Having an enclosed garden is great for keeping children and pets in while keeping unwanted guests out. And by unwanted guests, I mean thieves that want to break into your home and steal your belongings. 

Unfortunately, South Africa ranks extremely high globally for crime and house break-ins are considered one of the major crimes, alongside hijackings, rape and murder, of course. This means that you can no longer risk the safety of your family by not having a security fence around your property. 

We’re not saying you should build an 8-foot wall complete with electric fencing, although it is not as uncommon as you might think. We’re merely saying installing quality fencing around your home will deter intruders. Unlike a solid wall, a fencing solution is more transparent, thus making CCTV surveillance a possibility. Below are the two most popular fencing solutions available on the market right now:

Steel Palisade Fencing

Palisade fencing is considered the strongest, most robust fencing system available today. A reputable installer will most probably use a tamper-proof system consisting of security shear nut fasteners and special sandwiched fixers to ensure maximum protection. Additionally, their materials will all be SABS approved. 

Rigid Mesh Fencing

Mesh Fencing is highly transparent and perfect for protecting your home or business without taking away from the aesthetics. It is high up on the safety factor since the narrow apertures make it challenging to climb or cut. Similar to palisade fencing, the materials used should be SABS approved, and the installation should accompany a tamper-proof system. 

How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Fencing

Look Out for Any Signs of Rust

Water is a steel palisade fencing’s worst enemy. While only galvanised steel is used, when exposed to rain and storms for an extended period, rust might creep in and weaken your fence. Always be on the lookout for signs of rust, and make sure to check your palisade fencing for water accumulation after a heavy storm. 

 Eliminate Damage like Flaking Paint Right Away

If your palisade fencing develops damage like flaking paint or rust, you must address the problem immediately. The longer you wait, the more likely it is for the damage to spread to other parts of the fence. Sand off rust or flaking paint with a wire brush and apply a fresh coat of paint.

Trim Your Landscaping

As we’ve mentioned before, steel fences don’t like water, so it’s vital to keep moisture at a minimum. This includes your plants or shrubs growing near your fence. It’s not the plants that are harmful as such but the accumulation of morning dew that poses a problem. To avoid the problem altogether, don’t plant anything directly along the length of your fence that requires water.

Protecting your home or business is serious business, so make sure you choose reliable fencing contractors who only use high-quality products.