The worldwide fencing industry was estimated to be around $20 billion in 2022. Only residential fencing accounts for approximately 60% of the fencing market in USA. Moreover, vinyl fences represent 28% of the total sales out of all the different materials used for fences.
So, it’s clear that homeowners have many options for fences. They are made from a variety of materials and available in many styles. Let’s explore the main types of fences and where you can use them.
Different Types of Fences
The fence is a physical structure that you can install around an area for safety or privacy. There are various types of fences available made for different needs. You also see fence types based on material, location or strength. Below I have grouped almost all fence types to make selection easy for you.
Wood Types of Fences
Wood fences are made from natural timber such as pine, cedar or redwood. These fences are easy to build and can be shaped or painted to fit your applications. Following are types of fences majorly made from wood.
Wood Privacy Fence
It is a solid and tightly constructed wooden barrier. This structure is made entirely of timber. It is built close together to block gaps. You will find this type of fence tall and strong. You can paint or stain it to change its look.
Applications: For high privacy, boundary marking, noise reduction, decoration, garden enclosures, yard separation and property protection.
Picket Fence
A picket fence is a classic wooden fence with equal spaced vertical boards. These panels are attached to horizontal rails. Its open design defines your property lines. Plus, it lets air and light pass through. With this fence, you can add charm and style to an area and can also mark zones.
Best For: You can use it for decoration purpose, garden or walkways boundaries, yard marking, low barriers for front yards, property outlining or aesthetic appeal
Split Rail Fence
Split rail fence is made of long wooden logs laid horizontally and stacked between posts. It has an open design with large gaps. This fence uses natural timber. The main point is that it is very easy for you to install a split rail fence.
When To Use This: Farm safety or ranch fencing, garden borders, defining large outdoor spaces, livestock protection, garden borders, pathway edging and wildlife friendly enclosures.
Shadowbox Fence
These fences have vertical wooden boards attached to both sides of horizontal rails. This design creates a semi private fence. Some people prefer privacy with airflow, so these fences are ideal.
Place of Installation: Property boundaries, garden enclosures, to secure pets, yard separation, noise reduction, outdoor living spaces, decorative landscaping and backyard screening.
Vertical Board Fencing
Vertical board fencing has upright boards that are attached to horizontal bars. It forms a strong and classic barrier. You will also see some fences which are built with boards placed very close together. To design fences in this way: closeboard and tongue & groove are two common methods.
Suitable For: Backyards, front yards, gardens, play areas, around homes, along property lines, sloped or uneven land.
Overlap Fencing
Overlap fencing is also called lap fencing. It is a popular and affordable fence for many applications. Basically, it uses horizontal wooden boards that overlap to form a solid & rustic barrier.
Who Should Use: Homeowners, garden owners, people who need privacy, those who are looking for budget friendly fences, easy to install fences and boundary marking of property.
Slatted Panel Fencing
The slatted panel fence is made of vertical or horizontal wooden boards. It has small gaps between its bars. In this way, the fence allows airflow & light along marking boundaries.
Applications: Garden boundaries, modern landscaping, garden zoning, stylish backdrops for outdoor seating, pet friendly areas, plants protection from wildlife or separation of different sections in farms.
Tongue and Groove Fencing
These types of fences (T&G) use thick timber boards with interlocking edges which you will see fit tightly together. As a result, it forms solid and space free panels for your maximum privacy and security.
When To Use This: Secure play areas for children, vegetable or flower gardens, windbreaks, outdoor seating spaces, livestock or small animals safety and to divide yard areas.
Lattice Fence
A lattice fence is designed with crisscrossed wooden strips. With these slates, you can create a diamond or square pattern fence. Generally, you need to install lattice fences with standard posts and support the panels with top and bottom rails.
Suitable For: Decoration, pets & children safety inside the yard, semi private outdoor spaces and frame pergolas or decks.
Trellis Fencing
Trellis fences are made of thin wooden slats, which are arranged in an open grid pattern. It has a light and open structure. The design creates a neat and attractive appearance. That’s why it can blend well with your gardens and outdoor spaces.
Recommended For: Garden, home walls illusion, plant training structures, garden dividers, patio screens and climbing plants protection.
Metal Fence
If we talk about metal fences, they are constructed with strong materials such as steel, iron, wire mesh or aluminum. Mostly, you will see metal fences in homes and commercial areas. They last longer and need less care than wood.
Chain Link Fence
What are chain link fences made of? Chain link fence uses metal wires woven into a diamond shaped pattern. Hence, you will get strong, flexible plus affordable barriers for security and boundary marking.
Perfect For: Homes, businesses, industrial areas, yards, as temporary barriers, playgrounds, pets security and sports fields.
Wrought Iron Fence
Wrought iron fences are designed with strong and heavy iron which is called worked iron or low carbon iron. You can easily shape it into decorative designs. This fence is durable and adds an elegant look to any property
Common Applications: Pools, decorative or security barriers, historic/luxury properties, property boundary marking, gardens or yards safety, decorative gates and railings.
