this house that i'm buying has a decent-sized backyard area, and i have two dogs (one 14 months old and the other is 6 months old) that i'd really like to be able to run around in the back while i'm gone (i'm thinking about a pet door, but that's another thread for later)

now, i've only ever lived on massive tracts of land where it didn't matter whether the dogs were fenced in or in apartments where i had no choice, so i don't even know where to start...chain-link CAN look nice, but i'm afraid it might also look trashy when it's done...i'm a huge fan of natural barriers (trees, shrubs, etc.), so perhaps planting climbing plants/shrubs that will eventually cover the fence would look okay (i was thinking things like jasmine, blackberries, wisteria, passionflower, etc.)...i know that most of these can be downright invasive, but i'm not opposed to keeping them in check - i want them to grow fast, and anything that i can actually use (like the blackberries or jasmine) is a bonus

what other suggestions might you all have? i don't really like the idea of a wooden privacy fence, mostly because they're too tall, and short ones look funny...what other options are there? invisible fence would take care of the dogs, but i'm not sure i trust those things (and, really, i don't want to use them on my dogs)

also, who has experience with putting up chain-link fencing? who'd you use? what did it cost you? anyone have any other suggestions for plants/shrubs to plant on or around the fence? do i go black, green, or aluminum-colored?

4/22/2008 1:20:12 PM

well

if your dogs are diggers

dont forget to bury it a bit

[Edited on April 22, 2008 at 1:26 PM. Reason : e]

4/22/2008 1:25:45 PM

is the house in a development or area that has regulations or restrictions for fences?


as for the invisible fence, I'd say they work quite well. My parents have one and it keeps a full grown lab and a full grown rottie with no problems.

4/22/2008 1:27:10 PM

2 rail wood (like split rail but just plain flat boards) and 2x4 or 2x6 wire always looks good. my parents put this in at both the old house and the new. trying to find a good picture....

4/22/2008 1:31:25 PM

step one is check your local codes to see the maximum height of a fence allowed before you worry about aesthetics and practicality

4/22/2008 1:33:10 PM

electric fences have worked extremely well for my neighbors in the past... the dogs get accustomed very quick too

4/22/2008 1:46:44 PM

there are no restrictions on size, height, or materials for the subdivision...and unless the city of raleigh has special considerations for that particular area (do they even do that, section off a small part of the city proper and assign things like fencing codes), there's nothing else limiting what i can and cannot use or build in terms of fencing

the dogs don't APPEAR to be diggers (though they might end up that way once they have a yard ), but i would have it buried a bit in any case

as for the two-rail sort of thing, i'm not opposed to that, but it won't work very well for keeping my dogs in

i've heard those electric fences are downright expensive, but then, i can't say what other fencing would cost...that might be the best bet

[Edited on April 22, 2008 at 2:17 PM. Reason : h != y]

4/22/2008 2:05:54 PM

you can buy a whole kit for an invisible fence on ebay for under $200. Both of the other two options are going to be a lot more expensive.

4/22/2008 2:15:23 PM

call segars fence co

4/22/2008 2:16:36 PM

http://www.seegarsfence.com

Quote :

"as for the two-rail sort of thing, i'm not opposed to that, but it won't work very well for keeping my dogs in"

it's 2 (or 3) rail wood fencing AND 2x4 metal mesh


[Edited on April 22, 2008 at 2:29 PM. Reason : ]

4/22/2008 2:25:45 PM

Quote :

" i don't really like the idea of a wooden privacy fence, mostly because they're too tall, and short ones look funny.."

Wooden fences don't have to be privacy fences. If you get one around 5-6' tall with scalloping and gaps between the slats, you won't wind up with that shut-off-from-the-world look, but still tall enough to keep your dogs in without looking like one of those flimsy trailer park fences.

but seriously, chain link fences look like shit. There are no exceptions to this.

Oh, and I highly recommend American Heritage Fence Company. The owner, Ralph Brown is the guy I dealt with. He is extremely responsive both before and after the sale. I'll be calling him again to do another fence when I move in a couple of months.
http://www.ahfencecompany.com/

Fortress is also really good, but way too expensive.

Seegars will be a little cheaper, but that's because they use the cheapest wood and mexicans money can buy

4/22/2008 3:39:26 PM

i have a question...don't want to hijack your thread...but my backyard is fenced w/ chain-link (it came that way), and i want to somehow prevent my dogs from being able to see out front towards the road. planting bushes/trees isn't an option because the driveway is in the way. are there any options as far as covering the chain-link that aren't that plastic stuff you weave b/w the links?

