There are many different options available for those wishing to put up a new fence or gate as well as a number of points to consider. It is important to make an informed decision about the materials you wish to use for your fence, as certain materials are best for specific jobs.
What are the Options?
If you are building a fence purely for aesthetic reasons you will have more variety of choice available to you. A wooden picket fence or natural, rustic style fence often looks very good. You also need to consider the surrounding area, and how you want your fence to fit in as this will help you to decide what type of paint or varnish to use, and what overall style to opt for.
It is always best to carry out research about the different styles of wooden fence available, as there are a lot of very interesting and beautiful styles to choose from and the price range is extensive. One thing worth looking into is any potential legal issues surrounding the proposed work.
Different areas may have different guidelines about what you can and can’t do. If you wish to construct a fence for more practical reasons such as for the security aspect of keeping people out, or in order to keep animals or children into an area, then there will be other aspects to consider, such as which materials are most suitable and how strong the fence posts need to be.
Where Do I Start?
The first thing you will need to do is check the ground conditions. For example, if the ground is uneven a simple wire mesh fence would not be a suitable option as this will leave clear and visible gaps between the fence and the floor, so you may need to bury the fence into the ground to avoid gaps and also cement fixed posts into place for added strength. Alternatively, you could build a base wall in which to set your fence from and this would prevent any ‘tunneling under.’
It is important to ensure that you have fully inspected the site before starting work, as you do not want to find that there is a large area of bedrock in one area, and you are unable to dig the holes required for the posts. Spending the extra time initially to ensure that the task is completed to a high standard will subsequently mean that the end result will last longer and require less maintenance.
Key Takeaways:
- Be clear on its intended use.
- Check for any legal requirements.
- Decide on style.
- Survey the area for potential problems.
- Decide on materials.
- Build it properly.
