Home Design: Privacy

Privacy. Utility. Style.

5 PROPERTY-ENHANCING FENCE TRENDS

By Lisa J. Gotto

Framing your home with a fence is usually the finishing touch on your property’s priority list. Choosing the right fence for your needs can be a daunting process, especially when you consider its potential to make or break your property’s curb appeal. Options in fencing are becoming more creative, too. Here are five of the most current trends to consider before making your choice.

1

2. COLOR-RICH

No worries, the classic white picket fence will always have a place in the neighborhood, but color-rich contemporary fencing has some practical, and pretty, aspects that are making it increasingly popular. Hues of dark green and grey, navy blue, and even dense black are providing the backdrop for patio furnishings that pop. Darker colors tend to better blend into the background offering a more sophisticated outdoor setting. When it comes to ease-of-use, pre-painted wood, vinyl, and metal options are already available from some manufacturers, so you need not be concerned with painting the fence yourself. Another benefit: darker fences require less frequent cleaning.

2

1. ALTERNATIVE ATTITUDE

If the aesthetics of the fence are your biggest concern, you can consider options that offer an appealing visual boundary rather than a traditional opaque barrier. Clever and creative homeowners are utilizing metal louver panels for a contemporary/modern look, or wood louvers for a more homespun look. Large decorative panels (3 x 6 feet) with cut-out designs made of metal or composite materials are also a possibility to carve out space in smaller yards. Smaller horizontal panels (2 x 3 feet) with laser cut designs can be used in succession to create more of a traditional border with a decorative feel. A trellis or a living wall is a fun option that addresses basic privacy issues while making the space more of an environment and an element of design, as well.

3. MIXED MATERIALS

From a strength and durability standpoint, reinforcing particular wood fence elements with metal can make absolute sense. If the mix is not done with an appreciation of aesthetics, however, this look can come off looking less than appealing. Fortunately, there are some manufacturers offering pre-fabricated panels combining the best of what wood and metal can do together to provide privacy and enhance the look of your property.

3

4

4. HORIZONTAL SLATS

While there are presently numerous vertical trends in design, fencing that focuses on horizontal orientation works especially well for homeowners craving a sleek, modern look while delivering your optimal level of privacy. Another bonus, materials are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.

5

5. INCREASED USAGE OF SOLID PRIVACY PANELS

If security and privacy are your main focus, then a solid privacy fence is probably the way to go. There are new attractive offerings with upscale and decorative designs that will beautifully create the desired buffer between you and your neighbors. Options constructed of a single piece of material also offer a fence that is more difficult to breach.

Photo Credits:1. outdooressentials. com 2. homedepot.com 3. wayfair.com 4. outdooressentials.com 5. lowes.com