Are you wondering which type of fence adds value to your home in Colorado? Investing in home improvements can be a tricky game if you know your current house is not the forever home. On the one hand, you want to fix everything you don’t like so you can enjoy where you’re living while you’re there, but on the other hand, investing time and money in a home that you’ll be selling soon sometimes doesn’t feel like it is worth the extra effort.
One home improvement that can add value to your Colorado Springs home with less effort on your end in terms of the actual labor is by adding a fence to your house.
Which fence style adds the most value?
The most common types of home fencing in the urban areas of Colorado Springs and Highlands Ranch are cedar privacy fences, vinyl privacy fences, chain link, iron fencing and split rail. Since your goal is to choose a fence that adds value to your house, it’s important to choose the type of fence that isn’t customized to your lifestyle but rather is useful for anyone who may end up buying the home. When this is the case, some fences add more value than others.
Does a wrought iron a fence add value to a home?
A wrought iron fence is a great choice for your home if you’re looking for a fence that adds value, but you don't need a fence that is super secure. Keep in mind that iron fencing is on the higher end of the investment cost but a lot of buyers will see it as a quality investment.
Pros
Wrought iron fencing allows for a great view of your yard and house while also defining the property’s boundaries. Wrought iron fences are the most timeless and beautiful complement to a well-landscaped back yard, especially for corner lots that are flanked by road on either side. Wrought iron fencing opens up small backyards by preventing the closed-in feeling from privacy fencing. Wrought iron fences also have a long life and give a home a classic look.
Cons
Back to the essential question - Does a wrought iron a fence add value to a Colorado home? Wrought iron fences are both expensive and labor-intensive to install, especially if your fence has a custom design. This means you might need to get a significantly higher sale price for your home than an equivalent home in the neighborhood with a cheaper fence.
Also, Colorado home buyers love privacy, and many homebuyers may want more privacy than what is provided by wrought iron. This may make your home harder to sell, especially if the home price is already higher to cover the cost of the wrought iron fence.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is you are taking a bigger risk. Yes, a wrought iron fence adds value to a home. But you may need to significantly increase the selling price of your home to cover the cost of the fence. In some neighborhoods, especially older and/or higher-end home neighborhoods the risk may pay off. In lower-end or mid-priced neighborhoods, we recommend considering one of the following styles of fence to add value to your home.
Vinyl Fence Cost and Home Value
Vinyl fences are a popular choice of fence to add value to Colorado homes. Vinyl fencing tends to be a moderately expensive fencing option, however, vinyl withstands the up-and-down weather of Colorado quite well. Because they are very durable, vinyl can give a huge return on investment.
Pros
People like fences that they know they won’t have to replace often or spend a lot of time taking care of and a vinyl fence is relatively maintenance-free. Vinyl privacy fences are popular in Colorado because they provide the boundaries, privacy, and security that many families want in a home in Colorado.
The best part is that vinyl fences come in numerous styles and colors, so you don’t have to sacrifice design or decorative flair.
Cons
Vinyl cannot be painted so once you select the color or style of the fence the only way to change up the look is to replace the fence. Likewise, while vinyl fencing is not easily damaged, it also not easily repaired. Repairing a vinyl fence usually requires replacing the entire section which can be expensive.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is choosing a vinyl fence to add value is a safe bet in Colorado, especially if you plan on staying in the home for a while. Vinyl will be cheaper than wrought iron and more expensive than cedar privacy fencing (next contender). The key considerations that make vinyl a great fence to add value to a home are durability and maintenance. Vinyl fencing lasts longer than wood and requires virtually no maintenance.
You might like: Causes and Cures to Vinyl Fence Discoloration
Cedar Wood Fences and Home Value
Without a doubt, cedarwood fences are the top choice of Colorado single-family homeowners, especially the tallish slat-style fence seen almost everyone in Colorado urban areas. Like vinyl fencing, cedar privacy fences are popular in Colorado because they provide the privacy and security that many families want in a home in Colorado.
But, does a cedar wood privacy a fence add value to a Colorado home?
Pros
Cedar fencing is a popular fence choice partly because of the cost-effectiveness but also because it comes in a wide variety of styles. Wood fencing can be as elaborate or as simple as you'd like it to be so you have a lot of versatility with matching it to your home's style.
The biggest plus is that cedarwood fencing is one of the lowest cost options for boosting the appeal of a home. Also, wood fence slats are easy to repair and replace.
Cons
Wood fencing needs the most maintenance of the fence styles, especially in the harsh climate of Colorado in general and the Front Range in particular. Anyone that has lived in our area has seen the toll that our strong winds, hail storms, and brutal winters can have on wood fencing.
Maintenance is more expensive with any wood fencing. A cedar fence will need to be stained or repainted every few years and warping, molding and cracking are not uncommon. Dogs also can chew or dig through wood fences easily and the damage can be unsightly.
Related: Summer Wood Fence Maintenance Tips for the Colorado Front Range
Bottom Line
Cedar wood is an excellent choice of fence to add value to a home in Colorado, especially in urban areas where privacy is a key reason people build fences. Cedar wood will be cheaper to install than both vinyl and wrought iron fencing and therefore easier to recoup the expense in the equity of the home. While cedarwood does require some maintenance, the wood fence maintenance and protective coatings needed in Colorado are not expensive and can often be performed by the homeowner.
Summary
The installation and maintenance costs of a fence in Colorado are two key factors driving which type of fence adds value to your home. In addition, the price range and decorative needs of your neighborhood can have a significant influence on the style of a fence that adds the most value to a home.
Call Blicks Fencing for help deciding which style of fence is best for your budget, appearance and home equity needs. Blicks is locally owned and managed and has proudly served the Front Range of Colorado for over 30 years. We care about your home and can lend our expertise to all of your fencing projects. We provide fence installation and repair to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Fully licensed, insured and your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Call for Denver/Colorado Springs Fencing Free Advice
Denver/Highlands Ranch (720) 841-2687
Colorado Springs (719) 574-5441
Before You Go
Create a Backyard Sanctuary: Five Advantages Of Privacy Fencing for Colorado Homes & Businesses
Does adding a fence increase home value in Colorado Springs & Denver regions?
Fence Design to Create an Outdoor Living Space in Colorado
