Fences have been used in the landscape for millennia. Early fences were used predominantly to support plants such as peas, beans and other climbing plants. These were simple in design and construction, usually made from willow or hazel, sometimes osier. In today’s society, we both work and live at a hectic, fast pace in chaotic environments. Many of us seek to balance our lives by seeking privacy. Though modern fences may be erected for practical reasons, such as keeping pets in or pest animals out, most often they are intended to ensure that property owners maintain privacy or delineate property. Fences certainly work to solve these problems. Blocking off a neighbor’s yard with a solid wood or vinyl fence could solve any of these problems, but beware: you may end up feeling like a prisoner in your own home.
There are better solutions to the fencing dilemma. For example, interspersing solid panels of fencing with narrow bands of trellis with upright evergreens planted in front of them creates the required privacy, and may be used at the rear or along the sides of most yards as needed. A three- to three-and-a-half-foot picket fence across the front of the property would coordinate well with such a fence and complete the enclosure of the yard. This kind of fence would not only provide privacy, but also potentially provide support for climbing flowering plants such as roses, honeysuckle, trumpet vine, dutchman's pipe to name a few. Such plantings would attract bees of all sorts, butterflies and hummingbirds, adding to the beauty and usefulness of the back yard.
Another type of fence can be created by angling vertical boards. This design provides visual privacy, yet allows air to circulate freely through the fence. Closely spaced or staggered slats also provide privacy, while offering visual interest. Open designs such as picket fences, full lattices or wrought-iron fencing delineate property when privacy is less of an issue. There are as many different fencing designs as there are designers to dream them up! While many types of fencing would render the desired privacy or yard enclosure, there are several potential issues to consider before deciding to build a fence. Among these are:
Local Ordinances. These laws are enacted by Cities, towns, villages, counties or property owners’ associations. Among the fencing rules that these laws may regulate are fence type, maximum height, position within the property line or in relation to the house. In some places, no fencing is allowed in front of a home. In others, the maximum height allowed differs from the back yard to the front of the dwelling. You have to find out your local rules before you start. Permit. Most local authorities require the homeowner to obtain a building permit to build a fence. The permit will require a one-time fee and must be displayed at all times so that an inspector can view it. Property Lines. Municipalities don’t usually get involved in property line disputes unless there is reason to believe that homeowners or contractors have violated the boundary. Property lines were established by the surveyor at the time the property was originally surveyed. Usually, a metal pin with a yellow cap is inserted at each of the four corners of a parcel or lot. The local municipality maintains copies of lot designations, of which the landowner can obtain further copies as needed. If the surveyor’s pins cannot be located, contact the engineer’s office. It may be necessary to have the lot surveyed again and have new pins installed. There will, of course, be a fee for this! Budget. Erecting a fence can be an expensive undertaking. You should consider your aims, priorities, alternatives, possible compromises and ultimate functionality. The fence may need to be completed in stages rather than all at once. The local lumber yard is a good source of ideas for possible fence styles and materials. Ready-made fencing is readily available, though as it is mass-produced, it is often quite basic in design and frequently made of less expensive materials, which usually translates into shorter lifespan for the structure. You can always reproduce a style you like with better materials. Maintenance. Both lumber choices and planting plans are heavily impacted by maintenance issues. Untreated pine is a relatively short-lived material, which will likely begin to need replacement within five years or even sooner, depending upon the quality of stain/paint, weather conditions and placement within the yard. Treated lumber is pine that has been treated with a chemical that slows (but does not entirely stop) decay, so that it will last longer, but should not be stained or painted immediately after building (a wait of at least six months is usually recommended). Red cedar is one of the best species to use for fencing and trellises, as it contains a naturally decay-resistant compound and so does not have to be protected with stain or paint. Left natural, it will weather to a light gray over time.
Maintenance of plantings near fences has issues of its own. If you grow climbing plants on a fence that needs to be re-stained/repainted, you will have to take down the plants to maintain the fence. This is not only tedious, but also may damage the plants. Planting shrubs and trees along fence lines presents other issues. Remember that while your fence will not grow larger over time, your plantings will grow. You must ensure that your plants are far enough from the property line that they do not end up overhanging your neighbor’s property.
Whether you choose a simple or complex design for fencing, don’t hesitate to check with trusted professionals throughout the process to ensure you have complete and correct information.