The right fence for your property will be a combination of careful height consideration, quality materials, and a beautiful design.
Learn About Fencing Laws
General residential fencing law is the same nationwide, but city ordinances can overrule certain regulations depending on where you live. Some easy-to-follow fencing rules are:
- Residential fence height must not exceed 4 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in the back yard
- Bushes and hedges, if lined and manicured, can be considered “natural fences”
- Variances, or exceptions to the law, overrule general law and city ordinances
Variances are legal precedents that differ from the law. If you have a special case, check to see if there are any variances.
For a commercial fence, you must keep in mind that:
- Any fence, wall, or hedge that reaches 8 feet or lower may be installed anywhere within the limits of the property.
- Commercial fences taller than 8 feet must comply with building setbacks, or rules for distance from roads, outlined in Texas law.
- If your commercial fence reaches over 8 feet, it must not exceed 10 feet.
Keep natural fences in mind when planning. You may want to add them to the aesthetic of your plan. They also may be considered shared fences with your neighbors. You’ll have to talk with those living around you to make sure you won’t be violating their property line or destroying their prized fences.
Talk to your neighbors
Neighbors can use a shared fence to divide property lines. There are laws in place that protect both parties in the case of shared fences. Consider trees and shrubs that may encroach on your neighbor’s property.
The look of your fence will also be of concern to your neighbor. You must both agree on the look if it will function as a shared fence. Once you decide on the basics and have checked that it complies with local laws, inform your neighbor of your plan.
Determine the height of your fence
How tall your fence stands will be based on a combination of your privacy needs, protection needs, and the guidelines of the local law.
Use only what you need for protection and privacy
If you’re a single homeowner or live alone with your spouse, keep your fence lower. You’ll allow your lawn to capture the maximum amount of sunlight. You can also preserve your natural views without having to compromise privacy or safety.
Follow the rules
Check with your homeowner’s association to see if there are regulations for your fencing that you must follow. There may be minimum and maximum limits for height.
The local homeowner’s association may also restrict the types of materials that you can use. Some neighborhoods require strict uniformity, so gather all of the information you can before choosing a material and design.
Consider your pets and children
Families with children and pets should keep fences close to the maximum height. Animals and kids are unable to climb high barriers, keeping them safe inside your home while keeping potential trespassers out.
Pick out a fencing material
The first step to designing your fence is deciding which materials to use. Residential fences work best with wood. Wooden residential fences are:
- Affordable
- Durable
- Customizable
- Weather-treatable
Learn more about the best wood for fences to find out which wood performs best for your area and has the look you want.
Wrought iron works great for larger homesteads. They offer more resilient protection against the elements and can be built higher where fencing laws allow it.
A commercial fence works with both wood and iron. The choice you make for your commercial fence will depend on the level of security and durability you need for your business.
Map out your fence design
After you’ve chosen what type of fence you want, you can think about design options.
Depending on what material you choose, you can select aesthetic changes such as vertical or horizontal alignment, decorative reinforcement, and accessories.
Know what you want your fence to look like, including subtle design elements and paint color. Having a full picture of your dream fence will help your fence installation experts make accurate recommendations.
Decide on a gate
Gates are separate from the rest of your fence. They allow for entry and exit control. Gates can be made of a different material.
Wooden gates are heavy, sturdy gateways to your home. They’re also useful for commercial fences in less dense commercial areas.
While residential fences typically use a wooden gate, you can mix a wood fence with a wrought iron gate for variety and protection. Wrought iron gates also compliment wrought iron commercial fences for maximum security.
Call for fence installation
Take your ideas to your fencing company. They’ll give you a quote for the price and give you time to decide. You can make any necessary changes if your design is not within budget.
Most fences can be installed in one day. As long as you map out the details of your fence design and materials, your fence install shouldn’t interfere with your daily life.
Paint and Customize
Once your fence is installed, it is fully customizable. A few ideas for customization include:
- Accessorizing
- Weather-treating
- Reinforcing
- Painting
You can also consult your fence experts about how to customize your fence. Add flourishes and color to finalize your vision of the right fence.
