Evaluate how well a Garden Fence meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a garden fence and you've learned about the different features of garden fences. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of garden fence - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the garden fences available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed garden fences to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Garden Fence meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available garden fences in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any garden fences that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any garden fences that clearly exceed your price limit.
There are many reasons why you may want or require a fence. Some of the most popular reasons are for privacy, to keep animals or children in, to keep people off of your property and simply for decoration. The reason you need a fence will factor largely in the type of fence that you choose.
Choosing the right size fence for your yard is an important element if you want it to look good. A massive fortress style fence surrounding your modest one bedroom cottage would attract unwanted attention - and look a little strange in a modest neighborhood - while the same fence wrapped around your exclusive mansion retreat would be perfectly at home. Similarly, a white picket fence around your ten-bedroom villa complete with swimming pool wouldn't be at all appropriate. Whatever you decide on, remember that a little soft landscaping around your fence such as shrubs and trees can help to blend your fence seamlessly into the garden.
The most common materials for fences are wood, metal, such as chain link or wrought iron, and PVC or vinyl. Wooden fences are the most common for most areas and it when it comes to household landscaping. Wooden fences are often the least expensive option and the easiest choice if you are installing your fence yourself. There are also the natural materials such as brushwood, bamboo, cane, and stone (or brick).
Tip:
Evaluate your needs carefully before you choose a fence type. Replacing a fence is neither a cheap nor an easy task.
When you choose fencing you will often have the choice to assemble it yourself or have it professionally installed. If you decide on a chain link or PVC fence you may need to choose a professional installation because they are a bit more involved than a wooden fence. However, with the proper installation manual, and by choosing a product that is designed for do-it yourself construction you should be able to install your fence with little problem.
A wooden fence will come with many design options. If you are looking for a privacy fence you will want to choose a product that is at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall. If you are building a fence for decorative purposes only, a fence that is only 3 to 4 foot (0.9 to 1.2 meters) tall may be a good choice.
Tip:
Choose a height for your fence that will be easy to build. For example if a common length in the boards you like is 6 foot (1.8 meters) then that would be easier for construction than a 5 foot (1.5 meter) fence.
When you have a wooden fence you will be able to choose between different board widths and spacing of the boards. This choice generally comes down to personal preference and what you are trying to achieve with your fence. If you want to keep a dog or small children contained, you will want to choose a small spacing for your boards. However, many people prefer the look of boards spaced further apart.
Maintenance is a large factor when it comes to choosing fencing type and style. With a wooden fence you will have to stain or paint the wood in order to protect the wood from the elements. The fence will have to be re-stained or painted every three to five years depending on the environment that you live in. You may also have to replace boards due to rot and mildew over time. Vinyl or PVC fences as well as wrought iron and chain link fences require much less maintenance than wooden fences.
Tip:
If you do not like the idea of maintenance, you may want to consider investing in a low maintenance fence which is more expensive, but will last much longer.
When it comes to support for your fencing, you will find that on do-it-yourself projects such as wooden fences, there may only be a warranty on the fence panels or boards, or perhaps no warranty at all. With a vinyl or PVC fence as well as a chain link or wrought iron style, there is likely to be a warranty that lasts anywhere between 5 years and a lifetime. If you choose to install your fence yourself you will often be provided with detailed instructions and the option of an installation video showing you exactly what to do.
When you were considering your requirements in a garden fence it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as materials used to build the fence, design, size, amount of maintenance required and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various garden fences meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Material
- Wood - cedar, pressure treated, pine
- Aluminium
- Vinyl
- Chain link
- Brick
- Wrought iron
- Stone
- Brushwood
- Bamboo
- Cane
Style
- Solid panel
- Picket
- Closed top
- Spike top
- Colonial
- Privacy
- Split rail
- Lattice
- Ranch
- Basket Weave
- Semi-Privacy
- Post and rail
Top
- Concave
- Convex
- Scalloped
- Picket
- Flat rail
Boards
- Width - 3.5 to 5 inches (9 to 12.5cm)
- Narrow spacing
- Wide spacing
Posts
- Cedar
- Brick
- Metal
- 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10cm)
- Square cap
- Pyramid
- Bell
- Gothic
- Wood
- Vinyl
- Metal
- Decorative
Size
- Width - 3 to 8 feet (0.9 to 2.4 meters)
- Height - 2 to 10 feet (0.6 to 3 meters)
Treatment
Maintenance
- Board replacement
- Staining
- Mildew resistant
- Rot resistant
- Weathering
Assembly
- Professional installation
- Do it yourself
- Kit
- Pre-assembled panels
Warranty and Support
- Professional installation
- Warranty - 1 to 5 years
- Installation manual
- Installation Video
- Web site
- Toll Free phone number
Gates (also see the
Buyz123 guide to buying a Garden Gate)
- Double
- Single
- Car size
- Solid
- Automatic
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your garden fence needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a garden fence.
Once you have finished evaluating the garden fences available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the garden fences one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Garden Fence compares with competing Garden Fences
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of garden fences that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of garden fences that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which garden fence on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of my short-listed garden fences has the best warranty?
Which garden fence is the easiest to install and maintain?
Which of the garden fences seems of the highest quality?
Which short-listed garden fence has the style to compliment my home?
Which garden fence is the best to meet my needs?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating garden fences that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the garden fence, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the garden fence is put together. Will the garden fence be solidly constructed? How easily is the garden fence to maintain? Is the gate easy to negotiate, and are the latches easy to use?
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - secure, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you install it yourself rather than using a professional as recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to use the product, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other extras are required - do you need a gate for your driveway or pedestrian access, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Upgrades - will the product need upgrades, what are the costs?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- What else will you need to fully utilize the fence?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of garden fences that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:ComparisonsDifferent fencing optionsRange of garden fences