Your home is your castle, the saying goes.
If your castle is your dream Sarasota home, or a custom designed home for your lot on Long boat Key, the next step is surrounding it with the beauty it deserves. From landscaping to driveways and fencing, the details you choose are integral to the overall look and feel of the property.
With so many options available to you, a beautiful fenced yard is well within reach.
Why Fence in Your Yard?
People have many reasons for wanting to fence in their yard, but most lead back to the safety and security of their home and family.
- Pet Safety: The primary reason people looked for a fenced yard, according to studies, is to keep their animals from wandering away. An enclosed space allows owners to let the dogs outside to play and run, while not worrying about losing them.
- Personal Playground: Of course, another primary reason for having a fenced yard is to provide a safe play area from your children; ideally shielded from the view of passers-by and strangers.
- Security for Your Stuff: Whether to keep people off your property entirely, or to secure the backyard to keep items of value, a fence can help you to avoid someone seeing something they like – and helping themselves to it.
- Privacy for Your Family: As lot sizes increasingly shrink to fit more homes, it can sometimes feel as if you are living in a fishbowl. A beautiful fence can not only increase the aesthetic value of your property, but allow you to enjoy your home and family time without additional sets of prying eyes.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Fence
There are a few caveats to building a fence which need to first be considered.
- HOA or Community Restrictions: There may be community restrictions on what type of fence you can build, as well as the allowable height. Some HOA’s do not allow fencing at all, and others will not allow them along bodies of water. Be sure to check with your covenant documents before building your fence, as most require approval to do so.
- Being Neighborly: Your fence will affect the look of your neighbor’s property, so it is considered polite to inform them of your plan to build a fence. If building a traditional fence, the “ugly side” must face you; if considering a wrought iron or contemporary “horizonal” fence, a simple conversation should suffice. You may consider how the height and breadth of your fence may affect your neighbor’s view of water or a preserve as well.
Which Fence is Right for You?
- Wooden Fencing: Solid plank wood fencing or PVC fencing is considered best for complete privacy. Most deed restricted communities will limit fencing to 6 feet in height.
- Wrought Iron Fencing: Iron fences are great for corralling kids and pets, while still allowing for a backyard view. They are beautiful and functional, and can be highly decorative as well. Plants trailing vines with flowers to climb the fence, and surround your space with tropical flora.
- Chain Link: If you want the functionality of a fence but don’t want to look at it, many choose green chain link. You can then plant hedges or flowers on either side to hide the fence, but still prevent animals from escaping the yard.
There are many contemporary design choices for you when building your Sarasota custom home. Horizontal wooden fences are quite popular, especially when framed with metal (which gives them a sleek and modern look. ) Check out online photo sites for inspiration for both your home and fencing, then bring your ideas to Lindahl Construction. We are ready to build your castle, right here in paradise.