You like your large yard, but it needs some structure. A new fence is just the thing to mark borders and boost curb appeal. But what design should you choose? The best fence styles for large yards will be cost-effective and functional, whether you need them for security or decoration.
Luckily, you've got several fencing options to suit your outdoor space. Let's review various design ideas and what materials each one comes in. We'll also cover the key factors to consider when making your decision.
Best Fence Designs for Large Yards
Fence design affects visual appeal, security, visibility, and privacy. Every fence style has its benefits and drawbacks. We'll cover these features in detail to help you decide what fence is right for your yard.
Picket Fences
Do you dream of a large yard with a white picket fence? This style is a classic choice for a reason. Picket fences are aesthetically pleasing and effectively mark borders. They're durable, and it's easy to replace single broken pickets (unless made from metal — those are best handled by a professional).
Best of all, picket fences are relatively inexpensive compared to private fences. Wooden fences are the cheapest material, while metal fences are the most expensive.
Choose from various styles, materials, colors, and picket shapes to suit your needs, such as:
Colonial pickets
Dog-ear pickets
Gothic pickets
Angled pickets
Scalloped pickets
Concave pickets
Picket fences aren't the best choice if you're looking for security or privacy. Small animals can squeeze between the pickets, and passers-by can see through the gaps. They also tend to be shorter than other fence types, making them easy to jump or see. But there are advantages to those gaps, such as good visibility and wind resistance.
Material options: Wood, vinyl, composite, aluminium, steel, iron, and bamboo
Cost:
Wooden pickets: $4-$8.50 per linear foot
Vinyl pickets: $17-$38 per linear foot
Composite pickets: $11-$46 per linear foot
Aluminium pickets: $24-$32 per linear foot
Wrought iron pickets: $28-$56 per linear foot
Steel pickets: $23-$45 per linear foot
Bamboo pickets: $5-$18 per linear foot
Privacy Fences
Just because you have a big yard doesn't mean you want to share it with the world. A 6-foot fence is ideal for privacy, noise reduction, and security. Privacy fences can create a contained play area for kids and pets without easy escape routes or external distractions.
Vinyl and wooden fences are the most common materials for privacy fences, but you also can use a variety of other materials. Privacy fences have many style options, such as:
Vertical board fencing
Horizontal board fencing
Diagonal board fencing
Board-on-board fencing
Stockade fencing
Framed fencing
Solid panel fencing
Arched fencing
Scalloped fencing
Gothic fencing
Round top fencing
Dog-ear fencing
On average, privacy fences cost more than other styles because of the material needed. If you want to cut costs, use privacy fencing for sensitive yard areas and non-privacy styles for other areas. Privacy fences also may not be allowed by your HOA or local laws. Most cities allow 4-foot front yard fences and 6-foot backyard fences.
Material options: Wood, vinyl, composite, masonry, metal, bamboo, and live plants
Cost: $14-$36 per linear foot
Semi-Privacy Fences
You may want a mix between privacy and visibility. In that case, semi-privacy fences are ideal. They come in many of the same materials and styles as privacy fences. Here are some examples:
Vertical board fencing
Horizontal board fencing
Diagonal board fencing
Shadowbox fencing
Spaced picket fencing
Framed fencing
Arched fencing
Scalloped fencing
Gothic fencing
Round top fencing
Dog-ear fencing
Semi-privacy fences use slightly fewer materials than privacy fences, but some designs can be more complex. These fences will lose the sound-blocking capabilities of privacy fences but will let more light and wind through.
Material options: Wood, vinyl, composite, metal, bamboo, and live plants
Cost: $16-$24 per linear foot
Lattice Fences
Lattice fencing is perfect for your home garden paradise. This fencing style lets lots of light through while slightly obscuring the view. It's an excellent choice for portioning off large yards into different "rooms." Pair it with a trellis for a beautiful visual effect.
Lattice fencing is more animal-proof than picket fencing since the lattice holes tend to be small. Pick between vertical, diagonal, and patterned lattices in various materials.
A plain lattice fence is already pretty, but it can look even more beautiful with plants growing on it. Here are some vines you can use:
Clematis
Honeysuckle
Cypress vine
Carolina jessamine
Remember that adding plants will add to the maintenance. You'll need to care for the plants and prevent them from spreading to other areas. They also will make the fence more difficult to repair.
Material options: Wood, vinyl, composite, metal, and bamboo.
Cost: $4-$30 per linear foot
Rail Fences
Rail fences are sweet and straightforward: just posts and at least one rail between. They provide little privacy and security but are good for fencing large areas. Go for a rustic look with logs or split rails. Planks make for a more polished appearance. Here are some rail fence styles:
Post and rail fence
Round rail fence
Ranch rail fence
Kentucky board fence
Split rail fence
Zig-zag rail fence
Buck-and-rail fence
Rail fencing won't keep dogs or other small animals contained, but it can usually contain livestock, which makes it suitable for rural areas. You can install wire mesh between the posts and rails for additional security.
Material options: Wood, vinyl, composite, metal, and bamboo.
Cost: $11-$29 per linear foot
Woven Fences
Also known as wattle fencing, these fences are great for rustic aesthetics. They're made by weaving plants, sticks, branches, shoots, or reeds over and under fence posts like a basket. Woven fences run the gamut from entirely private to open weaves.
