People have different reasons to install a fence. Some do it for security while others just want a bit more privacy. If you want one installed for your property, you can search for a “fencing company near me” and hire professionals for the job. Let’s check out how you can choose a fence for your lakefront property.
The Discussion
- Safety – A fence isn’t just meant for display. While it can increase your curb appeal, a properly installed fence that raises the safety and security of your home increases the intrinsic value of your home. For most people, the reason for installing a fence is to keep away trespassers and ensure the safety of their property and family members. Depending on the security of your lakefront property’s neighborhood, you may need to build a fence that’s sturdy, tall, and acts as a deterrent to burglars and home invaders.
- Location – Most waterfront terrains aren’t the most construction-friendly terrain. Depending on your property’s unique location, it may take more effort and time to build the fence. With a waterfront location, the types of fences you can choose are also limited. For instance, a wood fence is a bad idea for a waterfront property since it would be invaded by carpenter termites, and other pests and rot quickly due to moisture.
You may be forced to do quick and frequent repairs and even after that, your wooden fence may not last for more than 3 years. That’s why you should choose a fencing material that suits the local terrain and climate conditions.
- Water proximity – Another thing to consider while building a fence on a waterfront property is to measure how close you a1re to the water. Water can wreak havoc on different sorts of materials. Wood fences start warping, metal fences start corroding and there are detrimental effects to some other materials. If you’re not careful with the material it wouldn’t just affect the look of the fence, but also make it weak and impractical.
- Visibility – When you have a waterfront property, a privacy fence may be a waste of money. People pay good money to secure a waterfront property and don’t want to block that beautiful view with a privacy fence. Either way, when you have a waterfront property, you’ll only have fish as neighbors who can peek into your backyard. Keep visibility in mind when you build a fence for your waterfront property. With that out of the way, let’s check out the fencing options you have for your waterfront property.
- Steel fencing – If you require a strong fence for your waterfront property, a steel fence may be the ideal choice. Fence panels made from steel last long and are quite durable. If your waterfront property’s neighborhood has some safety concerns, a steel fence may be the ideal choice. A steel fence can be built on almost any terrain and can maintain its elegance even if there’s a storm or other drastic climatic changes.
However, you need to make sure that you have a high-quality coat of paint on the steel fence. Regular paint won’t be able to stand the moisture-rich air and if you’re near the coast with salty air, regular paint would be chipped away very easily and corrode the steel. Make sure that you get a waterproof layer of paint on the steel and paint over scratches as soon as they appear. You may need to consider other options if you’re near the sea with saline air.
- Aluminum fencing – Aluminum fence is highly versatile and a light material that can be easily installed on your property. This material is a cheaper alternative to steel and wrought iron. It can deliver you the look of those materials without burning a hole through your wallet. If there are no security issues in your neighborhood, then aluminum can be used to make an excellent ornamental fence for your waterfront property.
Moreover, an aluminum fence is better at resisting moisture and saline air. That’s why there are fewer maintenance and repair costs. You can also use this material to create an enclosure around your swimming pool. Aluminum can also be easily recycled after the fence runs its course and you can earn back a substantial fraction of the material cost.
- PVC Vinyl fencing – PVC should be at the top of your list while considering fence material for your waterfront property. PVC picket fencing is durable and depending on the style and shade you choose; it can look very sophisticated. In the aesthetic department, carefully selected PVC fences can look more vibrant than both steel and aluminum fences. They come in various textures and can even mimic the look of wooden fences. So, you can get the brilliant look of a wooden fence without its drawbacks and vulnerability in front of the water.
Similar to aluminum fences, vinyl fences require little to no maintenance since they don’t peel, crack, chip or rot unless heavily abused. It can also stand up to the regular wear and tear caused by bad weather. Vinyl fences are also made with wind tolerance ratings. So depending on the wind speeds near your waterfront property, you can buy the appropriate vinyl fences. However, it’s important to note that vinyl can’t tolerate extreme heat and cold. The constant expansion and contraction due to extreme heat and cold make vinyl brittle and less flexible.
As long as your waterfront property is not in a location where temperatures can hit either end of the scale, you’re good. While vinyl costs a lot more than wood during installation, it’s worth the price since it has minimal maintenance costs and a lower cost of ownership in the long term.
Conclusion
There are several factors that need to be considered while building a new fence for your lakefront property. From location and safety to visibility and proximity to water. Once you’ve decided on the type of fence you want, you can always search for a “fencing company near me” and hire professionals to build one for you.