Garden Fence Ideas

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There are many different ways to fence your garden which will provide you with a boundary and add privacy. You may wish to use several styles of fencing for different areas of your garden and driveway areas, as each area will have a different need. For your front garden and driveway areas, you may want to choose low fences for ease of access and good visibility when using your driveway. Higher fences will give you more privacy in your back garden, which helps create a relaxing atmosphere and is useful if you have pets or small children as this will keep them safe and secure. Add a gate or pair of gates to your fence and you can have a completely secure garden.

Fence Style

The style of fencing needs to fit in with the design of your property. More traditional styles will compliment older, more cottage-like houses. More modern properties will look good with a more contemporary, stylish fencing. It is also advisable to check local planning regulations, just in case any rules need to be followed. You should also consider where the fence is to be installed, as coastal or exposed high ground may need fencing that allows for air flow, especially gusty winds. Sheltered places may be fine with solid fence panels. Also, don't forget if you choose a high fence it may cause a good deal of shadow on a sunny day depending on its position, this can be useful if your garden has little natural shade from trees or shrubs.

Wooden Fencing

Wooden fences remain the most popular choice for back gardens and they can be any height of your choice. Most people opt for 6-foot panels, especially if you feel overlooked or have inquisitive neighbours! These can be stained or painted with your choice of colour. Lighter colours will work well in small gardens, giving a feeling of spaciousness. Black stained wood panels are popular as a brilliant way to showcase your plants and flowers, as the dark wood really brings out the foliage and flowers. Bright coloured panels can be fun for a family garden, and you could paint some garden furniture to match or contrast for a real pop of colour. Although fencing is generally used for making a boundary to your garden, it can also be used to make a barrier in your garden to cover unsightly objects like dustbins. Another use within your garden is to fence off a vegetable garden, this can help keep out animals or flying footballs.

Wood panels also come in different styles, with curved tops adding shape and interest or trellis style for growing plants on. Trellis style fencing can be useful for areas that need some privacy but you still need to allow light to filter through. Fencing with a 5-foot plain panel and a trellis top is also a good option as it gives privacy to the first 5 feet in height and then the top is an attractive lattice design allowing light and air through. Trellis fencing can suit a more rustic style garden, just imagine it covered in rambling roses or clematis for a lovely cottage garden feel. Woven style fencing is another possible choice for a rustic style garden, this will lend itself to growing climbing plants as well.

Decorative Fencing

Decorative fencing can be useful. As its name suggests, it is just a bit fancier than regular plain fence panels. This style can work well in gardens with lots of space, where more of the fence will be on view most of the year round. Decorative fencing can look great when used behind shrubs and shaped hedging, which is less fussy than busy flower beds.

Picket fencing is a traditional favourite and can look smart. It can also be painted in any colour you fancy. Picket fencing can look great used around a front garden, especially when used with low hedging as well.

Fence Maintenance

Once you have your new fence installed you will need to maintain it to help it last well. On a newly stained fence you will see beads of water forming when it rains, once you cannot see beads of rainwater forming on the fence, it means it needs a new coat of wood stain, preservative or wood paint. Using wood preservative or stain helps to keep the wood in good condition, water resistant and helps stop the bleaching effect of the sun. Make sure you choose a warm, dry and still day for when you apply stain or preservative, otherwise it will not dry easily. Wind may also affect the spray, ultimately making a mess.

Alternative Fence Materials

Fencing is now available in many other materials such as PVC and metal, these are lower maintenance than wood and are easy to keep clean. Both PVC and metal fencing are available in several colours and look just like wood with a grain pattern, they are robust and have a long life span. Both these types of products tend to have a higher initial outlay but are cost effective due to their lifespan.