When it comes to choosing a fence for your property it’s important to consider what your needs are from a functional point of view as well as your aesthetic preferences.
Fences are an underrated feature of our homes – as well as boosting the kerbside appeal of our property, they offer safety and security to our house and the people inside. Your peace and quiet from nosy neighbours may be totally reliant on your fence; therefore, you need to select the perfect one for your home. Contact Fence Melbourne
Fences come in a huge range of different designs and styles. It’s important to consider what factors are important to you before you commit to purchasing a fence. Do you want to be able to see your street, chat to passers-by over the fence, or do you want privacy? Do you have large dogs and need a fence that will adequately contain them? Do you live near a noisy road and want a fence that can help to muffle sound? Here are 10 factors to take into consideration before you choose a fence for your property:
#1 What is your home’s architectural style?
Your fence acts as a border around your home, so it only makes sense that it should complement the style of your property. Like houses, fence designs have changed over the decades to reflect the trending architectural styles. For example, heritage woven wire fences were prevalent in the early 1900s. The ornamental swirly designs match the Georgian and Gothic trending architecture that was also very ‘more is more’. Nowadays, modern styles tend to favour sleek, minimal designs.
#2 Do you have young children or pets?
One of the most important jobs your fence needs to execute is to keep the occupants of your home safe. A secure wall will allow your dog to be outside alone without having to worry if he’ll be able to escape. It also means that you and your kids can take full advantage of your backyard and you can feel reassured that your children are protected from busy roads and passers-by.
#3 Are you located near a busy street or public transport line?
If your home is next to a busy street, you may be kept up at night by the sounds of exhausts, engines and blaring horns. Even worse, if you’re located next to a train or tram line, you’ll not only be listening to the loud vehicle noises but also the influx of people getting on and off. In this instance, you might want to consider if a noise reduction fence is right for you. Noise reduction fencing is able to block out up to four times more external noise than a regular fence would be able to. As well as protecting your household from sound pollution, a noise reduction fence can shield your yard from howling wind and keep internal noises from bothering neighbours.
#4 Is burglary a concern for you?
Do you live in a neighbourhood that experiences frequent burglaries? Or is the fear of a break-in something that is often on your mind? If this is the case, it’s important to choose a fence that offers you peace of mind. Depending on your neighbourhood and preferences, you may choose high secure fencing, or choose a mid-height fence that will allow full visibility from the street to prevent an intruder from being able to approach your house without being seen.
#5 Do you need a pedestrian gate, a driveway gate, or both?
When considering your fence, don’t forget to factor in your gates. You’ll need to ensure there is a suitable place for them to be installed that offers sufficient drainage (no one wants to step into a puddle every time they come home from work!). Your gate choice could also end up changing the intended material for your fence. For example, if you want an automatic driveway gate, these usually are made from steel or aluminium. If you originally wanted a wooden fence, you may decide to swap to a metal fence instead to match your gate.
#6 What is the climate of the area you live in?
Your fence will be braving the elements day in and day out, so you want to make sure it can handle it! Colorbond is a steel material used in fencing and other household renovations (such as roofs and sheds). It’s been rigorously tested against all types of Australian weather and has held up against the lot. It’s also non-combustible, so a great choice if you live in a bushfire-prone area.
#7 What is your budget?
Your fence wraps around your property – that’s a decent amount of ground to cover! It’s never going to be a cheap as chips renovation, but there is definitely a scale of affordable to pricier options. More inexpensive materials include vinyl and timber, while a more expensive option would be, say, a glass fence.
#8 How much maintenance are you willing to do?
You wouldn’t plan a garden full of finicky orchids if you didn’t have a green thumb. Likewise, consider the amount of time and care you’re willing to put into your fence before you decide to install it. Certain types of wood may need to be regularly stained to keep the wall looking fresh. Glass is another high maintenance option, as it will smear and show dirt very quickly. Even the colour you choose to paint your fence can contribute to the maintenance needed – white would need cleaning a lot more than a darker fence. Colorbond fences are solid and durable and require little to no care if you want a low maintenance option.
#9 Do you have any future plans for your home?
Your fence is generally a long-term investment – a well-constructed and installed fence can last for decades. Think about your future visions for your home. Say, perhaps, if you plan on getting a pool installed in five years after you’ve finished your backyard landscaping. In that case, you may want to consider having your backyard walled in with a fence that would meet pool regulations, as set out by your local government. The most popular type of pool fencing is tubular fencing crafted from aluminium. It’s relatively inexpensive and would save you from having to replace your fence in five years when you get that pool installed.
#10 What is the main purpose you want your fence to serve?
As elaborated above, there are so many different factors that your fence can help to serve. Many fences can be suitable for various things – for example, a vinyl fence ticks the boxes of being both low-maintenance and budget-friendly. A modular wall offers a secure boundary for your young children and has soundproofing qualities. A Colorbond steel wall stands up against extreme climate situations (including bushfires) and matches modern architecture style’s sleek, clean lines. The fantastic options available may make it hard for you to choose – various materials will achieve what you want out of a fence, so now how do you decide. Give Jim’s Fencing a ring on 13 15 46 for a detailed chat about your property. They’re experts at installing fences across Australia, and they can elaborate on many of the things discussed in this article. They also offer obligation-free quotes on any fence you decide to get installed.