Before you call up your fencing contractors to drop by for a quote, there are a few things to consider first. That way, when they ask you questions relating to what you want in a fence, you'll know exactly what to tell them! Here are our four most important questions to consider when choosing a backyard fence...
Why is it being built?
What is the purpose of building your fence? Do you simply want to mark the perimeter of your yard? Are you designing it to increase privacy and keep neighbours from seeing into your home? Is it there to hold hanging plants? Is it important that it's hard to penetrate, both in order to keep unwelcome guests out or to keep pets and young children in? Or perhaps your fence is purely ornamental?
Whatever the case, these are the questions you need to ask yourself before you go ahead and make your decisions. When speaking to your fencing contractors, having a clear idea of what you wish to achieve will help them to help you.
Which type should you choose?
When it comes to choosing a fence for your perimeter, you have several options, but the two most popular are Colorbond fencing and timber fencing. These fences represent the old and the new standards in Australian fencing -- the timber paling fence, an icon of suburban Australian backyards, and Colorbond, the more recent development that has taken over as the fence of choice for many Aussie homes.
The benefits of timber fencing include:
The benefits of Colorbond fencing include:
Which colour?
If it's a Colorbond fence, you'll have 14 colours to choose from, so you need to take a look at the other features of your property and decide what kind of statement you wish to make. Darker colours are bold and sophisticated, while lighter colours and greys are generally more neutral and will allow other features in your yard to stand out.
If it's a timber fence, you can paint the fence any colour you wish or, alternatively, you can stain it. Staining isn't quite like painting -- it allows the grain of the wood to show through. If you like the idea of keeping these textures when creating your fence, just make sure you try the stain out on a small scrap of wood first, as the colour you see in the store will look quite different once your fence has been stained.
What is the cost?
When choosing between a timber fence and a Colorbond fence, cost is undoubtedly going to be a factor. Timber fencing is generally a bit cheaper at around $20 per metre, though it is more prone to wear and tear and isn't as capable of handling the harsh Australian weather. Colorbond fencing is a little more expensive at around $30 per metre, but it does generally require less maintenance and is also backed by BlueScope Steel's 10-year warranty.
