Fences Build Good Neighbors - Part 1

With the trickle-down of ideas from Olmstead and his colleagues, the increase in wide open public parks that were imitated in progressively more developed neighborhoods, and the disappearance of roaming animals, fences came down. Front yards became open to the street, and at the same time frontage became larger. The major guiding features of middle class home grounds were democracy and social equality.

In the 20th century, Frank A. Waugh (1869-1951), a horticulture professor at what is now the University of Massachusetts, and John McLaren (1846-1943), Director of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park for more than 50 years, helped carry on these trends by publishing popular books for homeowners that publicized these ideas.

Fortunately, after being undervalued and little utilized for almost a century in home landscaping, fences are slowly making a comeback, especially in the United States. Homeowners realize the value of fences for privacy and security, to define spaces, and increasingly to create and control microclimates (small climates) within their gardens, and to add vertical interest to their plans. Fences can be constructed of a wide range of long lasting materials. And when constructed of a material that harmonizes with the house, its historical nature or environment, they can unify the house, garden and natural setting in which they are located.

Here are some suggestions:

• Wood is perfect for colonial style homes. Lumber yards and home stores display small sections of a variety of ready made styles. Or simple fences can be handmade. A rustic look can be brought about by using split rail fences. A split rail fence or a simple picket fence, purchased in ready made sections, can be put up in a weekend if boundaries have been marked, tools gathered, and wood purchased beforehand.
• Vinyl is the newest fencing on the market and lumber yards, home stores and large hardware stores display demonstration sections of these products. They also can be bought in ready made sections. The beauty of vinyl is it low maintenance. It rarely, if ever, needs painting. It will not rot, rust, corrode, chip or peel. It holds up to salt spray and runoff, weather and the vagaries of domestic animals. It is difficult to distinguish vinyl from wood, especially at a slight distance.
• Iron fences will enhance a formal or Victorian home. Privacy is sacrificed for security, relative permanence and lack of huge amounts of maintenance.
• Chain link fences provide permanent
  The copyright of the article Fences Build Good Neighbors - Part 1 in Home Landscaping is owned by Georgene Bramlage. Permission to republish Fences Build Good Neighbors - Part 1 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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