By James Murdock

	Some fences blur the line between functionality and beauty. The densely set pickets in the bottom section of the fence afford privacy, while the lattice at the top adds a decorative element.

The poet Robert Frost once wrote, “Good fences make good neighbors.” What he didn’t say, but probably knew, is that good fences can also be good neighbors. Fence styles, in fact, fall broadly into three categories: picket fences, privacy fences, and post-and-rail fences. Some are more decorative, while others are better at providing security.

Technically speaking, any fence with vertical boards or bars is a picket fence. The picket fence category, though, refers mainly to fences with widely spaced pickets permitting views between them.

By contrast, a privacy fence has no gaps between pickets—or is made of panels—and is generally taller. Post-and-rail fences are composed of horizontal beams laid between posts. Also known as ranch-style fences, they are the cheapest to build and therefore a favorite of ranchers and farmers who need to enclose large areas.

Historically, wood was the most popular material for all three fence types. In the West, cedar has claimed the lion’s share of the market because it is grown locally and is less expensive than other kinds of lumber. Many picket fences, though, are made of wrought iron pickets spaced between brick or stone posts. Wrought iron is a decorative metal made by bending and shaping semi-molten iron. This fence style is commonly found in public buildings, stately homes, and other places where a highly ornate look is desired.

While wood and wrought iron fences are prized for their good looks and historical authenticity, plastic fences made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are an increasingly popular alternative. Like composite deck boards, PVC requires less maintenance and lasts longer than wood. Manufacturers are introducing new colors and textures that resemble a broad range of woods, including cedar, and they’ve also developed snap-on brackets and grooved installation systems that allow for tool-free assembly. New titanium-based additives, moreover, have solved the problem of sun damage, which was common in earlier generations of PVC products.

Some manufacturers are now offering black PVC, which mimics the look of wrought iron. Aluminum is also a good alternative to wrought iron. Both of these materials are more expensive, but unlike iron, they’re rust-proof and therefore last longer.

As in any landscaping or construction job, deciding which material to use in building a fence often depends on budget and project size. But looks are also important, particularly when it comes to some of the more distinctive alternatives on the market.

A privacy fence made of bamboo would fit a Japanese garden, while a trellis covered with flowering vines might suit an English garden.

If you’re on the fence about which style to choose, a landscape architect or professional fence installer can help. The pros will also give you the best maintenance tips for getting a longer life out of your fence—or, as Robert Frost might say, they can make your fence a better neighbor.