The right fence can turn a nice-looking house into a knockout. Here are helpful pointers when choosing a fence.

• Privacy and protection: Establish what you‚re aiming to keep in and out. Also, picket width and spacing are important; slats or boards butted together provide maximum screening, while lattice panels are not as private.
• The pros and cons of materials: Certain fence materials require more maintenance than others. For instance, chain link doesn‚t rank high on style, but it‚s virtually worry free and low in cost. For wood fences, choose from cedar, redwood, or ACQ-treated products, but periodic mending or repainting is necessary. Plastic, vinyl, and prefabricated metal options require little upkeep, but certain types can look too manufactured. Masonry and stone fences can stand unattended for generations, but it might take that long to pay them off.
• Set your boundaries: Know where your property ends and your neighbor‚s begins. Placing a fence 1 foot back from the sidewalk to allow room to plant flowers serves as an unspoken gesture of goodwill