Having the right fence around your house is important to many homeowners, for a variety of reasons. We've always enjoyed having a fenced in yard for our dogs, as there often isn't enough time to walk them when nature calls. So what other reasons are there for adding a fence to your property?
- Safety for your kids and pets when outdoors.
- Privacy when you're relaxing outdoors.
- Improve your home's curb appeal.
- Block noise from a busy street.
- Need clear separation from your neighbors.
When you pick the right fence for your property, you will contain the little world that is your home inside tidy, and defined boundaries.
Simply put, with the right fence you're creating a wall around your property.
But not all fences work for all architectural styles. The utilitarian look of chain link would dampen the appeal of a small, charming little cottage. Likewise, a row of casual pickets would look out of place surrounding an urban home with industrial lines.
There are so many fence styles, it would be impossible to list them all in one place. But some trends, and some classics, are worth more than a passing glance.
Here are a few examples to spark your imagination:
The Right Fence When You Want Privacy
Privacy fences are practically a mainstay of suburban life, and suit nearly any architectural style. They offer complete or partial privacy, and are available as tall as 10 feet in some areas.
This type of fence is ideal for the backyard, but not necessarily the best idea for the front of your property. That is unless you want to block all views from the street, which is definitely a plus depending on where you live.
What’s really interesting these days is the artistic twist being taken with some privacy fences. You can install a traditional wood or vinyl panel-style fence, but why not consider something really different?
Horizontal slats and carved panels are only two ideas. There’s another making its rounds through social media with glass marble inserts. The home owner drilled holes through the fence panels, and inserted one marble in each hole. The sunlight makes the fence sparkle.
When Chain Link is the Right Fence, Dress It Up
Chain link fences are hard to beat where security is concerned. They can keep even the most determined watch dog safely on your property, and kids can play more safely inside the confines of the sturdy construction.
While chain link might be the right fence, it's now high on aesthetics. To the security you want and a yard that's pleasing to look at, we recommend dressing up the fencing! Climbing and blooming vines, such as clematis, climbing roses, wisteria, morning glories, and moon flowers can transform a plain fence into something beautiful.
Because the materials are so durable, you won’t have to worry about whether the vines will weigh it down. The big plus here is the privacy and shade you’ll gain, which is absent with a plain chain link fence.
Pickets Are a Good Option When You Want Charm
Picket fences require a certain type of home. The nature of these traditionally short, open fences is decidedly casual and even a bit country, so the home’s architectural style must complement it. Otherwise, it will look out of place.
Victorian, craftsman, and Cape Cod cottages are ideal, as is nearly any farm house. Folk Victorian farm houses look especially lovely with pickets spanning the edge of the front yard.
If you have a garden, a picket fence creates a charming perimeter that enhances the green and growing things inside.
For Elegance & Security, the Right Fence Could Be Wrought Iron
Wrought iron fencing is available in numerous styles. Some are tall, others are short, and still others grace the tops of brick perimeter walls. This style of fence does two things very well: it safeguards your property, and it looks terrific doing it.
Nearly any older property looks perfect with one style of wrought iron or another. But with modern construction, you’ll need a more modern-looking wrought iron fence with less fussy lines. Where an old, stately Victorian was practically born to host a traditional, fancy iron fence, transitional architecture looks better without the curls and points.
For every home, there’s a complementary fence that will enhance the property. And if you have an unattractive, yet functional, fence already in place, you can make it look better by adding decorative touches or letting vines climb and cover it.
Choosing the right fence for your property take a bit of planning. Check your local zoning restrictions to find out which fences are allowed, and get a land survey to learn exactly where the property lines are before installing any fencing. If you're fencing in a swimming pool, expect to comply with strict code and insurance restrictions.
Please tell us which fence ideas you like best on Pinterest, so we can share them with others.
Fencing is indeed a good way to improve the security of your home, the above blog perfectly mentions why one should choose to fence and how to choose it in the right way. Great information provided, hope to see more in the future.
While you selecting a fence for your home, It is important to understand which types of metal are been used for installing around your place. Wrought Iron fence with traditional design gives the conditional look to your home.
I love how you explain that different style fences go with different homes. This can not be more true and everyday I see people just go for what they think will look great and then become disappointed because they didn’t think about the style of their home in relation to the style of the fence.
I like how you talked about the differences in choosing a fence based on elegance, security, or privacy, and how each should be different. My husband and I just moved to our brand new house and we are looking for ideas to choose the right fence for us. I will definitely talk to my husband about what we want in our fence so that we can choose te right option.
