A fence is a permanent element of the landscape, resulting from history, tradition, culture and mentality. So if a wall, fence or fence has to surround the property, let's try to build it in a way that is as little interfering with the surroundings as possible: so that it does not dominate the house and garden, it is not the primary and the only focusing element of the plot. Of course, there is a difference in the way the area is fenced in and out of the city. While in the open air, at a summer resort or even on the outskirts of an agglomeration, the fence should merge with nature and penetrate the greenery in a friendly manner, in the city, marking the border between a public street and a private garden, it should primarily protect against noise, fumes and strangers.
Materials for the fence
Natural materials should be used to separate a rural property - wood, stone, i.e. those that existed in the area before humans came here . The simpler such a fence, the better. These can be boards or poles, or hewn wooden logs, arranged horizontally or dug vertically into the ground, similar to a traditional peasant fence. They should not be too high and dense; openwork and clearances are recommended so that, being a barrier for humans, they do not constitute an obstacle for plants. If you need a tight wall covering part of the garden, let it be, for example, a wall built of field boulders, jointed or loosely stacked on top of each other, or a wooden screen standing on a low foundation or several layers of stones. In the city, the fence is primarily an architectural element, not a landscape element. It should refer to the character of the building, harmonize with the age and style in which it was built. Old, magnificent villas are often surrounded by iron fences, matching the bars in the windows and balustrades on the balconies.Such consistency in handling details adds elegance and taste to the property. In new homes, using the same repetition method, you can get a great effect; the condition is, however, a "hit", moderate in detail design and perfect workmanship. What escapes from the raw wood fence surrounding the summer house is unacceptable to the representative fence in the city center. Freedom and naturalness must be replaced with a detailed refinement of details. One should also pay attention to the neighborhood. Both the house and its fence cannot contrast too much with the neighboring buildings. An important aspect of choosing the type of fence is also how to maintain it.
Fence maintenanceThe maintenance of iron fences requires the most time and effort. The old fence should be thoroughly cleaned of peeling paint, sanded, protected with an anti-corrosion agent and then painted at least twice. If you want to keep the natural color of iron for many years, you can use oil firing or another technique of obtaining a protective layer instead of painting.Wooden fences can be stained, painted, varnished, and protected against these treatments with insecticides. Stainless steel fences are very popular in Western Europe. First of all, because they do not require maintenance, they always look like new and are operational and reliable for many years. Although the materials they are made of are much more expensive than traditional ones, it is worth investing in them, because they attract attention with their extraordinary appearance and tempt with great durability.
