Selecting the material
Bernie Buck of Chamblee Fence Company says that he has noticed a growing interest in steel and aluminum fencing. Both materials are durable and can be used for sleek and simplistic designs or elaborate motifs. Since the two materials look nearly identical, Buck says the majority of homeowners opt for aluminum when cost is used as the deciding factor.

Both Moss and Buck agree that wooden fences are just as popular as they have always been, and are the best option for privacy and for enclosing swimming pools. According to Moss, Atlanta Decking & Fence Co. offers copper rail top fences, which combine the traditional wooden fence with copper elements interwoven. She says the combination has become extremely popular, especially since it is a new spin on a classic.

A few additional advantages of wood fencing are the low cost, the option to paint or stain it to match the landscape, and its knack for keeping children and pets within their boundaries.

Buck says that because of the great qualities wooden fencing offers, numerous companies are experimenting with composite fencing, which is a mixture of wood flour and one of a variety of plastics. The result is a material that has the beauty of natural wood and will last for years to come, but it is still in its trial phases as far as Buck is concerned.

“I believe that it’s going to become prevalent and it will come down in price, but the jury is still out until more research is done,” Buck says.

Add a gate
When homeowners want to add more pizzazz or security to their fences, they can opt to incorporate a gate into their designs. Buck says that mostly homes in higher-end neighborhoods are including them and there is a trend in their designs.

“A lot of people want the estate look and therefore they are installing ornate decorative gates with operator systems,” Buck says. “A lot of times people who call and inquire about the gate and operator systems are surprised by the cost. They are much more expensive than people anticipate.”

Scott Stinnett of Riverside Metal Products says that it isn’t surprising that the cost is high when homeowners are adding features such as call boxes, keypads and remotes to their operating systems.

For homeowners who want to add a gate with more moderate security, Moss recommends buying a standard door lock set and having it installed on the gate for traditional key entry. It will dress up the gate and secure it at the same time.

If ornate iron gates aren’t what you’re looking for, Moss suggests custom wooden gates with lattice tops or arbors. In her opinion, these combinations of features create an inviting appearance.

A few additional advantages of wood fencing are the low cost, the option to paint or stain it to match the landscape, and its knack for keeping children and pets within their boundaries.

Buck says that because of the great qualities wooden fencing offers, numerous companies are experimenting with composite fencing, which is a mixture of wood flour and one of a variety of plastics. The result is a material that has the beauty of natural wood and will last for years to come, but it is still in its trial phases as far as Buck is concerned.

“I believe that it’s going to become prevalent and it will come down in price, but the jury is still out until more research is done,” Buck says.

Add a gate
When homeowners want to add more pizzazz or security to their fences, they can opt to incorporate a gate into their designs. Buck says that mostly homes in higher-end neighborhoods are including them and there is a trend in their designs.

“A lot of people want the estate look and therefore they are installing ornate decorative gates with operator systems,” Buck says. “A lot of times people who call and inquire about the gate and operator systems are surprised by the cost. They are much more expensive than people anticipate.”

Scott Stinnett of Riverside Metal Products says that it isn’t surprising that the cost is high when homeowners are adding features such as call boxes, keypads and remotes to their operating systems.

For homeowners who want to add a gate with more moderate security, Moss recommends buying a standard door lock set and having it installed on the gate for traditional key entry. It will dress up the gate and secure it at the same time.

If ornate iron gates aren’t what you’re looking for, Moss suggests custom wooden gates with lattice tops or arbors. In her opinion, these combinations of features create an inviting appearance.

An Invisible Barrier
If you are in search of a method to secure your pet in your yard without having to install large fencing, invisible fences often are the best way to go. Most of the systems on the market use a thin gauge wire, a transmitter and a collar. You can bury the fence in any shape around your yard, covering an area up to 25 acres.

Your pet wears the coordinating collar, and if it gets close to the fence’s perimeter, it receives an audible warning signal through the collar. Once the boundary is crossed, a shock can be given to notify the pet that it has gone too far. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering an invisible fence.

Before you build
Whenever a homeowner installs any type of fence, there are preliminary steps that must be followed, according to Grant Robillard of All Star Fence Company. The first step is to determine the reason for installing the fence. Whether its purpose will be to distinguish property lines, to contain pets or to enclose a swimming pool, the homeowner will need to contact his or her city or county zoning office to discover what regulations need to be followed. These regulations specify types of fences allowed and height directives. Many new neighborhoods don’t allow front yard or chain link fencing.

The next step is to consult the home’s plot plan to determine the property lines. Be sure to note if there are any plants or trees in the way and make sure that tree roots are considered, since they extend well beyond the tree itself. If you are unaware of where your property runs, a surveyor can come out and help you clarify.

Do some research and gather photos of fences you are interested in. Discussing the plans with neighbors is a good idea before beginning to install a fence, not only to be courteous but also because the fence will be a part of their yard, too.

If all the correct steps are followed and the permit is in place, Robillard says that an entire yard can typically be fenced in within a week.

Buck notes that the time of year is critical when purchasing a fence because of the demand. “Fencing can be done any time of the year,” Buck says. “Early in the year is a good time because it can be installed very quickly.” Buck says that you should plan to buy a fence to enclose a pool several weeks before the pool is installed. Many people install pools and then call for a fence after the fact. Depending on the time of year, they might not be able to get the fence installed for several weeks.

Even though installing a fence does not take long, it’s important to plan ahead to make sure it’s in place when you need it. Once you’ve picked your material and located your property lines, go ahead and get the process started. Before long, you’ll be able to enjoy your newly fenced-in yard.