Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Fencing Materials and Design for Your Yard
As the saying goes, good fences make good neighbors, and they also create a relaxing and peaceful space in your yard that affords privacy and security. A fence can do more than just function as a border for your space; it can provide a nice backdrop for your landscaping features and shrubbery. Note a few quick tips for choosing the right fencing supplies and design for your yard.
1. For dogs
Obviously you want to keep your dogs in your yard, and virtually any type of fence can do this, but if your dogs are easily excitable by everything they see, consider a solid material and design for your fence. A wood or metal fence that blocks out most of the view of the neighbors and street can be the best choice for dogs and keep them the quietest.
2. Light without the view
If you live close to the road or don't have the best view from your yard and want to block it out completely, but you are also concerned about making your yard seem dark and claustrophobic, choose frosted glass panels. You can install smaller panels in a row for each fence section to break up the look or choose large sections for your fencing material. The frosted glass will block the view but not the light and keep your yard feeling large and airy.
3. Wind shielding
For areas with lots of wind such as in the tropics or for a high-rise apartment patio, choose clear glass panes. These help to block wind but won't block your view or the light coming into your space. You can choose a slight tint to the glass if you need protection from the hot summer sun or opt for something completely clear for the best view.
4. Private but not "cookie cutter"
A tall wood fence can give you the most privacy but if this type of fence seems too generic and "cookie cutter," opt for a stepped design. This is when the panels of the fence are at staggering heights. Plan the design around areas where you need most privacy; for example, choose the tallest panel to sit next to where you have your outdoor deck furniture and then have the fence staggered downwards from there. You might also plan the staggered look around your landscaping features; put the tallest panel behind a small tree and then smaller panels around flowerbeds and other shorter features.
