The fence is the first thing you see before discovering a house. It is above all that preserves your privacy and secures your home. As useful as it is decorative, it can be made of wood, PVC, wrought iron, aluminum, or even vegetable. Material, price, advantages, disadvantages … Advice on making the right choice.
Fencing your land is not an obligation, but can have many advantages. A fence makes it possible to delimit a place or mark a passage. It also has other equally significant assets, such as protecting itself from the prying eyes of neighbors and passers-by.
Another very important point: Security. A fence allows your children to play quietly inside the garden. She prevents, or delays, also any intrusion (human or animal) on your property. It is therefore essential to choose the right fence, and to favor a resistant model, sufficiently high, but also easy to maintain, and whose aesthetics will elegantly accompany the style of your home.
Closure: what does the legislation say?
Article 647 of the Civil Code gives the right to enclose a property. However, check with the town hall of your place of residence to find out any rules provided for by the local urban plan, such as the height to be respected, the materials or colors which are authorized or not, or if it is necessary to submit a prior declaration of work (in the case of a classified area for example).
In the absence of specific local regulations, the law also provides that fences must respect a certain height : 2.60 m in municipalities with less than 50,000 inhabitants, and 3.20 m in municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.
Please note: your fence must also be placed within the limit of your land. You cannot encroach on your neighbor’s plot without warning them. So remember to respect the distances. In the case of a dividing fence, you will have to come to an agreement with him and precisely foresee the modalities of the realization of the construction.
What material to choose for your fence?
Choosing the right material is obviously essential. There are indeed a multitude of solutions. The fences can be worked or flat, openwork or solid, in wood panels, PVC, composite material, aluminum, they can also be plant or even simple mesh …
Difficult to navigate and make the right choice. To do this, start with define what your needs are (you want a fence to secure your yard, or something very aesthetic to showcase your home) but also your budget. The wire mesh will obviously be cheaper than wood, and PVC more affordable than wrought iron, but the rendering will not be the same.
Finally, keep in mind that a fence is constantly subject to bad weather and climatic aggressions, particularly by the sea. It will therefore be necessary to maintain it at least once a year, in particular if you opt for wood or wrought iron.
A chain-link fence
Wire mesh fence © Leroy Merlin
The wire mesh fence is in the form of panels or rolls. In both cases, it is easy to install and easily delimits the land. At the security level, it will prevent your children and pets from escaping your garden, but will hardly prevent intrusions.
Advantages : it is the fastest and most economical solution. The wire mesh requires little or no maintenance, and is easily removed if you want to put something more solid.
Disadvantages: the fence does not protect you from the curious, unless you grow shrubs or lean against it canisses, or intrusions because it is easily cut. In addition, the wire mesh fence is not the most aesthetic model despite its green color which allows it to blend into the landscape.
Price : it takes an average of 10-15 € per linear meter for a wire mesh roll.
A wooden fence
Arifi pine fence panels, Point.P © Point.P
Aesthetic and very resistant, the wooden fence comes in the form of solid panels or barriers, available in different styles. It also protects your garden from the wind, but offers various characteristics depending on the species. Very aesthetic, woven pine or hazelnut panels are too light in very windy regions. The pine fence is appreciated for its rustic style, but less secure your home. Solid wood remains the most advantageous despite its maintenance.
Advantages : durable, aesthetic, wood is as robust as it is decorative, and offers a choice of colors and styles (modern, classic, Scandinavian).
Disadvantages: its price can be high depending on the type of wood, and it requires regular annual maintenance.
Price : variable depending on the type of wood (pine being the least expensive), count between 150 and 250 €.
An aluminum fence
Briz aluminum fence, Kostum © Kostum
It is the “must” of fences from the point of view of security and concealment. It also offers a refined design, which blends easily into a modern decor.
Advantages : the aluminum fence effectively delimits the land, it insulates from the wind and is resistant over time. It also offers a wide choice of colors.
Disadvantages: its modern lines do not match all styles. The installation requires the help of professionals.
Price : higher or lower depending on the model chosen. Count between 150 and 400 € per linear meter (depending on the thickness).
A wrought iron fence
Wrought iron fence © iStock
Wrought iron is a sturdy and timeless material that has all the charm of classic style. There are three types of fence: openwork wrought iron, solid panels, or custom.
Advantages : wrought iron is a popular material for its elegance but also its strength. This type of fence can be placed on a stone, brick or concrete base, we will then speak of a mixed fence.
Disadvantages: wrought iron requires regular maintenance, with the use of anti-rust and anti-corrosion products. It is generally not blackout, and also requires a longer production time.
Price : wrought iron fences can be made to measure, so their price will be higher. Count between 150 to 500 € per meter.
PVC fence
PVC fence, Castorama © Castorama
It is the most popular material. PVC is practical and robust. This type of fence is also cheaper than aluminum or wrought iron, but more expensive than wire mesh or wood.
Advantages : resistant, PVC also protects very well from external glances. Simple to use and easy to install, some models also perfectly imitate wood.
Disadvantages: PVC tends to yellow over time. It therefore requires a minimum of maintenance, removing invasive foams for example, which are not always aesthetic. Its level of security is also considered insufficient.
Price : PVC is a cheap material, costing between 50 and 100 € per meter.
A concrete fence
Mehat concrete fence, Point.P © Point.P
Concrete is an interesting material because it can be deployed over great widths and heights. In addition, it is very resistant to bad weather and pollution.
Advantages : resistant, durable, economical, concrete perfectly secures your home. It is also a good sound and thermal insulator. It blends easily with other materials or with a plant fence.
Disadvantages: be careful, if the concrete has been badly made, it could crack. It is necessary to call a professional to avoid this kind of problem.
Price : it varies according to the dimensions, counting between 60 and 150 € per meter.
A composite fence
Composite fence Althéa, Lapeyre © Lapeyre
Composite is a material similar to wood. It is made of 50% fine wood particles and 50% recycled plastic waste. Unlike wood, it retains its original color and can be personalized with different decors.
Advantages : very resistant, it does not fear bad weather or UV. We also appreciate its contemporary style, which goes very well with other materials, thus offering multiple options.
Disadvantages: it requires a minimum of maintenance. Plan to wash it on average twice a year, as well as an anti-foam treatment.
Price : count from 100 to 220 € per m2.
A green fence
A hedge as a plant fence © iStock
Like a curtain of greenery around your house, the green fence is at the same time aesthetic, natural and ecological.
Advantages : discreet, it is the natural extension of your exterior. It also helps protect you from prying eyes.
Disadvantages: you have to be patient and give it time to grow. A green fence is also vulnerable to temperature extremes and must be watered. Better to call on a gardener to harmonize the cutting of the hedges.
Price : count 50 € / m on average.
Thanks to Romain Claeys, Marketing & Product Development Manager at Protac, and Maxime Cailleret, e-marketing manager at Forestia, for their advice.
What material for my fence: price, advantages, disadvantages …
