Fence Types and Styles

Caps Caps are added to the tops of posts to provide a finished look or further enhance the style. Like posts and boards, caps come in a variety of styles and are matched to their period or vernacular style. Post caps may be modern, Victorian, classical, colonial, gothic, one of several vernacular architectural styles like Cape Cod, Newport, or ranch. A classic New England-style post cap Gothic-inspired post cap Pyramid-style post cap Ball-style post cap Crossed rails define a crossbuck-style fence. Fence styles In essence, all fences have similar structure, unless constructed of brick, concrete, or stone. Commonly referred to as "board and post" fences, most fences are sold as sections, with a horizontal structural member to which "boards" are attached. Picket, stockade, and privacy fences are all constructed in this way. Each section is joined at a post, which anchors the fence to the ground and the sections to one another. Posts, caps and tops may be stylized to match the period or theme of the fence. Ranch fences Ranch fences may have two, three, or four rails and are available in post and rail or crossbuck styling. Horizontal rails that connect to vertical posts spaced eight feet apart on average characterize rail and ranch fences. Sections may have straight rails, split rails, or crossed bars between called crossbuck. Rail fences may have one, two, or three rails. Often used for horse and livestock fencing, these ranch-style fences define the perimeter of an area, while allowing broad open spaces between. Privacy and semi-privacy fences Privacy fences are usually at least six feet tall. Local codes may limit the height of fences. Privacy and semi-privacy fences—board-and-post or board-on-board—are defined by the width of the board and the amount of space between them. A full privacy fence, commonly found in urban or closely settled suburban spaces, is tall (six feet or more) with overlapping, shadow box, or tongue-and-groove boards. Semi-privacy fencing aims to allow air and visual space between the boards, while protecting the space and residents from full view. Board on board fences like shadow box offer an advantage to homeowners in that they can show finished faces on both sides. Often topped with a lattice, top board, or ornamental top section, privacy fencing features more detail and board feet than picket or rail fencing. Among full privacy fences are stockade and tongue-and-groove. Either style can be finished with Gothic, French Gothic, flat, or dog-eared tops. A redwood basket weave fence provides privacy. Image courtesy of the California Redwood Association. Basket weave and lattice Basket weave and lattice fences are made with strips of material, usually wood or wood-look vinyl, woven or crisscrossed to create a pattern. Basket-weave fences block the property completely from view and can function as privacy fencing if tall enough. Lattice fencing is more open and delicate looking, while the crisscrossed members are actually thicker in diameter than their woven counterparts. Lattice designs are often used for toppers on tongue-and-groove fences, providing an airy look and height to the full coverage of the solid face below. Images courtesy of A Vinyl Fence and Deck Wholesaler, unless otherwise noted.

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