But in the early days of this country, putting up a fence was a DIY undertaking – as was repairing it. And while a farmer might build a split rail fence around his livestock, stone walls served as boundaries for the property.
And stones, being stones, a few always tumbled over time. This led to the yearly task of neighbors walking along the boundary that separated their lands each spring and resetting any rocks that had fallen over the winter.
How often have you shared a conversation over the fence? If you’re like many in today’s busy world, the fence may be the only place you and your neighbors meet.
Ironic, isn’t it, that what is put in place to keep us apart, to separate yours from mine, is the only place that our parallel lives share. Today, fences have replaced stone walls and while they still mark property lines, installing one adds so much more to homeowners’ lives.
But in the early days of this country, putting up a fence was a DIY undertaking – as was repairing it. And while a farmer might build a split rail fence around his livestock, stone walls served as boundaries for the property.
And stones, being stones, a few always tumbled over time. This led to the yearly task of neighbors walking along the boundary that separated their lands each spring and resetting any rocks that had fallen over the winter.
How often have you shared a conversation over the fence? If you’re like many in today’s busy world, the fence may be the only place you and your neighbors meet.
Ironic, isn’t it, that what is put in place to keep us apart, to separate yours from mine, is the only place that our parallel lives share. Today, fences have replaced stone walls and while they still mark property lines, installing one adds so much more to homeowners’ lives.
The Ubiquity of Fences
Other than out in the country, it’s hard to find property untouched by a fence. But then, even in rural areas, while the house may not be surrounded by a fence, chances are animal pens or pastures will have fencing to keep the cows, sheep, horses, or chickens close to home.
Most likely, your neighborhood abounds with fences. And chances are if you ask your neighbors what they like about theirs, they’ll come up with answers like the ones below. Some may even mention them all.
People Like Their Fence Because It…
- Provides privacy
- Makes my front yard look nice
- Keeps my dog from running into the street
- Provides security
- Marks off a play area for my kids
- Muffles some of the traffic sounds out
- Keeps the wind out
How many can you check off? And if you’re wondering about that utility bill answer, it’s true. Taller fences divert the wind, and so they keep the cost of heating down, even if by only a smidgen.
Fences Increase Property Values
It’s true, provided, like the subjects of the Frost poem, you keep your fence maintained. A fence can add to the value of your home, since it enhances the visual appeal. Or, as you hear real estate agents say over and over, it adds curb appeal.
When it comes time to sell your home, a fence will attract certain buyers. Dog owners will especially be interested in a house if it has a fence surrounding the backyard, provided it’s high enough to prevent their dog from jumping over it.
People who like to entertain will appreciate how they and their guests can party in private. Of course, families with small children can tell you how a fenced-in yard can easily become a playground with the addition of swings and a climbing structure; and perhaps a trampoline and basketball hoop when the kids get a little older.
Fence Styles
When it comes to installing a new fence, you have a boatload of styles to choose from. If you’re looking for a wood fence, there are
- Picket fences
- Six-foot privacy fences,
- Parallel slat fences
- Shadowbox fences where alternate slats recede an inch or two, backward or forward, with slight gaps between them for a shadowbox effect,
Fencing Materials
If metal fences appeal to you, there are aluminum, decorative metal, wrought iron, and chainlink fences for you. There are a variety of fencing materials to choose from wood, composite, vinyl, aluminum, and wrought iron.
The truth is that all will require a bit of maintenance.
Fence Maintenance
Wood fences need painting and weatherproofing. But if you keep to a maintenance schedule of applying a wood sealant to your wood fence and follow up with a coat of waterproofing wood stain or paint preferably every year, but every other year will do, you’ll keep your CT wood fencing looking as good as new for years to come.
other related articles of interest:
Wrought iron fences can rust and peel, so you will need to scrape them and paint them with rust-inhibiting paints when needed. As for vinyl, as any vinyl fencing installer in CT will tell you, vinyl fences need little to no maintenance.
The truth is, no matter what type of fence you choose you won’t regret adding a fence,
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Image credit: fences aren’t what they used to be by envato.com
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