I'd love to be able to afford a house further off the main road, but unfortunately I'm not there yet. In the meantime, we live near a main road, and we have a huge fence to keep the dogs and the kids inside and the noise out. It's a challenge to find a design for a really big fence that doesn't look like a jail fence! I have researched all of the options I have to keep everyone safe and make our yard as comfortable as possible, and I thought this info might be useful for other homeowners like me.
Front fences can be built from various materials, including metal and vinyl. But rather than these manufactured options, why not use timber? Wooden fences require regular refinishing, but they can be built into a range of fences for you to choose from. Here are several alternatives.
Picket Fence
Timber has a natural aesthetic that can be shaped into different fence styles. A classic picket fence can be built at different heights using pickets with variously sculpted tips. The fence line can be straight or curved. If you have a heritage house, you can look up what picket fence is reminiscent of its style. Or you could refer to an early photo of the house if you have one.
Slat Fence
While the railings on picket fences are slim and have rounded or arched tips, a horizontal slat fence design is the opposite. It features undecorated slats or boards that are aligned horizontally. If you're considering one of these slat fences, you could use timber instead of the usual metal.
The clean lines of a slat design are perfect for showing off the natural beauty of stained timber, or you can paint the wooden slats instead. In this way, you can harmonise the fence with modern and rustic settings. A benefit of this design is that it creates a degree of privacy while allowing for airflow, so the yard doesn't feel closed off.
Lattice Fence
While you mightn't create an entire front fence from timber lattice, you can use it as part of a fence structure. For example, you can fit lattice sections on top of a wall to increase its height without making it overbearing. Lattice pieces are often used on opaque fences made from timber palings or metal panels. Lattice is relatively light due to its holes; thus, it won't weigh heavily on the wall.
You can also use a lattice panel around a patio, porch, or veranda for privacy. To add to its charm, encourage climbing jasmine or other plants to grow around the screen.
Post and Rail Fence
If you want a rustic front fence, you could build a post and rail design using rough-hewn timber purchased from a fence supplier. While these barriers won't keep small pets in the yard, they are perfect for delineating the property boundary so bypassers don't accidentally trespass. They maintain a light and open feeling in the garden.
This fence will give your house a country aesthetic that is perfect for rural areas, but it can also be at home in a bushy urban setting. Ask your fencing contractor about other ideas for timber front fences.
Contact a local fence supplier to learn more.
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