A fence can be an important element to a home. It can set the tone for your entire landscaping theme, it can protect your home, build privacy in residential areas, or just bring an element of design to the garden.
In the front yard, it can be the first impression someone gets of your home. That is why it is important to pick the right fence for you, your yard, and your home.
There are countless fences styles made from all kinds of materials, including iron, steel, vinyl, glass, and wood.
Wooden fences are the most widely used, and a classic direction for fences. This is why wooden fences come in the widest variety of styles. Wooden fences can serve a myriad of purposes as well. From outlining a flower bed to enclosing a pool, or providing privacy and security to your home and yard.
Whether you’re looking at an old ranch with a split rail raw wooden fence outlining the property or a suburban home nested behind a white picket fence, or even a six foot tall privacy fence wrapping around a pool and garden, wooden fences are ubiquitous.
What are some things to think about when considering adding a wooden fence to your property?
Pros:
- Noise reduction – If you opt for a larger fence, like a privacy fence, the fence can act as a dampener for noise pollution, bringing quiet to your yard.
- Curb appeal – The right fence can accentuate a home. It is the first thing that someone sees and interacts with when they come to your home.
- Privacy – Fences can make your space or home feel more private, even in populated residential areas.
- Security – A sufficiently tall fence with a locking gate can add another level of security to your home.
- Boundaries – If you have children or pets, it is be important to know where they are. When fenced in, they benefit from the added safety and grant you peace of mind.
- Variety – Wood fences come in the greatest variety of styles and looks. This gives you the greatest number of choices.
Cons:
- Cost – Wooden fences can be costly, and the more ambitious you are with your fence, the more it will end up costing you.
- View – A privacy fence works on both sides. It blocks the line of sight out as much as it does in. If you have a view outside of your yard that you enjoy, a taller fence could diminish your enjoyment.
- Maintenance – Wooden fences are not ‘set-it-and-forget-it.’ They require cleaning and upkeep. Without proper care, they will degrade and need to be replaced.
Wooden fences, of course, primarily consist of wood, but there are so many different kinds to choose from. The most popular wood for building fences is pine, due to its traditional look and quick growth. There are no limits to the types of woods that can be used for a wooden fence, but the price and properties of different varieties will effect the type you choose.
Many wooden fences are made from composite materials, usually treated pine. Pine is both inexpensive and responds well to pressure treatment, making it a durable and resilient choice.
Because wooden fences can range in material and design, the cost can also vary widely. Higher end woods naturally cost more, and taller fences need more material.
Typically, a split rail fence can be as inexpensive as $3 – $9 per linear foot of coverage for materials, and $8 – $25 for professional installation.
A picket style fence can range between $3 – $30 per linear foot, depending on the wood choice, and an additional $10 – $75 per linear foot for installation. A fence between 4 and 6 feet tall can range from $4 – $75 or more per linear foot for materials, and installation can run between $8 – $100. (Source: Cost Helper)
We hope these fantastic examples of fences will inspire your brand new garden or perimeter fence! Not sure if you like wooden fences? Check out our definitive fence guide!
A rustic and simple split rail fence is a fun design choice, though it doesn’t provide much in the way of security or privacy. If you decide to go with this fence style, make sure to add some wood preservative.
A raw wood fence made of picket has an interesting rustic look. This is a great option for those looking to build their own fence. It’s super simple and you don’t need to stain or paint it. This wood fence installation should be very simple.
A white picket fence is a classic and iconic choice for residential areas. This is another very simple type of fence that you could do from home. The tricky part of this fence is painting it, make sure you buy some nice durable paint made specifically for wood.
This tall wooden privacy fence with lattice top and gate provides a good deal of privacy. This very popular type of fence is perfect for any homeowner looking to replace their old fence because it looks great in any backyard.
Slats on an angle are visually interesting and a way to mix up a typical wooden fence. If you are planning on getting a fence like this, make sure you get a proper wood fence company to install it. A good thing about this type of fence is that you can easily paint it later. Source: Zillow Digs™
Here’s a tall privacy fence with a large car wood gate. Mixed with a brick structure, this fence is given a bit more stability. The best thing about this fence is the wooden gate along with the brick structure that matches the home. They give the entrance of the house a unique rustic look that you wouldn’t get with any other material.
