Just about every yard will have a small amount of slope here and there to worry about when you’re constructing a fence. But what do you need to consider when you have a significant slope in your yard if you’re planning to install a fence on your property?
While there are some extra challenges associated with building a fence on a significant slope, it is absolutely possible to accomplish it, and to get some very attractive results. Here are a few tips from a fence contractor in Carlsbad, NM for you to keep in mind.
Use contours
If you have uneven terrain on your property, you could create a fence that follows the property’s contours. The horizontal rails will stay parallel to the ground rather than level. This is an option best explored if you only have a slight slope—it might not work out as much with a dramatic slope.
You may need to custom-cut the fence to accomplish this, which means pre-cut panels might not be an option. But when done correctly, it can offer an attractive, smooth appearance, especially if you use scalloped fences with rounded arches on the panels to complement the curves and contours.
Stepped fences
A simpler option, especially for more dramatic slopes, may be to use a stepped fence. This is a style of fence in which each panel is slightly higher or lower than the panel before it, creating an appearance that resembles steps. You can create stepped fences with preassembled panels, but the posts must be cut individually to fit the height of those panels.
One issue that can arise with stepped fences is gaps that form in the bottom. Because each panel needs to be even and level, there may be gaps under the panels, and those gaps are unlikely to be the same size with each panel and throughout your yard. It’s important to fill in those gaps if you have pets or small children, or simply for aesthetic purposes. You can do this by adding planters for flowers or vegetables, or simply by adding in more dirt to pack up against the edge of the fence. But using planters or retaining wall features can provide you with an opportunity to improve the aesthetics of the fence from inside your yard and add some extra functionality to them as well.
Ultimately, you might find that attempting to DIY a fence on a high slope on your property might be a little beyond your capabilities. The best course of action will always be to work with a skilled, experienced professional who is capable of getting the job done efficiently and to high standards of quality, giving you an attractive and functional fence that will last for many years to come.
For more information about the services Guadalupe Mountain Fencing LLC offers as a professional fence contractor in Carlsbad, NM, we encourage you to contact our team today with any questions. We’d be happy to share more details and schedule a consultation to discuss your project.