A fence is a barrier that encloses or separates areas, typically outdoors. It can be made from wood, metal, masonry, wire, rails, or any combination of materials.
In crime, a fence is someone who knowingly buys stolen goods to sell for profit. They also act as go-betweens to facilitate compounding and brokerage. Contact Fence Installation Charlotte NC now!
A fence offers an extra layer of security that deters unauthorized entry. It serves as a visual deterrent and makes it much more difficult for criminals to access your property, particularly when it’s topped with a security camera or other surveillance system. In combination with other security measures, such as motion sensors, a fence can become an active sentinel that alerts you to suspicious activity, giving you the time to assess the situation and take precautionary action.
In addition to preventing theft, fencing can be an effective deterrent against vandalism and other acts of property crime, such as graffiti. It can also help to improve the safety of employees and customers onsite, by reducing the risk of criminal attack or robbery. Security fences are an investment in the safety of your assets, employees, and the public, so it’s important to make sure that they are constructed well and maintained regularly.
Fences are often used by organized crime groups as a way to turn stolen goods into cash. They can be located in inns, teahouses, brothels, and opium dens, among other places. In some cases, these fences are merely part of the criminal underground in which they operate; other times, they serve as a front for more sophisticated crimes.
It’s important to note that buying and selling stolen items is illegal, and fences who purchase these goods are likely to face serious charges if they’re caught. This is a major reason why it’s crucial to keep your fence in good condition and invest in additional security features like CCTV, so that it can serve as an effective deterrent against criminal activity and help law enforcement to apprehend perpetrators.
It’s also essential to consider the long-term implications of a security fence when making your decision. For example, if you’re planning on installing a wood fence, it’s important to consider its impact on the environment. Choosing a recycled or low-emissions wood can reduce its environmental impact, as well as save you money on energy bills and prevent unwanted trespassers from entering your property.
Privacy
Fences offer privacy, which can be important if you want to enjoy your outdoor space without feeling like everyone is watching. If your backyard adjoins a busy street or you live next to a neighbor who parties a lot, a fence can help shield your yard from unwanted attention. Fences can also block your view of neighbors’ messy landscaping, overflowing trash bins or outlandish sculptures.
Fences are available in a variety of materials and styles. Wood fences are a popular choice for privacy because they are affordable, versatile and easy to install. They can be constructed in various styles, such as picket, shadow box or solid, and can be stained or painted to match your property’s landscape. Wood fences can also provide a sound barrier and deter intruders, making them an excellent option for homeowners who want to increase security on their property.
Metal fences are another great privacy option because they are durable and long-lasting, and they can be customized to match your aesthetic preferences. However, they may not provide as much obscurity as wood fences because gaps between the pickets or rails allow sunlight and noise to filter through. Additionally, metal fences can absorb heat from the sun and warm up the area they enclose, which can be uncomfortable for people who spend time outdoors.
Another way to add privacy to your home is by planting trees nearby. They will grow tall over time and provide shade from the sun, but keep in mind that they will need regular pruning to remain healthy. Additionally, you will need to consider if your local laws permit you to plant them where they can interfere with driveways, sidewalks or roads.
Before installing a fence, it is important to know your limitations. Check with your homeowner’s association to see if there are any guidelines for the type of fence you can build or its height. You can also contact your city or town hall to find out if you require a zoning permit or building permit for your project, especially if it is taller than 6 feet.
Boundaries
Knowing the exact boundaries of your property is vitally important if you want to avoid legal disputes with neighbors. You should always double check the boundary line before adding a fence, or even putting up a tree or hedges on your property. It may be worthwhile to have a survey done by a professional, particularly if you haven’t had a property survey conducted since your land was last split up and sold as individual lots.
For those living in rural areas, a property boundary may be established by existing fences. These types of fences are often used to delimit the borders between a herd and another herd, or they may be erected for disease control purposes. For instance, a tuberculosis fence prevents two herds from getting too close and sharing diseases that can be transmitted from one herd to the other.
Many land owners are not aware of the precise locations of their property boundaries, especially after a tract of land has changed hands numerous times over the years. However, it is possible for old fences to be used as part of a metes and bounds description, which is the typical way in which property is legally described in many areas. In this case, the old fence becomes evidence of the actual boundary line, which must be maintained by both property owners.
Boundary fences are typically considered to be owned by both parties that use them, meaning that they should both chip in for maintenance and repair costs. In some states, the law will actually allow you to sue a neighbor who doesn’t share the cost of a boundary fence, but this is very rare and only applicable in cases of severe non-payment.
Boundary fences offer a variety of benefits to those who own them, but it is critical that they are maintained regularly to ensure that they are functioning correctly. A poorly maintained or aging fence will not be able to provide the protective and privacy benefits that it was designed for, which will end up costing more in the long run.
Weed Control
A fence can help control the spread of unwanted weeds. Weeds in pasture can degrade forage quality, reduce livestock performance and cause a reduction in overall forage production. Keeping weeds and brush (woody perennial plants) under control is one of the most important aspects of managing your fence line. A properly designed fence and a good integrated weed management plan will minimize the amount of time, money and effort spent on weed control.
In addition to reducing labor costs, a well-designed fence can also help with water conservation and soil erosion. Allowing weeds to grow under and around fences can increase the risk of runoff, which can contribute to pollution, soil erosion and loss of nutrients in the soil. Using a fence to contain weeds and grass can greatly decrease the need for herbicides used to manage weeds and other unwanted vegetation.
Using a fence to prevent the growth of weeds by limiting their access to sunlight can significantly reduce the need for manual weeding. When weeds and grass are controlled with herbicides, it is important to spray them when they are small and before they flower. This is typically easier than treating established weeds as they become larger and more difficult to kill.
Spraying a 1-2 foot wide strip of fence line twice a year can significantly reduce the need for weed eating and make the property look well maintained. It is typically less expensive to spray a strip of 1-2 feet wide along the fence than weed-eating it weekly and can result in savings in labor, fuel and energy costs.
Another option for preventing the spread of weeds and brush is to use a thermal weeder. Generally, this method is most effective against annual broadleaf weeds but can also be used to control perennials with repeated applications. This type of weeding can be done with either a mechanical or electric system and can be run underneath both chain-link and non-electric fences. It is recommended that you check with your local fire department before attempting to use this method along fences made of flammable materials like wood or plastic.