Good luck Megan as we all have our own opinions & my preference is no fence unless absolutely necessary as I like a view …
I’m planning to have a fence installed in my house because the kids in my block tend to invade my privacy. Well, you’re also right that it would be best to have a chain-link fence installed since this is durable and will provide the right security. Although the picket fences seem like a great option as well, because according to you, this will create a charming ambiance.
It’s good to know from this article that chain-link fencing can provide the security that I need for my property. My parents purchased an empty lot last month and since we don’t want any potential trespassers, we’re thinking of building a fence around it while it is still undeveloped. I’ll try looking for local fence contractors and ask for an estimate.
Great post! I always try to be mindful of the timing of posts but will keep the rest of your guide in mind for next time.
Great information. You always bring us up to date information , stated in easy to understand terms and It is not overwhelming. I appreciate that and I look forward to what is next.
Thanks Jacelyn, My goal is to remove the mystery & help women get comfortable with what it takes to turn a house into their dream home, one project (sometimes repair) at a time.
I liked that you mentioned one of the benefits of having a fence in your house is the safety that provides for your kids and pets. My husband and I are thinking about installing a fence around our house, and we are looking for advice to choose the right materials. I will let him know about the benefits of hiring a fence contractor to help him decide.
I thought it was fantastic you talked about how to choose the right fence for home. My brother recently moved to a new house, and he is thinking of installing a fence. I’ll recommend him getting material that will block the view of his backyard.
I like the tip that you gave to choose a fence that will offer enough security. My wife and I have been talking about finding a fence to put around our property, and it would be important for us to know that we could find one that will be best for us. If we decide to find a fence, I will be sure to check the security to match our needs.
Jeff, Try not to go overboard as I just moved and a neighbor across the street fenced in their backyard. I can understand this because the yards are really small … further confirming that I was smart to pick a lot with open space behind, so no fence needed (except to hide the garbage cans per HOA).
Thank you for stating that not all fences work for all architectural styles. I want to have a fence installed in my yard to keep my dog safe, but don’t know what type of fence to get. I will definitely keep all of your great tips and information in mind when trying to choose the perfect fence for my home.
Hello, you have a great finesse in writing the blogs. Keep on writing more on these lines. Enjoyed reading this, great insights. Thanks!
What a helpful and informative post! This can be really useful!
Considering the fact that there are a ton of fencing options it helps to know what to look for. I particularly like that the article brings up a few of the important ones like wrought iron fencing. After all, it is a great way to add some beauty and security to the rest of your home.
My current fence is falling down, so I’ve been looking for a great fencing contractor in my area. It was helpful when you said that wrought iron fences help safeguard your property from intruders. Of course, to get a good fence, one needs a good fencing contractor. Do you have any tips for choosing one?
Taylor, Interesting that you said contractor as I think of fencing companies. I would look for an established company (at least 10 and preferably 20+ years) with a good selection of fencing materials. They should be willing to explain the strengths & weaknesses of various materials and help you find the best solution for your budget. It doesn’t have to be a huge retail outlet but it should be clean, well organized & show you they pay attention to detail. That’s because it’s the installation that’s underground that makes the difference … and requires attention to detail so the fence will reach average/better end of life before needing to be replaced.
Thanks so much Tina!
I really like your tip about adding climbing roses or morning glories on my chain link fence to keep it from looking boring. My wife definitely wants more privacy than what we currently have, so I think getting a chain link fence for our yard will be great. Glamming our fence up won’t really hurt so I’ll be sure to share this article about choosing the right fences with her.
Kit, Love your goal as I find it sad that we’re planting fewer flowers today than when I was young, so the more flowers … the better!
Thank you for pointing out that wrought iron fences are best for homes that require security. I also liked it when you said that wrought iron suits just about any home type. I will be sure to consider this since we need a fence to keep our pets within our Victorian style property. This should work well, right?
Emma, I think wrought iron would work well with a Victorian home & once you said that, it reminded me of New Orleans where they use a lot of wrought iron. Here’s an article about lighting that includes a few of my favorite New Orleans houses & most have wrought iron on their homes – front yards & balconies.
Thanks for the advice for choosing the right fence. I like how you said that we can dress up chainlink with vines, or something, to make it look nice. That will probably work best for keeping our new dog in our yard!
