Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
By HiLine Hal
When you decided to build your new home, the design of the outside was probably just as important as the inside. Exterior paint colors, landscaping style and selections, driveways, and patios/decks are all choices that homeowners have the pleasure of making. Another important element to consider, though, is the installation of a fence, which in no small way complements the design of your home. Consider it as the frame to your picture.
While some fences may be strictly utilitarian, others can provide beauty and style to your home. Your fencing selection can greatly enhance your property, and you have many materials and styles to choose from. Cedarwood fences, post and rail fences, wrought iron fences, and the classic white picket fence (in either wood or vinyl) are some of the more popular choices, but it will be up to you to decide which one best fits your home, its surroundings, and its purpose.
Is your fence providing privacy, or will it just establish a border? Is it meant to keep people or animals out, or to keep children and pets safely in your yard? Designing a fence and finding the right balance between form and function can be a very satisfying part of developing your property.
Perhaps your neighbor is willing to share the cost. After all, they will receive the benefit of the new fence too. It doesn’t hurt to ask. If nothing else, it gives you the chance to meet your new neighbor(s) and introduce yourself. Be sure to check with your local building department to see if you need a permit or there are any restrictions on how or where a fence is built
