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Monday, November 29, 2021

3 Popular Yard Fencing Styles

Forbes has dubbed 2021 the “Year of the Yard” since so many homeowners have decided to improve their outdoor spaces, a trend that has only increased in popularity year after year. Whether it is adding a pergola or renovating a deck, more and more homeowners are turning their yards into extensions of their homes. And nowhere is this more apparent than yard fencing.

Yard fencing comes in a variety of styles. Most of these styles fall under one of the following categories:

  • Picket – fences made from vertical pickets attached to horizontal stringers.
  • Ornamental – decorative yard fences that add a touch of elegance while defining a border.
  • Privacy – fences that ensure homeowners a quiet space that is theirs alone.

That said, these categories can (and often) overlap. For instance, tightly spaced picket fences and ornamental fences with dense designs provide privacy. Likewise, privacy and picket fences can be equally ornamental. When homeowners are choosing the style of fence, they should consider primary and secondary features to ensure they pick the style that is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing.

Picket Fencing: Tried and True

Chances are when homeowners imagine yard fences, a vertical picket fence comes to mind. Whether it is the quintessentially American white-picket fence or tightly spaced dog-ear picket fence, this design is adaptable to virtually all home styles and landscapes.

Because pickets can be mixed and matched, picket fencing can create a unique silhouette. Furthermore, how tightly the pickets are placed along the horizontal stringer allows the level of privacy the fence offers to be adjusted. With this type of fence, homeowners should talk with their neighbors or HOA to determine who faces the good side (i.e. the side without the stringer). Homeowners can also alternate pickets to create a shadow box fence or use a metal picket or composite fence to forego this discussion altogether.

Ornamental Fencing: Balancing Boldness and Restraint

Ornamental fencing styles perfectly join style, durability and strength. Whether they boast clean horizontal and vertical lines or incorporate vinelike filigree, this fencing style can add an air of traditional elegance to both lawns and gardens. For this type of fencing, metals reign supreme. While wood can certainly be used, materials such as aluminum and steel offer a greater stylistic flexibility and are virtually maintenance-free.

With their architectural grade powder coating, both steel and aluminum fencing can withstand long-term exposure to moisture without corroding, making them a long-lasting addition to any backyard. Besides their weatherability, metal ornamental fences establish a clean boundary while keeping sight lines open.

Ornamental fences are extremely versatile, especially for sloped or uneven yards. Technological advances allow select steel and aluminum fences from category-leading manufacturers to follow ground-level changes with ease. Moreover, this type of fencing can act as an anchoring element, both highlighting and fading into a vibrant garden.

Aluminum fence in front of homeAluminum fence in front of home

Privacy Fencing: Turning a Yard into a Sanctuary

If privacy is a concern, homeowners might want to steer clear of metal or widely spaced picket fencing. Tightly spaced pickets not only give backyards more privacy but also help keep kids and pets safely inside while both reducing noise and blocking unsavory views (like a busy street). This style of fencing can also increase a home's curb appeal. Wood has been the de facto material for this type of fencing, but wood requires upkeep and eventual replacement. Composite materials offer the warm appearance of wood without the required maintenance. They are available in a variety of colors and styles, so homeowners can get the privacy they need in the look they desire.

Yard Fencing that Ties it All Together

Being intentional with yard fencing can be the difference between walling off a property and extending the home. Versatile fencing systems from Fortress Building Products present an opportunity to extend a home's design aesthetic to the property line while delivering sought-after security and privacy.

Metal fencing behind poolMetal fencing next to pool and fountain

You May Also Like:

Fence Post Installation 101

Upfront Style: Today’s Top 3 Front Yard Fence Looks

Fencing Regulations: Permits & Height Stipulations

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