Having a fenced-in area in which your dog can run is a great idea. Not only will this give him or her space in which to play, but it also provides him or her with a bit of safety when he or she is off-leash. Having someone professionally install a fence can be a bit costly, though, so it does make sense that many people choose to do this job on their own. Whether you need a permanent fencing solution or just something that’s good enough for now, a DIY dog fence project can help you to make both your life and that of your dog’s a little easier.
Basic DIY Dog Fence Types
There are a handful of different types of fence ideas that are relatively easy to put together on your own. Though the cost is going to vary significantly based on your location and on the price of materials, there really is something here to fit just about any need and budget. It’s always good to look at your optiodns to figure out which one is actually going to work for you.
At the lowest end of the price, the scale is PVC deer block netting. This type of DIY dog fence is usually used as a temporary fence and it doesn’t necessarily look as professional as some of the other fence types but you simply can’t beat the price or the ease of installation that comes from this type of fencing.
More common and slightly more expensive is the metal wire dog fence. Whether welded mesh or chain link, these fences have been used for decades to help dogs stay safe. Affordable and easy to maintain, a wire fence also lets you exercise more design options while you’re trying to figure out how best to create a safe space for your pet.
If you’ve got a small dog, you might also want to think about poultry netting. Not strong enough for the bigger pups, it is a useful material for keeping dogs out of certain spaces as well as bound into others. This is a great choice if you need to block off a garden, for example.
You may also want to look at EMT, also known as electric conduit pipe. These fences are relatively cheap and easy to assemble, though they certainly don’t fit the aesthetic sense of every family. Still, they can be a good pick for those on a budget.
If you are concerned about not putting up an actual physical fence that will disturb your yard’s aesthetics, the electric or wireless fence will suit you. Installing this modern dog fence is fairly easy as you can see in this guide. These systems come with receiver collars with alarms and sometimes mobile apps to track your dog.
Finally, there is the wooden pallet dog fence. This option is great if you happen to have pallets laying around, but not so great if you’re worried about looks. Even with that said, this is perhaps the only type of fencing that you could potentially build for free.
How to Choose the Right Fencing Type
Since you know the types of fencing that are out there, it’s important to take some time to figure out exactly which types are going to be right for you. The truth is that no single type of fence will end up being perfect for every homeowner, so it’s a good idea to stop and think about what you really need from your fence.
Budget
One of the first things to keep in mind when you are building your own fence is the budget with which you have to work. Though all of the fencing types discussed above are fairly inexpensive when compared to those fences that tend to be professionally installed, the truth is that there’s a fairly wide gap in prices between block netting or pallet fencing and a more traditional chain link fence. Knowing what you can afford will help you to more easily decide what kind of fencing is going to be right for your home.
Personal Skill Level
It’s also a good idea to stop and think about what kind of work you are comfortable doing yourself. Something like PVC netting is relatively easy for anyone to install while creating your own pallet fence or even digging the holes for a chain link fence can require special tools or just a little more physical activity. Though there’s nothing wrong with trying something new, it is generally a good idea to stop and think about what kind of physical activity you are comfortable with and what installation steps are actually within your own skillset.
Permanent vs. Temporary
Perhaps the biggest question to stop and ask yourself is whether or not you’re actually putting in a permanent fence. Something like block netting or chicken netting is very easy to use temporarily because you can just roll it back up and put it away when you’re done, while a chain-link fence is usually significantly harder to just put back away. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with building a temporary fence for your home while you’re waiting for a more permanent solution, so you may want to take the time to look at a cheaper temporary option while you work out exactly what you need for your permanent fence.
Dog Needs
It’s always a good idea to keep your dog’s needs in mind when you are building your own fence. Every dog is different, so you’re going to need to stop and think about what is going to make him or her safe and happy. If you have a big dog, for example, getting chicken netting is just not going to work. A dog who tends to climb, on the other hand, is definitely a dog for whom chain link is not going to be much protection. Some dogs love to be able to see outside of their yards and won’t do well with a fence that doesn’t have gaps or a porthole, while others really do better when they have the privacy that comes from a more secure fence.
