Fence options for the campers

[FiveRoooooers]

I am looking ahead to fencing options for CG II. We've always had wooden three split rail lined with a vinyl coated chain link and it's been great but I want to explore other options. The only thing I know that I don't want is full-panel vinyl. Tell (show!) me what you've used and what you like and/or don't like about it. Annie, Punkin and I are anxious to get plans going! Thanks!!

[MerseyGrey]

Hmmm, I think we need to see a picture of the garden before we decide…

[Remolacha]

Do you want privacy or a view? Most houses out here have 6’ block wall or 6’ solid wood (cedar) fences, good for privacy and keeping dogs in, but blocks any view. Some people have 4’ or 6’ chain link, sometimes with that vinyl stuff which doesn’t hold up well in our heat.

[Beachbum1]

6' wood privacy fence, which can be decorated/painted on the inside/hidden with growing bushes, and padlocked gate.

[1Moregrey]

Have a dog run/turn out pen attached to deck with a gate on the deck (6 foot chain link). The yard has 6 foot wooden privacy fence.  This way the yard can be mowed by others and no worries the hounds can get out.  This works for us still get a view when on the deck too.

[BatterseaBrindl]

Depends on location.  
Out here in the boonies with no foot traffic or need for privacy, we have chain link and no-climb.  
If you’re going to live in suburbia then you might not want that.


 

 

[Remolacha]

I don’t know what the “norm” is for Maine. In some parts of the country back yard fences seem to be very rare, other places, like around here, it seems like everyone has something. I guess that might be a factor.

[FiveRoooooers]

4 minutes ago, Remolacha said:

I don’t know what the “norm” is for Maine. In some parts of the country back yard fences seem to be very rare, other places, like around here, it seems like everyone has something. I guess that might be a factor.

It seems that keeping the family dog/s in an enclosed area is not the norm here. We are now carrying a horse whip from the local feed store. Sigh. 

Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep ‘em coming! 

[ramonaghan]

8 hours ago, Beachbum1 said:

6' wood privacy fence, which can be decorated/painted on the inside/hidden with growing bushes, and padlocked gate.

+1

[macoduck]

I'm glad you don't want the full-panel vinyl fencing. Those are popular around here, but they get mildew stains and get blown to smithereens in winds over 70pmh.

https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/yard-patio/creative-fence-ideas/

"Hog wire" is the style in #7.

[cleptogrey]

call me simple or old fashioned, i like turkey wire- 5 or 6 ft with shrubbery planted either inside or outside the fencing. privacy, security, and great ventilation. I never like the way large wood fences stop the breeze. Use the best fence posts possible and heavy galvanized turkey wire and plant!

 

just ran across this on facebook- i did see a fence like this up in nova scotia- food for thought-https://www.facebook.com/WaddellWoodworking/photos/a.332525586805873/5084550081603376

Edited March 11, 2022 by cleptogrey

[EllenEveBaz]

5' chain length, coated with black vinyl, around the back yard of my 1-story brick house so the style kind of fits.  The black makes the fence almost disappear.  Multiple people have told me this is the only kind of chain length they've liked the looks of.  

Like:  No maintenance.  Ever.  Possible crime deterrence -- house is on a corner and people passing by might keep someone from breaking into the house unobserved.  Dogs like it because they can see out.  Good as support for vines and roses.  5' height keeps greyhounds secure without making it look like a prison.  

Don't like:   Cost 20% more than uncoated chain length.  Pain to keep the grass trimmed around it -- chain length not good for weedwhacker string.  I didn't put in enough gates.  And the 5' height keeps me from getting a galgo or other high-jumper.  Although that might be a good thing.    

[Remolacha]

5 hours ago, macoduck said:

I'm glad you don't want the full-panel vinyl fencing. Those are popular around here, but they get mildew stains and get blown to smithereens in winds over 70pmh.

https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/yard-patio/creative-fence-ideas/

"Hog wire" is the style in #7.

I like the look of those fences, although obviously some would not work to keep your dogs safe. A few people in my neighborhood have fences like #6, it looks quite nice. I have to admit my introverted, antisocial self likes the 6ft block wall 

[greysmom]

Is this for permanent installation or for your temporary camp??  Are you installing or done by a professional?  What's the style of the house?  Are there any HOA rules??

Chain link is probably the most cost effective and the longest lasting.  You'll only get about 10-12 years from any kind of wooden fence, depending on the weather it has to withstand.  

5 hours ago, macoduck said:

I'm glad you don't want the full-panel vinyl fencing. Those are popular around here, but they get mildew stains and get blown to smithereens in winds over 70pmh.

https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/yard-patio/creative-fence-ideas/

"Hog wire" is the style in #7.

