What does your dream home look like? The typical American family dreams of a 3 to 4-bedroom home, with a porch overlooking an inviting front yard behind a low white wood fence. So, it can seem odd to plan to use more than one type of fencing on your property.
The reality of fencing comes down to understanding the different functions of the feature. Indeed, your homestead will need no less than 4 types of fencing to address the following needs:
- Household safety,
- Animal safety is you are keeping farm animals,
- Pool or other water or fire feature safety,
- Vegetable patch protection if you are growing your own crops.
The traditional low fence
Contrary to common belief, the safest fence to protect your home is not a high fence. On the contrary, one of the best types of fencing you will want is a low fence. It will keep the property visible to neighbors and bystanders. A high fence could enable intruders to gain access without being seen by your neighbors. But, when you have a low fence, your neighbors can alert the authorities if they spot suspicious movements in the garden. While this might seem counterproductive against intruders, it’s actually one of the best protection for your home. It is fair to say that this technique is best suited to tight communities where you and your neighbors have a close relationship. You and your neighbors need to be able to see each other’s houses easily. If you live in a remote area with no neighbors, high fences might be a better plan.
The animal-keeping fence
If you keep animals, your fence will ensure you can keep them safely inside the assigned area. Fence professional, Bekaert, has a vast choice of fencing solutions depending on the animals you are keeping as part of your homestead lifestyle. It goes without saying that cattle will require different types of fencing, compared to hogs or horses. If you live in an area with a lot of wildlife around, you may also need exclusion fences, such as a shield to keep deer out of your animal patches.
The feature safety fence
Water or fire feature in your garden is part of an appealing landscaping project. If you are gearing up to face the heatwave this summer, it is fair to say that a water feature will be integral to keeping cool. Whether you opt for a swimming pool or a more natural-looking swimming pond, it can be a good idea to fence the area. Young children and pets could face difficulties if they fell into the water. Additionally, you can also use a fence to preserve privacy inside the pool, blocking the view from the street.
The vegetable garden fence
Growing crops attracts wildlife. A lot of gardeners choose to protect their crops with a fence structure that will keep hungry rodents and small mammals at bay. Raised beds can also reduce the risk of bugs and other insects feasting on your zucchinis, salads, and beans. Both features offer ideal protection against accidental trampling, which can occur when you have dogs or cats at home.
Are you ready to use any of these types of fencing as a functional feature in your homestead? Fencing strategies differ depending on your location, your surroundings, and your safety needs. But they completely transform your routine, making your home more efficient and secure for all.