Thursday, March 13, 2014

Does a fence reduce or add to a home's value?

"Good fences make good neighbors." - Robert Frost

  From the perspective of a second generation fence man that has over 40 years in the fence industry and having owned a fence and deck construction company for half of that time, I can say definitively that a great and appropriate fence will add value while a cheap and/or inappropriate fence will reduce value.

  Just like rims on a car or the frame for a painting, a fence can be the one thing that ties the entire package (home, landscaping, hardscaping, etc.) together or what detracts from it entirely. 



Surely no buyer would see this old wood fence as anything but a negative.


The old industry standard of Chain Link fencing is no longer seen as a plus, unless you are in a neighborhood that is predominantly installing this utilitarian approach. Even if this is the case, know that most standards on chain link such as wire gauge, post wall thickness and the amount of zinc applied during galvanization has gotten cheaper and cheaper each year. To buy the quality of chain link that was the norm in the 50's and 60's one could afford a much nicer fence without spending more.




A fence style that is appropriate with many finer old or historic homes is the predecessor to chain link, wrought iron. However most ornamental iron is now hollow and is NOT wrought iron. The biggest risk with going this route today is that most, if not all ornamental iron is not hot-dipped galvanized prior to painting or powder coating. This allows for the inevitable oxidation (rust) from the inside-out. In some climates this will take a matter of decades while others only a matter of years. Why not get the same or similar look with ornamental aluminum and get a lifetime warranty.
Ultra Aluminum Fencing Railing Gates


The best value in fence can often times be the one that lasts the longest and is even a green or Earth-friendly product like this ornamental aluminum fence. Another Earth friendly feature is that it promotes great landscaping and is appropriate with so many styles of architecture because there is an endless variety of styles, colors, grades, heights and textures.



For privacy, security and beauty a composite fence can offer many advantages over a stick built wooden fence. Lower maintenance and longer durability are the two primary advantages that justify the premium price.


An Ultra Aluminum Eclipse Privacy Fence is by far the most durable, cost effective and low maintenance privacy fence you can buy. It is available in many heights, colors, styles and textures. The gates for these are awesome and have the highest strength to weight ratio of any fence product known to mankind.

 
 While the traditional white picket fence may not be appropriate for all types of architecture and every price level of homes, it does have a broad based appeal. Few things can return such a return on investment if it is paired with the appropriate home, lot and landscape.


Appropriateness of fence design and materials to it's setting and intended use is crucial to getting your money's worth. For this use and setting even this rusty old wire fence and gate may actually be what is called for. This is likely one of the last fence designs I would want around my residence though.


With the right house and setting, you can even get quite artistic with your fence or gate. The key is an appropriate design. Ultra Fence cares so much about getting you the appropriate fence for your house they sell through a verified and trained Ultra Dealer Network. The Ultra Trained Sales Representative can guide you through using the Design Studio to Visualize Ultra Fencing, Railing & Gates on your home before you buy.
  Upload a photo or two of your home and then stretch and place the fence and gate over its proposed location. Then change the height, grade, style, color and accessories to get the image of the most appropriate fence for your home. Then download it and print it and get a price on exactly what you want and need.


   After all, Life is short and you worked hard to get that home. Don't cut corners and buy something that will drain your pocketbook later with annual maintenance or worse yet, detract from the home. Get a fence that is 100% Made in the USA that comes with the best warranty in the business. Truly appropriate designed fences that are built to last decades instead of years will end up being a "Good Fence that is a Good Neighbor".

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About Me

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Regional Sales Manager for Ultra Aluminum in the South West Region. Of course I am willing to help Ultra Dealers and customers wherever they are. I grew up in the fence industry, a second generation fence guy. Also during the 90's I ran my own Deck Company.