New residents are buying property sight-unseen just to get away from expensive urban settings that felt claustrophobic when neighborhood businesses were closed for safety. As the prevalence of working from home increased, so did the desire to live somewhere based more on local amenities than where a career is based.
The Asheville area is intricately connected to the great outdoors. From thousands of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails to the historic Blue Ridge Parkway, you don't have to feel like you are stuck in the office.
Whether you relocated to Asheville recently or have been in the area for years, you never get tired of seeing the mountains and surrounding nature. We want to make sure our home's exteriors, landscaping, fencing, and other elements match the beauty of our region.
With that in mind, there are many things to consider before installing a new fence. In this guide, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to make sure your new fence has the form and function for which you are looking.
What Are Your Local Municipal and HOA Regulations Regarding Fencing?
One of the first steps to planning your next fence is finding HOA and municipal regulations regarding your fence. Unless you are well outside of town, it is almost certain there will be some stipulations to which you will have to adhere.
Regulations will likely include:
- The overall height of the fence
- The material from which the fence made
- The color of the fence
- The style of the fence
While these rules and laws can seem frustrating, they can also help preserve property values for you and your neighbors. In the city of Asheville, you can visit this website for specific codes.
What Do You Need Your Fence to Do?
This is one of the most important questions to answer when planning to install a new fence. Although your fence is not going to serve just a single function, different materials and styles will serve you best for various functions.
Answering these questions will help you determine the fence product you need:
- Are you primarily concerned with adding privacy to your yard and landscaping?
- Are you installing a fence to provide security and protect your family?
- Do you need to secure a significant parcel of land with a fence that does not necessarily need to be beautiful?
- Is your main goal to keep humans or pets in your yard?
- Do you need to protect your in-ground or above-ground pool from uninvited guests?
- Does your fence need to protect your livestock, while being cost-effective and retaining the natural beauty of your land?
- Do you want a fence that will ultimately add to the aesthetic and value of your property?
Knowing what you want your fence to accomplish is key to choosing the best fencing material.
What Materials Are Best for Your Fence?
Here is a basic breakdown of various popular fencing options.
Chain Link Fence
While chain link fencing does have a utilitarian look, it can be a cost-effective way to secure vast areas and yards. You also may consider adding privacy panels to obscure sightlines into your property. Others opt to leave it as is in order to maintain clear sightlines for security cameras.
Ornamental Aluminum or Steel Fence
Fencing material made of ornamental aluminum or steel is aesthetically beautiful, sturdy, and usually complies with HOA and local laws. These fences require minimal upkeep, are extremely durable, and are almost impossible to climb over. For many homeowners, ornamental fencing provides the perfect blend of form and function.
Board on Board Fence
This is a durable fencing solution that is usually compliant with HOA and municipal requirements. It is a great choice for homeowners who want both privacy and security. It is tall and visually obstructive, so would-be burglars are deterred by its difficulty and the potential of what awaits them in your yard.
Picket Fence
There is nothing more iconic than a picket fence. It is a lovely feature to any property while still providing security. This fence improves the appearance of your home and property. There are many options available to enhance your picket fence such as the option to use either wood or vinyl material, various finishes, colors, and design touches like scallops or arches.
PVC/Vinyl Fence
PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a kind of vinyl, is one of the most widely used building materials. PVC fencing is available in a variety of styles, similar to some wood fence designs but without the upkeep. It is pest and moisture resistant, and it will never rot, split, splinter, or degrade. It'll never need to be sanded, sealed, or painted, and it'll last a lifetime.
Vinyl fencing is entirely resistant, so it can be placed near a pool without fear of water exposure from the pool or sprinklers. Many property owners find this is the perfect solution, blending form, function, and budget.
Split Rail Fence
For those who need to fence in a significant amount of land, especially for the purpose of keeping livestock safe and within the property, split rail fencing is the right solution. Due to its beauty and functionality, this is a very prevalent fence type here in western North Carolina. Split rail fencing can cover a longer distance for a lower price than other types of fencing while also maintaining your view.
Cedar, locust, hemlock raw wood, and pressure-treated pine are the most typical materials we employ. These woods have a natural appeal as well as the capacity to withstand the elements.
Dog Fence
Your furry family members require time to play outside, interact with other animals, and investigate their surroundings. Dog fences allow owners to train their dogs without having to leave the house, and they can also keep animals from becoming lost or stolen.
Shock collars (connected to subsurface electric fencing) have been demonstrated to traumatize dogs, causing emotional discomfort. Above-ground fences are a more humane solution for your pet.
There are multiple materials that can work for dog kennels and fences.
Where Do You Need Your Fence to Go?
Even installing a fence product that only covers a portion of your yard requires you to measure and know exactly how much material you need. Pool fencing and dog kennels may not, however, require you to be familiar with property lines.
For security and privacy fencing, you need to be 100% sure of your property's boundaries. One of the common and unfortunate fence installation mistakes is property owners not understanding exactly where their land stops and their neighbor's land begins.
Visit our website for more information about how to measure your fence and determine property lines.
How Do You Want to Enter and Exit Your Fenced Area?
Installing a beautiful, functional fence significantly improves your property's appearance and safety. However, it's useless if you can't get in or out of your property. Here are a few questions to answer to determine the right gate for your fence:
- Is function or budget most important?
- How securely do you need it to lock?
- How easily do you need to access the fenced area?
- Do you want your gate to match your fence's aesthetic?
- If you are driving through the gate, do you want it to open automatically? Do you mind putting the vehicle in park, getting out, opening the gate, then closing and locking it back?
An attractive security gate offers sophistication, functionality, and greater security to your house or business. Automatic security gate operators can be found in both residential houses and commercial buildings. You can find out more about our automated gate options here.
There is a lot to consider when installing a new fence on your property. You may find that you need more information to even begin to answer some of your questions. The team at Asheville Fence is here to help. We have decades of experience installing beautiful, functional fence products throughout western North Carolina.
We understand the unique challenges of fencing property in this area. We know how important it is for you to have a fence that increases the value of your home and land. If you are ready to explore your fence installation options, contact Asheville Fence today.