There are many different types of fences to choose from, allowing you to pick one that will best suit the style of your garden as well as what you want it to do.
Panel
Possibly the most commonly used type of garden fencing, these prefabricated panels are made up of standard units 6 feet (2 m) wide, although they do vary in height, from 2 feet (60 cm) up to 6 feet (2 m) high, in 12 inches (30 cm) gradations. The panels are made up of strips of softwood such as larch, which either overlap horizontally or are interwoven vertically and horizontally, and are held inside a frame of battens around the edge of the panel.
Close-board
A close-board fence is made up of overlapping 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) wide featherboards, nailed vertically onto two or three horizontal rails. A capping rail may then be fastened onto the top. A range of different woods can be used for this type of fence and although softwoods, such as larch, are the most common, unseasoned oak is also popular.
Hurdles
This type of traditional fencing is made from willow or hazel woven together to form panels up to 6 feet (2 m) wide and 6 feet (2 m) high. The flexible stems are woven horizontally through upright rods or "staves" to form a basket-weave pattern. They are usually bought as ready-made panels for fixing between upright posts and last up to 5 years.
Palings
These fences are made from split sections of chestnut, spaced 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) apart and held together by strands of strong wire fastened close to the top and bottom of the vertical posts, or pales. The pales are usually 4 feet (1.2 m) high and come in rolls up to 33 feet (10 m) in length.
Picket
This type of low fence, usually up to 3 feet (1 m) in height, is very popular for traditional gardens and particularly cottage-style gardens where a high fence or barrier is not required. The narrow vertical pieces of wood, or pales, are fastened onto two or more horizontal arris rails, usually with the pales set about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) apart. Often the tops of the pales are shaped to give a more decorative effect. You can assemble these fences on site or buy them as a kit in ready-made sections 6 to 10 feet (2 to 3 m) long.
Wire
These fences are usually made from galvanized or plastic-coated wire mesh suspended from heavy gauge wire, tensioned between supporting posts. The type of wire used can vary from relatively cheap chicken wire through to strong, woven chain link fences, as well as more decorative welded wire mesh. The thinner gauge wires and those not protected with a plastic coating will last only about 5 to 7 years.
The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc./GID
Closed-board fences are a good choice for providing privacy.