 #7 and #10 are my favs above - sturdy but functional.  Though I would make any fence at least 5 feet, and 6 feet is better.  4 feet, or even 3 feet might be fine for Punkin and Annie, but there may come a time where you wish you had a taller one.  There's a house I drive past a lot and it's similar to 7/10 but the posts and the top bar are round wooden posts and the wire portion is cattle panels.  Like this but with an additional wooden round pole across the top:

 It seems very sturdy, but it is a more rustic look than chain link or privacy fence.

[Jerilyn]

I’ve got a mishmash because they are all technically the neighbors’ fences.  The back is cheap plain chain link, it’s the worst but it’s been there  30+ years and is still standing sturdy. The guy who lived there before the current folks cut off the metal bits that hold the chain link to the top bar for some unknown reason so it’s all loose. I keep meaning to fix it up with zip ties under the cover of darkness so the current owners won’t see me. One side is green vinyl coated heavy chain link, it’s the best. Been there 40+ years and looks like new. Other side is homemade wood. It’s been there over 30 years and is pretty weathered but stands up to our winds and snow and the neighbor kids climbing on it. My contribution is the 5’ wooden gates, all the rest is 4’. They’ve been up almost 12 years and are just fine. Unexpectedly very important to me is some kind of gaps that the rabbits can get out through so I don’t have to clean up crime scenes.  

[dante2zoe]

We have what they call a 3 rail livestock fence for the dogs.  It is similar to split rail, but the posts are 4x4s with deer wire stretched on the outside and then 15s are nailed to the posts, locking the wire in, if that makes sense.  Ours is 5 feet high.  We wanted to be able to see beyond the fence as the dog yard is only part of our property and doesn't follow property lines.  We are lucky that no one is a jumper and they do not go completely nuts went deer are wandering by.  Home lots here are at least 4 acres so limiting contact with a neighbor isn't an issue.   

My last house had a 6 foot privacy fence, but it followed the property line and gave me space from the neighbors.  

[Time4ANap]

I like this if we are too close to neighbors. 

 

 

We had the white PVC privacy panels on the turnout area in Illinois.  We lucked out that the house blocked most of the wind, but neighbors who had the same panels often had them blow down or break off in high winds/storms. Snow piling up against them is another problem that will also break them. 

If Ihadto choose a fence for a new property, I would probably go with a similar rail and wire combo like you had previously to keep dogs in and more importantly, other critters out. 

[MarcR]

Four foot double picket fence.  The staggered pickets block the view but not the air.  Bonus: It's "good" on both sides.  You can see it behind Myun...

[Fostr_Mom]

We have 4' black vinyl covered chain link fencing.  I have a  spray can of coating for any spots I might weed whip off so it should last a very long time.  Not as expensive as privacy fencing.  Have always had chain link fencing because it lasts a long time.  Because we live on a corner I could not fence more of the lot and I couldn't put up a 6' fence on certain sides. The black vinyl covering does make it kind of disappear and we had lots of compliments from the neighbors when we put it up.  I have 2 gates.  

[Beachbum1]

40 minutes ago, Time4ANap said:

I like this if we are too close to neighbors. 

 

 

We had the white PVC privacy panels on the turnout area in Illinois.  We lucked out that the house blocked most of the wind, but neighbors who had the same panels often had them blow down or break off in high winds/storms. Snow piling up against them is another problem that will also break them. 

If Ihadto choose a fence for a new property, I would probably go with a similar rail and wire combo like you had previously to keep dogs in and more importantly, other critters out. 

Must.....be......electrified.

[GreyPoopon]

I inherited a 3'-4' chain link on the sides and front. It's been fine for the 40 +/- years it's been up. (I've been here 23 1/2.) The back is the schoolyard's 6' chain link, which is closer to 5' on my side. I'd prefer black, which is less visible, but I like the air flow and being able to see.

The privacy fences in this neighbourhood don't seem to last long--the poles rot, the wind blows them down, and so on. The snow gets trapped in weird ways and takes forever to melt on the shady side.

If I lived in the country, I might opt for what dante2zoe has, but in the city, I'd go with black chain link. ETA: If I could, I'd go with painted/powder-coated rather than vinyl-coated, since I expect it would hold up better here.

Edited March 13, 2022 by GreyPoopon

[Time4ANap]

For those looking at privacy fences, this is a video I came across a couple of months ago showing a new metal post system that requires no digging, but rather uses a special portable post driving machine.  Much faster installation, no wood posts to rot, and no concrete needed.  Probably more expensive up front, but your only maintenance will be keeping up with staining or paint of the actual fence planks. I thought this was pretty cool. 

 

Edited March 12, 2022 by Time4ANap

[FiveRoooooers]

You all are great, thank you for the suggestions and pics. I have a better idea now of what I thought I wanted and how to get it done.

The no dig privacy fence might be an option if I could get Trudy and Jeff to install it for us so I'd know it was done rite!