No-Dig Fences Are Budget-Friendly, But Consider These Downsides Before Installing

One of the things that makes an instant impact when people visit your home is the fence, and it's certainly true that some fencing instantly boosts curb appeal. If you've been thinking about updating your boundary the easy way, the idea of no-dig fences might well appeal to you. No-dig fencing still has stakes (or anchors), but these are simply hammered into the ground. The fence panels and gate are then hung from these. There are no post holes to dig and no concrete to mix. You have a choice of styles in wood, metal, aluminum, or vinyl. Setting up this type of fencing straightforward, fast, and, in many cases, all you need is a small sledgehammer like this Estwing Sure Strike Drilling/Crack Hammer, along with a scrap wood block. The job can take a fraction of the time it takes to install traditional fencing and, as a simple DIY, could be more economical. It's not all good news, though; despite the obvious advantages, no-dig fencing is not for everyone. 

Before you buy no-dig fencing, you might want to consider the downsides of getting this style of fence for your home. No-dig fencing is not a great option if you want to ensure privacy and security for your property. Also, it lacks robustness as a barrier, and you'll run into challenges if you decide to alter the panels. More details below. 

Although there are a number of traditional and modern styles available, no-dig fence panels are seldom more than 4 feet high and usually have picket or slender metal uprights. As a result, they offer very little in terms of privacy or security. They don't present much of a barrier for large or boisterous dogs (or kids), either. Stakes are often embedded in the ground by as little as 12 inches, so if the soil is sandy or often wet, they could quickly work loose. You could make them stable with the use of longer supports, but that rather defeats the object. Panels are also very difficult to modify, which can be awkward if they don't fit the length of the perimeter precisely.

Those on a restricted budget could perhaps fence their backyard with affordable DIY pallet ideas that use no-dig principles, saving both money and effort. At the other end of the scale, there is also heavy-duty no-dig fencing with supports that are pounded down to 5 feet into the ground. However, while these fences overcome a number of the drawbacks mentioned, they are usually only available from commercial installers.