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Is It Safe for Vines to Grow On Fences?

Vines can play multiple, beneficial roles when they climb on fences, making the fence not only more attractive, but enhancing its protective qualities and making it more private, too. Unfortunately, vines can also be damaging for the fence – if their growth is not controlled, they can damage the fence. Fortunately, they are easy to keep under control – according to recognized Brighton fence company professionals, here is how to make the vines on your fence safe:

Brighton fence company

  • Choose the right type of vines – certain types of woody vines, such as trumpet vines or wisteria are attractive and have spectacular, fragrant flowers, but they tend to extend their roots too much, damaging fence posts during the process. Invasive species are also dangerous for fences – they tend to acquire the land around, driving out indigenous plant species and damaging built structures on their way, including your fence. The best type of vines to choose for your fence are non-woody species, such as sweet pea, morning glory, nasturtium or moonflower;
  • Manage the vines – regularly trimming the vines and inspecting the fencing underneath is essential for making sure that your fence is safe, undamaged by the vines and that the plants that grow on and around it do not proliferate excessively.
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Do Commercial Fences Need Permits?

Whether or not the fence you are planning to build around your commercial property needs a permit depends on several factors – here are some:

  • Zoning – if your commercial facility is located in a residential area, you are likely to be required to obtain a permit for your new fence and you will probably need to comply with the neighborhood’s HOA covenants as well. Commercial zones are more relaxed in this respect;
  • The height of the fence – how tall your proposed fence also determines whether it requires a permit. Many neighborhoods allow fences under a certain height to be built without having to take out a permit for it. If you need a permit, be prepared that commercial fence permits usually allow the height of 6-7 feet, a fence that is taller than that can also be authorized, but it takes lots of time and paperwork;
  • The material of the fence – in most cases, the commercial fences made from concrete or masonry need a permit.

Thornton gate and fencing

Thornton gate and fencing regulations may vary widely, depending on the city, the town or the neighborhood, so you can find out whether or not you will need a permit only if you consult the applicable regulations. If your property is surrounded by a fence that you want to dispose of, find out whether you need a demolition permit as well.

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Does Your Fence Need HOA Approval?

If your neighborhood has a homeowners’ association, the association’s covenant probably has very clear and precise guidelines about the style, size and material of the fences  and gates in the neighborhood.

HOA Westminster gate installation regulations

This also means that the first thing to do before you even start designing your fence, thinking about its material, style and size is to consult the document. Here are some of the aspects that you might need HOA approval for:

  • Fence type – some HOA covenants do not allow to use certain materials, such as chain link or split rail, to be used on property sides facing the street because these types would disrupt the overall appearance of a neighborhood where most fences are made from masonry or wood;
  • The height of the fence – this is another aspect that HOA covenants are usually very specific about. Having a fence that is too tall or too short compared to the other fences in the street or in the neighborhood also disrupts the harmonious appearance of the neighborhood.

Failing to comply with applicable HOA Westminster gate installation regulations and fencing requirements can have very serious consequences – you might be required to remove the uncomplying fence, therefore the best thing to do is to find out about the criteria that need to be observed when building a fence.

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Deciding on the Right Spacing for Your New Fence

The distance between your fence posts is just as important for the proper fence design as the material or the style that you choose for your fence. Here is how to determine the most suitable fence spacing:

  • The general rule – most fences use spacing of 8-12 feet between the posts, but the correct spacing depends on the type of fence, the purpose it serves, the composition of the ground and the climate conditions. Fences made from high tensile strength materials can be built leaving more distance between posts, while the fences located in harsh climate areas need posts placed closer to each other;
  • Terrain and weather conditions – the quality of the soil will also determine Arvada fencing post spacing. Fencing installed into loose soil may need posts spaced more tightly to prevent exposing the fence to too much stress. Fences located in windy and stormy regions also need tighter spacing to be able to face the harsh weather;
  • Fence style – the style of your fence will also influence the spacing. Designs that feature horizontally mounted components between the posts are more stable, therefore they can be built with larger spacing. There are fence designs, such as picket fences, that look better if the space between the posts is tighter.

Arvada fencing

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Good Ways to Recycle Your Old Fence

Some materials resulting from demolished old fencing are no use at all, but others are excellent starting points for creative Westminster fencing recycling projects – while masonry or vinyl fences can only be disposed off when they are not needed any more, the wood boards that make up fences can be reused in many ways. Here are some:

  • Building a new fence – be careful when you dismantle your old wood fence, paying attention not to damage the boards that are still healthy. Dispose the old, damaged boards, then clean the healthy ones, cut them to equal pieces and use them to create a new fence in which the boards are placed diagonally or in a triangle shape;
  • Make a door for your shed – the process is essentially the same, but you will need a frame to insert the pieces of board into. You can create insert and use colors for a more attractive or stunning appearance;
  • Build furniture – the old boards from your fence can be used for building furnishing items for your deck or for your patio. You can use them to put together a short-legged table, a bench or other forms of seating and they are great for shelves, too.

Westminster fencing recycling projects - build a table!