4/22/2008 3:43:48 PM

Quote :

"there are no restrictions on size, height, or materials for the subdivision...and unless the city of raleigh has special considerations for that particular area (do they even do that, section off a small part of the city proper and assign things like fencing codes), there's nothing else limiting what i can and cannot use or build in terms of fencing"

i just know many city zoning codes have restrictions on fencing...i'm not positive of the specifics for raleigh, but i wouldnt be surprised if you couldnt build wood privacy fences as high as chain link fences, or if there is a general maximum height...ie i dont think if you build a 20' high fence its going to fly with your neighbors/subdivision/city...just something to check out before you invest too much time or money in planning or materials

4/22/2008 3:46:31 PM

I just fenced my own backyard with pre-fabricated panels I bought at Lowe's. For me to install the fence myself, it worked out to about $8.50/LF. I used 6"x6" corner posts and gate posts with 4"x4" treated posts for the fence. I dry packed Sacrete in all the post holes and I am very happy with the way things turned out.

However, hindsight is 20/20. For $13.00/LF, Lowe's would do a basic installation (which doesn't include gates or corner posts). Considering it took me almost 8 months to put up a little more than 350', I ended up spending a lot of time for that extra $4.50/LF savings.

If you want to put up your own fence, I have a few suggestions. Always get a Professional Land Surveyor to mark your property corners and property lines where they come into play. This gets disposes of any disagreements before they arise. Also, if you don't like the way the inside of the fence looks from your backyard, turn it around and mount it with the finished side in.

For chain link, I personally wouldn't have it, plain and simple. It is ugly in my opinion. But if that is what you want, get a black or green one, they are more expensive, but they look tons better. Also, make sure if you plant a vine that it will "cling" to the metal. Ivy and other vines need masonry or wood to attach to.

For a reputable fencing contractor, there is "Fences Unlimited" in Garner. http://www.fencesunlimited.net

4/22/2008 4:13:33 PM

Quote :

"planting climbing plants/shrubs that will eventually cover the fence"

after working in lawncare/landscaping, i can confidently say you will most likely regret this

4/22/2008 4:19:17 PM

Quote :

"Wooden fences don't have to be privacy fences. If you get one around 5-6' tall with scalloping and gaps between the slats, you won't wind up with that shut-off-from-the-world look, but still tall enough to keep your dogs in without looking like one of those flimsy trailer park fences."

That sounds like the one that I just put up in my new yard for my dog. I didn't leave much as far as gaps, but the yard looks great. It has some great old trees and has a really nice courtyard feel to it. Sometime this spring I'm going to do something in the way of exterior lighting out there.

4/22/2008 4:19:17 PM

The PVC fences that you can get at Lowes look very good. I don't believe chain link looks that good and vines that grow on them make it even uglier. If i were goin to put up a fence it would be the pvc fences that come in about 8 foot sections and with post on either side. They are fairly easy to put up, but they are time consuming. So if you are wanting it done pretty quick i would have a company do it.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=56507-73428-56507&lpage=none

I know somebody who has this fence and their is only one problem. Every year or so it needs to be pressure washed because it does get dirty.

4/22/2008 5:27:57 PM

The PVC fences that you can get at Lowes look very good. I don't believe chain link looks that good and vines that grow on them make it even uglier. If i were goin to put up a fence it would be the pvc fences that come in about 8 foot sections and with post on either side. They are fairly easy to put up, but they are time consuming. So if you are wanting it done pretty quick i would have a company do it.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=56507-73428-56507&lpage=none

I know somebody who has this fence and their is only one problem. Every year or so it needs to be pressure washed because it does get dirty.

4/22/2008 5:28:20 PM

While we're on the topic,

anybody have any experience with electric pressure washers?

I've used the massive gas powered rental type before, but I don't really want all that trouble for routine house maintenance. How many PSI is enough? I beg TWW for its multifaceted wisdom.

4/22/2008 6:55:03 PM

we have an electric pressure washer back at home, but not sure on psi. it works well enough for basic cleaning tasks.

4/22/2008 7:00:05 PM

any idea which brand?

4/22/2008 7:01:49 PM

Quote :

"i have a question...don't want to hijack your thread...but my backyard is fenced w/ chain-link (it came that way), and i want to somehow prevent my dogs from being able to see out front towards the road. planting bushes/trees isn't an option because the driveway is in the way. are there any options as far as covering the chain-link that aren't that plastic stuff you weave b/w the links?"

they make a mesh type material that you hang on one side of the fence with zip ties. You normally see it in a green around tennis courts, and around a lot of construction sites.

