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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 26 ,2 01 8 | 22 (NC) A new fence can beautify your yard and add value to your home. Whether you're build- ing a fence to add charm to your backyard or create a place for your family to gather, know that different types of fences provide different levels of safety, privacy and style. Here are some tips from Steve Trescher, di- rector of merchandising building materials at the Home Depot Canada, on which materials to consider when starting your fence project. Wood. Pressure-treated wood and cedar are very popular options when building a fence. They are affordable, durable and long lasting. Cedar also contains oils that act as natural de- terrents against rotting and insect infestation. Vinyl. If you're looking for something a little lower maintenance, Vinyl fencing is an afford- able option that doesn't require painting or staining. Made from a strong plastic-based substance, vinyl fencing is resistant to mois- ture, flaking and cracking, making it an excel- lent option for Canada's unpredictable winters. Most come with easy-to-install kits and panels that allow for easy DIY installation. Aluminum. This material combines the look of wrought iron, with a powder-coated acrylic finish. It's DIY-friendly and won't fade or disco- lour. It is a strong material that cannot be cut, giving you extra security. Slipfence. Slipfence is an innovative fencing solution that gives you the beauty of a wood fence combined with the durability of alumin- ium. The system is easy to install and you can build to create either a vertical or horizontal fence style. www.newscanada.com ATHOME Choosing the best material for your fence Advertorial (NC) Consider this dangerous, but common scenar- io -- a homeowner deactivates a sounding smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) alarm and leaves the device dis- abled, opening up the entire household to a high-risk potential for undetected hazards. According to the Canadian National Fire Information Database, 80 per cent of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms, often due to missing alarm batteries or expired alarms. Fortunately, a new generation of home safety technology, combined with tried-and-true safety practices, can help keep homes and families safer from the threats of smoke, fire and CO. Here are tips to keep your family and home safe: Be safe, replace. On average, smoke alarms have a useful life of 10 years, while typical CO alarms should be replaced after five to seven years. If you can't think of the when you installed your alarms, chances are, it's time to replace them. Installing new ones ensures you are protected with the most advanced smoke sensing technologies and the latest safety features available. Double-up on safety. There are two main types of smoke alarms, photoelectric and ionization, which use different technologies to sense smoke and fire. Ioniza- tion smoke alarms are generally more responsive to fast-flaming fires, while photoelectric smoke alarms are generally more responsive to smoldering fires that gen- erate a lot of smoke but little heat. The Canada Safety Council recommends installing both types of alarms or dual sensor alarms because they provide the best potential for early detection of all types of common household fires. Go for a 10. One of the greatest advancements in alarm technology in recent years has been the devel- opment of new 10-year sealed battery alarms, such as the First Alert Dual Sensor 10-year Alarm, which features both photoelectric and ionization sensors to deliver maximum protection from any type of fire. In addition, 10-year alarms provide hassle-free protection, so you no longer need to remember to replace batteries. They also eliminate the risk of having an alarm deactivated due to battery removal. Cover your bases. Even if you have smoke and CO alarms in your home, you and your family may not be sufficiently protected if you don't have enough devices. To ensure the highest level of protection, install alarms in or near every bedroom and on every level of a home, including the basement. www.newscanada.com Get alarmed to protect your home Wherever it may be your dream home awaits! FromGeorgetowntoGuelph,Oakvilleto Miltonandspecialplacesinbetween Buildyourcustomdreamhomeonyour lotoroneofours! Orteardownandbuildup-createyour dreamhomewithoutleavingthe neighbourhood! Choosefromoneofourmanyfloorplans orworkwithourdesignerandstartfrom scratch VISIT OUR SALES CENTRE LOCATED AT 27 OLD RUBY LANE IN ABERFOYLE. TAKE EXIT 299 BROCK RD S. NORTH TOWARDS GUELPH HOURS: SAT & SUN 12PM-5PM MON-WED 1:00-5:00 THURS & FRI BY APPOINTMENT