The different types of fences

The fencing around your house marks your property boundaries, provides privacy, and keeps pets or children in and intruders out. Fencing also plays a significant role in the overall look of your home; you want it to be durable, but beautiful as well.

When selecting the type of fence for your yard, factors to consider include:

• Low maintenance – Will you need to re-paint and re-stain frequently?
• Durability – Will this stand the test of time, and outdoor elements?
• Aesthetics – Does this style fit with the design of your property and landscape?
• Privacy – Will this style give you the level of privacy you require, while still offering enough light for your garden?

Vinyl or PVC fencing

PVC is low maintenance, looks great, and is made from a durable plastic. It’s available in smooth or artificial wood-grain textures that imitates painted wood! It’s a popular choice as it won’t rust, warp, degrade or discolor, making it a perfect fencing solution no matter the climate.

It’s quite low maintenance, a simple clean with soap and water is usually enough to remove grime and debris and it looks like new again. Another bonus? This type of fencing is environmentally friendly because it can be recycled. In addition, many vinyl fencing manufacturers offer a lifetime guarantee on their product – meaning it’s fairly indestructible.

Metal fencing

Colourbond is a popular choice when it comes to metal fencing because it’s extremely durable and comes in a wide range of styles. It’s also easy to maintain, with a special colour coating that is resistant to scratches and fading.

Wood fencing

If you want a natural, wooden look, there are several options. Basic wooden fencing can come as pickets or panels in a variety of timbers. It is a popular and versatile type of fencing and can look natural or be painted to suit your garden. 

Brush and reed fencing is bound tightly and offers great protection from prying eyes. It is woven onto a frame which can be placed wherever you choose, including over another fence, whilst maintaining a great, natural look.

Wood composite fencing is made of a manufactured material that combines recycled timber scraps with plastic, making it an environmentally friendly choice. In some cases, between 50 and 100 percent of the material that makes up these materials is from recycled matter. Once you are done using it and are ready for something new, you can also recycle it.

This type of fencing looks like real timber, but because of the addition of plastic, is more durable and low maintenance. This means the fence will not rot, corrode, fade, or warp over time. The colour goes throughout the entire material so that scratches don’t show. Standard timber fences often need applications of products and chemicals to keep them looking good, however composite fences only require a clean with warm, soapy water.

Concrete fencing

Concrete fencing is an extremely durable choice, available in a variety of finishes – from smooth panels or blocks to timber-grain, rendered, or stone finishes. Just like wood composite fencing, the colour goes through the entire material, so scratches and other damage don’t show. The only disadvantage to concrete fencing is that because it’s a heavy material, it must be installed correctly to ensure the fence doesn’t fall down. Generally, it should be installed by a professional contractor.

You can purchase “pre-cast concrete fences” – which means the fence is poured into forms by a manufacturer, then allowed it to dry, set and cure before being shipped. This option means you avoid the hassle of pouring concrete on-site, and can purchase based on your specific measurements. It can also be purchased in a variety of finishes, and. is relatively affordable compared with stone or brick.

Glass fencing

Glass is becoming more popular with homeowners due to its strength, safety and low maintenance.  It affords you an unobstructed view and an open airy feeling while still giving you the protection of a fence.

While a glass fence can be used anywhere around a home, it is particularly useful around a pool or balcony.  It comes in a variety of frames, but a fully frameless fence gives you the most open feeling.

Brick fencing

You can’t go wrong in choosing brick for your fence.  It lasts forever, is solid and adds a level of noise reduction.  The downside is it can make your home feel like a fortress, which you may not like. To eliminate this restrictive feel, you can always combine brick with other materials, such as aluminum or timber. The brick gives you strength, but the other material adds a touch of creativity and beauty to your home’s yard.

Stone fencing

Whether natural stone, or a resemblance, this type of fencing brings a rustic and timeless look to your garden. Stone fencing can cost more than other types, but is a one-time expense and will never need to be replaced. Natural stone looks great unadorned or with the addition of plants or even paint. 

Green fencing

Hedging is an old but timeless form of fencing. It is created by simply growing a row of hedges or bushes tightly together and keeping them well-maintained so they protect your privacy. Trees are another good form of living fence for blocking views. They’re also a more environmentally friendly option. Trees and hedges come in many sizes, shapes, and varieties, so your living wall can be tailored exactly how you like.

Where to use fencing in your garden?

When it comes to garden fencing, don’t feel restricted in working with popular forms. Be creative and bold with your look; garden fencing can be as versatile as your imagination allows. If you’re going for a decorative look or if you prefer your garden to have a structured and functional feel, a fence can do one or the other (or even both). Consider these ideas for your new fence:

• Define various elements in your garden
• Border your pool, deck or entertainment area
• Create privacy, like a secluded hideaway
• Hide unattractive areas, such as an old shed or stony, arid parts of your land
• Increase security
• Protect your garden and vegetable beds from wild animals
• Clad existing fencing material
• Complement the style of your home
• Feature a special area of your landscape

For a unique, exotic effect, consider combining the look of different fencing materials. Concrete and timber work well together, and aluminium and steel do too. The possibilities are exciting and endless.

Can I DIY my new fence?

Different types of fences will require different levels of DIY ability, as well as time and labour investment. To save time and hassle, you can always chat to professional. If you’d prefer attempting to install your fence yourself, here’s a guide to get you going.

Building your fence

The general rule of thumb is to space the posts six to eight feet apart, depending on the purpose of the fence, what style of fence you’ll build and what terrain you’re building it on. The end posts should be placed first to make sure the posts line up to each other correctly. Use a stake as a marker for each post hole before digging it – you can use a tool called a post hole digger for this.

After the holes are dug, insert the post and make sure at least a third goes in the ground so that it remains stable. When this is done, brace the fence with concrete by filling it in the hole.  The concrete and posts will settle a few days later – after this, you can add the fence.

It’s a good idea to add the top and bottom rails to the posts for wooden fences. You can do this by using a variety of joints, including a lap joint, a mortised joint, a slotted joint or a grooved joint. Basically, use what you’re comfortable with. These joints are there to make sure that the rail is even with the fence post. Using something such a ruler or a stick to mark precise measurements between the rails will almost guarantee that they will have the correct distance apart for the entirety of the fence.

After the posts, the next step is to attach the pickets. Do this by taking time when fixing the first few of them. By using an item such as a block to give the correct spacing, you can finish the rest. This quickens the process of adding the pickets and ensures that they are even and look great. 

When this is finished, paint the fence a colour that suits your home’s design.

DIY Kits

Building a fence from scratch isn’t for everyone. There are plenty of companies that provide do it yourself kits for fencing that include everything you’ll need. DIY kits come with instructions and can be popped up easily and securely for a fence that lasts for years to come.