Most people think that when choosing a security fence, they just need to think about the material, the height, and the placement. Sure, these aspects are important to consider when selecting the best security fence, but there are many other things you need to think about. Here are some tips to make things easier for you:
1. Material
A fence that is easy to cut through, such as a chainlink fence, is not ideal for security purposes. If a fence can be easily destroyed or cut through with tools, it offers little to no protection against criminals. Instead of fences that are made with weak materials, choose durable metal fencings such as iron, aluminum, and many others.
2. Height
The taller your fence, the harder it will be for home invaders to climb over it. In general, an eight-foot-tall fence is recommended for security purposes, but make sure to check with local rules for the maximum allowable height for a fence.
3. Privacy
Fences are also used to provide privacy for the people in the house. It may seem like a good idea to get tall privacy fences to hide your home from the people outside (and possible burglars), but what a privacy fence can also serve as is a hiding spot for robbers.
In fact, having a tall privacy fence can make you a target of these criminals since they know they can hide behind the fence. Therefore, when choosing a security fence, make sure you can still see from the inside.
4. Fence design
Choose a fence that has few horizontal rails that home invaders can use to climb up over the top. If possible, choose a fence that only has vertical rails, so it is harder to climb.
For a security fence to hinder burglars trying to climb over it, it should have spikes or points at the top. You can also install anti-climb spikes or razor wire on an already existing fence.
5. Gates
The gate needs to be just as secure as the rest of the fence. Make sure that your gates are substantially locked, preferably with padlocks, and are not easily pickable.
6. Construction
Dedicated burglars can also dig under fences to create an entry point. To prevent this from happening, you should make sure that the fence is secured to the ground with concrete footings that make it almost impossible to dig under.
What if I can’t have a security fence?
If for any reason, you cannot have a security fence around your home, you should still install at least a short, decorative fence on the perimeter. Even though a short fence will provide very little defense against burglars, it can help improve security by putting off potential robbers, making it difficult for them to get away quickly, and make it more noticeable to your neighbors.
The safety of your family and your belongings is of utmost importance. Whether you decide to get a security fence or a short fence, it’s better than having none at all.