How to Get the Best Fence for your Investment in Manassas, VA
A new fence is a major investment in the value of your property. It defines your boundaries, keeps pets and children safe on your side and strangers on the outside. Choosing the best fence for your lifestyle, your family needs, your outdoor décor and your budget is a big job.
Here are 10 steps to help to choose from all the fences available in Manassas, VA.
Decide What You Want to Accomplish with Your Fence
The first step is deciding why you are installing a fence. It will be much easier to choose from among the many options available once you know what problem you want your fence to solve.
Here are few things to think about:
- Is your fence utilitarian, like keeping your pet in the yard?
- Are you trying to reduce noise from the busy street?
- Is privacy your main concern, keeping your backyard away from the prying eyes of nosy neighbors?
- Is security your main consideration?
- Do you want to make your boundaries clear?
- Is the fence part of your landscaping plan?
- Is this a commercial property or is it for your family?
- Is the area dangerous or is it a quiet neighborhood with few problems?
Most people decide to get a fence to accomplish several goals at the same time. For example, they often want to keep pets in the yard, define their boundaries, give themselves some privacy, and make the yard look more finished.
As long as you have listed what they are, you will be fine. However, if you don’t know what you want to fix by installing a fence, you are unlikely to choose the best one available for your needs and your property.
What Is Your Budget?
Fencing your property is expensive, but it is also an investment in the overall value of your home and yard. It gives it curb appeal and adds aesthetic benefits to the exterior of your property. A fenced yard is also more usable. Overall, it is one of the simplest ways to increase the worth of your home.
According to Realty Times, adding a fence is one of best home improvements that immediately adds value. A backyard with a fence that helps privacy increases the marketability of your house when it comes to selling. Since so many homebuyers have children and pets, they need fencing for security.
Check with a realtor or fencing professional to determine which materials and styles will add the most to the value of your property. Choosing fences in Manassas, VA that blend in with the home, property and neighborhood will add the most value. This will help you make the most of your investment in new fencing.
Decide on Materials
There are so many materials now available for fences in Manassas, VA. Wood and wrought iron were the major choices for decades, but there are new ones to choose from.
The experts at Hal Co Fence and Deck point out that modern vinyl is an excellent low-maintenance selection for busy families. Chain link fencing works well in a variety of commercial situations. Steel ornamental fences in Manassas, VA last for years and require less upkeep than iron.
Ask professional fence installers about the pros and cons of various materials. Tell them your budget and what you want to accomplish with your fence. They can guide you through he selection process for the best material for your needs.
The most common types of fencing materials are:
- Wood, which is the most popular choice by far in the United States. Wood adds a rustic charm to any home or business and is one of the most affordable choices. However, it requires regular upkeep.
- Vinyl, which is the cheapest material available. This material lasts for years with minimal upkeep.
- Wrought iron, which has been traditional for upscale homes for centuries. This material is elegant and strong, but it does require upkeep.
- Chain link, which defines boundaries and keeps people out, but doesn’t provide privacy. It is popular for businesses.
- Ornamental fencing made of steel, which is the modern equivalent of wrought iron. It is strong, requires very little maintenance and is highly durable.
Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Styles
You can install an ornamental fence in your front yard, but use a wood fence in the back or try chain link in the rear of your property. It is functional and low maintenance.
The advantage of mixing up styles and materials is cost savings and less maintenance. If your front yard has a fancy fence, you can get away with a more utilitarian model where people won’t see it. It’s your home, so don’t be afraid to install more than one type of fence.
Does Your Neighborhood Have Requirements?
Municipal and neighborhood regulations are an important consideration in many areas. They may dictate the height, the style and the materials that you are allowed to use.
Be sure to research your options. Fences in Manassas, VA, are an expensive investment. It could be a major blow to your budget if you have to tear down the one you have installed, simply to replace it with one that meets the local codes and covenants.
Building codes often dictate how far a fence needs to be set back from our sidewalk or boundary line. In some cases, you will need a building permit to erect a fence.
Use Professionals
Decades ago it was normal to install your own fence around a farm or even in the city, but it is harder than it looks, takes time and requires a lot of special tools. Hiring a professional to do the work is the more cost effective solution when installing fences in Manassas, VA.
If you decide to do it yourself, don’t be surprised if your weekend project turns out to take all summer and part of the fall. Getting the rails and posts in correctly, aligning the materials, making sure everything is straight and where it should be takes time, skill and experience.
Check with Your Neighbors
It is true that good fences in Manassas, VA make good neighbors, but before you install that good fence, be sure to let your neighbors know what you are doing. Let them ask questions and show them where you will be erecting it and what it will look like.