Best Fence Panels & Border Fencing

The style of fence you choose needs to coordinate with the style of your home and landscaping to create a cohesive and inviting look. Some of the most common styles of fence panels & border fencing include:

• Decorative

Decorative fences are primarily used to enhance the style of your home rather than demarcate boundaries or provide security. They come in a wide variety of styles to suit modern, contemporary, and traditional homes, including laser-cut composite panels that can be attached to existing fence structures, sculptural fences for use around patio areas, or topiary walls to screen off your yard.

• Picket

Picket fences evoke a feeling of nostalgia, making them an excellent choice for classic American, country, cottage, or farmhouse style homes. They are characterized by evenly spaced vertical posts, or pickets, which are attached to horizontal rails. Fence pickets and post caps can come in ornate patterns for traditional homes or clean minimal lines that are perfect for modern and contemporary homes.

• Post-and-Rail

Post-and-rail fences were historically used for agricultural purposes but can now add stylish rustic charm to your front yard. They use fewer materials that other styles of fence as they consist only of 2-3 horizontal rails attached to widely spaced posts, which makes them an affordable option for a front yard or border. However, due to the open structure, they are unsuitable as a privacy or security fence.

• Hurdle

Hurdle fences have a similar structure to a post-and-rail fence, but they have a more natural organic look. Often, the horizontal posts are made from narrow, flexible materials such as hazel or willow and woven to form a panel. This makes them a stunning privacy screen or perfect for use as a natural garden border.

• Lattice

Lattice fences are designed with a diagonally woven diamond pattern and come in open and closed varieties. Lattice is typically used for decorative fencing or as a fence topper. However, they do make excellent garden borders and fences for patio areas.

Lattice is available in wood, composite, and vinyl, allowing you to choose from a wide range of finishes to suit your yard.

• Trellis

Trellis style fences are perfect for creating a living fence, garden divider, or border in your yard. The open lattice structure allows plants to quickly and easily climb and form around the panels to create a thick hedge or screen perfect for use as a privacy screen.

Trellises are made from metal, wood, or vinyl and can be attached to already existing fence structures or secured with a cement base. However, many styles of trellis have low-impact resistance, which means they can be easily damaged in inclement weather.

• Chain Link

Typically made from galvanized steel, chain link fences are woven into a tight net structure that is suitable for security fences and pet enclosures. The fence is secured using steel posts that are deeply sunk into the ground and panels made up of a steel frame covered in the chain-link material.

Chain link fences offer better visibility than other fence styles due to the open weave structure, but this makes them unsuitable as a privacy fence. You can cover the chain link with a fabric screen for more privacy. They also have a more casual appearance than other styles of fence panels and may not add to the value or curb appeal of your home.

The right height for your fence depends on the reason for building the fence, and it's location. 

• Front yard fences can range between 2-4ft., although you may need to select a taller fence if you have a large breed of dog or require additional privacy screening if you live on a busy main road.
• If you live in an area that is populated by deer, a 7ft. fence in the minimum height tokeep them out of your garden beds.
• Pool fences usually have strict height limits and must not be any shorter than 4ft.
• Privacy fences used in the backyard and to separate your home from your neighbors should be between 6-8 ft.

While the height of your panels depends on the primary use of the fence, you also need to consider the local planning restrictions in your area. In general, any fence over 6 ft. may require planning permission from your city.

If you require more privacy from the neighbors or have a pet that is a climber or jumper, you can extend the height of your fence after installation using post extenders and lattice panels. This enables you to achieve the added privacy you need without investing in a new, taller fence. Check the height restrictions in your city before extending your fence. A fence over 8 ft. typically requires a permit from your local zoning office.

• Choose a fence style that coordinates with the aesthetic of your home's exterior and landscaping, and also caters to your privacy and security needs.
• The material of your fence panels determines how durable, long-lasting, and functional they are. It will also have a significant impact on the visual appeal of your fence and how well it blends with your home. Wood has a timeless elegance, is affordable and easy to maintain, while composite and vinyl panels offer better weather-resistance and durability.
• To find the right height for your fence, consider whether you need a taller fence for better security and privacy screening, or a low fence to showcase your yard.
• Your city may also have height limitations for fencing dividing neighboring homes and around pools. Consult your local zoning office before installing your fence panels and border fencing.