Color and Style Options for Wooden Fence Designs

Few things increase the privacy, security, and value of your home without the huge expenditure of time and money like a new fence. Whether you are an expert craftsman, or will be paying a fencing expert to come up with and install your wooden fence designs, you are certain to transform your property in ways that will need to be seen to be believed. With the warmth of wood grain or a stately white painted wood fence, your backyard space will serve as the perfect backdrop for your garden parties, outdoor dinners, or informal happy hour get-togethers. Here are a couple of the most common design choices homeowners need to make when considering adding a fence to their property's perimeter.

Find Inspiration

Perhaps, you already have some idea what kind of fence you want for your yard. If not, you can get some great design ideas simply by browsing landscaping and yard installation blogs and magazines and collecting pictures of designs that appeal to you. Many homeowners are able to mix and match different elements to come up with completely original designs that stand out in their neighborhood. Magazines and blogs, like Dwell and Home and Garden are chock full of the latest trends and innovative design features. If you will be hiring a fencing crew to install your privacy fence, having pictures of fence styles you like is invaluable for helping them see your vision for your backyard space.

Explore Different Styles

With all of the features available today there are literally thousands of combinations of style elements you can use to create the perfect fence for your space. A recent trend found in many neighborhoods is that of using fascia boards, placed horizontally across the front of the fence, rather than vertical pickets. Another common element is to install latticework, or a top board that lies flat across the top of pickets, in order to add some visual appeal to the top of the fence. Or you can use unique, ornamental post tops or caps.

With so many choices, it can be difficult to pick the perfect style to create your idyllic backyard sanctuary. A good thing to remember to make the design process easier is to consider the existing design of your home, and choose a fence style that is complimentary.

Differences in Wood Grain

The most common fence material is pressure treated pine, but nearly any type of wood can be reconstituted into an attractive fence, be it oak, redwood, teak, cypress or bamboo. In addition to the difference in grain, each type of wood has a unique color and warmth. Be sure to keep in mind environmental conditions that will affect certain wood types. For instance, cedar is often not a good choice for pool fences as it can be susceptible to rotting at the base.

Color

Whether you want to retain the natural color and warmth of that redwood grain, or you want a stark white fence that recalls romantic images of colonial homes in the 19th century, a coat of sealant or paint can both beautify and protect your fence. Tints can be added to wood stain to update colors that are fading on an older fence, or simply to change the look and feel of a new backyard fence. A coat of paint, stain, or sealant is critical for protecting your investment from the moisture, molds, and fungal pests.