While city life offers convenient access to restaurants, groceries, entertainment facilities and educational institutions, city dwellers often suffer from a lack of personal privacy. Fortunately, you can create a private sanctuary in your personal space with fences and shrubs. You can establish visual boundaries while adding aesthetic appeal to your home's outdoor space. Does this Spark an idea?
Fencing
Permanent fences create hard edges around your property, which can provide privacy from neighbors and passers-by. They also provide security against unwelcome visitors. Permanent privacy fences are excellent for families with small children or animals, because they provide a safe, secure environment.
Permanent fences can be constructed from a variety of materials. Wood is the most economical option, but it requires yearly maintenance. It also has a shorter lifespan than other types of fencing materials. Vinyl is a more expensive option, but it can provide years of maintenance-free privacy and security. Cast iron and wrought iron fences provide the greatest level of security and add a sophisticated element to your outdoor space. This type of fencing is substantially more expensive than wood or vinyl.
When choosing a permanent fence, check with your local building office or homeowners' association to determine maximum height and easement requirements.
Bamboo Fencing
Bamboo is a viable alternative to permanent fencing. Once planted along the perimeter of your property, bamboo can grow to heights of 7 to 10 feet. It adds a sense of serenity to your outdoor space, turning your yard into a personal sanctuary. Bamboo propagates quickly, though, so substantial maintenance is needed to keep it from taking over your yard or encroaching on neighbors' properties. You must also take care to keep bamboo trimmed away from utility lines.
As with permanent fencing, check local regulations for restrictions and requirements before planting bamboo as a privacy fence.
Hedges
If you want a living fence, but don't want the maintenance that comes with bamboo, you can choose from a variety of hedges and evergreens to create a sense of privacy. For privacy throughout the year, choose evergreen shrubs such as arborvitae. These plants grow as high as 8 feet tall, but they do require frequent maintenance. Boxwoods, on the other hand, grow slowly, so they require less frequent trimming and shaping.
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