I own a landscape supply company and have done fairly well over the years. Until recently, security was never an issue, but then, I had two thefts occur. Someone had stolen mulch and gravel from my supplies. I knew that it was time for me to get serious about increasing security to prevent it from happening a third time. I talked with a fencing contractor about what type of fencing would help improve security without taking away from the pleasant appearance of the grounds. My blog will tell you how we accomplished the increased security using a beautiful new fence.
increased security using a beautiful new fence
What Fencing Design Options Are Available For Sloped Land?
Carter Hopkins
Not every homeowner is blessed with land that's flat and even. Sometimes the land their houses sit on is hilly and/or sloped in areas. While that can make choosing the right fencing a challenging, there are a couple of designs options available for homeowners in this situation. Here are two that may be appropriate.
Raked (Racked) Design
One of the most common fence designs for sloped terrain is called raked (or racked). With this type of fence, the panels are angled so the bottom sits flush with the ground. So if your yard is straight in one part but slants 15 degrees in other parts, the fence will the assorted curves to ensure the base remains flush against the ground.
The primary benefit to this design is that there are no gaps in the bottom of the fence where small animals could escape or enter your yard or determined burglars could use to access your home. It's also more aesthetically pleasing because the slats are the same height, even though they're angled.
Unfortunately, this type of fencing isn't appropriate for all types of land. It doesn't work on land that's severely sloped because fence panels can only be angled so much. For instance, some raked fencing panels can't be angled more than 12 inches. You may be able to find panels that can be angled more than that, but the steeper the land's slope, the more challenging it will be to find raked fencing to accommodate it.
Stepped Design
An alternative to raked fences are those with a step design. Instead of being angled, the fencing panels are set higher or lower next to each other to cover uneven land. If you look at the fence head on, it will resemble a set of stairs in its design.
This type of fencing working well with land that's severely sloped and, in some cases, it may be a cheaper option than getting raked fencing. Unfortunately, the way the panels are put together causes the fence to gap at the bottom in some parts, which can leave your home vulnerable to invasion by animals or unwanted human guests. You can cover these gaps with judicious use of planters, bushes, or by installing a small concrete wall that follows the slope. However, this may represent additional expense or may not eliminate the problem completely.
For more information about these fencing options or to learn about other designs that may fit your needs, contact an aluminum fencing contractor.
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