If you are yet to fence your garden, then there has never been a better time to do so, as there are a massive number of options available to you.
Installing a garden fence can give you much more privacy and make your garden feel more like your own. It can provide a safe place for your children and pets to frolic around in without needing to be concerned about their safety.
In this piece, we will discuss the various types of fencing and which will be the best garden fencing material and style for you and your garden.
Why Fencing Will Be Great For Your Garden
Garden fences offer some great benefits and can improve the look and functionality of your home in a few key ways, which will be listed below:
Composite fencing
If you want a fence that can nearly do it all, then a composite fence will be right for you. Composite fences can provide you with complete privacy, as they often do not have any panel gaps whatsoever.
This also means they’ll be great for security and keeping your dogs or other pets contained. Composite is stronger and much more durable than wood, so while there aren’t any panel gaps, strong gusts of wind will not blow your fence over.
Composite fence panels are also incredibly low maintenance, as they are made of a mixture of reclaimed wood fibres and recycled plastic, so they won’t rot, warp, or become infested with wood-boring insects if they are not treated.
We recommend that you don’t paint your composite fence panels, as it is not necessary. The only maintenance that composite fence panels need is an occasional cleaning, which you can do with a pressure washer or a soft-bristled brush and some soapy water.
While composite fence panels might cost more than wood initially, the fact that you won’t need to purchase any paint or varnish to maintain them over the years can save you money in the long run.
Demarcate areas
Garden fencing does not only need to be a boundary fence, and there are many other creative ideas that you can use it for.
If you have dogs, you can demarcate a certain section of your garden so that they will have a safe place to play outside if you decide to leave your home.
You can use a garden fence to make a separate section for a vegetable garden that will stop people and pets from stepping on your precious produce.
You can even place some privacy fencing around your outdoor entertainment area to separate it from the rest of your garden so that noise will not disturb your neighbours.
Extra privacy
One of the main reasons people decide to install garden fencing is the fact that they want some extra privacy.
No one wants to be seen sunbathing in their outdoor space if they don’t get their summer bodies ready. Privacy fence panels can stop noise from leaving your garden, and entering your garden, so you and your neighbours won’t hear each other as much.
If you have children that like to play in your garden, then you might want to consider fencing, as this will allow you to keep an eye on them and keep them safe.
Garden fencing can also give your home some extra security, as potential thieves won’t be able to see what is going on in your home, so they won’t know if you are a good target. It will also make it more difficult for any burglars to enter your property.
Increase property value
Installing a garden fence can increase the value of your property, as many people on the hunt for houses would often prefer to have a garden fence if possible.
Renovating your home in almost any way can add value to your property, and the same applies if you put up a garden fence.
Different Types Of Fencing
After deciding that you want to install a garden fence, you will now need to decide on the style of your fence and what material you want your fence to be made out of.
Close-board fencing
Close-board fences, which are also called featherboard fences, are sturdy and strong. They are made from vertical feather-edge wooden boards.
Close-board fencing is the medium-budget option if you want a wooden fence, and they offer a good few benefits for a reasonable price.
The gaps between the fence panels are very small, so they will be great if you are thinking of installing garden fencing for privacy and security. The lack of gaps will also reduce wind from blowing through your garden as much and will also not allow any pets to see through to the other side, which will stop them from barking as much.
As with everything in life, there are some drawbacks to closed-board fencing. While it may stop the wind from blowing through your garden, the lack of panel gaps means that it can be buffeted by strong winds.
It can also be quite expensive to surround the perimeter of your home with it if you have a large garden. Close-board fencing, like most other wooden fences, also needs to be maintained through painting, oiling or varnishing a few times a year if you want to keep it looking good and functioning properly.
Picket fencing
Picket fencing has almost been around as long as garden fencing has, and while a white picket fence might seem cliche, there’s obviously a reason they have stuck around for so long.
If your garden fencing is going to be mainly for the aesthetic of your home and used as a boundary marker, then a picket fence will be a great choice. They are usually made from wood, but there are also some PVC options on the market today.
Picket fencing is traditionally quite low, so it won’t offer much in the way of privacy and security, but the large gaps between the fence posts mean that it won’t be as susceptible to wind damage.
The gaps can also provide your garden with some natural light that can be great for gardens with plants that need a lot of light.
