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A compound wall serves to demarcate the
site, protect one's property, ensure privacy
and enhance aesthetic appeal. The most important
reason for having a fence is security. Not
only does a fence prevent encroachers from
moving into your property but also effectively
restricts entry into your space. Most city
houses are independent units and therefore
invariably have their compound walls.
Fencing t ensures privacy to the residents.
Whether it is a 12 ft compound wall further
reinforced by a chain link fence or a screen
wall within the property that restricts
access to certain spaces such as swimming
pool and party areas, the height and location
of these structures are decided on the basis
of the privacy needs of the resident.
The most commonly used fencing option is
the compound wall made of concrete. Other
options include timber, picket fences that
are also wood-based, wrought iron fences
and natural hedges. The best designs combine
these options, though the guiding rule is
not to deviate too far from the base material
used in the construction of the building.
For example, a timber reinforced gate or
the use of timber over the compound wall,
which has risen to a certain height, is
a different option.
A brick and mortar wall allows private properties
to screen themselves from the road, in terms
of visibility, dust and noise pollution.
It is also necessary to shield the ground
floor of the house from the street and therefore
the front fence should be of a height that
will fulfill this condition. Stonewalls
are gaining popularity in cities, basically
because it presents a strong exterior, is
long standing if the foundation is good
and requires absolutely no maintenance.
But then this solid, stable and permanent
barrier does not come cheap.
The stone used for walls can be roughly
grouped into four types. Field stone is
any irregularly shaped, unquarried stone
found in or on the ground. Rubble is broken
residue from stone sawing operations. Flagstone
is stone that is so evenly stratified that
it splits naturally into flat pieces. And
cut stone is stone that has been shaped
and dressed with a saw or a chisel.
The two basic classes of stone walls are
rubble and ashlar. Rubble walls are constructed
from stone, which are minimally dressed,
or not dressed at all, while ashlar walls
have carefully crafted stone and close fitting
joints as opposed to the wide joints of
the former.
Natural fencing or hedges in the form of
medium-high shrubbery is a good option if
one needs fencing but do not want to be
bound in by a concrete compound wall. Waist-high
hedges generally do not obstruct the view
of the building and hence are a viable option.
So are railings of about 3 ft height. They
again allow a free view of the property
but however may not be suitable for residential
sites.
Wood is another fencing option, not very
popular in India and definitely not in Indian
cities. It is a very common means of dividing
the front garden from the street in the
West and can be used in the Indian context
if and only if the security of the property
is otherwise taken care of.
Rough wooden fencing is particularly suited
to an informal garden. It makes an attractive
natural background for flowers and shrubs
and is a good support for climbers and most
importantly, requires little or no maintenance.
In city surroundings, this fence can be
built in the rear side of the house as it
is basically a private zone and the fence
itself is shared with the neighbour and
rarely exposed to the road.
Another popular fencing option is concrete
pre-cast walls. While they are definitely
attractive they are more suited to internal
demarcations of activity zones rather than
the boundaries. They are ideal material
for screen walls.
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