Two of the most common reasons Roanoke-area homeowners call us are the same two things: keeping a dog safely in the yard, and putting a code-compliant fence around a pool. Here's how to think about each.
Best fence for dogs
The right dog fence depends on your dog as much as your yard. A few things to get right:
- Height. Four feet contains most dogs; large or athletic breeds (and determined jumpers) need five or six. When in doubt, go taller — it's far cheaper than a do-over.
- Gaps at the bottom. Diggers and small breeds exploit the gap under the rails. We can run the fence tight to grade, add a bottom rail, or set a dig guard so there's no easy way under.
- Visibility. Some dogs are calmer when they can see out (chain-link, aluminum); others bark less behind a solid privacy fence. You know your dog — we'll match the fence to the personality.
Material picks:
- Chain-link — the budget-friendly workhorse for a secure run or backyard. Add bottom tension wire to stop diggers. Vinyl-coated (black or green) looks cleaner and blends into the yard.
- Wood or vinyl privacy — full containment plus a calmer, quieter dog (and privacy for you).
- Aluminum — secure and see-through; great when you want a finished look without blocking the view.
Best fence for a pool
A pool fence isn't just a style choice — Virginia's building code treats it as a safety barrier. Requirements vary by locality, but the common rules are:
- At least 48 inches tall (measured on the outside).
- No footholds or wide gaps a child could climb or slip through (picket spacing matters).
- Self-closing, self-latching gates that latch out of a child's reach and open away from the pool.
- No large gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground.
Aluminum is the go-to pool fence in the Roanoke Valley: it meets code, won't rust poolside, racks cleanly down sloped yards, and keeps the view to the Blue Ridge open. We build the gates to code with the proper self-closing, self-latching hardware, and we confirm the exact requirements with your locality before we install.
We'll help you get it right
Whether it's a dog run in Salem, a privacy yard in Cave Spring, or a pool enclosure at Smith Mountain Lake, we'll recommend the height, material, and gate setup that fits — and build it to last.
Request a free, no-obligation estimate or call (540) 200-8007.