Perhaps you’ve just purchased a home and are looking to fence your yard to keep your pup from
running away. Or maybe you have young children and want to prevent them from wandering into
the street. You might even have a pool and want to keep neighborhood kids safe by fencing
around it. No matter what your reason for fence shopping, there’s an attractive, useful fence style
out there. Here are some popular ones.
– Wood fencing – No matter which type of wood you choose to build your fence, investing
in high-quality wood will greatly increase the life of your fence. Cheap wood tends to
warp easily, causing you to have to repair or replace sections of your fence probably far
sooner than you would like to. Western red cedar is a popular fencing choice because it’s
visually appealing and naturally resists rot, moisture and insect infestation. White oak and
black locust are good choices if you keep horses because horses will not chew these
fences. They are both very hardy wood, though white oak can bow or warp.
– Aluminum fencing – This basic fence building material is both attractive and virtually
maintenance free, other than installation and the initial paint job. However, it’s not
recommended for areas with extreme weather, as it can be damaged.
– PVC fencing – One of the most inexpensive ways to fence your yard is with PVC
fencing. Wooden takes and pickets are replaced with PVC versions, while PVC sleeves
go over top of wooden posts. Because less wood is used, the cost is far less than a wood
fence. PVC is not as strong as wood, but it is very resistant to the elements and can last a
long time.
– Vinyl fencing – Vinyl fencing may have a higher up-front cost than wood or PVC, but it
will pay off in longevity and easy maintenance. These fences are typically stronger and
more flexible than wood fences and resist paint, so you won’t have to worry about
graffiti. Vinyl is also very easy to clean. Rather than the power washing required by some
fence materials, soap and a hose can make this fence look new again in no time.
– Chain link fencing – This is one of the less attractive fencing options, but one of the most
cost-effective. This fencing option is very durable and doesn’t require much maintenance.
It doesn’t add much to the security or privacy of your home, but will keep your dog in the
backyard. This fencing option can provide a bit of privacy if you plant privacy shrubs or
vines along the fence line, also serving to decorate it a bit.
Many neighborhoods in the Western Prince William County area have homeowners associations,
so when choosing a fence style, it’s important to check with your HOA to see what is compliant
with their regulations. You will probably have to have the fence HOA-approved before you dig
the first post hole, so make sure you have your ducks in a row before building a fence. For
information on which neighborhoods have HOAs, or for any real estate related questions, contact
the Chris Colgan Real Estate Team. We are familiar with the local communities and can tell you
more about them.
Chris Colgan is the CEO and Team Leader of the Chris Colgan Real Estate Team. Chris was
born and raised in Gainesville, Virginia and has been in real estate for 10 years. He is a member
of the Re/Max Hall of Fame and is in the top 25 for sales in the state of Virginia out of all
Re/Max agents. He has been recognized as one of the United States’ and Canada’s Top 500
Marketing Experts by the National Association of Expert Advisors.
