Fences serve a variety of purposes. They keep kids and pets in, and unwanted critters out. They can also offer privacy, especially for homes with smaller lots, and provide protection around backyard pools. Fences are not just utilitarian, though; the right one can add a delightful touch and enhance your lot. “[Fences are] just as important as your lanterns and shutters,” says Daniel Houchard, landscape designer and owner of Dallas-based From the Ground Up, a full-service landscape design, installation and garden maintenance company.
When deciding on a fence’s design and material, Houchard first recommends taking note of your home’s architecture. “For instance, for a house that feels East Coast, you would do something charming, like painted wood,” he shares. “If it’s a French-style home, you would probably have a fence with stone.” Anchor With Round Plate
City code may determine how tall you can build or where you can place a fence; if you live in a historic district, there may be even more regulations — so take that into account first. “Outside of those code issues, you will then ask yourself if you’re trying to screen or you’re trying to expose,’” says Houchard. “I think that translates to height as well as how opaque the fence is.”
Already have a fence? A fresh stain or a new gate can ramp up your yard’s appeal. Read on for more tips for selecting the right fence for your home and how to make the most of your choice.
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If you want to fence your yard for privacy, you’ll probably want to go with a tall wooden fence that has thick slats. If you’re fencing a courtyard or a side yard, you may choose a more decorative option, like a short picket fence, to show off what’s behind it.
Wooden fences allow for pretty patterns like lattice and picket designs or can sway more contemporary with thicker panels or a horizontal arrangement. A wooden top panel over the tips of your slats also creates a distinctive look while providing some extra protection (in case a tree branch falls during a storm, for example). Fence toppers aren’t limited to a wooden panel, though — try Etsy for decorative metal toppers in a range of styles, such as this branch design.
For another upgrade to a wooden fence, power wash it and apply a different color. “I like to go lighter because it makes your yard feel larger,” says Houchard. “Plus, all the shades of green will pop off of the lighter fence. They may fade in with a darker fence.”
Houchard’s favorite colors for staining or painting wooden fences include Behr Cape Cod Gray, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee, Sherwin Williams French Moire and Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black. Keep in mind that with paint, you’ll need a primer and more coats, and it shows cracks and flaking sooner than stain. But you’ll have more color options with paint, and it can be applied in more weather conditions. Expect to stain a wooden fence at least every three years or repaint your fence every five years (although you may find yourself doing paint touchups more frequently).
Whether you choose stain or paint, it’s best to treat the wood in some way; fences are constantly exposed to sun, rain and other elements. An unfinished fence is apt to warp, split and grow mold, while stain and paint extend the life of the wood.
In terms of material, Houchard says cedar is especially popular in the Dallas area, though fences come in a range of woods that vary in durability and price — more on that later.
If privacy isn’t the goal, consider an iron fence in a decorative design. You can choose one with decorative finials (think New Orleans-style homes), hoop-and-picket designs that are popular in the South, or modern smooth-top iron fences that provide a clean line around your yard. To make your iron fence last longer, Houchard recommends powder coating it — that will keep your iron fence in good shape for many years.
Iron fences can also be the foundation for what’s known as a “green fence,” notes Houchard. “If we’re hedging the property, you don’t want a tall wooden fence. You want the fence to fade away, so we’ll do a black iron fence that will keep dogs in and other animals out. But your greenery or hedge is what provides the fence.”
A chain link fence can also used with holly, magnolia hedges or other greenery — and at a lower cost than iron. Chain link fences come in different colors, such as black, green and silver, and they’re durable for the long haul.
You can also choose to accent your fence with a material like stone or brick. It can be used in columns or an archway, or even as a full perimeter wall.
Brick is a timeless option and a particularly good choice for homes that feature traditional style of architecture. “An English Tudor house would look great with a brick wall sweeping down to a charming gate,” says Houchard.
Stone and brick are both sturdy and maintain your privacy. Brick may turn out to be less expensive than natural stone, since it is a manufactured item. Manufactured stone is another option, depending on the look you’re seeking.
Watch for signs that your brick or stone needs repair: missing or eroded mortar, loose bricks or stones, cracked joints and so on. With proper maintenance such as regular cleaning, a perimeter wall could last decades before requiring signficiant work.
A vinyl material offers an alternative to wood; you can get a similar look that is durable in all kinds of weather, doesn’t warp and won’t rot. It also comes in a variety of styles and colors, from pickets to panels. Keep in mind that even though fencing made of high-grade plastic material (PVC) may be designed to echo the look of wood, it won’t have a natural texture. But they are low maintenance — just keep them clean and don’t be too hard on them, basically — and can last for decades.
“A gate gives you an illusion of something behind it, something to be discovered,” says Houchard. “It’s the Secret Garden look that everyone loves.” Whether it’s an iron gate or a wooden gate, Houchard loves adding special touches like a vintage door knocker or a unique handle or latch.
“You can also paint it a great color that ties in with your home,” he says. “The gate is a great place to show a little personality.” Wooden gates come in a range of decorative designs, heights and lengths. Consider a dipped gate, a southern cross design or a scalloped picket look.
Fences are priced by linear feet and height; if you have a decorative gate or other finishing touch, that will factor in as well.
For a wooden fence, the average cost is between $14 and $31 per foot. A standard 8-foot wooden fence will have around 250 linear feet, so the total cost for this would range between $3,500-$7,750. Elements such as trellising between the top cap and bottom rail will add more to your fence estimate.
metal gate with panel infill Chain link fences are the most affordable option at $3 to $8 a foot, while iron is more expensive at about $20 to $30 a foot. Vinyl comes in between at $27 and $38.