Careful fencing choices can create happiness for years to come.
When I was growing up, rusty chain links or split rails lined with galvanized wire dominated my neighborhood, and my fences of choice were to confine my dog or keep other dogs out. The big house on the hill felt like a fortress surrounded by brick walls. Functionality aside, I didn’t want to surround my garden with anything like that.
Today’s fences could be kinder, softer, and much more aesthetically appropriate. You can choose a fence that meets your functional needs, expresses your personality and makes your home feel right at home in the landscape.
Assess the basics
It’s important to initially decide exactly what your fence is supposed to do. To keep things inside, to store things, to provide privacy or security, to provide a screen view, to provide a wall in a garden room, etc. Next, study both the style of your home and the topography of your land to determine the best fence style for your particular situation. Don’t skip this step.
This photo shows a thoughtful union between house, fence and land. The wood panels and seams on the exterior of the house run vertically and horizontally, while the gradual horizontal roofline pulls the eye down. Because of this, a horizontal wood-slat fence stained to match your home’s siding is a thoughtful choice.
The topography is terraced back and forth, creating a flat surface on which to build a fence. If the topography is heavily undulating throughout the ranks, these fences will read too busy and seem to force themselves to the ground rather than establish peaceful relations.
Let’s take a look at the different styles of fences and how to carefully choose the one that’s right for you and your home.
Vertical black metal fence
Made from either old-fashioned iron or updated aluminum, these traditional style fences are the choice in many parts of the Buffalo NY USA. It creates respectful and appropriate boundaries, keeps most creatures inside and out, and allows passersby to see your house and garden.
A wrought iron fence is the perfect choice for the landscape. The shape of the fence pays homage to the height of the home, and the black hue contrasts sharply and neatly with the white exterior. Not everyone has a black and white tiled sidewalk, but this one certainly creates a link between the house and the fence and grounds the space in a grand way.
When to use: Vertical metal fences are great in front of multi-story homes because they lift the eye up for a full view of the house. Painting a dark or vibrant color will pull the eye back down and fix the vignette. A lush green planting palette with a bit of color completes the elegant composition without compromising each architectural element.
When not to use: This type of fence is great for low single-story homes, especially if there is a distinct horizontal line across the front of the home.
Things to consider: Metal fencing comes in a variety of styles, from Victorian to modern, so you need to match your fencing style to the style of your home. Most hedges of this type are painted black, so you can go bold or safe depending on your planting plan.
Corrugated metal fence
The feel of this fence is completely different from the metal fences of the past. This fence has an industrial or agricultural vibe. It’s a budget-conscious choice and can be made by homeowners with moderate to high DIY skills.
When to use: When privacy and affordability are key considerations. Some metals can rust or discolor over time, so consider this before choosing this fencing option.
What not to use: This type of fence is style dependent, so consider the style of your home before building this one. Suitable for modern, farmhouse and industrial architecture, but not suitable for traditional styles. Like all vertical fences, it draws the eye upwards. For single story homes, you should consider a different style of fence unless you have a tree canopy you want to highlight as a focal point.
Considerations: Certain ornamental grasses when planted along corrugated metal fences. Plants with a vertical growth habit will not compete with fencing lines. Guide: The pros and cons of corrugated metal
Guide: The pros and cons of corrugated metal
Vertical wooden fence
This fence type has a much more organic feel than the previous material. It is one of the less expensive fencing materials and can be sealed, stained or painted, making it very versatile. Closely spaced wood provides great privacy, or spaced wood allows air circulation to reduce upfront costs.
When to use: When privacy and functionality are key considerations. Many homeowner associations prefer this generic fencing material. This is because it suits the landscape better than other, more unusual styles.
When not in use: As with previous styles, this fence’s verticality directs the eye upwards, so use it judiciously depending on your dwelling height.
Things to consider: These types of fences need to be resealed, painted or stained regularly to maintain their shape and durability.
When planting in front of a solid vertical wooden fence, consider a twisting tree or vine as a focal point.