These beautiful fences may be suitable for containing children or animals, but that depends on the fence's height and strength. The strength depends on the material you use. Thick woven wood or bamboo fences are likely stronger than reed or willow fences. However, the latter two materials are more flexible.
If you like DIY projects, you could weave a fence and even use materials you collect. Some stores sell woven fence panels, though some only offer roll-out screens to attach to existing fences.
Material options: Wood, vinyl, composite, metal, bamboo, willow hurdles, and reeds.
Cost: $5-$51 per linear foot
Chain-Link Fences
Want an easy and affordable fence? Chain-link fencing is low-maintenance, budget-friendly, easy to install, and simple to repair. These traits make it great for fencing large areas.
You can leave chain-link fences open for visibility or make them private by adding slats. If you install a vinyl-coated chain-link fence, you can choose different colors to blend into or stand out from your yard.
While chain-link fencing may seem plain, there are ways to customize and decorate them. Even so, they aren't the best option for boosting curb appeal or property value. Chain-link fences are popular for dog owners but less secure than human trespassers.
Material options: Galvanizes, vinyl-coated, aluminium, and stainless steel.
Cost: $12-$33 per linear foot
Wire Fences
Want something rustic with high visibility and a little security? Wire fences look nice in gardens and rural areas. These fences often have wooden posts or frames, which makes them more visually appealing than chain-link fences. You also can install welded wire fences with metal posts. Wire fences are one of the most affordable fence types.
While wire fences can keep small animals secure, their short height makes jumping easy. Barbed wire fences are much more secure, but they're not allowed in all areas. Check your local regulations before installing barbed or razor wire.
Material options: metal
Cost: $1-$4 per linear foot
Things to Consider Before Fencing a Large Yard
Your design preferences are necessary, but so are many other factors you may have yet to consider. Let's review the practical aspects of fencing that may help you decide on the style.
Purpose of the Fence
With so many styles, you must consider what you want from your fence. Do you need a front yard, backyard, side yard, dog run, or garden fence? Here are some reasons for installing a fence:
Mark property lines
Split yards into separate areas or outdoor "rooms."
Line paths
Protect plants
Boost curb appeal and property value
Provide privacy
Contain kids, pets, or livestock
Once you know the essential features, you can narrow down your design options.
Your Yard's Landscaping
If you've spent time planning a beautiful landscape, you don't want to ruin it with a mismatched fence. Fence designs can be elegant, natural, modern, rustic, or practical. Color also can help a fence style harmonize with your landscape design. Include fence ideas in your initial landscaping plans for the best results.
You also may need to pick your design based on existing natural features. For example, sloped yards limit your design options.
Your Local Climate
It's not just fencing materials that affect weatherproofing. Open fence styles like picket and lattice are best for windy areas. They're also less susceptible to snow damage in cold climates since snowdrifts won't build up on one side. If you need shade, privacy fencing styles could provide some (though shade structures are a better solution for warm climates).
Ease of Assembly
If you want a DIY fence project, you shouldn't choose an overly complicated design. You can purchase simple styles like picket, privacy, lattice, and chain-link at many home improvement stores. Prefabricated panels will be quicker to assemble than piecing together all the individual pieces, but they're less customizable.
Want to hire a professional instead? An expert can handle more complicated designs, but their labor costs will increase the more challenging it is to install.
Maintenance and Repair Needs
Once your fence is installed, you'll still need to care for it occasionally. Fences are vulnerable to the march of time and could break, warp, lean, or fade. Consider how much time you'd like to spend fixing your fence. How much surface area is there to paint, stain, or scrub? Is it easy to replace broken pieces? Can you repair it yourself, or must you hire a pro?
If you choose a prefabricated style, you'll need to replace larger chunks once if it breaks. Styles like aluminium and wrought iron fences will need professional attention.
Budget
Whether pinching pennies or having an unlimited budget, you want to get the most bang for your buck. Open styles like picket tend to be more affordable than solid privacy styles. You also can save money with a shorter fence design. You should factor in repair and maintenance costs as well.
In the long run, the best way to save money is to install the right fence the first time.
FAQ About the Best Fence Styles for Large Yards
What fence style is best for big dogs?
Privacy and chain-link fences are the best for big dogs. The key features of a good dog fence are height and durability. You don't want your dog to dig under, jump over, or push through your fence.
Chain-link fences can be strong and tall and have concrete bases to thwart digging. A tall privacy fence also can keep a large dog in a while, blocking out external temptations and discouraging escape attempts whenever a squirrel or fellow canine walks by.
What type of fence is best for backyards?
It depends. Many homeowners prefer privacy fences for their backyards to have a secluded area without staring directly at their neighbors (or vice versa). However, those with a beautiful view out back might prefer an open style like picket or rail to keep the scenery distinct.
What kind of fence adds to property value?
Any style that is functional and visually appealing will boost property value. Picket and privacy fences are safe bets; they're popular, attractive, and practical. Avoid chain-link fences if you want to increase your home's value.
When to Hire a Pro
Ready to get started? You can DIY many of the fence styles we've covered. Doing it yourself will allow you to customize your installation completely. Plus, you can look proudly at the finished product outside.
Are you thinking, "Who has time for that?" Fence installations in large yards take a while. Contact a fencing pro if you'd prefer to let someone else do the heavy lifting. A fence company can provide a quote and install the best fence for your large property.