Modern Wood Fence

Wood fences come in a variety of styles and wood materials. It is best to keep in mind though, that choosing the right design for a wood fence depends largely on two main factors that a homeowner may be aiming for: the form, or the aesthetic appeal; and the functionality, or the main purpose why you are putting up a fence in the first place.

Depending on the homeowner's end goal and the style of the house itself, wood fences can sometimes fill the need for both form and functionality. For instance, if your chief purpose is to have a semblance of privacy or to add visual appeal to your home, there are many wooden fence styles that can address these requirements.

For others, the choice is not so clear-cut. When endeavoring to provide as much security as possible to one's property, a metal or stone fencing would be more appropriate under the circumstances, disregarding the fact that wooden fencing may be a better fit for the style of your house.

Wood Fence Designs: When Form is the Main Consideration

Pick out the type of wood fence that would best complement the style and make of your home as well as the general landscaping design that it has. Here are the basic wood fence designs and the house styles where they would have the most appeal:

o Picket-style fence. This type of fencing provides quaint charm most suitable for cottage-style homes and those with landscape designs leaning towards English garden themes. Picket-style fencing also comes in a variety of types of which the most popular are dog-ear spaced picket, French gothic spaced picket, and the pointed top spaced picket.

o Split-rail wood fence. Perfect for a country feel, ranch-style homes and those with landscaping inspired by the Southwestern US design should find a good fit with the split-rail wood fencing. The best material for the split-rail style is the Western red cedar wood.

o Log wood fence. This style showcases the true beauty of wood and best matches houses designed with a rustic theme. While most are installed as vertical panels, horizontals log panels are also not uncommon.

Wood Fence Designs: When Functionality is Top Priority

Wood fencing may be a good choice for its aesthetics but on a more practical level, wood fences best serve two principal functions: privacy and durability. For these two important uses, several wood fence designs may be used:

o Stockade fence. With the wood slats vertically aligned without spaces in between and the tops pointed out, stockade fencing is one of the most appropriate wood fence designs when the intention is to afford absolute privacy from the outside.

o Solid board fence. Solid board fencing is also a good design alternative to provide a complete visual barrier from onlookers. It also serves as a good noise barrier and adds some degree of security as well. For a more decorative finish, a solid board fence can be combined with lattice work on top.

o Lattice fencing. Lattice fences are a popular choice for fences that give a semblance of privacy and yet allow for some air and sunlight at the same time. Lattice slats may be laid out diagonally for diamond-shaped spaces, but can also be placed vertically and horizontally to create square-shaped openings.