Horizontal wooden fence
This style of wood fence has all the benefits of a vertical wood fence, but offers a style more suited to the landscape. By varying the width of the wood, a variety of unique patterns can be created. This is possible with vertical wooden fences, but is often more successful with horizontal slats.
When to use: This fence is great for low buildings because it keeps sight lines low and moves space. It also gives garden visitors a warm and gentle feeling like a hug. The degree of privacy can be manipulated by the spacing of the timbers. Note how the lines of the fence shown here mimic those of the house siding, creating an undeniably homogenous connection between the house and the garden.
When not in use: This style is adaptable, but may not be suitable for very tall or very traditional buildings. It will also fight vertical siding.
Things to consider: As with all wood fences, ongoing maintenance is a consideration. For plantings with horizontal hedges, consider older trees or shrubs with a pronounced horizontal growth habit.
Stonewall
Stone walls are chameleons. They are adaptable to many styles and work well with many other materials. You can make it low for a seating wall or high enough for privacy in your backyard. Stone can also be trapped inside machined metal to create modern or industrial gabion walls. Like this, the juxtaposition of rough stone walls and cut stones adds interest to hardscape.
When to use: Stone walls are expensive both from a materials and labor standpoint, but they outperform the competition in the right circumstances. Properly selected stone can bring gray, blue, tan, orange or copper accents to your home and create continuity between your home and garden.
When not in use: Using stones and bricks close by can be tricky. In tight spaces, the thickness of a stone wall can take up valuable square feet.
Things to consider: It is recommended that stone walls be installed by professionals. Some commonly available stones can be brittle, so make sure the stones are dense and of the right grade for your area.
When planting around a stone wall, don’t overlook the opportunity to incorporate the tones of the stone into the color of the leaves. It goes well with perennials. The fact that blue and orange are complementary colors on the color wheel means you can get great results by mixing these plants.
Guide: The pros and cons of mortar and dry-stone walls
Poured concrete wall
Poured concrete, especially in the form of boards, has recently come into fashion. Once used only for foundation and industrial purposes, these walls are now used as a focal point in landscape design.
When to use: Precast concrete walls should only be installed by qualified professionals. Expensive but impressive. This wall is in a house with a modern and industrial home and can be placed close to a gray stone with an interesting textural result.
What not to use: These walls don’t go well with traditional homes or homes with wood siding. But when steel meets glass, it’s spectacular.
Things to consider: gray concrete walls can be planted using the same pallets as gray stone. For more unusual concrete colors, ask your contractor about concrete staining.
Guide: Pros and Cons of Precast Concrete Walls
Brick wall
Brick walls tend to drive hearts to places like (Add Place Names). It can be left to age and grow moss as shown here in a shady location, or it can be painted for a more updated look to form a connection with more contemporary architecture.
When to use: Brick walls are the highest in the cost range, but if installed properly, they can last for generations. Easy to clean and maintain. It can be installed as a solid wall or contain a pattern formed by negative space.
When not to use: Brick walls don’t usually go well with stone houses or very modern homes. Things to consider: A proper foundation is critical to the longevity of a brick wall. Without this, the wall may crack and collapse. When choosing a planting scheme to complement an unpainted brick wall, consider the brick’s predominant tone, or choose a dark green for a more traditional look.
Panel fence
Let your imagination run wild with this type of fence. Panels can be made of wood, polycarbonate, steel, concrete board, bamboo, willow, etc. Hide the framework or use it as an architectural accent. You can plan for the level of privacy you want by setting up panels with or without gaps.
When to use: If your outdoor space reflects the architectural style of your home, use a panel fence to set the tone for your garden. Bamboo or translucent polycarbonate panels can evoke the feel of a Zen-inspired Garden, while rusted steel can evoke an industrial feel.
When not to use: If your garden has a style that’s the exact opposite of your home’s architecture, consider using a more neutral style fence. If you choose to live big and express yourself, be prepared to find out that some homeowner associations and neighborhoods may not share your passion for creativity.
Things to consider: Consider the expected life of the panel material you choose and future maintenance. Create a planting plan that reflects the color, texture, and style of your chosen panels.
