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[novamc1]

I don't know which post mentioned "rod iron" when referring to fences, but I believe the correct term would be wrought iron. 

When it comes to  black fences of any type, the best-looking and most practical  and easily maintained ones being used these days, even in high-end neighborhoods, are made of black aluminum.  They mimic the look of wrought iron and can be quite attractive.

Having owned a home with lots of decorative real  wrought iron railings above a front porch and as handrails on exterior staircases, I  heartily approved when an old home next to mine was torn down, along with its rotten stockade fence, and a new home was built with black aluminum fencing running across the side of my back yard.

True wrought iron fences and rails (which cost a fortune to buy and install and maintain) require periodic sanding of rust and a new paint job.  Been there, done that several times over several decades,  never again.

Can't imagine anyone wanting a chain link fence of any color, when  attractive, low-maintenance  and functional aluminum and vinyl types are available.

Chain link fences  surrounding a front yard and visible from the street would have caused a lot of heartburn in any neighborhood that I've ever seen.

[ccassaday]

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@novamc1 wrote:

I don't know which post mentioned "rod iron" when referring to fences, but I believe the correct term would be wrought iron. 

When it comes to  black fences of any type, the best-looking and most practical  and easily maintained ones being used these days, even in high-end neighborhoods, are made of black aluminum.  They mimic the look of wrought iron and can be quite attractive.

Having owned a home with lots of decorative real  wrought iron railings above a front porch and as handrails on exterior staircases, I  heartily approved when an old home next to mine was torn down, along with its rotten stockade fence, and a new home was built with black aluminum fencing running across the side of my back yard.

True wrought iron fences and rails (which cost a fortune to buy and install and maintain) require periodic sanding of rust and a new paint job.  Been there, done that several times over several decades,  never again.

Can't imagine anyone wanting a chain link fence of any color, when  attractive, low-maintenance  and functional aluminum and vinyl types are available.

Chain link fences  surrounding a front yard and visible from the street would have caused a lot of heartburn in any neighborhood that I've ever seen.

Chain linking the front hard is just tacky. We would never do that lol. Like I said my sisters black one is practically invisible. It would cost a fortune to fence in about 1.5 acres with a viynl fence. But they are pretty.

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[mousiegirl]

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@Carmie wrote:

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@mousiegirl wrote:

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@Carmie wrote:

@ccassaday  That could be good news as long as your neighbors want fences and like chain link fences. They are not popular here in new neighborhoods.

Those expensive rod iron fences seem to be popular though. They aren’t helpful When you have a little dog like a Yorkie. they can get though them easily.

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@Carmie  Only chain link fences, black or green, are allowed in the front of a property in this area, one hundred feet set back, wood is allowed only on the sides.  The colored chain link fence blends right in with the trees in this woodsy area, and we had one installed all around.  Trees and shrubs were planted and now it is hardly visible, and never visible from the road unless one looks way up.

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@mousiegirl We have no rules for fences in my neighborhood, but if had to have a 100 ft setback, there would be no fences. Out house has a 15 ft right of way and a 30ft set back for a total of 45 feet for the house.  Our lot is wide and shallow.  100 feet back would,probably be in my neighbor’s kitchen.  

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@Carmie  LOL!

[novamc1]

@ccassaday

If vinyl is too expensive, look into aluminum.  I don't know how the price compares, but it's an option, and I don't think it costs too much.  I've seen huge mansions with gated yards done in aluminum fencing.  Many styles are available.

[ccassaday]

Chain link will probably cost between 5k and 7k. Any other type of fencing would be double that price.  Being in the country a chain link will look just fine.

[Lucky Charm]

When we had a custom home built in the country, we put up a very pretty black horse fence.  Every one has them as it's in horse country.

It's just along the front of the property, not as a barrier, but more for emphasis.  Our dog was trained and never ventured off of our property (4 acres).

To keep your dog in, you could put up an almost invisible wire fence on the inside of it.  Can't think of the name of the wire fence they use.  It can even be coated green to blend in with the grass.  Not a chain link fence!

Visually these fences are very pretty in country settings.

Because it's made of wood, it does need a fresh coat of paint every couple of years.  That's something that's kept my dad busy for the past week, but he likes projects like this.  He been retired for almost 30 years and likes to keep busy with stuff like this. 

[Carmie]

@novamc1  It was me who mentioned rod iron.  After I saw your post, I had to laugh at myself.  Yep, you are right.  So much for auto spell check.

A few of my neighbors have those aluminum fences in a brown bronze or black color  enclosing their back yards.  A few have vinyl picket fences and some have six feet vinyl privacy fences in their back yards because they have a pool.  

One neighbor had one of those beautiful infinity saltwater pools in his backyard for many years and a I never knew it until the house went up for sale. His fence protected his privacy.

No one has chain link fencing in my community.  It is frowned upon around here, but I have seen it elsewhere and it looks okay for back yards that are mostly hidden anyway.  I have never seen it in a front yard.

A lot of high end neighborhoods do not allow chain link in any form. I suppose it depends on where you live and what is excepted by the people who live there.

Chain link definitely serves a purpose and keeps pets safe and is better than those invisible fences.  They do not keep out predators, but keep your pets enclosed so they can be attacked and have no where to run to get away.

[stevieb]

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@ccassaday wrote:

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@stevieb wrote:

If the documents prevent fences then you'll more than likely have to seek a change in the documents. If they were in place when purchasers acquired their lots then they knew, or should have, of the restriction. If the documents specifically exempt fencing around a pool then it wouldn't seem the developer can prohibit it. As for a chain link fence, I would rather have anything. I get the desire to keep pets corralled in their yards, but assuming permission is ultimately acquired for a fence, I'd be looking for something less unsightly... Fence options have come a long way and there are some really pretty options out there that won't blight the landscape. 

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There is nothing unsightly about a chain link. People are using a generalization because usually they are in poor neighborhoods and they aren’t taken care off. Ours was in perfect condition with no rust after 12 years. But guess what. Our neighbors privacy fence was falling down. My sister has a black one fencing in over 1.5 acres. It looks nice and blends right in.

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Different strokes, I'm not generalizing. I think they're universally unappealing, regardless of neighborhood... They might have been the 'go-to' fence decades ago, but they really aren't anymore... I've seen some lovely fences but chain link aren't among them. True, though, if longevity is the goal, they do last forever, unfortunately...

I'd vastly prefer this...

or this...

to this...

or certainly, to this...

[ccassaday]

I agree that those are much nicer options. But they will all cost 2 to 3 times more. They would rather put money elsewhere. We have a really long drive. The builder only concretes so much. It will cost 10k to do the entire drive. They would also like to replace some furniture. Not to mention the landscaping. If there was unlimited funds they would probably do a viynl picket so it’s still maintenance free. But it’s just going in the back and right now money will be used elsewhere. The important thing is getting a fence our dog can run. Of course unless we win the lottery. Lol

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[Lucky Charm]

I love that your driveway will be concrete.  I really don't like the look of blacktop driveways.