Stay Fenced In: Popular Fence Styles and Materials to Revamp Your Home’s Exterior
Your garden fence is so much more than just a protective barrier between your home and the street. For one, the fence you choose can dramatically impact your curb appeal and boost the overall resale value of your home. If that’s not enough to carefully consider the type of fence you choose, then we don’t know what is!
Other than that, a garden fence provides privacy and security. It helps to give your home an overall sense of style before even entering the property. It also supports garden beds, planters, and highlights ornamental pieces in your yard.
To learn more about the most popular fence styles and materials, this blog is the perfect guide for you.
10 Fence Styles to Improve Your Home’s Exterior
The style of fence you choose plays an integral role in the perception of your home from the outside. It’s no secret that a run-down, neglected fence can paint an unjust picture of the condition of your home. So when it comes to your fence choice, you want to opt for a timeless style that can also withstand the elements.
The best fence contractor for the job is someone local, who understands the climate and the best materials and styles to choose from. Here are a few popular styles to consider:
- The dog ear fence — this is a version of a picket fence, except it has an inverted curve at the top and the fence posts are the highest point
- The flat-top — quite simply, this fence is one standard height with flat-top posts, rather than pointed posts
- The gothic — also similar to a picket fence, the gothic style features fence posts with pointed edges
- The lattice — this style of fence features decorative lattice detailing across the top
- The picket — one of the most popular styles of fencing, this is a short fence with gaps between vertical pieces of wood
- The Scallop — this is yet another version of the picket fence, only with varying height and sized fence posts
- The privacy please — these fences are made from solid materials and are full-height, meaning you cannot see into the yard
- The shadow box — this type of fence also offers relative privacy. It’s characterized by pieces of wood attached to each post in an alternating fashion
- The spaced-out picket — this is a version of the picket fence with larger spaces between each fence post
- The rail — this is a basic type of fence that is used on large properties such as farms or plots
Of course, there is a multitude of factors that go into the style of fence you choose. Most of the time, major determining factors are your budget and privacy and security needs. Let’s look at popular fencing materials that also play a role in the style of fence you go for.
7 Popular Fencing Materials to Consider
You may have already dreamed up your ideal fence to suit your home. But it’s important to keep in mind that fencing material can impact the type of fence you end up settling for. Fencing material is probably the most important factor to consider as this determines the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your home boundary.
Here are a few worthwhile options:
1. PVC Fencing
There’s a reason this fencing material is one of the most popular on the market today. This is because it’s affordable, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to fence your home.
PVC, also known as vinyl fencing, is used to partially replace the wooden stakes and pickets of your standard fence. PVC sleeves are placed over wood posts for extra stability, which helps to cut down on wood material costs. PVC stakes are also attached to fence cross-bars with screws or adhesive.
PVC fencing is also a good option because it’s so versatile. You can find a plethora of PVC fence styles, colors, and heights to suit your needs. This type of material is also resistant to the elements and will stand you in good stead.
2. Aluminum Fencing
This is another popular fencing material because of its neat, sleek, and modern look. Aluminum fencing may not provide a huge amount of security or privacy, but it’s another low-maintenance, cost-effective fencing material to consider. Aluminum is also versatile and will suit any style of fence you choose for your home.
You can choose from a range of colors, or paint it yourself just after it’s been installed. Remember this: don’t choose aluminum fencing for its security, but for its versatility and price.
3. Wood Fencing
Hands-down the most popular style of fencing across the U.S., wood fencing has a great reputation for its hardy nature and versatility. Wooden fencing can be custom made to suit any style and height, and also provides a decent amount of security and privacy.
Wood that is treated or painted can withstand almost any element, and simply needs a fresh coat of paint or finish every few years. This type of material creates a warm, nostalgic feeling to any home exterior and also doesn’t break the bank.
Keep in mind that the higher your fence is, the more it will cost you. In other words, the more lumbar you need, the greater the cost. Wooden fences also take a fair amount of time to install, so you may pay extra for the labor, too. All-in-all, wood fences are an amazing investment for your home and tend to last a lifetime, depending on the type of wood you choose.
4. Bamboo Fencing
While this type of material is still lesser-known, bamboo fencing is a great eco-friendly option for home fencing. Bamboo can be naturally grown at a pretty fast pace, so this material is ubiquitous and easy to source. You can choose from three popular styles of bamboo fencing today. These are rolled bamboo, bamboo cane, and live bamboo.
Bear in mind that live bamboo fences can grow up to a foot each year, so if you don’t want to amend your fence annually, we don’t recommend this option! Bamboo is relatively low-maintenance, cost-effective, and creates a warm, natural aesthetic.
5. Wrought Iron Fencing
This type of fencing is not as popular today, but it can truly make a statement. The downside with wrought iron is that it’s quite high-maintenance and requires sanding and re-painting every two years. Otherwise, wrought iron is a very robust, hard-wearing material so it will stand up to the elements. These types of fences tend to be custom-made, which can be pricey and they do not provide a good amount of privacy, either.
But if you’re looking for something ornate and decorative for your home’s exterior, wrought-iron is your answer.
6. Chain Link Fencing
Chain link fencing is probably one of the most basic types of fencing for a home’s exterior. Chain link does not offer a great amount of security or privacy, but it serves the basic purpose of a fence well enough. This fencing material is very cost-effective and requires little to no maintenance.
You can get creative with chain link fencing and use it to support a flower garden or creeping shrubbery to add decoration to your home exterior.
7. Electric Fencing
This type of fencing is also known as invisible or pet fencing. They are popular for the containment of dogs on most properties. Electric fencing works through an invisible field of electricity. A fencing contractor digs a trench along your property boundary, lays a wire, and sets up a wireless transmitter nearby. Your pet then wears a battery-powered collar which sends a signal whenever they get close to the boundary wire.
Now, this type of fencing does not provide privacy, but it does provide a measure of security for your pets. It’s not necessarily a great option for home aesthetics, but if you want to keep your pets safe, this is your go-to.
The Average Cost of Fencing
As mentioned, the cost of your fencing project will depend on the size of your property and the fencing material you choose. But fencing is priced per foot or meter. So the longer your fence, the more costly the project will be.
If you choose a fence that is made of pre-built panels, you will pay per panel. This cost tends to ranges from $40-$300. Most panels are 6-8 feet in length and you can expect to pay an average of $100-$200 per panel.
Another factor to consider about fencing cost is labor and installation. Make sure the final quote you receive from a fencing contractor includes this cost too! Contact Timber Ridge Fence Company in Plainfield and request a quote.
In Need of a Handy Home Style Guide?
When it comes to choosing between fence styles, think about the longevity, functionality, and the safety of your fence. It’s a lifetime investment, so choose a style and material that will be worth the upfront cost.
If you’re a homeowner looking for home décor and lifestyle inspiration, why not take some time to explore the rest of this site? We offer a plethora of helpful articles to help you turn your house into a forever home.