Fences have many purposes. In this case, a garden fence may be useful for delineating the space between a dedicated garden and the rest of your property. Garden fences often work as a decorative element within your landscaping. Below are the elements that go into the design of an attractive but useful garden fence.

1. Material Options

Fences come in three main materials: wood, metal, and vinyl. All three would be appropriate for a garden fence. Which one you choose depends on your preferences both in looks and in maintenance.

Wood is the traditional material. Fence installers typically use either a pressure-treated wood or one naturally resistant to rot, such as cedar. They can finish it with a natural stain or paint. Wood tends to be the favored material, but it does require regular re-staining or re-painting.

Vinyl is relatively new. Contractors can either use prefabricated panels or assemble the fence on-site. Most vinyl fences are made to resemble wood — how well they do so depends a lot on their price point. Vinyl fences require little upkeep.

Metal fences are also traditional. They can be aluminum or steel. Installation depends on the fence style, though most consist of prefabricated panels. Most metal fencing is high-end. They also don't require much upkeep.

2. Various Styles

Homeowners don't usually expect much security or privacy from a garden fence. They're usually focused on appearance and some functionality. For wooden and vinyl fences, the choices are usually picket or split rail fences. Pickets are very classic — they offer a homey vibe. With picket fences, you also have many customization options related to the pickets themselves and the panel top. Split rail fences are typically rustic.

For metal fences, you're usually going to choose one that resembles wrought iron. You can choose actual wrought iron, which is very expensive. However, steel, tubular steel, and tubular aluminum do a good job of replicating traditional wrought iron.

3. Functional Gates

With the gate, you might focus more on functionality than with the rest of the fence. You obviously want a well-functioning gate that provides some level of barrier between your property and the outside world. Consider getting a double gate to facilitate garden maintenance.

The gate style typically matches the rest of the fence. That said, a garden gate is an area where many homeowners add decorative elements. For example, they might choose contrasting hardware to show off the gate. The addition of a decorative arbor draws attention to your gate. You can also train climber plants over the arbor.

Design a useful garden fence that complements your landscaping by working with a local fence company.

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