Putting up a fence is an intensive task. The manual labour can be exhausting, but the planning can be cumbersome as well. Many fences can be installed on your own if you’re a DIY enthusiast, but you can also call in a carpenter or landscaper to put up the fence for you.
Fencing on the hilly or bumpy ground is more of a challenge because the ground is uneven. Because the ground isn’t level, different sections of the floor might require different types of fence posts. Fortunately, there are fences that are made with an uneven ground in mind.
Think About Your Budgets
Your first decision as you decide on fencing is to look at financial aspects. Different types of fences have different cost implications. Live fences aren’t very expensive because you buy affordable seedlings and let them grow into a mature fence. Hedges take time to grow though, and they need a lot of maintenance.
Artificial fences are more common and need less attention and care. The options include wood fences, PVC panels, glass balustrades, and steel balustrades. The cost of a fence isn’t restricted to buying fencing materials. It includes maintenance fees and labour rates. Shop around and buy the best fence available within your price range.
Check local fencing regulations
Municipal councils often have very clear regulations about fencing. For example, elevated fences should be as close to the ground as possible, with a maximum gap of 100 mm between the fence and the ground. This distance minimises the chances of a child or small animal sneaking beneath the crawl-space and hurting themselves.
Other requirements cover the height of the fence, and sometimes, the type of material that can be used. If you live in a suburb or gated community, homeowners associations (HOA) might also have guidelines on the type of fence that you can erect. Before you start building, growing or installing yours, find out what you can and can’t do.
Get the lay of the land
Whichever type of fence you select, it will need to be anchored into the ground. That’s why inspecting and evaluating the landscape is so important. You also need to consider the specifics of the area that you’re fencing. Poolside fences can be glass, metal, wood, or PVC. Live fences aren’t ideal because they litter the pool with insects, dead leaves, and organic waste.
Another factor is the type of soil in your chosen location. If you pick a fence that needs fence posts dug into the ground, you’ll have to reinforce the posts with concrete. If the ground is rocky, a different fencing option may apply. If you want a hedge, the ground has to be fertile enough to allow the fence to root and grow.
Choose the type of fence you want
Picking a fence depends on a variety of factors. Pool fencing should ideally be see-through. In many parts of Australia, the law requires that the pool is fenced from the house to avoid accidental drowning. Pool fences can be stainless steel poles, mesh enclosures or glass balustrades. Privacy fences can be used for the changing room section of the pool.
Boundary fences between you and your neighbour can use wooden planks or PVC panels if your HOA allows it. Your yard fence is a reflection of your personality, so take full advantage of the available options. You can install a fence in bright colours or organic materials that represent your taste and character.
Buy raked balusters
If the ground isn’t flat, it can be hard to maintain the sanctioned gap between the fence and the floor unless you’re building a wall or a panel fence. If you’d like to have a steel balustrade, Kelso fencing is a good option. It contains raked fencing poles that keep a firm grip on any type of ground while maintaining a consistent gap between the fence and the floor.
Kelso fences leave a maximum crawl space of 75 mm, which is well within state regulation. The fences are 1.2 metres by 2 metres, though they can be tailored to your preferences. They have an option of decorative caps for the top of the balusters.
The advantage of Kelso fencing is that they retain the minimal gap requirements without needing additional materials to plug the crawl space. For other types of fences, you need additional wood panels or metal railings to fill that space, but Kelso’s raked poles can handle it effectively.
Kelso fencing is also simple enough that if you choose to, you can put it up yourself. So if you’re looking for a simple, long-lasting DIY fence that you can install over the weekend, look into Kelso fencing. It’s affordable, practical and compliant with Australian fencing requirements. And if you don’t want to do it on your own, you can always hire professional fencers to put it up for you.
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