What's the Best Type of Fence for Gardens?

Thinking of changing your garden fence? There are so many styles to choose from - where do you start? It's not just about looks; consider your fence's function, too. To know which style of fence panel is right for you, start by asking yourself a few easy questions:

What is the purpose of the fence?
Does it need to provide privacy?
Keep pets from straying?
Provide a windbreak for plants?
How much maintenance are you willing to do? Some types of fences and materials are likely to last longer than others.
What's your budget?

Now you can start to think of styles that fit the bill.There are some ideas below, but if you need more inspiration, here's a complete run-down of different fence styles.

Close-board / Featherboard Fencing

Close Board Fencing

A strong, solid fence constructed with overlapping vertical feather-edge wooden boards. This type of fencing is commonly used in back gardens – it’s a medium budget option, neat and attractive, offering good privacy and providing some shelter to delicate shrubs.

Close-board fencing is typically 6ft (1.8m) tall. Keep in mind, however, that many local authorities have height restrictions on boundary fencing.

Pros

Ideal for most gardens
Robust and long-lasting
Its height (usually 6ft) provides security
Provides privacy
Deters intruders
Good for pet owners

Cons

Can be expensive
Its closed-up boards can be buffeted by strong winds, though it's stronger than a larch lap fence panel
Maintenance required

Larch-Lap Panel Fencing

Larch lap fence panel

Larch-lap panel fencing is a common type of budget fencing made of horizontal slats. Like close board fencing, it can be used with either timber or concrete posts and gravel boards, with the same advantages and disadvantages to these as explained above.

Although offering good value, larch-lap panel fencing is not as robust as close board fencing being more prone to damage in high winds.

Pros

Suitable for most gardens
Cheaper than close board
Provides privacy
Deters intruders
Ideal for homes with pets

Cons

Not as robust or long-lasting as close board fencing
Maintenance required to prolong the life of the timber

Timber Palisade / Picket Fencing

Timber Palisade Fencing

If you want a look that’s traditional and decorative, you might consider timber palisade fencing, more commonly known as picket fencing. Picket fences are mostly seen in front gardens, where they give a home traditional kerb appeal.

Although wood is the conventional material, picket fencing can also be made from PVC for a lower maintenance option. There are a few disadvantages to using PVC however: temperature change can make it brittle, prone to mould and it can be more expensive than wood.

The style of fencing is usually quite low. With its spacing between the timbers, is less prone to wind damage.

Pros

A good option for front gardens
Ideal to protect ponds or swimming pools
Provides a good boundary marker
Traditional, attractive looks
Lets light through / doesn’t block your view
Less prone to wind damage

Cons

Doesn’t provide privacy
Doesn’t provide much security
Would not contain some dogs
Some maintenance required to protect timber

Slatted Fence Panels

Slatted fence panels

Slatted fence panels give a more sleek, more contemporary look to your outside space, ideal if privacy is not an issue. They can make great dividers for different sections of your garden. The effect of sunlight slanting through the gaps is particularly attractive.

Pros

Available in a range of heights and styles
Sleek, modern appearance
Horizontal slats can make your garden appear longer
Gaps between slats allow wind through, reducing resistance and improving longevity

Cons

Don't offer complete privacy on a boundary
Can let weeds grow through

Hit & Miss Fencing

Hit and miss fence panels

There's a distinctive and particularly attractive pattern to hit and miss fence panels, created by smooth-planed horizontal boards that are alternately fixed to the front and back of the panel. This is a medium-range budget style that can look good in both traditional and contemporary gardens.

Pros

An attractive fence style that looks good on both sides
Offers good security and privacy
Gaps between the boards allow wind to pass through - less wind resistance
Vertical hit and miss style is also available

Cons

Higher maintenance - tricky to reach boards on the inside of the panel for painting
Gaps between boards can be a route for persistent weeds on the other side
For bigger budgets

Additional considerations for your garden fence

Fence Posts

You can erect close-board fencing or larch-lap fencing with either timber or concrete posts. Timber posts can be a cheaper option if you’re on a tight budget, but they can rot if not well maintained and may eventually start to lean or even be blown over in heavy winds.

By contrast, concrete posts are more likely to last in the long term, especially against strong gusts of wind. They need less maintenance than wooden posts, too.

Concrete posts incur a higher up-front cost than timber posts, but their longevity makes them a better investment. You’ll still need to change the fence panels from time to time, but concrete posts won’t need to be replaced as often.

Painting

If you choose a timber fence it will usually come in a natural wood colour. If you don’t like this look, you can paint the fence a different colour. Even if you like the natural colour of the timber, it’s a good idea to safeguard your fence against harsh weather with a protective treatment for wood.

If you’ve chosen PVC as a material keep in mind that it can’t usually be painted; you are committed to the colour as you purchased it.