no offense to any Jims out there), is not a great way to set yourself up for success.
When building a fence, it is vital to hire the right installer who can help you navigate through the different materials and styles of fencing. There are so many different types of fence products on the market, but not all of them are going to be high quality. Therefore, working with the right contractor can make things much easier for you.
2. Choosing the Wrong Materials
Speaking of quality materials, choosing the right fence material for the correct application is super important. For example, low decorative fencing is not going to work well to keep children and animals out of your pool area.
Make sure to take the time to consider what materials are available on the market and compare them with your fencing goals. Your contractor should be able to help you pick exactly what you need. If you are doing it yourself, please do your research.
Some of your options for fencing materials include:
- Vinyl: Durable, versatile, and easy to maintain, vinyl fencing is an excellent, albeit expensive, material to work with. Vinyl fences can come in all shapes and sizes and work great for keeping people out and enclosing animals or children.
- Chain-Link: One of the most affordable forms of fencing is the old standard, the chain-link fence. These fences are often used for property lines and enclosures and are daily low cost. However, they offer very little privacy and security compared to other options.
- Wood: The most common fence around, wooden fences have been used for hundreds of years as a way to keep things in or out of the property. Wooden fences are durable and secure and, when built correctly, can offer plenty of privacy. The only downside of a wooden fence is the maintenance.
- Wrought Iron: If you are looking for a classic aesthetic, wrought iron fencing is the answer. These heavy-duty fences are beautiful and will not be going anywhere any time soon. The big issue with wrought iron is its cost for both materials and upkeep.
As you can see, picking a fence material should be a thought-out process, and this list doesn't even cover some of the more elaborate materials.
3. Not Making Accurate Measurements
One way to get in trouble with planning out your fencing is not properly measuring your future fence line. It is incredibly easy to forget to think about things such as wall height and any custom cuts that need to be made. Not everyone’s yard is perfectly manicured and square.
When measuring your fence line, make sure to take detailed notes and compile them into an easy-to-read drawing or diagram so that you don't have to measure things a million times. Include the basics, such as height and length, but also notes about any hard-to-deal-with areas in your yard.
4. Post Setting
If your posts are not properly set in the ground, then your fence is bound to be problematic, at least. The post is the heartbeat of your fence line, as they are what determines how well the fence will hold up to wear, tear, weather, and more.
Make sure that your posts are properly set in concrete or gravel to add weight and durability. Fences need to be durable enough to withstand abuse; by pouring footers, you can ensure that your fence posts don't go anywhere.
5. Not Maintaining Your Fence
All fences are vulnerable to deterioration and have to be maintained. Your fencing's safety will deteriorate over time, in addition to its appearance. For instance, if you neglect a wooden fence, eventually, the finish will wear off, and the wood will start to decay. If that happens, it won't only look ugly; it will also provide kids and animals a way to get in and out.
Regardless of the material you choose, it's crucial to maintain it according to the installer's instructions. Higher quality materials may be more expensive, but they are also easier to maintain and frequently come with a warranty in case they are damaged.
6. Doing It Yourself
Finding and building a fence on your own might cause problems for the rest of your life, even though it may be the most affordable option initially. Nearly all of the problems you can have when constructing a fence will disappear if you work with a professional fence installer. Additionally, you can feel confident knowing that your yard will be well-secured if you use a competent installer.
If you need a fence in the Asheville or Hendersonville area, you can count on Asheville Fence for the best fencing products and top-notch installation. Contact us today for more to schedule a consultation!