Someone once said that good fences make good neighbours.
But what makes a good fence?
This year, the choice of fencing materials is better than ever, from natural cedar to vinyl-coated plastic and durable synthetics.
Fencing costs vary widely. Does your budget allow for economical polyethylene mesh, vinyl or cedar lattice, or is it time to invest in extruded aluminum rods with acrylic coating, which mimic elegant wrought iron?
Vertical cedar-plank fencing topped with an airy lattice is traditional and still popular, both for privacy and decorative appeal. Cedar fences require some maintenance, but are fairly economical. A tongue-and-groove cedar fence panel with lattice top, 1.8 metres tall by 2.5 metres wide, can be had for about $100 a panel.
For an Asian look, the same vertical planks without lattice could be topped with narrow cedar strips arranged horizontally, like a half-closed shutter. Do-it-yourself fans should check Rona for a design package on this good-looking fence for about $80 a panel. A project plan with a complete list of materials is available online at ronabydesign.rona.ca/patio/how-to.
Another Asian-inspired look this year is genuine bamboo-pole fencing, available either natural or smoked. Cost of 1.8-metre-by-2.5-metre sections are around $170.
This year, natural wood is often replaced by a more expensive, but tough and eco-friendly, blend of wood and polymer resin that never needs painting or sealing. Each 1.8-metre plank costs about $8 and looks much like natural wood, and is available in a number of fade-free colours.
For privacy, a 2.4-square-metre polymer-resin fence panel with a decorative lattice top costs about $160 a panel. This sturdy cedar look-alike needs almost no maintenance.
Chain link, both plastic-coated and galvanized, is maintenance-free, long-lasting, and suited to climbing vines for privacy. It's ideal on acreages for keeping out garden-loving deer, moose and rabbits.
For an unrestricted view, rather than privacy, cedar or aluminum railings with wide, shatterproof, tempered-glass panels work well on balconies or decks. Panels start at about $100 for a 1.6-metre-long panel.
-- Canwest News Service