Metal Panel Fence
Well, these structures are commonly made from pre formed steel or aluminum sheets. The fence panels are sometimes made with ridges or waves (called corrugation) to make them stronger and more rigid. You will need low maintenance for the fence and it is resistant to rot and damage.
Mostly Used For: Security fencing, property boundaries, industrial areas, commercial properties, residential yards, noise reduction and crowd control.
Steel Fence
These security structures are made from strong steel bars (iron-carbon alloy) or panels. It creates a sturdy and long lasting barrier. You will find this fence resistant to weather, damage & wear, which makes it a reliable choice for many properties.
Application Areas: Security for homes/pools, parking lots, decorative storefront fencing, anti-ram barriers, for facilities that require extreme durability & areas with harsh weather.
Aluminum Fence
The aluminum fence is made from lightweight but strong aluminum. This material makes it durable and low maintenance. It does not rust and can handle harsh weather.
Usage: Homeowners who need decorative and durable fences, best in wet or humid climates, commercial properties, residential yards and pool enclosures.
Industrial Safety Fence
An industrial safety fence is a strong barrier formed from steel or aluminum. You can install these fences to prevent accidents, improve organization or meet workplace safety regulations.
Works Well For: It creates secure areas in your factories, warehouses, construction sites and industrial zones to protect workers from machinery and hazardous areas.
Wire Fence
Wire fences are engineered with metal wires twisted or woven together to form a flexible and durable barrier. It is a simple and affordable option for you. Wire fence is widely used for various applications.
Well Suited For: Farms and ranches, livestock/crops enclosures, garden boundaries, work zones, security fencing and temporary barriers.
Synthetic Fences
Synthetic fences refers to physical safety structures which are made from materials like vinyl (PVC) or recycled plastic composites. They resist pests and fading. This fence is a durable alternative to wood. You will find these fences in many styles & colors.
Vinyl Privacy Fence or PVC Fence
A vinyl privacy fence is strong and needs low maintenance. Because they are made from PVC plastic. Its solid and gap free panels, so provide full privacy. These fences are available in different heights and styles to meet your project’s needs.
Who Should Use: Best to hide unsightly areas, residential backyards, commercial sound barriers, pools security, kids/pets safety and mark property lines.
Composite Privacy Fence
These safety fences are created from a blend of recycled plastic & reclaimed wood fibers. This material is around 95% recycled. The panels of the composite fence are created in a process called co extrusion. You can use it to create a solid barrier for full privacy.
Uses: Commercial set-ups, residential areas, backyards, patio screens, garden zones, noise reduction for traffic or loud neighbors, plus decorative fencing.
Trex Fence
These fences are strong and you do not need to invest much time for their maintenance. They are also made from 95% recycled plastic. For this eco-friendly option, you also no need to paint or stain it.
Place of Installation: Commercial/government properties, garden & pet area, multi family units, backyards or residential zones.
Permanent Fence
When the safety fence posts are set in concrete or deep into soil for stability, it is known as a permanent fence. These fences are generally made from durable materials such as wood, metal or composites.
In contrast to temporary fences, it is built to resist weather and provide protection for many years.
Masonry Fence
You can make masonry fencing with solid materials like brick, stone or concrete blocks. They create strong and long lasting barriers or fences. These fences have a life span of nearly 50+ years.
Best For: Privacy walls, security or wind buffer, landscaping decoration, residential/commercial or public spaces and fire protection.
Simtek Fence
If you need a fence for noise reduction, the SimTex fence is specifically designed for this purpose. This fence uses heavy & solid panels with dense construction to block much more sound than wood fences. With this structure, you can reduce up to 98% of direct sound.
Who Should Use: Homeowners near highways, residents, commercial property owners, schools & playgrounds, industrial site managers.
Different Types of Fences For Yards
The outdoor area around your home is called a yard. It includes a garden, lawn as well as backyard. You definitely need fences for yards to mark property boundaries, keep your pets or children safe, protect the space from unwanted animals & add privacy. For this purpose, there are many types of fence you can use.
Types of Fences For Backyard
Below is the top safety fence you can install in the backyard zone.
- Chain link fence
- Wire fences
- Composite & fiberglass fence
- Living fence
- Aluminum, vinyl or wood fences
- Brick fence
Fences For Gardens or Fence For Flowers
You can use flowing fences for the protection and safety of your home garden area.
- Classic wood fence
- Wire & mesh fence
- Metal fences
- Trellis/lattice fences
- Stained wood fence
- Wrought iron fence
- Layered picket fence
- Light flow fence
- Deer fence
- Accessorized fence
- Espalier fence
- Scalloped fence
- Woven willow fence
Types of Fences in Agriculture
You can use agricultural fences to protect your crops, contain livestock, protection from heavy wind and mark farm boundaries. They are designed to be durable and suitable for large outdoor areas. As a farmer, you have to choose fences based on the type of your animals, crops or the level of security you need.
