Article Written by : Better Living Home Improvement

For home owners, a new fence can give a property a novel look, privacy, a safe play area for children, or area where pets can walk freely. Owners should consider the architecture of their home, as well as their natural surroundings, when choosing the material for a fence. Options include wood, vinyl, chain link, rock, aluminum—and each has its own advantages.

Wood fencing is a popular choice. Wood offers a look that matches nearly any style of architecture from rustic to ultra modern. In addition, wood blends in with any environment whether dry and rocky, plush and green, or a combination of both as seen along coastlines or lakefront areas. Styles of wood fencing range from split rail fences with a rustic, country look to picket fences with traditional appeal. Larger wooden fences provide privacy while enhancing the appearance of a property with taller boards placed side by side.

Some owners feel that wood fences are less durable than vinyl or metal; however, woods like cedar are remarkably long-lasting. Cedar trees grow in the Northeast, known for its humid and rainy weather, so this wood has natural rot-resistant properties and holds up well in tough climates. For fencing, Salem residents and others in cities throughout Oregon and Washington frequently prefer wood fences and tend to go with cedar. Whatever the locale, wood can be the ideal visual compliment to a home and the surrounding terrain.