If you do not have a fence around your home, you are not alone. It is more common in the US not to have a residential fence than in many other countries throughout the world. An estimated 50% of US homes have fences.
Yet, installing wood fences around homes and properties is always a good idea. There are countless benefits of wood fences, from protecting your loved ones to keeping your garden in good shape during the windy season.
Before you call your local Tulsa fencing company, though, you need to know about the different wood fence styles available. You can choose from wooden privacy fencing, traditional fencing, and fencing for your whole property.
Which option is the best one for your and your home’s needs? We are helping you determine the answer to this question with our guide. Keep reading for all the wooden fence facts you have been searching for!
Residential Privacy Fencing
If you are less concerned about form and more worried about function, you are likely looking for a privacy fence. A privacy wood fence for backyards can keep your home secure and ensure small children and pets do not wander off.
Yet, a wooden fence can make or break your home’s curb appeal. The design of your fence should match your home’s overall vibe. That is where decorative wooden fence styles can come in.
At Radius Fence, we carry traditional privacy fences as well as more decorative styles. Here are the top wooden privacy fence options available for homes.
Vertical Board Fence Styles
Vertical board fences are about as minimalistic and practical as you can get. They feature no ornamental fence designs. Instead, these fences consist of vertical slats that are set close together with no gapping for airflow.
As you can imagine, the lightweight quality of these slats, plus the lack of gaps, means that vertical board fences can fall over in high winds. Still, this may be the best option if you want a relatively affordable privacy fence to minimize noise.
Depending on your needs, you can get a vertical board fence measuring anywhere from a few feet to over six feet tall. Like louver fencing, though, vertical boards do not let light through, which can make small yards look tinier.
Solid panel fences are virtually identical to vertical board fencing. The difference is that these types of fences feature solid wooden boards instead of lighter, more affordable slats.
These privacy fences also commonly come with embellishments like added posts or latticework built on top. This can improve air and light flow, which solid panel fencing can reduce greatly.
Like vertical board fences, solid panels can easily blow over during the windy season. They may look more aesthetically pleasing than vertical board fences. But that is because solid panels cost significantly more than board slats.
Privacy Picket Fences
A white picket fence is a classic ideal for suburban homes. No taller than four feet, these fences feature gaps between each picket. They often incorporate garden gates and ornamental finishes for a traditional look.
Practically speaking, these fences are good for areas that experience high winds. Because of the gaps between each post, the wind blows right through, eliminating worries about collapse.
Picket fences do not have to be white, either. You can paint them any color you want. These residential fences are far less expensive than privacy fencing, though they will not keep big dogs and older kids from getting out of the yard.
If you want a privacy picket fence, consider a dog-eared privacy fence. These picket-like fences feature vertical pickets placed side-by-side. Three horizontal slats connect the pickets together for ultimate privacy and style.
Privacy Lattice-Top Fence
Lattice fencing is a common choice for the garden. These fences feature zig-zagging wooden slats, often of differing widths. Green thumbs love this option because you can train plants to grow up the lattices.
Like picket fences, the gaps between the lattices are useful for allowing wind to pass through. They can also make small yards look larger. The lattice design allows light to pass through, which can increase the size of any space.
These fences can be built tall to contain dogs and children. You can even incorporate lattice-style woodwork with a vertical board privacy fence if you want the best of both worlds.
Horizontal Board Fences
These fences feature horizontal wooden boards or slats. That means the slats run side to side instead of top to bottom. For example, most composite fences have horizontal wood slats.
But what exactly is composite wood? Composite is an engineered wood type made up of plastic and sawdust. Homeowners can combine composites with real wood or industrial metal posts.
The benefits of composite wood include that it is durable, paintable, and easy to maintain. Yet, if you want the look of real wood, a composite fence is most likely not the option you want to choose.
It may surprise you that composites are pricier than real wood, meaning this is not the best option if you are on a wood fence budget. Yet, if you want a privacy fence that will last you 20-plus years, this is the best fence for you.
Wood Fences Combining Vertical and Horizontal Styles
In addition to dog-eared privacy picket fences and lattice-top fences, you can get fences combining both vertical and horizontal slats.
Board-on-board wood fences, for example, feature vertical slats placed tightly together. Three horizontal connectors hold the slats together.
These fences are very similar to shadow box wood fence styles. With this style, one side of the fence features a traditional board-on-board construction. The difference is that the back side of the fence features slats with gaps to create a shadow-like effect.
Decorative Privacy Fences
Not all privacy fences have to be utilitarian in style. At Radius Fence, we also offer decorative wooden fence styles to spice up your backyard.
Concave and convex top wood fences consist of a simple vertical board construction. The unique aspect to these fences is the top. You can get them curved in a u-shape (concave) or an n-shape (convex).
If you are looking for the most decorative style of privacy fence, go with the cap and trim fence. Cap and trim wood fences feature vertical boards connected by a border of horizontal slats.
Cap and trim fences also feature ornamental posts. Homeowners often place decorative caps on these posts to suit a more traditional style home.
Farm Fencing
Some of the earliest historical references to fences were in relation to their use on farms and ranches. Times may have changed, but the need for fences to keep livestock on and pests off your property has not.
Looking for fencing for your farm or ranch? We have you covered with the following options.
The Post-and-Rail Fence
Post-and-rail fencing may be one of the oldest fence options around. This type of fencing incorporates round or slatted posts driven into the ground and concreted into place. Then, horizontal slats connect each post to the next.
It is common for post-and-rail fencing to feature three or four rails. Rails can be placed close together for strength and privacy. Or you can have your fence built with rails that are further apart for a more rustic look.
These fences are not ideal for small livestock, children, or pets. Post-and-rail fencing is best for horse ranches, cow farms, and other rural properties with larger animals.
The Crossbuck Fence
Crossbuck fencing is an upscale option for farms, ranches, and other large properties. They are virtually identical to post-and-rail fencing. The biggest difference is that the middle two slats are crossed in an X-shape.
Other differences include that the posts are usually closer together. All crossbuck fences feature four slats — two horizontal ones at the top and bottom and two diagonal slats to make the signature cross.
This type of fencing is just as affordable as post-and-rail fences. You may pay slightly more because of the extra work done to ensure the posts are spaced perfectly to accommodate the lengthier X-shaped slats.
Want These Wood Fence Styles for Your Tulsa Home?
There are dozens of wood fence styles out there. Choose from privacy fencing, ornamental fences, and fencing for ranches and farms. Radius Fence in Tulsa can also help you customize a one-of-a-kind fencing solution for your home.
Are you searching for the best wooden fence for your backyard or property? Radius Fence is Tulsa’s #1 fence company for a reason. Use our pricing tool to find out how much your dream fence will cost when you go through Radius!
