Fencing those foes out!

While fences bring a feeling of security in your homes, they need not be an eyesore. With a little bit of planning, one can easily transform  fences to match homes, says
A Dyuti.

Intruders! neighbours’ pets, pests and strays... Phew! Keeping these uninvited guests out of your precious property can prove to be quite a task! That’s where the fence steps in! A brick fence painted in colours that match with the home’s exterior is the most common choice. But, have you ever considered the fence as a decorative element on your premises? Yes! This mundane aspect on your housing accessories list offers many exciting options. Let’s examine them.

First, decide on the purpose of installing a fence – merely security, privacy from nosy neighbours or aesthetics. Perhaps, it’s a combination of all these? Once you’re clear about this, choose the type of fencing you wish to install that serves the specific purpose. For instance, fences for maintaining privacy shouldn’t have gaps, holes and spaces. Solid brick fences or wooden panels could be the answer. Vinyl is also slowly acquiring popularity today.

Decorative fences can include picket fences. If white isn’t your cup of tea, paint the pickets to match your house’s exterior colour scheme. Better yet, go for ornate metal fences that are sure to enhance the classic elegance of your abode. Barbed wires and electrified fences are selected only when security garners top priority. But, beware! Electrified fences need care during both installation and continued maintenance. Make sure there is proper earth grounding and heavy and wet plants are not in contact with the bottom wiring. Also avoid poor quality insulators and kinks in high-tensile wire. Barbed wires drawn through metal stakes atop a stone fence is another security option. Video cameras and buzzers with intercoms at the main gate are gaining popularity as protective devices these days. High fences ensure both security and privacy and opting for ones with a spikes lining on the top provides added safety.

Note that each type of fencing has its own advantages and disadvantages. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each option and then make your decision. For instance, wood may score high on aesthetics, but loses out when you demand maintenance convenience.

While vinyl refuses to rot, crack, peel, splinter or warp like wood, it does burn quite a sizable hole in your wallet! Chain link fences are maintenance-free and secure but are looked upon as hallmarks of industrial establishments. Barbed wire and electrified fences offer security but can injure animals.

Arming yourself with enough knowledge on each type of fence will help you make an informed decision that suits your needs. Here are some green fencing ideas. Once you’ve installed your fence of choice, growing flowering plants at the base can help conceal the Spartan look. Hedges consist of plants grown thickly and shaped and trimmed to form green barriers around your property.

Shrubs or small, thorny trees are best suited for a hedge. However, this is usually used to demarcate spaces in your garden and yard rather than as a protective barrier at the circumference of your garden. Also, failure to trim it regularly leads to gaps at the base with the passage of time. Yet, one can’t ignore the fact that it is environment-friendly and keeps the area cool. Another option is to grow bamboo plants at the circumference of your plot. It’s not merely a green option, but also looks lovely. Plus, this quick-growing green pal helps keep noise at bay. You can also go for a bamboo fence with the shoots fastened to each other by means of metal clasps. A lattice fence can double as a support for climbing plants and creepers. It creates a semi-private area in your front yard.