If you are on the proverbial fence about installing an Ottawa fence, here are some more reasons, adding to some we listed last month.

No More Lookie-Lous
The most common reason for an Ottawa fence is simply privacy. If you are near a street or have a lot of other houses facing your backyard, you are probably going to want some sort of fence for your Ottawa property if you value privacy.

Secure Your Belongings
A wood Ottawa fence may not keep the criminals out (but it helps), but an Ottawa fence will definitely keep your neighbors from “borrowing” (either temporarily or permanently)  your stuff.

Shut the Noise Out
Whether it is noisy neighbors or a busy road, an Ottawa fence can help keep excess noise out of your yard as well as your house. Installing a do-it-yourself Ottawa fence will play a huge part in cutting down roadside noise.

Your Neighbor’s Lawn Issues are Becoming Your Lawn Issues
Guess what – if your neighbor(s) don’t take care of their lawn and you don’t have an Ottawa fence, these weeds will quickly invade your yard as well.

You’re Bugged
The right kind of Ottawa fence (cedar) can actually reduce insect activity.

Your Neighbor is Treading On Your Turf
Not the ideal way to deal with conflict, but an Ottawa fence certainly can establish a boundary between you and a troublesome neighbor.

Your garden is Feeding Animals More Than You
Ever try and start a vegetable garden and you find animals are eating more than you?  Flowers and shrubbery are also a favorite food source for animals.  Shut down the buffet line with an Ottawa fence.

Your Old Fence Is… Old
You know if your Ottawa fence has reached the end of its life…  if your fence is falling down or just an eyesore, stop by our showroom and we’ll show you an affordable path to a new Ottawa fence.

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Wood is classic, beautiful and versatile. Ideal for privacy fences, wood offers a wide variety of designs, The downside? Maintenance is required with regular staining or painting to keep your Ottawa fence looking great.

Steel is great for a fence where strength is the key.  Stronger than aluminum, steel will hold up to almost anything… including kids. There are not a ton of design options with steel and the price is a tad higher, but higher-end steel fencing typically has a no-maintenance 20-year warranty. The Ottawa steel fence can be sanded and repainted after twenty years if needed. , as you would with wrought iron.

Coated aluminum requires no maintenance and is available at a relatively low cost. Aluminum is not especially durable and should be seen as a case of form over function.

Wrought iron is strong and beautiful, typically seen in front of older homes or historical districts. these are not privacy fences and they aren’t cheap.

Vinyl Ottawa fencing is affordable and relatively easy to install. There are limited styles and vinyl is not the best material for brutal Ottawa winters. Most manufacturers provide a 20-year to lifetime warranty from peeling and cracking.

Chain link fencing is string and easy to assemble.  While it is affordable, galvanized steel chain link will show signs of rust within ten years. The vinyl covered chain link is your best option for an Ottawa fence.

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Safety and Security – Even a short fence will keep would-be burglars away. Additionally, boundary fences will keep strangers from cutting through your lawn and potentially hurting themselves on your property. Even a small boundary fence will discourage people from cutting across your yard.  And fences keep your kids and pets safe – constricting them to stay in your yard.

Privacy – You’ve heard fences make good neighbors?  This is one perspective and when deciding on whether you want an Ottawa fence, ask yourself – “How important is privacy to you?”

Defining Your Property – A fence establishes boundaries and prevents neighbors from encroaching on your property with fences, structures or landscaping.

Keep noise in or out – An Ottawa fence can buffer noise, either coming from your house or your neighbors.

Protection – Keep animals… rabbits, deer, etc. out of your garden with an Ottawa fence. And an Ottawa fence also keeps large drifting of snow and shields you from wind.

Landscaping – A fence adds value to your property by hiding unsightly trash cans, propane gas tanks, etc.  It keeps you from having to look at the neighbor’s trampoline. An Ottawa fence adds curb appeal and helps with resale.

The post So Why Build a Fence? Let us Count the Reasons appeared first on The Fence and Deck Store.

Combine that with the measurements you need for your fence and head into The Fence and Deck Store’s Ottawa showroom to establish a budget for your do-it-yourself Ottawa fence.

But before you even come into our showroom to discus options, you need to check on your limitations. Many homeowners associations or neighborhoods have limits on how high a fence can be or the materials you use. Your city planning department may also have rules you need to adhere to for your Ottawa fence. Restrictions on setbacks and height vary. Often a privacy fence between properties can’t be taller than 6 feet.  Fences in the front may be limited to restrictions even stricter.  The point is, find out what you can do so you know what you need in the way of materials.

And while you are checking with the city and neighborhood regulations, take a moment to tell your neighbors with lots that connect to yours about your plans for a new Ottawa fence.  It is not required, but it is the polite thing to do.

Another key in budgeting how much you will need in materials. You have your preferences as to where the fence should go – but hire a surveyor if you are building on your property’s boundaries. It’s less expensive than tearing it down and moving it after the fact.

Materials
Once you have checked all those preliminary steps, the fun part starts – choosing what your Ottawa fence will look like and the materials to be used. There will be a big variance of cost between materials, so know what you want to spend and let it guide you in your decision.

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Wood Fences…
Most homeowners prefer wood as it is easy to work with. Have a hammer and nails? You have what you need. There are a ton of options with a wood fence – one visit to The Fence and Deck Store will show you that. Wood is easy to repair as you can match the wood at any lumberyard.

Lots of Ottawa homeowners prefer wood as it looks better and is more “green” than metal fencing.

So what’s the downside to wood? It is more susceptible to damage from water rot, insects, etc. It’s less durable during harsh winds and weather. Even with protectants and sealers, wood will eventually fall pray to damage.

Metal Fences… 
More than just the classic chain link, there are a variety of types of Ottawa metal fences to choose from.  Aluminum and wrought iron are also popular. Metal fences will hold up more than wood fences as most will not rust (the exception being wrought iron, which needs to be painted to protect it from rust).

While wrought iron and aluminum can give you a beautiful look, you may be prone to avoid chain link. Keep in mind that there are chain links that are coated with colored vinyl (i.e. green).

Avoid aluminum for a fence with kids in the yard – its durability will probably not hold up to the beating kids can give it.

The post Selecting Materials For Your Ottawa Fence: Wood or Metal? appeared first on The Fence and Deck Store.