It’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare: getting home at the end of the day to find their home has been broken into. Maybe even worse, someone could break in during the night while you’re home. There were 307 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people in Minnesota in 2021, so it is a real and understandable concern. It’s scary! Thankfully, the chances of experiencing a burglary are still pretty small.
At Northland Fence, we’ve heard all the reasons for investing in a security fence, and any reason is a good one. Whether it’s the neighborhood kid messing around with your stuff to keeping unwanted animals out of your garden, a good security fence can give you and your family a lot of peace of mind. You might have some questions, though. What are the characteristics of a good security fence? What are your options? Is it possible to get a secure fence without making your home look like a prison or a nuclear waste facility? As a family-owned, Minnesota-born fencing company with 15+ years of experience in the field, we’ve got you covered. We’ll answer all your questions on the best fencing for security.
A lot of factors go into finding the right security fence. What exactly you decide on depends on the level of security you’re going for. For some people, one or two of the following features might work, but other families might want to go all out for the sake of safety. You’ll want to ensure any security fence has some, if not all, of these qualities:
A fence that’s hard to climb is key. The taller the fence the harder it is to climb, and that’s better for you. Just remember to check your local fencing laws, because high fencing in front yards isn’t allowed in some areas.
You’ll also want any security fence to have vertical bars, and nothing horizontal that could be used as a foothold for someone to climb over. If your fence does have any horizontal parts, you’ll want them to be very close together so there’s less of an opportunity for climbing. This is also why traditional chainlink isn’t ideal for security: the holes are big enough for any determined burglar to climb over it.
There are usually options to add spikes to the top of your fence. These make climbing a real pain – both literally and figuratively. Not only will the pointy top of your fence look intimidating to any potential invaders, but it’ll make the act of invading significantly more difficult. Adding spear tips to your fencing can also be a good aesthetic choice.
This is something many homeowners don’t consider, but if someone is determined to break in, they might come with the tools necessary to demolish your average fence. Chainlink and wire do not pass the test here, because they’re pretty easy to cut through. Even wood fencing can’t stand up to expert crooks. You’ll also want to check your fence to make sure it’s holding up regularly. If you notice any weak spots, you can bet that anyone looking to break in will find it.
Metal and welded mesh fencing are your best options when it comes to a sturdy, nearly impenetrable fence. We’ll talk more about those a little later.
You can’t go wrong with locks when it comes to security. At the very least, a lock on an unclimbable fence will slow a burglar down. At best, it will keep them out altogether. No matter what lock you use, make sure there aren’t any gaps in the fence to give any unwanted visitors access to it. If an experienced miscreant tries hard enough to break in, just about any lock will be no match for them. Make sure they can’t get their hands on it in the first place.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but because this is a comprehensive list, it’s still worth mentioning: make sure your fence doesn’t give any shady individuals a place to hide. This ties into the next section.
You have two main options when it comes to security fencing: concealing or transparent fencing. Off the jump, concealing may seem like the best option. If nobody can see what they’re trying to break into, they can’t break in, right? A fence you can’t see through also means fewer gaps that someone might be able to climb, and it comes with additional privacy. It makes sense, but that logic comes with some downsides.
You have to consider the fact that just as any potential invaders can’t see into your home, you can’t see out of your yard. If you’re looking for extreme privacy or hiding an ugly view, this might be a plus. The downside is that it gives anyone looking to break in more of a place to hide. If you have a transparent fence, you’ll be able to see anyone with bad intentions slinking around right away. With a concealing fence, you, and any security cameras you might have, won’t be able to see the invader until they’re already in your yard.
There’s ultimately no right or wrong option here. Just make sure you consider all of these factors and choose a fence based on what suits you, your family, and your property best.
It’s a good idea to weigh the upsides and downsides of security fencing before jumping into building one or buying one.
The main positive of a security fence is deterring crime around your property. That’s its main purpose, after all. It’ll come with the bonus of more privacy than your regular old fence, and in some cases, may increase property value.
The downside is that security fencing tends to be more expensive. It also isn’t the right option for you if you want your yard to look warm and inviting. Security fencing is meant to deter people, so it looks intimidating by nature, and it’s hard to change that without compromising security. You’ll also want to spend extra time maintaining your fence to keep everything secure, whereas you can, for the most part, install a regular vinyl privacy fence and leave it without much upkeep.
Some people may not care about curb appeal. If that’s you, you can install any fence you want. You can create the prison fence of your dreams! Do keep in mind that barbed wire and electric fences are banned by the state of Minnesota, so you can’t get too crazy.
In the case of residential fences, you probably want something that looks good and protects your home or business. Here are some materials and styles that will work:
Palisade fencing is usually made from steel or wrought iron, and is a very common security fence. It’s used for schools, data centers, airports, and more, but it can make a decent fence for just about anyone. The bars on palisade fences run vertically, and the fence itself can adapt to small slopes as it’s installed. Palisade fencing also usually has spiked tips, and can be made so the top of the fence slopes outwards, making it harder to climb.
You may be familiar with regular ornamental fencing, but there are a few differences between that and high-security ornamental fencing. For one, high-security ornamental fencing uses heavier, tougher metal. Sometimes it has additional support and is higher than regular ornamental fencing. It also usually has spikes at the top, and there are smaller gaps between the vertical bars of the fence to prevent anything from slipping in.
Welded mesh fencing is essentially a bunch of wires running horizontally and vertically that are welded together at every intersection. This creates a bunch of little square shapes in the fence and makes it nearly impossible to cut into. The tiny holes come in different shapes and sizes, and there are probably as many different kinds on the market as there are squares in every welded mesh fence, so make sure to look at your options.
Installing a security fence on your own is a hefty task, and all of your options can be overwhelming. We’d suggest asking an expert for guidance and help installing your fence. Might we recommend Northland Fencing?
Northland Fence has been family-owned and family-focused since 2004. As the best-reviewed fencing company in Minneapolis, we pride ourselves on high-quality service and treating our customers like family too. Give us a call at 763-316-4881 for all of your fencing needs.
Northland Fence Company Ramsey
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful, maintenance-free vinyl privacy fence, a sturdy chain link fence, or a ornamental fence, we’re ready to show you why we’re Minnesota’s highest and best rated fence company.
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Northland Fence Company Ramsey
6390 McKinley St NW, Suite 150
Ramsey, MN 55303
Monday: 9 AM–5 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM–5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM–5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM–5 PM
Friday: 9 AM–5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
