Should You Look Into an Electric Fence for Your Home?
Having an electric fence installed around a domestic property is uncommon, but certainly not unheard of, and with Australians feeling increasingly unsafe, more people are considering tightening their home security than ever before. There are two main reasons you might consider domestic electric fencing:
#1: To Keep Your Pets at Home
Dog and cat owners alike hope to keep their pets inside their own yard. Wandering animals can be a nuisance to neighbours, and you know your pets will be safer if they stay close to home. To this end, some people consider using an electric fence to keep their animal companions where they should be--but for most pets, this is unnecessary and could lead to their coming to harm. You'll also find that your electricity bills are much increased by installing an electric fence, which adds to the overall cost of such a measure on a long-term basis.
#2: To Keep Intruders Out
Nobody wants uninvited guests in their home or garden, but in many states and territories, electric fencing comes with legal concerns. You'd have to very clearly signpost that you were using an electric fence, and the current running through it couldn't be strong enough to do actual harm--it would need to be a mild deterrent rather than anything else. While there may be some benefit to this approach, there are other options that are even more effective and much less costly.
So What's the Alternative?
Rather than taking the plunge and going electric, spend a little time looking into a variety of options for fencing without all the problems that come along with a domestic electric fence.
Specialist pet-safe fencing is an increasingly popular way to keep animals where they ought to be. It's set deep into the ground to keep dogs digging underneath it and has a slanted portion at the top to stop cats climbing up and over.
Barbed wire acts as a good deterrent to anyone hoping to climb over your fence, is legal to use almost everywhere and is a great deal less expensive than the electric option.
A simple solid metal fence is almost impossible to climb, and while it will have a larger initial financial outlay than many other fencing options, it will not come with the running costs of maintaining a current.
You'll also find that these fences can be more easily decorated and incorporated into your home's look and feel--which will be far easier on the eye than a stark, harsh-looking electric fence ringing the perimeter of your property! Talk to a local fencing contractor to discuss your options and get help figuring out which fence is right for you.
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