The backyard of the home is often the refuge to many of us. It is the place we entertain our children, a place our pets roam and most importantly a place of privacy where we retreat after a long week at work. We live in a world surrounded by subdivisions and homes built so close together that you can hear your neighbor blow their nose. This is why a fence for the backyard is so significant to home ownership today. Choosing a fence is not an easy task with the multitude of options available. The options are endless, from designing a fence of your own out of wood, prefabricated fencing panels and decorative aluminum fence.

Chain Link Fence

There isn’t a yard out there with a home built in the seventies and eighties that has not seen a chain link fence. It was the most affordable option which also made it the most popular. Now it seems that chain link fence has become used in more industrial settings than backyards. It is incredibly durable, easy to install and comes in a variety of heights. The drawbacks of chain link fencing actually only come from the ascetic make up of the fence. It only comes in gray unless you get the vinyl coated chain link fence which comes in black, green and white. A chain link fence will last you for many years and is easily maintainable.

Wooden Fence

Wooden fences are beautiful. They add a charm to any home. Wooden fence can be purchased in sections either as picket fencing, which is a short type of fence, or privacy fencing, which is usually a fence that is over five feet in height. Wooden picket fences are not great for keeping animals or children in the backyard. This type of fence is used more for decoration than for purpose. However, wooden fence sections can be purchased called privacy fence which stand taller to keep the backyard private as the name suggests. Drawbacks of wooden fencing materials come from the maintenance and longevity of the wood material. Naturally you will need to treat and maintain a wooden fence to protect it from the elements. The sun, rain and snow all cause threats to wooden fencing material not to mention insects.

Decorative Aluminum Fence

Decorative aluminum fencing is perfect for any backyard or driveway area. Aluminum fencing and gates can be installed for use with electronic gate openers. This is not only super convenient in keeping your home protected but also alleviates having to exit the car to open or close the gate. With access controlled gates you will find two options, both styles playing off the beauty of the aluminum fence, a slide gate opener or a swing gate opener. Aluminum fence is the option most chosen by homeowners for safety with in-ground pools. It is extremely stylish, keeps critters and children safe while adult supervision is not around and is virtually maintenance free. Aluminum pool fence tends to be a bit more expensive than other types of fencing materials but homeowners must look at the time and money spent on replacement fencing, maintenance and the decorative nature in itself when deciding on fencing.

There are several other type of fencing material out there such as vinyl fencing as well as split rail and fencing that is owner designed. Obviously the decision about fencing will come down to the look you are attracted to, the budget you want to stick with and the maintenance work you want to put into it for years to come. I love decorative aluminum fencing however my yard is surrounded by split rail fence as this material best went with the look of the river we have in our backyard.