When choosing a type of fence for your yard, you'll want to consider the structure's design, privacy, security, and cost. If you want a fence that will provide maximal privacy, you clearly won't want a structure with openings that people could see through, as seen in a wrought iron fence. Likewise, if the fence is for security, you can immediately rule out weak, short, or easy-to-scale structures like a picket fence.
Below, we'll break down the ins and outs of each type of fence and the factors you should 11-types-of-fences-and-how-to-choose-oneconsider when choosing which is best for you and your yard.
11 Types of Fences
1. Low-End Security Fences: Chain-Link Fence
Best for No-maintenance and budget
Even if you don't care about privacy, marking a border, or dressing your yard with a decorative fence, you may need to secure your property. Chain-link is one of the go-to types of fencing for this function because it's no maintenance and is cost-effective.
It comes in different heights, so if you're concerned about security, use a type at least 6 feet tall. Such a fence can also contain small children or dogs on a property. It's pretty durable because the metal is galvanized.
Despite its pros, chain-link fencing also has some cons. Because it's see-through, it won't double as a privacy fence. People also frequently try to disguise it for aesthetic reasons since it's one of the least attractive fence types.
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2. Medium-Range Security Fences: Steel Fence
Best for Durability and medium security
Steel fences compromise cheaper (chain-link) and more expensive (wrought iron) metal fencing. They're durable and better looking than chain-link fences, but they don't offer privacy, given their structure.
Pros | Cons |
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| It doesn't offer privacy |
3. High-End Security Fences: Wrought Iron Fence
Best for Security
Like chain-link and steel fences, wrought iron fences are metallic, low-maintenance, and can provide security. That's where the similarities end.
On the plus side, wrought iron fencing is very sturdy and is one of the most attractive types of fence. It is often capped with highly ornamental finials, but the spaces between the verticals are too wide to control many dogs.
Other cons include that it is costly, doesn't double for privacy, and can rust in some climates. However, when elegance is called for in a fence, it's hard to beat wrought iron. It's an especially appropriate material if you seek a formal landscape design.
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4. Standard Wooden Privacy Fences
Best for Privacy
Most quality wooden privacy fences will double for security. But if privacy is your main concern, you are not limited to hardscape fences. A hedge of plants can serve as a "living privacy fence."
If you care about low-maintenance landscaping, maintaining plants is generally more time-consuming than maintaining a hardscape fence. If you decide to go with a hardscape fence, you still have a choice between various types (which come with varying degrees of maintenance).
A wooden fence has to be stained, especially if it's made of non-rot-resistant wood (such as pine). By contrast, there's little maintenance with a vinyl fence, but if you're willing to put the work into maintaining a wooden fence, your decision may come down to aesthetics. Some people just like the look and feel of wood better than vinyl. Wooden privacy fences run the gamut from very plain to very ornate.
Pros | Cons |
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| Must be stained |
5. Ornate Wooden Privacy Fences
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Best for Design Enthusiasts
For example, there are different ways to improve the appearance of a standard wooden privacy fence. The choice of wood can change the look and style of your fence. Cedar is a sophisticated choice with a price tag to match. If money is no object, you can even go higher-end than cedar-like teak.
You don't have to go with the standard vertical panelling. Panel orientation can also be horizontal or diagonal. But a vertical orientation is the cheapest; the longer boards required for other styles cost more.
A wooden fence can be capped off with lattice or finials to complete the look. You can adorn it with hanging pots, window boxes, and more if you don't mind attaching the required brackets.
Pros | Cons |
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| It can be costly depending on the type of wood |
6. Semi-Privacy Fences
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Best for Semi-privacy
Privacy fences are designed to shut out prying eyes completely with solid panelling. Some people want privacy while maintaining a looser, airier feel, so a privacy fence with gaps between the vertical panelling is the perfect compromise.
Pros | Cons |
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| Not ideal for security or full privacy |
7. Vinyl Fences
Best for privacy and security
The two materials most commonly used for fencing are wood and vinyl. Whether you choose wood or vinyl for your security or privacy fence comes down to personal tastes and budget. Ironically, while some people feel that vinyl "looks cheap" when compared to a classic wooden fence, it is vinyl that is usually more costly.
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Read more: How To Install a Vinyl Fence
8. Lattice Fencing for the Garden
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Best for: Gardeners
Although we've surveyed only security and privacy fences so far, there are other purposes a fence can serve (for example, to mark a border or to serve as support for plants). Since these purposes are less essential, aesthetics are bound to be a stronger consideration when selecting. A lattice fence is an excellent option for gardeners who want to introduce a trellis into their yard that doubles as a property marker.
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9. Metal Panels
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Best for Modern design
Some fences are just there to mark a boundary, so the things you need to think about when getting a privacy or security fence don't apply. Instead, you can buy based on your aesthetic tastes.
A decorative fence with an intermediate level of privacy is one made of horizontal metal panels strung between brick columns. It's an excellent choice for sleek, modern design, but it's on the high end of the price scale.
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10. Classic Picket Fences
Nick Li / EyeEm/Getty Images
Best for Traditional design
The classic wooden picket fence is a better choice than metal panels to mark a border for landscaping homeowners on a budget. Design-wise, in contrast to a metal-panel fence, a picket fence evokes the feel of the traditional cottage garden. Indeed, picket fences look best when plants are grown either in front of them or behind them (or both). Not only will the plants soften the look of the fence, but the fence will serve as an excellent backdrop for the plants.
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11. Vinyl Picket Fences
Best for Low-maintenance aesthetics
When choosing a privacy fence, you can choose either wood or vinyl when selecting a picket fence. If you want a picket fence solely for the aesthetic qualities it brings to a yard, then there's a good chance you will choose wood over vinyl. Otherwise, the decision will again come down to the significant pro of vinyl (low-maintenance) vs its major con (cost).
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Choosing a Best Fence for Your Home
When deciding on a fence type, the most critical factors are privacy, security, cost, and aesthetics. Once you determine your budget and how much privacy or security you're looking for, the rest will fall into place.
If privacy is your top concern, look for six feet tall or higher fences with no gaps between the panelling, like a wood privacy fence. If you're more concerned with aesthetics, a lattice fence is a beautiful way to incorporate your garden into the design. Still, it only offers a little in terms of privacy or security.
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