I just married the man of my dreams! I was lucky enough that I got three children along with this marriage. They are the cutest, and I am so grateful that I get to be their mom! Me and my husband both decided to keep my house because of the size and the convenient location for our jobs. I want to give my children the opportunity to play outside, but I do not want them to run out into the roads. I feel like having a fence will help keep them safe! It will decrease the likelihood of so many potential hazards. I love how this lets me know what type of fence would be the perfect match for me! I think the chain link fence is right for me, but I really don’t like the look necessarily. I think I might look into customized fencing so I can have the practicality I want, and the looks I want!
Lilia, Congrats on your marriage & all the exciting experiences it will bring … and some challenges making your home kid friendly.
It was really nice how you pointed out that picket fences offer a casual and country look, so it’s best to make sure that it will match the design of the house perfectly before going for it, otherwise, it will look out of place. I am pretty sure that a picket fence will work well on our property considering that it was based on an old early 1900s design. I will suggest this to my parents because I heard that they were planning to fence the property in next month. Thank you for the suggestions!
Thanks for letting us know that we should install a wrought iron fence with fewer lines to help with the security and beauty of our property. My husband and I want to put in a new barrier around our house, and we are wondering what material we should use. We will definitely have to use iron for our fencing since it will make our property look more elegant.
It’s nice to learn that if you are planning on installing wrought iron fences in your property planting some vines near it would help add to its aesthetics. That’s perfect to learn from being able to add more to our home’s old Victorian aesthetic would be a big plus in my book. Hopefully, we can find some contractors that can install some on our new estate. Thanks!
Wow, it’s cool that this article talked about different types of fence. I love all these great ideas on fence, I personally like the pickets because it’s highly charming and casual than other types plus it’s easy to maintain; wrought iron is also a great idea if you wanted an elegant look for your home or if you have a sophisticated style of home; and lastly, the right fence if we will opt for privacy measures.
Thanks for the useful tips about choosing a fence. My wife and I have recently moved to the countryside, and we need a good for our landscape. I especially like the part about picket fences that enhances the green and growing things. I’ll definitely consider these tips and make a flowerbed near it.
These are some fantastic tips; after all, everyone wants to make sure that they have the right fence for their house. If you’re unsure about which fence might be the best for you, then it might help to talk to a fencing contractor. After all, if they’re the ones who are going to install the fence then they probably have a good idea of which ones will work best for your property.
My husband just inherited a farm from his parents and we decided to convert it to a dairy and livestock farm. We got all the permits sorted out so I went and moved on to making the farm safe and to avoid the animals getting out. Do you have any recommendations on what kind of fence we could put up? Thanks!
I like how you mentioned the benefits of a fence including safety for our kids and pets. My family recently purchased a new home but it doesn’t have a fence. We have two kids and are thinking about getting a puppy. I’ll make sure when looking for fences that I make sure they can help my kids stay safe and have fun.
I am wanting to have a fence put in around our yard, but need help in knowing which option will be the best for us. It’s good to know that if security is our main concern then it might be smart for us to get a wrought iron fence. I really like this option because it will allow us to be able to feel secure but it will also look nice as well.
You have some great tips for choosing a fence. A picket fence would fit perfectly in our home, because it’s like a little cottage. Like you said, they have a sort of country charm, and I think it’d look great.
My wife and I have been thinking about getting a fence in our yard to help with our animals, but we weren’t sure how to choose the right type of fence. I: never knew that privacy fences can actually be as tall as 10 feet in some areas! It would be nice to know that we can get a fence that our dogs won’t be able to jump over in the end. We will have to check the area to make sure we can get some that tall.
Frank, You won’t be able to find 10 ft fencing at the box stores but you will find it through a fencing company.
I’ve been looking at getting a fence for my yard now that my wife and I got a dog, but I want something that will last a long time. According to the article, chain link is a good idea since it is extremely durable but also is high in security. We have a german shepherd, so I think this would be extremely important since we don’t want him to get out.
John, Given how big german shephards are, I’d say a chain link fence is a good idea and you can plant shrubs in the front of the house to make it look nicer.
I agree that a fence is something that not only provides privacy but also helps to add a layer of security to your home and everyone inside it. I think that I will have a privacy fence installed in the back of my house to make sure that my family can play freely without having to worry about anyone watching them. That way we will feel comfortable and safe as we play in our home and in our back yard. Now that I know the kind of fence that I want, I need to find a contractor to install it.
