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Humans and dogs both benefit from being outside, playing in a yard. A fence will help to keep Fido safe, but is it better to go with an electric dog fence or a traditional wood, vinyl, aluminum, or chain link fence? Here are pros and cons to both: Electric dog fence An electric dog fence (also known as an invisible fence) is a device that is buried around the perimeter of your yard. Your pet then wears a special collar that delivers a small shock when he reaches the barrier. With time, the dog learns where she can go and when she must stop or risk being shocked. Pros Nothing to block your view Won't disturb your neighbors Will probably be ok with your HOA (but check to be sure) May be less expensive than a traditional fence Cons Relies on punishment (physical shock to the neck) to teach your pet where she can and can't go Doesn't protect kids from running outside of the yard Doesn't stop other animals or people from coming inside the yard Requires a power source Some dogs manage to still get loose by enduring the shock or slipping out of the collar Traditional fence Traditional fences come in a variety of materials, as mentioned before, as well as sizes and styles. The height and type of fence you choose can have a bearing on how easily your pet can escape, especially if he's small or a good jumper. Pros Increased property value Keeps kids in as well as pets Keeps other animals and people out No potential physical or emotional damage to your pet No pet training required Cons Neighborhood or HOA requirements may restrict your fence options May be more expensive than an electric fence At Fence Central, we believe a traditional fence is the way to go for your Florida pets. Traditional fences are beautiful, secure, and humane. And, when it's installed by the experts at Fence Central, your traditional fence will have a long lifespan that you can enjoy for many years to come.

If you've settled on a warm, welcoming wooden fence to augment your home, you have just one more decision to make. There are several types of wooden fences to choose from. Here, we'll delve into each, describing the style, uses, and benefits of each type of wooden fence. Stockade. A stockade fence is made up of tall side-by-side pickets of wood. As the name implies, the fence's main purpose is to separate out one part of land from another, making this style ideally suited to people who want privacy. Board-on-board. Another style of privacy fence is called board-on-board or board-to-board. This type of fence features tall, overlapping vertical pickets. The overlapping pickets help to ensure that even if the boards shrink with age and dry weather, people on the other side of the fence will never be able to see through the cracks. Shadowbox. A shadowbox fence is very similar to a board-on board fence. So similar, in face, that some people think they're the same thing. Both types of fences feature staggered pickets. With a board-on-board fence, someone on the outside of the fence would be unable to see inside the fence, no matter what angle she's looking from. With a shadowbox fence, however, someone looking at an angle from the outside would be able to see a little on the inside of the fence. Faced directly, a shadowbox fence is private like a board-on-board. Faced from an angle, a shadowbox is semi-private.  Ranch rail. Ranch rail fences are shorter and feature spaced horizontal or X'ed rails. These fences can come with 2, 3, or 4 horizontal rails, making them ideal for decoration around a more rustic or country-themed home or an actual ranch with livestock. Picket. Finally, the beloved picket fence. Picket fences are typically shorter and are primarily for decorative purposes and to contain an area for small children or pets. A picket fence on the right home can add a lot of charm and visual allure (not to mention resale value). Fence Central offers to styles of wooden picket fence, French gothic picket (shown to the left) and dog ear spaced picket.

A wooden fence provides a traditional, natural enhancement to any property. Fences made from wood feel homey, warm, and welcoming, while providing extra privacy and security for your property. At Fence Central in Central Florida, all of our wood fences are custom built onsite, ensuring that only the finest materials go into your fence. Pre-built wooden panels from your local hardware store may make for a convenient and cheap fence, but are they really the best? We think not. Custom-built wooden fences are far sturdier, more beautiful, and longer lasting than the rough-cut pine and small, rust-prone nails of hardware store fences.In addition to high-quality premium pressure-treated 2x4s, a wooden fence from Fence Central is stabilized with gate posts set in 180 pounds of concrete. That means that come hurricane season, you don't have to worry about your fence becoming debris. We provide a one year workmanship warranty on every fence we install.Of all of the fence types available, fences made from wood are some of the most versatile in terms of style. Next week, we'll delve into different types of wood fences. If you don't see the type of wooden fence that your heart is set on, just let us know. Fence Central can also custom build any type of fence you have in mind. Go ahead, request a quote!