Farm Fence
The fences used for farm safety can be made from wood, barbed wire, woven wire, electric or mesh. It depends on the type of animals and the fence’s purpose. For example: you can use barbed wire for cattle, woven wire for smaller livestock or predator control.
Plus, electric fences are ideal for flexible deterrence and wood fences for a classic look. With proper planning, you should decide the fence type & height.
Fence For Large Property
Majorly, large properties or grounds are designed to cover extensive areas. To clearly mark the boundary of your property, its security, organization & safety, you need to install fences.
For this purpose, you can use several fences. These fences include chain link, barbed, wrench rail, wooden, vinyl or metal fences. Further, you can use a snow fence to control drifting snow and reduce its impact on your fields.
Types of Fences For Dogs
You should use dog fences to keep dogs safely inside a specific zone. With safe spaces, you can protect dogs from traffic, wild animals & strangers. There are different options for dog fences available for you.
Fence For Small Dogs: Wood, picket, vinyl fences with tight spaces.
Fence For Large Dogs: Chain link, vinyl or wood fences with tall height.
Best Fence For Jumping Dogs: Tall vinyl or wood fences (6 feet or higher).
Cheapest Types of Fences
Mostly, you need to install affordable fences when you want basic protection at a low cost. This way, you can mark your property boundaries and control access without high expenses. Actually, these fences use simple materials and easy installation methods. Below are some types of cheapest fences to install.
- Electric fence
- Chicken or barbed wire fences
- Trellis fence
- Hog wire metal fences
- Pallet wood fence
- Split rail wood fences
- Bamboo fence
- Vinyl picket fences
- Corrugated metal fence
Residential Fence Types
Residential fences are used around homes to provide privacy and clear boundaries. You should choose residential fence types based on style, budget and the level of protection you want.
| Types of Residential Area | Best Fence To Use |
| Fences For House | Horizontal wood fence, metal+wood fence, black metal panel fence or shadowbox fence |
| Fence For Driveway | Post & rail fence, semi solid driveway fence, picket fence and wrought iron fence |
| Fence For Rooftop Terrace | Glass panel fence, vertical bar grill fence, PVC fence, concrete+metal fence or composite fences |
| Fences For Pools | Metal fence, transparent glass railing fence, white picket wood fence, stainless steel fences & wrought iron pool fence |
| Fence For Windy Area | Slatted panel fence, chain link fence, vinyl fencing, louvred fences, post & rail fence or composite fences |
Bamboo Fence
A bamboo fence is made from natural bamboo poles or panels. It gives you a clean and natural look for your property outdoor spaces. You will find these fences lightweight but strong when installed properly. They are eco friendly and blend well with your gardens and yards.
Suitable For: Crowd control safety, decoration and safety, commercial setting, landscape design, garden security, patios, and for custom designs.
Privacy Fence Types
What is the best fence for privacy? Privacy fences are used to block outside views and create a secluded space. With these fences placement, you will feel secure and comfortable in your yard or home area.
Generally, privacy fences are taller and built with solid panels or closely placed boards. Common examples of privacy fences are stockade fence, picket fences, board on board fence, tongue & groove fence and horizontal fences.
Fence Post Types
If we talk about fence posts, these are vertical supports that are placed to hold up fences. They provide stability and strength to your entire safety structure. You can use different types of fence posts based on the fence material, purpose and ground condition.
- Vinyl fence posts
- Wood fence posts
- Bamboo fence posts
- Composite fence posts
- Metal fence posts
- Concrete fence posts
- Plastic/PVC fence posts
- Hybrid fence posts
Fence Manufacturers
If you are looking for high-quality fence suppliers, JACKWIN is your perfect partner. Our company is located in China and serves customers all around the world.
In our factory, we have a large stock of fences including wood, metal, vinyl, composite and specialized safety fences. You can also get customized design, size or color for fences such as orange safety fences. All our fence range is available at factory price.
FAQs
How Much Do Fences Cost?
Due to various types of fences, the price is not fixed and varies based on material, height, size & installation. The average cost range is $5 to $33+ per foot. For higher-end fences like wrought iron, you may need to pay more.
Do I Need a Permit To Build a Fence?
In many areas, you may require a permit to build a fence. However, the exact rules depend on your local city or county regulations. Permits are mostly required for fences above a certain height, near roads or on property lines.
How Long Do Wood Fences Last?
A wood fence commonly lasts 10 to 20 years. But its life depends on the wood type, climate, installation and maintenance. For instance: cedar and redwood last longer, but softwoods (pine) may have a lifespan of only 5-15 years.
What Type of Fence Lasts the Longest?
The fences, which are made of masonry like stone or brick, provide you with long-lasting results. Plus, metal fences like wrought iron, steel & aluminum or vinyl (PVC) fences also last for decades with minimal maintenance.
Conclusion
Finally, you now have a good knowledge about the fencing types and how different materials are used in residential and commercial projects. If you have any questions, you can contact us anytime to get expert advice for your project and a quote for purchasing fences.