Not all fences protect from outside animals. We have a 6 foot privacy fence and sometimes let our chickens roam the yard. Unfortunately a raccoon came, in the middle of the day, and got a chicken. The only thing the fence did was keep the raccoon from taking the dead chicken’s body since he couldn’t scale the fence with his catch.
So sorry Patrick as we do put fences up to protect our space, and as your story says, it doesn’t always work.
A fence is nothing but one of those features in a yard makeover that can be customized to be as functional or as fashionable as someone wants it to be. Depending upon the budget and requirement, several options are available to explore. It means one must have to know the purpose before going to install a fence. I genuinely love the whole concept of your blog as it describes the way to choose the right fence for the home. It also tells about different kinds of fences that can be installed depending upon the requirement. But one thing is common, that is a fence provides privacy, safety and also keep the children or pet safe inside the yard.
Thanks for your feedback Devon. My purpose for this website is to make women feel comfortable & knowledgeable about all their homeowner decisions, so they can make smart choices while protecting their investment & building long term equity.
I agree that a chain link fence isn’t the most pretty thing to look at. Because of this, you should consider decorating it with different vines and whatnot. I remember growing up we had a chain link fence in our backyard. On the fence we had a grape vine that grew all over it. It was really fun to go out during the summer and eat grapes off of it. My mom would also make grape juice from them as well.
What a great memory & story Scott, so thanks for sharing. I will have to keep my eyes open for a photo op that has vines covering most of the chain link, so people can see that it really works and looks perfectly fine.
For the past year, we have been having raccoons and deer alike in our backyard. We are wanting to build a fence but don’t know where to start. It was handy to know there are so many fence styles, it would be impossible to list them all in one place. I am no professional so I will make sure to set aside some time this week to get in touch with one to see which fence type will be the best!
My wife was telling me that we need to get a fence to keep our dog in our yard, but we weren’t sure how to choose the right fence for him. It’s interesting that you say that if you want privacy, there are types of fences that can actually make your backyard completely private! Since our backyard is facing a walking trail, this might be a perfect option for us.
Good luck making your decision Frank, as it’s a big investment so you’ll live with that fence for a really long time.
Hello & nice article, I would like to know what is approximately the price of metal fence? If you are planning to make it in the home. Thank you for answer.
It’s not possible to suggest any pricing for a metal fence as there are too many factors that affect the price. These include how tall a fence you want? how easy will the fence be to install, e.g. do you have ledge (rock) that will be challenging to work around? how simple or complicated a design you want, and the quality of the metal which varies according to price? Building product pricing also varies based on where you live. You’ll probably find the most budget friendly metal fencing at stores like Lowe’s or online but they come in panels that are 6 or 8 feet long, so shipping might be too expensive.
You wrote in your article that fences can be built at different heights, to provide peak privacy. My brother loves to hold parties in his backyard and been wanting to get a fence. Having that extra level of privacy could help people feel very comfortable during his parties. I’ll have to find a good contractor for him to work with.
Rachel, Common fence heights go up to 6 feet which would certainly provide the privacy you’re talking about. The only think you should check first are home owner association & local government rules, that may restrict fence heights where your brother lives.
I’m glad you mentioned that tip about how a home’s architectural style must complement a picket fence. I’ve heard that installing a fence in your yard can increase your home’s value by up to $10,000 sometimes! Seems like a good decision! I’m considering putting a fence in our front yard, and I’ll have to take these tips into consideration so I choose the right one!
Me and my wife just moved into a new home. Everything about it is great except that the backyard lacks a fence, and with kids and a dog we need one. This article was a great help for helping to choose which type of fence would work the best for us. I liked the tip about using a wrought iron fence for security!
Greg, A few years back it was almost impossible to find wrought iron fencing. I ran into the problem when an elderly homeowner wanted me to replace some fence sections that had rotted out because the house was at the ocean and salt air accelerates all wear & tear on a house. I was only able to give him a custom estimate which was more than he could afford … so I’m glad to see this traditional fencing choice gaining renewed popularity.
PS From your website it looks like you have many more options that we have in the US
I have been looking for the perfect iron fencing for around my house that provides both protection and privacy while still having a curb appeal from the outside. Looking at different options of fencing there are a bunch of different materials and styles that would be perfect for all types of homes. Wrought iron fences are very elegant and have a classic modern feel but also has the protection and privacy.
Good luck narrowing your choices down & picking the right fence for your house …