Choosing the Right Garden Fence: Styles, Materials and Privacy

Start with the job it needs to do

Be clear on your priority first. Maximum privacy points to solid, taller panels; an open or decorative feel suits slatted or trellis-topped designs. Exposed, windy gardens benefit from fencing that lets some wind through rather than catching it like a sail, a solid panel in an open, gusty spot puts huge strain on the posts and is the first to come down in a storm.

Popular styles

• ›Closeboard (featheredge): strong, private and long-lasting.
• ›Panel fencing: quick to install and cost-effective.
• ›Slatted / contemporary: a clean, modern look, spaced for privacy or airflow.
• ›Trellis or trellis-topped: adds height and greenery without a solid wall.
• ›Picket or post-and-rail: low, traditional and decorative.

It's the posts that fail first

Whatever panel you choose, the posts and how they're set decide how long the fence lasts. Most fences fail at the posts, usually where timber meets damp ground, long before the panels wear out. Properly set, well-supported posts (and keeping them clear of trapped moisture) are what separate a fence that shrugs off winter from one that leans within a couple of years.

Materials and boundaries

Timber is the versatile classic; composite costs more but needs little upkeep. Before replacing a fence, check which boundary is actually yours and have a friendly word with neighbours about shared lines and which side faces out. Note there are height limits, particularly next to a road, I'd verify the current rules for your situation before building, as they can change and there are exceptions for conservation areas and corner plots.