Step into your backyard, and take a look around. The first thing you’ll notice is the expanse of your lawn, and if you’re lucky, the accessories you’ve installed like a pool, or your barbecue. Something else you might notice is just how many windows are looking down on your yard. How many of your neighbors can see you, and how vulnerable you are to people driving by. There’s nothing to keep your little kingdom safe from prying eyes. After some consideration, you decide the best course of action is to put up a chain link privacy fence.
Before you do that, though, there are a few questions you need to answer.
Question #1: What Does the Chain Link Privacy Fence Need To Screen?
A chain link privacy fence is not a bulwark against invasion; it’s just a simple screen. All it does is provide cover, and block line of sight. As such, you need to ask what kind of privacy you’re looking for.
For example, do you want a chain link fence privacy screen around your backyard so you can enjoy a pool party without worrying about people on the sidewalk being able to peer in? Or do you want a simple border that will keep your kids and pets fenced in without turning your yard into a secret garden? You need to know what lines of sight you’re trying to block, and for what activities, before you even start looking at fence designs, or thinking about paint colors.
Question #2: Are There Any Rules You Have To Follow?
We tend to think of our homes as our private little parts of the world, but homeowners are not exempt from following rules regarding fences. Even if it’s something as simple as a chain link privacy fence.
The first place you need to check is with your local property owners’ association, if you have one. Often there are certain rules you have to follow regarding your property, and what kind of fence you are (or are not) allowed to have will be laid out in the rules and bylaws. If you aren’t part of a POA, though, you should contact your local government to see if there are any ordinances regarding chain link privacy fences. Because the last thing you want to do is go through the rigmarole of measuring, buying, and building, just to be told that you need to take your fence down. Then, just to add insult to injury, you have to pay a fine on top of everything.
Question #3: What is Your Budget?
Home improvements don’t grow on trees; you need to know what you’re willing to spend, and what options that gives you. If you have a small lot, or a big budget, or both, then you might find the sky is the limit. However, you need to have some cushion in your budget for when something goes wrong. Because something always goes wrong. You might have cracked slats that need replaced, broken hardware that has to be bought new, or need to buy a new tool for drilling out the dowels. Whatever happens, though, if you already have your budget worked out to the penny, it’s going to be a problem.
Question #4: What Material Do You Want Your Chain Link Privacy Fence Made Of?
Chain link privacy fences come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Traditional wood fences, for instance, are fairly common options for those looking to install a chain link privacy fence. In addition to wood, though, you also have aluminum, vinyl, and several other materials to choose from.
Which material you choose for your fence is more than just asking which is the lightest weight, or which is the most durable, though. Different fences have different lifespans, and maintenance requirements. Wood fencing may be inexpensive to buy and install, but it has to be regularly stained or painted in order to help it resist the elements. Aluminum may not have the ideal look, but it requires almost no work to maintain, won’t rot or rust, and it can be cleaned with a power washer. Vinyl fences are often just as durable as metal, too, and because they have the same color all the way through they won’t bleach or fade in the sun.
All of these are important considerations not just for installing the fence, but for how you’re going to maintain it down the line.
Question #5: What Challenges Does Your Yard Offer?
Your chain link fence doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it has to accommodate your yard. So if you have a lot of trees, that could be a problem. Even if they’re saplings now, your fence is going to be standing when they start stretching out their branches. You’ll need to be able to cut your grass, as well, and a chain link privacy fence could be an extra obstacle for that task. Is your yard flat, or is it built on a hill? What kind of weather-related challenges will you have to deal with? Whether it’s snow, sleet, monsoons, or hot, dry summers, you need to ask how all of those things are going to impact your fence choice.
These are, of course, just a handful of the issues homeowners have to consider before they install a chain link privacy fence on their property. If you aren’t sure whether a chain link privacy fence is right for you, all you need to do is contact us today. Our fence company is here to answer your questions, and to help you find the ideal fence for your needs.
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