Climate
The climate of your area matters quite a bit when it comes to the type of fencing that you use. Simply put, you’re going to want to avoid pallet fencing if you live in an area that is very damp or that sees a lot of snow because you’re going to have to deal with rot. While this is something that can be put off if you’re willing to seal the wood, you’re moving into the territory in which it simply makes more sense to find a more permanent solution than this type of fencing will give you.
Aesthetics
Finally, try to make sure that you choose a type of fence at which you do not mind looking. Though there are many different types of fences out there, not all of them look great to every homeowner. The last thing you want is to choose a fence that feels like an eyesore to you, so take some time to look at pictures of the different fence types online so that you can find one that works best for you.
Personal Concerns
Finally, give some time to your own personal concerns when you’re looking at fencing types. Do you feel like deer or chicken netting won’t be as secure as you like? Rather than dealing with sleepless nights, you should choose a different type. Likewise, for someone who has had bad experiences trying to take care of metal fencing, it’s generally worth the money or effort to choose something else. At the end of the day, it really is important to make sure that you choose the type of fencing that is going to make you the happiest.
Basic Installation Tips
As you get ready to install your fence, you have to keep a few basic tips in mind. Not every one of these fences is going to apply to every builder, of course, but you’ll generally be better off if you’re willing to consider them all.
Know Your Property Lines
One of the most important things you’ll want to consider when putting up a fence is your own property lines. While this isn’t as relevant if you are putting up a temporary fence or you’re just looking to build a dog run in your backyard, you’ll need to know where your property lines end before you put up anything permanent. It’s a good idea to look at a surveyor’s map or your property’s plat before you start building so that you know exactly where your property lines end.
Measure First!
Measuring matters more than you think when you’re building a fence. It’s not just what helps you to ensure that you make your fence long enough— it’s going to determine how you set up your budget, how long it takes you to put together your fence, and even whether you’re going to be able to do the job adequately. It’s never a bad idea to measure more than once and you should always assume that you’re at least a little off when you buy materials so that you don’t run out when you’re building.
Think About the HOA
Finally, stop and talk to your Homeowner’s Association (if you have one) before you start thinking about dog fence ideas and building one. Many HOAs have relatively strict rules about what you can and cannot put up, so a quick check will allow you to figure out if you’re in violation of your rules when you put up one of these fences. As a note, many HOA rules only apply when you are putting up a permanent structure, so it’s very possible that you might be able to put up whatever you like if the fencing is meant to be temporary. Most people today prefer easy-to-install invisible dog fence systems to keep pups in the yard. An invisible fence or a wireless fence could just be the solution if there are rules on building physical structures that you need to follow within your neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I make an inexpensive dog fence?
The best way to make an inexpensive dog fence is to start by understanding that you’ll need to do the labor yourself. The most expensive part of any fencing project is usually having the fence installed, so some DIY work will usually let you get the project done for a fraction of the price. From here, you’re just going to need to look at the right materials and to prepare to follow some very simple and straightforward plans in order to put your own fence together.
2. What can I use for the dog fence?
You can use many different materials for dog fences. If you’re looking to build a permanent fence, many people prefer to use chain-link, welded metal, EMT, or even pallets to put up your own fence. If you’re looking for something temporary, you might want to look at deer or chicken blocking wire or vinyl. These materials will not only help you to create fences that will keep your dog safe, but they will also help you to save a great deal of money when you build your fence.
3. How do I build a dog fence?
Building a dog fence is fairly straightforward, but you’re going to have to keep a few things in mind. The first is whether you’re going to build a permanent fence or a temporary fence. If it’s the former, you’ll need to buy materials and make sure that you have posts that can be permanently anchored into the ground. If it’s the latter, though, you might simply be able to use stakes. From there, it’s a matter of following good building plans so that you can build a fence that’s going to keep your dog inside the yard.
4. What is the cheapest type of fencing?
The cheapest type of fencing is almost certainly pallet fencing. Many stores and building sites will give away old or broken pallets for free, which means you can theoretically often build a pallet fence for free. If you don’t want a pallet fence, you might want to look into deer blocking as a fencing material. Though you won’t be able to get it for free, you should be able to get it for a fairly low price and the process of installing the fencing doesn’t usually take any kind of special tools.
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