Fences are beautiful and add curb appeal to your home, but are they worth the investment? You may be wondering what the purpose of a fence is and whether it's worth getting a fence. Here are some of the top reasons you should consider getting a fence. Privacy & security. Fences act as a visual barrier between you and neighbors, roads, and anyone who happens to be wandering down the sidewalk. A privacy fence, such as one made of wood or vinyl, turns your yard into a true extension of your home, where you can do what you like without prying eyes. Privacy fences also deter intruders. Protect kids & pets. With a fence, children & pets can play freely outside without the danger of running into the street or accidentally falling into a pool. Florida law requires that pools be enclosed or covered for safety. Any easy way to do that is to invest in a beautiful aluminum or vinyl fence. Block wildlife, debris, and road noise. A fence may protect your garden from unwanted wildlife by keeping out rabbits, raccoons, and other animals that dig up or eat your efforts. A fence will also stop debris such as trash and leaves from blowing into your yard. If you live near a road, a fence can help to block traffic noise, turning your yard into a peaceful place for you to enjoy. Resale value. A fence that complements the style of your home while adding the practical values listed above may help you to sell your home more quickly. Fences are a must-have for many families with children and pets and may help your property to stand out in the minds of potential buyers.Need more reasons to invest in a new fence? Contact Fence Central. Our fencing experts are happy to talk through the options with you and give you a free quote. We service most of Central Florida, including Auburndale, Bartow, Clermont, Davenport, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Lake Wales, and more.

In the last blog post, we discussed how effective vinyl fences are for ranches. Vinyl has several benefits over traditional wooden fences, especially for fencing in large areas of land. For example, vinyl fences don't require staining or painting and won't rot.There are several different styles of ranch rail vinyl fences, each coming with its own height to best fit your needs. Cross buck ranges from 3-5 feet tall. The second and third rails are crossed to form a decorative "x" in the middle of two straight horizontal rails.As the name suggests, 2-rail, 3-rail, and 4-rail fences have 2, 3, or 4 horizontal rails. Two rail fences are 3-4 feet tall. Three rail fences are 4-5 feet tall. Four rail fences are 4.5-5 feet tall.Two rail fences are best for decorative fencing and small or serene animal confinement, such as dogs, goats, and alpaca. Three rail fences are probably the most common as they will contain any of the small animals listed above as well as horses.If you're considering a vinyl ranch rail fence for your home, ranch, or property, contact Fence Central. We're local in Polk County, Florida, and service nearly every area in Central Florida, including but not limited to Davenport, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Poinciana, Lake Wales, and Auburndale. Give us a call and we'll be able to tell you definitively whether we service your area. You'll be glad you did!

Ranch fencing keeps domesticated animals contained and safe while helping to keep out predicators or other wild animals that may be disruptive. In the past, wood and barbed wire may have been the only options for enclosing fields. Today, vinyl fences are often used. Vinyl fences need very little maintenance, making them a natural choice for enclosing large areas.You don't have to own a ranch to invest in beautiful ranch-style fencing. Choosing a fence that complements the style of your home can increase its resale value while adding charm that you can enjoy for many years to come. Ranch-style fencing beautifully complements homes with a rustic, country aesthetic.Vinyl fencing, whether crossbuck ranch rail (pictured here), two rail, three rail, or four rail, is U.V. protected and has a lifetime manufacturer's warranty that ensures that your fence will not crack, peel, or flake. If you're envisioning a type of fence that you don't see in the example photos of our work, contact us! The fencing experts at Fence Central can build just about any type of fence you can imagine.

If you've chosen a wooden fence for your home, you've made a great choice. Wooden fences are excellent for added privacy and security. You may be tempted by pre-built wooden fences at big box hardware stores. These 8-foot fence sections can often be seen displayed outside and may seem like a bargain compared to a custom-built fence. However, the fact that they're both made of wood is pretty much where the similarities end between these pre-built fences and a custom-built wooden fence. Pre-built fences consist of rough-cut pine made from young trees. As the name suggests, rough-cut lumber is porous and more vulnerable to rot and warping than wood that is from more mature trees. Pre-built fences are also usually assembled with staples or small nails, which are susceptible to rust and are not as strong as galvanized nails. Custom-built fences are a specialty of Fence Central in Central Florida. There are several benefits to investing in a custom-built fence: Freedom to choose the type, thickness, and style of wood that makes up the fence Premium pressure treated rails that have fewer knots than standard pressure-treated 2x4's and so are more durable Decking screws and shank galvanized nails that resist rust, won't streak, and are much stronger than staples or small tack nails Investment in a custom-built fence now will mean many years of enjoyment in the future. Custom-built wooden fences require expertise, craftsmanship, and quality materials, things you won't find sitting outside your local big box hardware store. Contact Fence Central for more information about what sets our custom-built wooden fences apart.

