Garden Fencing: Choosing the Best Type of Wooden Fence for Your Garden

Given that you’ve worked hard to create your garden, it’s no wonder you want to protect it with quality fencing. However, there are so many different types of fences to choose from. How do you know which one will serve your garden the best? Worry not, we are here to help you!

So, if you:

• Would like to improve the security of your property;
• Want to add a decorative touch to your garden;
• Or simply wish to protect yourself from unwanted onlookers,

Then keep on reading. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the different fencing types available on the market, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Solid fence panels

Nothing can protect your garden better from the outside viewers as well as a solid wooden fence can. These fences consist of timber slats, snugly fixed to the posts. Once supported with solid construction, this type of fence can guarantee you a high level of security. 

Image source: shutterstock/romakoma

• Featherboard or close board fencing. Close board fences are made of overlapping slats connected to each other with rails. Don’t expect an extravagant designer solution from this type of fence, as it is a very simple one. However, even a clean wooden look can add a pop to a garden, without overpowering the landscape.  And if you don’t have much space, be sure to check what colour to paint your fence, to make your garden look bigger.

• Larchlap fence. If you have ever seen an overlapping timber picket design, then it’s most likely a larchlap fence. The design resembles the featherboard fence style with only one difference – the slats are placed horizontally. Widely used in the UK, larchlap fences are considered to be one of the cheapest options for garden fences. They also easy to install. After setting and securing the posts into the ground, you just slide the panels between them and voila, you have erected a fence.

Decorative panels

Decorative panels, also called semi-solid fence panels, are more suitable for decorative purposes (as the name suggests). A wooden fence like that will help you add a touch of class to your green space. Elegance is not the only benefit of decorative panels, though. The right design will also restrict kids and pets from wandering outside your property. 

However, a beautiful design comes with several drawbacks. You shouldn’t expect much privacy with these types of fences, as some of the semi-solid wooden fences are built with gapping between the slats. The gaps give a more artistic look to the fence, however, it will not offer complete protection from onlookers. Also, if you want to protect your garden from unexpected animal visitors, you will need to stick to a gapless design. 

Image source: shutterstock/Dariusz Jarzabek

• Venetian fencing. If you are aiming for a modern garden look, then you might want to consider installing Venetian fence panels. The horizontally installed slats allow the sunlight to go through, creating an interesting combination of light and shade. The maintenance requires constant trimming of weeds around the fence, as they can grow through the gaps between the slats. Also, this is not the best solution if you wish for complete privacy.

Image source: shutterstock/Ben Schonewille

• Hit and Miss. The boards of this type of fence are placed on the front and back sides of the fence. The overlapping slats create safe and secure protection from the outside world and add a little designer’s twist. The maintenance might require some preparation, as you might need some equipment to clean the fence since dirt can get stuck between the slats.

Image source: shutterstock/Beekeepx

• Woven fences. The possibility of installing this type of fence in almost any shape and height makes it quite versatile. Woven fences are constructed with upright poles that are plunged into the ground and horizontal intertwined strips across the poles. If you have a sloping garden, this sort of fence will be perfect for you, as the fence can be easily installed in dynamic shapes. 

Image source: shutterstock/Polarpx

• Picket fencing. Also known as palisade fencing, picket fencing will be an attractive addition to your traditional style garden. The construction is quite simple – the picket pales are attached to a rail with gaps left between the pales. This fence will not only help you form boundaries in your garden but also won’t block light from coming through. 

Image source: shutterstock/karamysh

• Trellis. As a simple framework, a trellis can be used to put an accent on a certain part of the garden. You can also put it in front of an already installed hard boundary feature or on top of it. Build in a criss-cross pattern, trellis fixtures serve as a perfect base for the climbing plants. The plants won’t only add a decorative feature to the garden but will also protect you from outside looks and improve your garden security. However, you should remember that the overall height of the fence with trellis shouldn’t be taller than 2 meters.

Alternatives to wooden fences

Even though wood is a popular choice for many UK homeowners because of the lower upfront costs, it still requires specific maintenance. Untreated wood is prone to rotting, therefore you need to regularly treat the wood for rot and pest that it can attract. If not taken proper care of, the fence can start breaking apart. You can easily fix the broken wooden fence by replacing the individual parts, however, eventually, you might need to replace the whole fence. In this case, you might want to consider options such as metal fences, PVC hard boundaries, or even living fences. 

Planning to install a fence in your backyard?

Why not entrust this job to professionals? Fantastic Services can help you choose the right type of fencing for your garden. Once the landscaping surveyor is at your property, you can discuss all your needs. They will recommend you the most suitable options specifically for your garden. No matter the design you choose, the fence installation experts we work with can deal with all sorts of metal and wooden constructions. So what are you waiting for? Book your fence installation consultation now!

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Which design do you think is the most suitable for your garden? Share your thoughts in the comments down below.

Header image source: shutterstock/karamysh