Edges

Fences

Fences are common throughout Chattanooga neighborhoods and are used to control access and separate property. They can be relatively low maintenance elements.

  • Front yard fencing should be lower and relatively transparent. Increased visibility connects to and enhances public space and contributes to a sense of safety.
  • Backyard fences can be higher and opaque to provide privacy, contain children and/or pets and screen unattractive views.
  • Style should relate to house architecture. For example, Victorian style houses could have more ornamental detail. Craftsman or contemporary houses would be less ornate. Neighborhood/street fence styles may also influence the style of fence used.
  • Vines can be grown on fences to add interest and soften barriers.
read more

Walls

Early Chattanooga walls were made from easy to acquire local stone. The prevalence of limestone walls around the city is linked to the region’s limestone bedrock. Other wall materials used in the city include brick, cobblestone and cast-in-place concrete. Like fences, walls define space as well as manage grades to create gently sloping land. Walls are ubiquitous on the sloped lots of north Chattanooga.

  • Shorter walls are appropriate in front yards and can be higher in back yards.
  • High walls in front yards make houses feel fortified and makes the street feel less visible and safe.
  • Using a series of shorter walls to create terraces is preferred over high walls. Shorter walls are cheaper, less likely to fail, easier to integrate in the landscape, reduce fall risk and create more accessible space.
  • Walls are more expensive than fences but require less maintenance. Properly built walls can last more than 100 years without major repairs. Poorly built walls are expensive to repair and often cost more to fix than the original construction.
  • When correctly used, walls mitigate steep grades and provide significant value and beauty. When used incorrectly walls can detract from house value and deter future buyers. High walls are more likely to fail and more dangerous when they do. They can be eyesores that create uncomfortable spaces, create fall risk and increase liability. Guard rails reduce liability but add construction maintenance costs.
  • Walls in the city of Chattanooga require a permit to ensure they are properly engineered.
  • Planting can be used in conjunction with walls to soften visual impact.
read more

Hedges

Hedges offer a good option for homeowners who want to define space in a less rigid way. Hedges are less common than walls and fences in Chattanooga, but show up in most neighborhoods. Patient people with an interest in gardening and yard maintenance are best suited to grow hedges.

  • Hedges require moderate but manageable maintenance if the right plant is selected. While hedges require more maintenance than walls and fences, they will cost much less. Hedges take time to grow to full maturity.
  • Before selecting a hedge plant, consider the desired height and width. Many 30-foot trees started out as hedges. Pruning and trimming are required regardless of plant type, but plant vigor and mature size are major factors in the frequency of pruning. Some trees make great hedges, but they must be pruned.
  • While evergreens are most commonly used, many deciduous shrubs offer better options in the long run. Hearty, tolerant, medium-sized, vigorous evergreens that grow well in Chattanooga are limited. Considering the use of deciduous plants increases options and can create year-round interest with spring foliage, blooms, fall foliage and winter bark/berries.
  • The pruning method is as important as plant selection. Most people envision a hedge with flat surfaces and sharp corners which is only achieved with frequent clipping. While this is an acceptable aesthetic, it’s formal and time intensive. A less formal and intense option is a looser form with softer (billowing) surfaces and rounded corners. All hedges should be trimmed to taper from the ground up, on both sides, to allow sun to reach the entire hedge.
read more