2016 is almost here! As you make your list of New Year's resolutions, consider adding home improvement to the list. Slowly improving your home over time spreads out the financial investment and results in higher resale value when you're ready to sell your home. At any point in time there may be hundreds of homes on the market in your area. Even if you're not planning on selling your home in the near future, having a long-term plan for home improvements can go a long way in helping your home to stick in the mind of a potential buyer.A wooden or vinyl privacy fence is great when neighbors are nearby or you want to create a quiet backyard retreat. Aluminum fences are a beautiful option to fence in a pool or backyard when you want to retain the view beyond the fence.To add the most resale value, choose a fence that complements the style of your home. For example, fences with lattice work help small spaces to look larger and complement both traditional and modern-looking home exteriors.For more information about how a fence can add to your home's resale value, contact Fence Central. We service Central Florida, from Clermont to Bartow and nearly everywhere in between. We can help you to check off this New Year's resolution faster than you can say "auld lang syne!"

As winter approaches, it's a good time to consider whether your pool needs a new fence enclosure. Florida law requires that residential swimming pools be enclosed or covered for safety to prevent accidental drownings. As the pool won't get as much use during the next few months, it would be the perfect time to install a new fence. Consider your priorities when deciding which fence is best for your pool. Ease. You can't get easier than a vinyl fence. Vinyl fences look great, are extremely low maintenance, and can withstand splashes from chlorinated pools for many years to come. Choose a tall vinyl fence to stop kids and pets from jumping over. Privacy. A wooden fence will provide you with the safety of a tall structure with additional privacy. Wooden fences come in a variety of beautiful styles and if you choose Fence Central, you know that you wooden fence will be custom built to be the best fit for your property and made from the highest quality pressure treated rails. Beauty. Vinyl and wooden fences are beautiful, but if you want to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding your pool, an aluminum fence is a good option. Aluminum fences provide the safety of a vinyl fence but don't disrupt your property line, letting you overlook a lovely tree line or sloping glen while sitting poolside.Whichever type of fence you choose for your pool, Fence Central can help. Contact us for a free estimate!

Aluminum fences look great, it's true. Their clean lines and stately appearance lend an air of sophistication to homes while still allowing visibility through the bars. Aluminum fences can also come with details along the top or sides that complement the detailing of your home or garden.Aluminum fences are good for more than just looks, however.Aluminum is an excellent choice if you're looking to fence in an area but don't want to block the view beyond the fence. If your home overlooks a body of water, beautiful tree-line, or open field, you may not want a wooden fence that will hide those lovely sights from view.Homeowners often choose aluminum fences to define property boundaries, provide a barrier for pets and children, and close in pools for safety.If you're considering an aluminum fence, you may have also considered wrought iron. Aluminum has a similar effect as iron without all of the upkeep. Aluminum fences are low-maintenance and never require staining or painting. Aluminum fences also come in a variety of colors that are sure to complement the style and color of your home.Contact Fence Central in Haines City, Florida for a free quote on your new aluminum fence. You won't be disappointed with the beauty, durability, and safety it provides.

Chain link fences are popular for a variety of reasons. They're sturdy, inexpensive, provide a safe area for children and pets to play in, and allow visual access to outside surroundings. Chain link fences are available in different heights and gauges to meet property owners' needs.  All chain link fences are galvanized. Galvanization is the process of coating steel in zinc to deter rusting. You can also have a chain link fence coated in vinyl (pictured above), which further deters rusting and comes in colors to complement a house or building.One benefit of an uncoated chain link fence is that from a distance it's mostly transparent. Adding vinyl coating to the fence adds color and visibility, which could be a benefit or a drawback depending on your goal.A chain link fence coated with vinyl lends a softer appearance than the standard steel variety. The vinyl may also help the fence to blend more into its surroundings, such as if you choose green vinyl and the fence is set against a tree line.For many people, the final decision comes down whether cost or appearance is more important to them. A vinyl coated chain link fence looks more attractive to most people, but a standard chain link fence without coating can cost up to $1.50 less per foot.To further explore your chain link fence options and talk with a fencing specialist, contact Fence Central in Haines City, Florida.

Vinyl and aluminum fences are both excellent choices in their own rights. If you're grappling with the decision of which to get between the two, here are some considerations that may help you choose. Color and style Both aluminum and vinyl fences come in a variety of styles. From small and ornamental to tall and straight, both materials can be molded to fit your desires. Aluminum fences come in a variety of colors, while vinyl fences are typically white (although some manufacturers do produce vinyl fences in colors and even wood grain). Maintenance Compared to other types of fences, if you're in the market for an exceptionally low maintenance fence, both vinyl and aluminum are good choices. Neither type of fence needs to be stained, painted, or cleaned. If you choose Fence Central for your vinyl fence, you'll also get a manufacturer's lifetime warranty that protects against flaking, cracking, and peeling. Privacy & security Both aluminum and vinyl fences protect and secure your home with sheer height. One privacy-related benefit of vinyl is that it can be solid, where aluminum fences have bars or pickets.Still wondering which fence might be the right one for you? Contact Fence Central, our experts can weigh the pros and cons with you and help you to find the perfect fence to fit your property.