Unfortunately, picket fencing won’t be able to contain some larger dogs, and if it is made from wood, you will need to maintain it on a regular basis; otherwise, it could begin to rot, warp, fade, and splinter.
Vinyl fencing
If the idea of having to paint your fence a few times a year doesn’t appeal to you in the slightest, then you needn’t worry too much, as there are plenty of low-maintenance fencing options out there.
A vinyl fence will never need to be painted, varnished, oiled, or sealed, and the only thing you will need to do to keep it looking good is regular cleaning. This can easily be done with a soft-bristled brush and some warm soapy water, but it will only really need to be done if you notice your fence panels are looking dirty.
Mould, algae, and some other stains aren’t that easy to clean off of vinyl, though, so you will need to clean any of these stains off as soon as possible, or your fence might look that way for the rest of its lifespan.
Vinyl fencing panels normally cost more than wooden fence panels, but this is because they are much stronger and more durable than wooden fences.
It will generally be a good idea to spend some money on a good brand of vinyl fencing if you expect your garden fence to see a lot of sun, as it could begin to fade and experience temperature damage if it is not well made.
Metal fencing
Metal fences are some of the strongest fences out there, as they won’t be blown over by strong gusts of wind and will not splinter, crack, warp, or rot in the sun.
Metal fencing is a very low maintenance option as it only needs to be painted, galvanised, or powder coated every few years to prevent it from rusting. If you keep it clean, it will also last you for a very long time, so it can be a great investment.
Metal fencing is usually not good for privacy, as there aren’t many manufacturers that make metal fence panels that can slot into concrete fence posts. It does, however, often look great and can give your home a rustic look if you purchase fencing that looks like wrought iron.
Metal fences usually come in the form of pickets with large gaps in between them that provide plenty of light and visibility. If you are looking to place a fence around your pool, then metal is a great option for it for the reasons above.
Metal fencing is, unfortunately, quite expensive and will often cost you more than many of the other fencing materials on the market.
Slatted fencing
Slatted fencing is another style of wooden fencing that uses horizontal boards with small gaps in between them; this allows some sunlight to shine through and can make some lovely shadows in the afternoon sun.
You won’t have to worry about strong winds blowing your fence over with slatted fencing, as the panel gaps allow wind to pass through straight into your garden. The gaps are also a great place to grow hanging plants if you want to flex your green thumb a bit.
While slatted fencing can easily keep dogs of any size secure and provide you with a level of security, they do not offer much in the way of privacy.
If you don’t want your neighbours to know your business, then slatted fencing won’t be a good choice for you, as the panel gaps will allow anyone to see straight through your fence and into your garden.
While slatted fencing is rather fashionable and can give your home a great, modern look, if it is made from wood, it will need to be maintained on a regular basis, or it will begin to decay, which is likely not something you want.
Decorative fencing
If you are more worried about the different types of fencing styles and not the kind of security they will provide you with, then the best garden fence for you would likely be some kind of decorative fencing.
There are a few different types to choose from, such as trellis fencing or lattice panels. These options are generally best kept for fencing within your boundary fencing, as they do not offer much in the way of privacy or security.
Trellis fencing is great for hanging plants, as the ladder-like structure has been designed to support hanging plants. Decorative fencing like trellis fencing won’t necessarily always cost all that much, as these fences are generally not designed to cordon off back or front gardens.
Get Your Composite Fence Panels From Ecoscape
If you want an incredibly low-maintenance fencing option that won’t cost you an arm and a leg but is still of high quality, then Ecoscape has plenty of fencing options for you.
At Ecoscape, we have a good selection of composite fencing panels in a few different colours that can give your garden some excellent privacy and security while looking good doing it and lasting much longer than your average fencing options.
FAQS
Is composite fencing the best?
If you weigh up all of the pros and cons when choosing a garden fence, you will likely end up choosing composite fencing, as it offers the best value out of all of the fencing options.
Does composite fencing fade in the sun?
Composite fencing will fade to become a few shades lighter a few weeks after it has been installed; however, the colour will stabilise after this and stay looking the same for years if it is maintained properly.
How long will composite fencing last?
At Ecoscape, we offer a 20-year warranty on our composite fencing panels, but if they are cared for properly, they can last much longer than this.
Final Thoughts
There are many great garden fencing options on the market today, so it won’t be difficult to find one that will be perfect for your home and garden.