4/22/2008 7:07:08 PM

My stepdad owns a fencing company in raleigh

raleighfences.com

Tell him Karen referred you....

4/22/2008 7:21:32 PM

i'm going to be building a backyard fence soon too, have to decide between a 6' privacy fence, or maybe just a 4' picket.

but a general question for anyone who knows - why doesn't anybody paint or stain wooden fences? I see these 6' privacy fence everywhere in Cary and West Raleigh, and none of them are painted, and all of them that are more than a couple years old look like shit. The wood fades, then they inevitably get water damage, the slats start to warp, the cross-pieces sag, and generally they just look like crap. I've seen several like this with the AH Fence Company signs on them.

Anyone know what's so hard about putting on some paint, at least some light brown wood-color or water-sealing stain or something?

4/22/2008 9:43:41 PM

^ i think a lot of people who stain/paint screw it up by doing it too early and therefore not a lot of people do it... i believe you need to wait a year or two before painting/staining/sealing pressure treated wood so it can dry out. also - usually a water sealer should help keep it looking decent (its just most people are lazy and just don't do anything) and if it turns gray, sometimes you can pressure wash it back to its semi-normal color

if you want to help with warping and sag, using screws instead of nails can help - don't ever use those silly staple things

also, make sure you borrow/rent an auger, it will make building the fence 200% easier and you only need to rent it for a 1/2 day

4/22/2008 10:30:19 PM

^^ people are lazy.

I think i may be the only one in my neighborhood who bothered to seal my fence. Everyone else's is all gray and shitty looking, and mine still looks like wood 2 years later.

[Edited on April 22, 2008 at 11:07 PM. Reason : ok well i hired some one from TWW to do it for cheap. ]

4/22/2008 11:06:45 PM

I put up 330' of galvanized chain link at my house with all posts concreted in at 10' intervals and top rail, 1 entrance gate, and 1 double drive through gate. Rented a power auger to dig all the holes. I think it came in around $1600 just for the rental and supplies 2 years ago. If you do it yourself its much easier with a second person. Probably costs more than that now that steel prices have gone up.

I've also put up the welded wire fence pictured above, and definitely would not recommend it. It's harder to stretch straight than chain link, and if your dogs jump or tug on it they will bend it easily. If you're trying to save money its the cheapest fence though.

4/22/2008 11:09:21 PM

Quote :

"I think i may be the only one in my neighborhood who bothered to seal my fence."

that's sad. i work A LOT and still have time to seal the wood around my house. people have gotten wayy too lazy.

4/23/2008 1:26:05 AM

This is some solid-looking fencing.

4/23/2008 1:54:15 AM

Quote :

"they make a mesh type material that you hang on one side of the fence with zip ties. You normally see it in a green around tennis courts, and around a lot of construction sites."

meh, that wouldn't look too great either.

what about those fence panels they sell at lowe's? could i just buy a couple and attach them to my existing fence? would that look like shit?

4/23/2008 8:26:33 AM

Quote :

" This is some solid-looking fencing."

that's not a fence . . . that's a wall

4/23/2008 10:59:20 AM

Is there an HOA?

4/23/2008 11:27:21 AM

Quote :

"would that look like shit?"

if you have to ask...

actually, if you bought enough to cover one entire length, it might not look as bad.

4/23/2008 12:38:56 PM

the fence (the part that i want to cover) is the side that faces the street, which happens to be on both sides of the house. see the drawing below. the sections i want to cover are the red ones. the vertical piece on the right side has a double gate in it. i would of course buy enough to cover those sections. the other parts of the fence are shared w/ the neighbors (although it is my fencing, they have fences that meet on the corners.



i think from the street all you would see is wood fencing. i don't know how to handle the gate though...cut panels to fit both gates or take the gate out completely and buy/build a wooden one that hinges on the wood fence.

4/23/2008 1:52:15 PM

i like your second choice, but it's more labor/money intensive.

i'm sure if you asked around, someone would fit wood to your existing gate.

4/23/2008 2:25:58 PM

Quote :

"that's not a fence . . . that's a wall "

hondaguy

I know, right? It's mighty damned sturdy-looking--might give the place that unwanted "compound" look. Like you're trying to keep out federal agents or something.

4/23/2008 2:30:30 PM

What if I AM trying to keep out Federal Agents?

4/23/2008 4:35:10 PM