This cross-post design is perfect for larger yards, giving it a rustic look. You will usually only find these types of fences in large farms or estates and they are designed to mark and separate private land. This fence is very easy to install and you won’t need to paint it.
Check out this natural branch fence – a very natural and wild aesthetic. This is another type of fence designed to last for a long time and is usually used for large plots of land.
The spacing of the slats on this fence vary in distance, providing an interesting overview of the trees below. The great thing about this fence is that it looks great in any patio or restaurant. You will definitely have to add some wood preservative to this fence. Source: Zillow Digs™
This tight weaved wooden lattice functions as a privacy fence with a cool design. Not only is this an awesome design, you can buy and install each wood fence panel individually which makes it an easy and cheap option to get.
This mixed wood design is sleek and stylish. A modern design that would make any homeowner very happy. You will have to paint and stain this wooden gate.
A natural stick fence with vines crawling up the posts. This is a very unique type of fence that would look great in a beach or lake house. This fence style wont provide a lot of privacy but it certainly will look great.
A horizontal slat fence with varying sized slats. A perfect fence style to replace a metal fence, its private and secure. If you are looking to replace your old fence, we would highly recommend you use a this as inspiration for your new fence. Source: pb3131 / Flickr
A fence with two different designs stacked divide this patio from the yard. Another example of an easy fence installation on this list, you can buy each fence panel individually and install it yourself if you know what you are doing.
Source: Zillow Digs™
This solid privacy fence is a stylish backdrop to a garden. A fence like this looks great in any backyard and with the privacy it provides, you can replace your old metal fence with this one without giving it a second thought.
A tall fence that incorporates shelves and lights into the design. On top of the slick and modern design, this is a great wood privacy fence. The shelves incorporated in it’s design lets you add your favorite plants and flowers to decorate your garden.
Source: Zillow Digs™
This unfinished wood fence with different sized components has a rough and rugged look. This look can be very appealing depending on the style of your yard or house, it also saves the cost of paint and wood stain.
Vines cover the top of this detailed fence with intricate wood gate. This fence looks amazing but it will require a lot of work on your part, trimming the vines and maintaining the fence with wood preservative will require some work.
Sometimes a simple design is best to let your other landscaping be the star of the show. This type of fence is perfect for unleveled grounds like this one, you will still need a professional’s help to install it.
This simple fence design is broken up with design panels. The design panels don’t provide a lot of privacy but it certainly makes the wooden fence panels look much better.
Source: Zillow Digs™
A simple design is also best when building a fence around an area with uneven ground and hills. To make the installation easier, we would recommend that you add some stylish concrete under the fence to help level the ground a bit.
Picket fences are classic, but this fence does something new with the classic design with thicker pickets. All of you with a nice garden in your backyard or those of you growing your own fruits and veggies will love this fence (Specially if you have an energetic pet).
A lightly painted stained fence can brighten up a yard. Make sure to carefully paint and stain the fence with durable products, some wood preservative would make it even more durable.
The slats in this fence are wider, making for a thicker, bulkier look. This is another example of a wood privacy fence that looks great in a beach or lake house during the summer. Source: Zillow Digs™
This natural stick fence uses sticks of different sizes. A cheap and aesthetic way to install a fence around a big property. Using durable wood like lumber and cedar would work best.
An alternate color topper sits on this raw wood fence. This fence looks great and is very easy to maintain since it looks better with raw wood.
Simple privacy fences can be enhanced with interesting gateways. The style of this fence is perfect to add a small door like in the image above, you can also add a wood gate in between a fence panel.
Variable lengths in the slats on a privacy fence can give your fence an interesting look. The wood fence panels for a fence like this are very easy to get and instal, it also provides a nice amount of privacy.
This finished fence wraps around a brick flowerbed. This awesome fence is perfect for a smaller backyard, it gives it a cozy look.
Source: Zillow Digs™
Fences made from multiple kinds of woods can have a dynamic appeal. Another great example of a fence that is very easy to maintain because it looks better without any paint of stain. Even moss gives this fence a special look.
With a small spacing in the slats of a fence, light is allowed to pour through. Some wood stain and wood preservative will make this fence extremely durable.
Source: Zillow Digs™
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