When choosing the style for your new wooden fence, you may be surprised by how many types of wooden fences are out there. Wooden fences not only provide a degree of security and privacy, but should also enhance your home and landscape.
No matter the type of wood fence you choose, your new fence must meet your criteria for form and function. In terms of form, your new wood fence should be compatible with your house style and your landscape design. For instance, a classic picket-style fence would complement landscape designs featuring formal, English-style gardens and a cottage or bungalow home. When considering function, your wood fence must serve its purpose, whether that is to be a decorative fence, a security fence or privacy fence.
Fortunately, there are so many styles of wood fences from which to choose that homeowners can often find wooden fencing that offers the perfect union of form and function. Wood fences can vary widely from standard choices to custom designs; however, the key to any new fence is ensuring that it meets your needs of form and function, as well as your budget.
When choosing your wood fence style, first think bout the style of each fence component. Most wooden fences feature the "board and post" style, in which fences are installed as sections with boards attached to a horizontal element and each section is joined at a post — just think of picket fences and privacy fences. Boards come in a variety of styles and widths and are defined by their shapes and tops. Board styles include the classic Gothic style — commonly used in picket fencing – as well as ornate French Gothic boards, flat-topped boards or slightly rounded dog-ear boards.
Next, move on to choosing your wood fence posts. Wooden posts come in a wide range of shapes, including rounded, square, or beveled, and can greatly enhance the look and feel of the wooden fence as a whole. Fence posts can even be made of contrasting woods to make a bold statement. Fence caps may be added to the top of wooden posts and also come in a variety of styles to complement the rest of the wooden fencing. Caps may be round, Gothic-inspired, square, or pyramid-shaped, for example.
Looking for a wooden fence that differs from the traditional board and post style? Ranch fences are constructed of horizontal rails that connect to vertical posts and are often used for horse fencing and livestock fencing, or can be a great complement to a Southwestern-style home. Privacy fences and semi-privacy fences are usually at least six feet in height with overlapping boards. Privacy fencing is sometimes topped with a lattice or ornamental top section and can be finished with fence caps. Homeowners may also opt for basket weave and lattice fences, which are made with strips of wood or wood-reminiscent vinyl crisscrossed to create a pattern, blocking a property completely from view.
Finally, know that you’re not alone when choosing your fence style. The fencing experts at Hal Co Fence Company are ready and waiting to answer any design or installation questions you may have. Established in 1981, Hal Co Fence has installed thousands of fences, decks, and screened porches throughout the Northern Virginia area, fencing homes in such communities as Oakton, Vienna Falls Church, and Arlington.