Fencing Tips to Avoid Neighbor Disputes in Texas

Often, customers install vinyl fences in Dallas because they want privacy from their neighbors and passers by. It’s ironic, then, that fences can cause many of the disputes they’re meant to help avoid. Putting in a new fence on your property without consulting your neighbors, and without following proper neighbor etiquette, is like asking for trouble. To help you avoid any neighborly disputes over your vinyl fence, we’ve put together some tips for installing your new fence problem-free.

Things You Should Do When Installing a Fence

There are a few things you definitely must do when installing a new vinyl fence, such as:

Check the Property Lines - Property lines are one of the biggest causes of fencing disputes, so it’s vital that you check the property lines before getting your new fence installed. Don’t just rely on where your old fence was or what you’ve always thought the property line was. Doing so could land you in hot water if your neighbor takes issue with the fence. Instead, hire a surveyor and study the property map or plats to be absolutely sure your fence is where its supposed to be. You can also ask your Dallas vinyl fence company to install your fence slightly inside the property line to be sure it’s safe.

Obey Fencing Regulations - Every township has its own specific code rules and regulations for fencing, and not knowing what they are isn’t an excuse for doing the job wrong. Your vinyl fence company will probably know the rules for your area, but double check your fence against the code before it goes up. If you don’t, you could be forced to tear it all down and redo it on your own dime, plus pay a fine. A non-regulation fence can also affect your neighbor’s property values, leaving them upset.

Respect Your HOA - If your neighborhood has a homeowner’s association, make sure to clear your fencing project with them beforehand. Just like with city codes, you’ll need to either provide the HOA with plans or run the design by them to ensure it fits within their statutes. If it doesn’t, they might fine you or order you take it down - and your neighbors might also complain about your non-regulation fence. It’s much easier to get the proper clearance first than to deal with all the headaches after.

In addition, there are a few other things you can do that, while not strictly required, are definitely nice gestures to your neighbors and community:

Share Fencing Intents Beforehand - One good idea that will help smooth over any potential fencing disputes is to let them know about your plans to install a new fence before you begin installation. You don’t necessarily have to show them your plans - the fence is on your property, after all - but it can help if you think your neighbor might be interested in paying for part of it. However, you should show them where you intend to place the fence, and let them know if there are any property line problems you discovered when you ordered the survey.

Ensure Your Fence Doesn’t Stand Out - A sure way to invite the ire of your neighborhood is to install a fence that looks out-of-place for its surroundings. Even if you personally like a particular fencing style, try to match the look of your neighbors’ houses and fences to keep the neighborhood looking good. A vinyl fence is a great way to keep your property looking nice season after season, since they don’t break down or rot over time. They also come in a variety of colors and styles to match the look of any neighborhood or development.

Install it the Right Way Around - In addition to choosing a fence design that matches the look of your neighborhood, you should also install your fence so that the fence rail (if your design includes one) is on the inside. One benefit of vinyl fencing is that the panels often look the same on both sides, making it easy to get a clean and finished look on both the inside and outside of your fence. With a vinyl fence, there’s no “nice side” to worry about - every side is the nice one!

Maintain the Fence - When you install a fence on your property, it’s your duty to take care of it and make sure it looks good on both sides. Vinyl fences are a perfect way to lower your maintenance obligations. Vinyl doesn’t need heavy cleaning or staining to keep it looking good year after year - it will keep its good looks for a long time all on its own.

Do you want to know more about installing a fence in Dallas without causing neighborhood problems? Call us today at Future Outdoors®! We’re the number one provider of vinyl fence and vinyl structures in the Dallas-Forth Worth metro, and we’d be happy to bring our experience and expertise to your vinyl fence project. Just call today at (972) 576-1600 or visit our Facebook or Twitter pages to learn more.

Creating a Functional Outdoor Room with Vinyl

Whether you have a small back patio or a huge backyard, your outdoor space doesn’t have to be plain and boring. A vinyl fence, deck, or shade structure from Future Outdoors® can help you turn the outside of your home into a functional and beautiful outdoor living space. Here are a few tips and ideas for making any outdoor area into a new outdoor room.

1. Landscaping is Important

Just like with a room inside your house, an outdoor room or living space needs to have a good “flow.” You can’t just put up a shade structure and set some furniture down and have a functional space. Consider the entrances and exits to the space, any paths or walkways, and your own ideas for what you want the area to be - for instance, a dining room, a conversation space, or a comfortable lounge. You can also add additional elements like planters, shrubbery, or deck rails to change the flow and create a more cohesive space.

2. Have a Goal in Mind

It’s important to have an idea of what kind of room you want to make - after all, you wouldn’t confuse a living room and dining room inside your house, even when they don’t have any furniture or decoration. When you’re creating an outdoor space, try to design it so that it naturally fits your goal. If you want a space to encourage conversation, keep it close and intimate. If you want a space for food or lounging around, give it some extra breathing room and plenty of places to serve or cook.

3. Don’t Forget the Fire

A fireplace, fire pit, or outdoor chimney is a great addition to almost any outdoor living space. Fireplaces and fire pits can encourage conversation and make your outdoor space usable through the fall and spring (and even the milder parts of winter). Also, make sure that your fireplace or fire pit conforms to Dallas-area regulations by calling your local fire department or checking your town’s building codes.

4. Seat Yourself

Depending on the type of outdoor space you want, you’ll need to find or invest in a variety of seating options. An outdoor dining area might use chairs or benches, but a conversation area or lounge might do well with sun chairs, stools, or even a sofa or bench built into your deck or patio. More seating options will also make your space more flexible and livable, which will encourage you and your guests to use it more.

5. Use Shade to Your Advantage

While it can be nice to feel the sun on your face, trying to read a book outside or enjoy a quiet conversation while the sun shines in your eyes isn’t our idea of relaxing. A shade structure such as a vinyl pergola or gazebo is a great way to keep the sun at bay without restricting your view or blocking your space in too much. Plus, these shade structures can be a great way to “zone” your outdoor space, creating separate areas with their own feel and function.

6. Incorporate the Inside and Outside

If you have a large sliding door or double door that leads to your backyard, you can easily use that as a starting point for incorporating your indoor and outdoor spaces together in one cohesive arrangement. You’ll be more likely to use your outdoor space if it’s easy to get to, after all.

7. Make Sure it Lasts

The last thing you’ll want to do after setting up an outdoor living room or dining room is take it all apart again just to clean and stain the wood. However, if you don’t take care of your outdoor living area, you won’t have it for very long. A better option is to construct your deck, fence, or shade structures from long-lasting vinyl. This will allow you to use your outdoor space for years without needing to worry about expensive and time-consuming maintenance - not to mention avoiding rot, pests, and ugly warping and fading.

Future Outdoors® is the leading vinyl fence expert in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We’ve installed hundreds of miles of vinyl fence and more vinyl shade structures than we can count, and we’ll bring our expertise and amazing products to your home with just one call. Call us at (972) 576-1600 to arrange your free quote for a new vinyl fence or vinyl shade structure, or visit our Facebook and Google+ pages for more tips on creating beautiful outdoor spaces.