How to Select a Fence Height

Guide to Selecting Your Fence’s Height

It is essential to select the right fence height for a home to adhere to county ordinances, home owner associations, and of course, personal taste. Fences come in many different sizes and heights. You need to choose the right fence height to serve the intended purpose, such as a privacy fence or a picket fence. When choosing a fence height, consider what your needs are and how your neighbor might feel about the height. Some fences are made to enhance the privacy of your home, and others are designed to help you achieve the highest level of protection against trespassing animals or people. In this article we’ll discuss some of the most important factors when selecting fence height.

Factors to consider before choosing a fence

You will have to consider several of your needs before deciding on the type of fence you would like to install. For example, what are the durability requirements for your fence? If you live in an area with a lot of harsh weather conditions, you’ll want a more durable fence. The design of the fence will also generally impact the height of the fence, since some types like picket or privacy come in standard heights like 4 feet and 6 feet. The material is also another thing that goes into choosing a fence height. Wood is great for taller fences like a privacy fence, since it’s more cost effect to build higher, while metal is great for medium height fences.

Installation cost

The cost of installing the fences will vary from one fence height to the other. Due to using more materials, generally the higher the fence, the more it will cost. Certain materials like vinyl and wood are cheaper than steel or iron. You’ll have to factor in the budget you have for the fence to decide on what the best material is for your height. However, going for high-quality fence materials that your budget can support is always the best so you will have a long lasting fence that adds value to your home.

Fence maintenance

Every fence’s life can be extended by performing yearly maintenance, such as cleaning, re-painting or re-staining and minor damage repairs. There isn’t a huge difference in types of maintenance when it comes to different fence heights, but if you need to repair a fence there might be slightly more cost in a taller fence. Fence repairs can be as low as $50 or as high as $2000 depending on what kind of damage there is to the fence.

Fences with the least maintenance are vinyl fences at 4 feet or 6 feet. With wood you need to ward off termites and rot, since it’s a natural material. Metal requires warding off rust, so there’s trade offs when you choose different materials when it comes to fences maintenance. When comparing the different types of fences available there, your weather and general temperature around your area will help you decide which type of fence to choose when regarding maintenance.

Local home owner’s association rules

There are some neighborhoods where you’re restricted on the height of fence you can install. Check out your local rules before picking a fence height, because otherwise the HOA might bother you about a specific rule about how high your fence can be. The city you live in might also have a restriction, otherwise people might build 30 foot tall fences that could be hazardous to people. General home fence heights don’t go over 6 feet, but some privacy fences can be taller, and if it’s a security fence for a business you might want a slightly taller fence. Always check with the rules of the local governing organization before spending any money a fence.

How to choose front yard fence height

Fence heights are dependent on your needs, such as protecting pets and children, or keeping people out of a pool or garden.

Fence height for protecting pets and children

A fence that serves as pool protection for children and pets should be about 4 to 6 feet high. A four feet fence can help control small to medium size dogs. If you have a larger breed that can jump or climb, it’s best to get a six foot fence.

Enclosing a Pool

To avoid cases where children or other people in your neighborhood can end up falling in your pool, you need to install a fence that can offer them some form of protection. A fence about 4 feet high will work well in protecting children from wandering near your pool area. Though some states have strict regulations about pool fencing. If working with a fence company, they will inform you about the regulations in your county regarding pool fences.

Enclosing a Garden

Since garden’s are an aesthetic endeavor much of the time a fence as low as 3 feet tall can give the garden a nice look, while keeping some animals out. Common types of fences you can get to enclose your garden include vinyl pickets and wood pickets. People often prefer vinyl because it can last longer close to the constant watering and dampness a garden sustains. You will not have to worry as much about the maintenance cost. It’s a durable fence that can serve your garden for many seasons.

Establishing Property Boundaries

To establish a property boundary, a fence about 3 feet high is sufficient. It will provide the necessary boundary you need to keep things organized, and delineate your property lines appropriately. People who stay in suburban areas often have fences 3 feet high in the front yard and about 6 feet in the backyard.

Providing Privacy

For privacy reasons, you need to have a fence 6 feet high or taller to keep out prying eyes. Many people are taller than 6 feet, so going higher makes sense. If you would like to keep the eyes of your neighbors out of your property, you can go for a fence that is about 8 feet high. It will provide the necessary protection to keep your home private and safe.