The fence of a house or a garden often gives the finishing touch to the style of the property. Aesthetic, it delimits the ground and protects from prying eyes. To achieve the desired effect, the choice is not lacking. Classic or panel fence, wood, mesh, metal, stone, galleon, concrete, composite materials, plants… We take stock of the eight ways to fence your property.
Before choosing a fence: what do you expect from it?
Regardless of where it is installed, a fence fulfills several functions:
- Elle delimits precisely a property. The neighborhood clearly knows what to expect. A simple fence is enough to establish the contours of a field.
- It protects your privacy. Quiet, sheltered from view and outside noise, we relax in peace. For this, blackout fences with panels or palisades are preferred.
- Elle secured your home. It is a barrier against the intrusions of animals or those of possible burglars. For this, the tallest and strongest fences are preferable.
- She gives style to your property. The aesthetic choice of a fence reveals a bit of your personality. We will appreciate the charm of a stone, aluminum or simply plant fence.
If all of these aspects are important, perhaps you prefer one or the other. It’s up to you to choose your fence according to what you consider to be a priority (aesthetics, privacy, security, etc.) and your use. And also a little depending on your budget, since the cost (from purchase to installation) can vary considerably depending on the range, material or type of fence.
Depending on the needs, choose from 3 types of fences
We mentioned the fence, which is the simplest way to enclose a garden. But when we talk about fences, three other types should be specified:
- The classic fence, more or less concealing, is mounted on a low wall. The possibilities of materials are numerous.
- The blackout panel fence or palisade requires less work for its installation because it is directly sealed in the ground. Often more decorative, in wood or composite material, it does not aim for a high level of safety.
- The wall or concern is a solid construction, in stone, brick or concrete blocks, which effectively encloses a plot. The higher a wall, the greater its protection (for good protection against break-ins, it must be at least 2.60 m high). As for the low wall, it often serves as the base for a classic fence. This is fixed to posts, themselves sealed in the low wall.
The 8 ways to fence your property
You know roughly what type of fence best suits your needs? You still have to choose the best way to close your domain. A brief overview is in order…
1 – The natural charm of wooden fences
If you like the authenticity of wood, you might be tempted by a palisade or wooden panels. A wooden fence has the good taste to blend into the landscape, while discreetly asserting its natural elegance. You can choose between different species, such as pine, chestnut or teak… Several types of wooden fences exist, each with its own style. In any case, they are all solid and resist the onslaught of time for a long time. Even if this requires regular maintenance of the wood.
- Fence knife (or Girondine fence) is made of slightly spaced vertical slats, fixed together by galvanized iron wire. We like its slightly raw side, which brings a wild touch to the garden while enlarging it.
- The closing in solid wood panels rather tends to close the space. Here it is the intimate effect that prevails. Note that it provides very good protection against the wind. To play with the effects, nothing prevents you from alternating solid panels with openwork parts, or even wooden trellises to associate with plants. This type of fence is placed on posts or on a low wall.
- Wood composite is a cheaper alternative. Mixing wood fibers and plastic, this material is solid and resistant. Its main advantage is that it requires much less maintenance than a traditional wooden fence. No need to stain or varnish it, as is usually necessary every year for the maintenance of outdoor wood.
2 – The simplicity of chain-link fences
Easy to use, wire mesh represents the BA-BA of fences. Nothing could be simpler than unrolling a fence to attach it to wooden or metal posts.
- The flexible mesh is economical and all-terrain. It adapts to all configurations and all reliefs. Certainly, this is not the most effective solution to preserve your privacy. But it can easily be lined with a hedge, which will play wonderfully as a screen. On the other hand, do not expect any security other than symbolic.
- The rigid mesh suitable for flat ground, without too much slope. It comes in the form of panels, sealed to posts fixed in the ground. Much more resistant than the flexible mesh, it offers better security. On the privacy side, however, it’s the same.
3 – The solidity of the walls and low walls
Putting up a stone wall is probably the oldest way of enclosing a property. Certainly the most effective too, in terms of protection against intrusions. There are several ways to build a stone fence wall, with or without mortar.
- The masonry wall is made to last. Solid, stable and quite expensive, it is an investment in the future. It can be made of stone, but also of brick or concrete blocks, two slightly more economical materials. If you have the budget, a stone fence will always bring that rustic and timeless charm that makes it so popular. In cut stone, the installation is so technical that it will be necessary to call on a stonemason.
- The gabion wall has a much more contemporary style. These are large metal cages filled with natural stones or pebbles, mostly in gray tones. The base frame mounts securely to level ground. Installation is easy, and maintenance is reduced to zero. Despite its modern touch, a gabion wall harmonizes very well with all kinds of plants. Some will appreciate its sound barrier properties.
4 – The originality of the concrete wall
The old concrete slabs, gray and sad, have given way to concrete fences with a modern design. Yes, concrete has become a champion in exterior decoration. With its curved or straight lines, and its way of perfectly imitating stone or wood, the concrete fence imposes its style. In addition, it is solid, durable and valiantly protects you.
5 – The chic of metal fences
Metal fences play the double card of design and robustness. Between the lightness of aluminum and the elegance of wrought iron, which would you choose?
- An aluminum fence has many advantages: design, resistant, recyclable, maintenance-free. Since aluminum is not susceptible to corrosion, it does not rust and remains in good condition for a long time. Aesthetically it lends itself to all fantasies. Available in several shapes and colors, it can even imitate wood or wrought iron.
- wrought iron has been considerably modernized. Even if you appreciate its traditional side, it also comes in new, more contemporary forms. Always elegant, it can be dressed in light colours, brighter than its classic black shade. With a wrought iron fence, you are choosing strength and durability. However, it will have to be treated against rust.
6 – The low price of composite materials
When you don’t have an unlimited budget, PVC and composite materials are there. Not only are these materials inexpensive, but your fence loses nothing in quality. PVC is strong, weather resistant and lasts for many years, virtually maintenance free. It now comes in colors, allowing you to harmonize it with your garden or home. These fences are placed on the ground or on a low wall, depending on the type chosen. Note that a PVC fence is two to three times less expensive than an aluminum one.
7 – The naturalness of plant fences
What if you made nature your ally? Plant solutions for fencing a garden are certainly the most decorative. And the most intimate.
- The reeds are made from plants such as bamboo, reed or wicker. They are easy to set up and form an effective screen.
- The natural vegetable hedge harmoniously delimits a piece of land, provided that it is pruned regularly. It’s a living fence! Choose the plant species carefully, so that its growth does not exceed your maintenance capacities and does not invade the neighborhood.
- The artificial hedge looks like a natural hedge, less maintenance.
- The green fence mixes wooden panels in claustras and plants, selected for their rapid growth and their aesthetics, coming to hide the structures.
These vegetable formulas have other advantages:
- They protect from the wind.
- They absorb pollutants from the air.
- They are popular with pollinators and other insects that find refuge there.
- They offer warm intimacy and a cozy outdoor atmosphere.
8 – Usefulness of privacy screens and noise barriers
- If you simply need to isolate a piece of land from outside view, a simple fence in privacy screen These rolls of canvas, woven plastic or natural materials are placed on the wire mesh. Some of these fences don’t just help. They bring a simple and refined design that goes with everything.
- In some sound environments, a noise barrier is sometimes necessary. It is made up of panels capable of greatly reducing sound penetration. The choice of material depends on the level of sound insulation you want to achieve. Wood, gabion, cinder block, brick… Get in touch with a specialist so that he can diagnose your needs and advise you on the most suitable soundproofing panels.