Have you ever heard the saying, “Good fences make good neighbors?”
Fences are an everyday part of people’s residential lives. They stand and they weather over time, eventually needing repairing or replacing. Some might wonder, “Why do we need fences at all?” Furthermore, you might wonder, “Do fences make good neighbors?” Where does the phrase even come from?
“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors”
You might have heard the term, “good fences make good neighbors.” Do fences make good neighbors? This phrase has become more of a saying rather than a quote, but it is indeed from a poem by one of the United States’ most celebrated poets, Robert Frost.
In his poem “Mending Wall,” one neighbor describes his interaction with his neighbor as they rebuild the stone wall between them. During this annual spring wall mending, the narrator questions why they need the wall, especially at one point along their properties. What does he need to defend against, and who might he offend without the wall? His neighbor’s constant response is, “Good fences make good neighbors.”
The poem considers the two sides of having a fence beyond what it might physically pen in or keep out. It dips into an aspect of human nature. Human beings like to be unified in some cases and separate from each other in other cases. This need for a separation could be good or bad, and the narrator makes no conclusions but raises questions.
Do Fences Make Good Neighbors?
As the narrator of “Mending Wall” says, fences make sense when you are penning cows. If you own cows, horses, or just pets, a fence can help protect them.
How else can a fence help with good neighborly relations? A fence can also offer privacy on busy streets or in close quarters. Privacy fences are common for properties on a street corner or a high-traffic road. If your community’s backyards are close together, a privacy fence can keep close quarters separate.
Of course, they also help defend your property from people or animals that might trespass. A fence helps people know if they are on someone’s private property or not.
It also makes it clear who is responsible for what part of the land, which eliminates confusion and potential arguments.
Upgrade Your Home and Reach Out to Freedom Fence Today
Whether you want a brand new patio in the spring or want to install a beautiful new wood fence, Freedom Fence and Home has the expertise, competitive prices, and professional service you need. Freedom Fence and Home has over 50 years of fencing experience in the Baltimore County area, Harford County, Essex, White Marsh, and Bel Air area and we pride ourselves on giving our customers the best customer service experience possible. To see examples of our work and pick the right fence for your home, visit us online. To get started on planning your project, give us a call at (443) 271-6841, or visit us online. For more information, tips, and updates about Freedom Fence and Home, follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.