9 Types of Wood Fences to Consider for Your Yard

A wood fence is an excellent addition to any yard, providing security and privacy to the home. The boards, posts, and caps can be treated with transparent sealant to display the natural grain of the wood, or homeowners can use paint or stain to change the color of the fence to suit their preferences.

There are many types of wood fences, which are primarily differentiated based on the position of the rails and the style of the fence. Picket fences are a common option for the front yard, while side-by-side fences offer superior privacy when you want to relax by the pool. Before purchasing materials or planning a fence installation project, use this guide to learn more about the wood fence types to consider for your yard.

Parts of a Wood Fence

It's a good idea to have a basic understanding of the main parts of a wood fence, including the caps, posts, rails, and boards.

• Caps are mostly a decorative part of a fence that sits on top of each post. However, they do protect the end grain of the post, preventing premature splitting or rot from rain, snow, or ice.
• Posts support the weight of the fence. They are driven deep underground and are typically held in place by concrete or a similar compound. While boards can be installed horizontally or vertically, posts are always installed vertically.
• Rails are the horizontal support for the fence structure. They are typically positioned at the top, middle, and bottom of the fence between two posts. The rails are then attached to the posts with metal brackets, forming the basic support structure for the boards.
• Boards are installed between the posts. Depending on the design, boards can be installed horizontally or vertically. The main difference between most wood fence types is the spacing, size, and position of the boards. For instance, side-by-side fences have vertical boards that have no spacing between them, while a split-rail fence typically only uses three or four thick, horizontal rails, instead of board, leaving wide gaps between each rail.
  

What Is the Best Wood for a Fence?

When purchasing materials for a fence, it's important to consider the type of wood that will be used. Common options include redwood, cedar, pressure-treated pine, and white oak.

• Redwood is a durable, moisture-resistant wood that typically lasts about 20 years before needing to be replaced. It has an attractive reddish hue and natural grains that look great with a stain or transparent sealant.
• Cedar can be one of the more expensive choices, but it's capable of resisting both insects and the weather better than most other types of wood. Adding a stain, sealant, or a coat of paint to help protect the wood will help it last for 20 years or more.
• Pressure-treated pine is a relatively inexpensive option that can last almost two decades with proper care. While it isn't as attractive as redwood, cedar, or white oak, pressure-treated pine can still look great with the right paint or stain.
• White oak is a long-lasting wood that is popular for its appearance. This type of wood will hold up against rot and UV radiation for 15 to 20 years, though it's still recommended to paint, stain, or otherwise seal the wood to protect against cracking, rot, and harmful pests.
  

Types of Wood Fences

Board-on-Board Fence

A board-on-board fence is one of the more commonly used designs. With this type of wood fence, the boards are typically oriented vertically and positioned so that each board overlaps with the board next to it. The side of the fence on which the boards are installed alternates with each board, creating an attractive pattern that also provides privacy to the yard.

Board-on-board fences are great for backyard privacy, pool protection, and storm-prone areas. However, the drawback of this type of fence is that it requires more materials than a simple side-by-side fence due to the overlapping design. Make sure to treat the wood with a sealant that will protect against moisture, pests, and UV radiation.

Horizontal Plank Fence

Horizontal plank fences are not as common as fences with vertical boards, but this type of fence can offer a unique appearance to the yard that stands out in the neighborhood. Depending on the intention behind building the fence, horizontal plank fences can be designed as privacy or non-privacy fences. Simply increase or decrease the gaps between the horizontal boards based on your preference.

Putting in a horizontal fence can improve the aesthetic of the home, giving it a modern appeal. Just keep in mind that horizontal fences generally require higher-grade lumber to prevent the boards from sagging, so installing this type of fence can be more costly than other fence options.

After installation, it's recommended to inspect the fence about once every three to six months and make any necessary repairs as soon as possible. Staining or painting the fence will also help to protect it from moisture and UV radiation.

Lattice Fence

A lattice fence has an interesting crisscross pattern instead of the typical horizontal or vertical boards. Fences that use lattices can either have full panels made of lattice or they may have lattice accents that run along the top of the fence. Lattice fencing is attractive, but the boards are thinner and less durable than most other types of fencing.

Additionally, a lattice fence doesn't offer any type of privacy for the yard, so this type of fence is best for decorative purposes or even for providing basic security around flower or vegetable gardens. While a lattice fence isn't a big deterrent for people who want to get into the yard, it does prevent a variety of wildlife from wandering onto the property.

Louvered Fence

Louvered fences are not often used, but they can be an effective way to get privacy without shutting out sunlight and airflow through the fence. The boards on a louvered fence can be positioned vertically or horizontally, as long as the boards sit at a slight angle, leaving a small gap between the boards.

However, due to the way in which the boards must be angled and secured, installing a louvered fence is not typically a DIY job. Instead, the homeowner should hire a crew of professional fence and deck experts to design and install the louvered fence. Work with the installers to determine the proper care and maintenance based on the type of wood and sealer.

Picket Fence

Depending on the height, a picket fence can be one of the more affordable options for a fence installation project. The posts and boards usually only extend about three to four feet off the ground with vertical boards or pickets that often have a flat or pointed top. If the goal is to set up a basic boundary for the property without shutting out the neighbors entirely, then a picket fence is a great choice.

This type of fence can also be used to keep pets in the yard and prevent roaming wildlife from approaching the home. However, a picket fence doesn't offer any type of privacy, so it's best for homeowners who are looking to improve curb appeal. Most DIYers will be able to handle a picket fence installation, reducing the cost of the job.

Post-and-Rail Fence

As the name implies, a post-and-rail fence doesn't use boards, instead it consists of just posts and rails. Generally, a post-and-rail fence will have two or three horizontal rails that run between each post providing a basic fence structure. This type of fence isn't intended for security or privacy; it's usually built to denote the borders of a rural property.

However, the post-and-rail design can be effective for keeping livestock confined within the borders of the property or dividing up sections of the yard based on the homeowner's preferences. These fences also offer a rustic look and feel that is not possible with more modern fences.

Shadowbox Fence

Similar to a board-on-board fence, a shadowbox fence is designed in almost the exact same way except the spacing. Instead of having the boards tightly overlapped to prevent any issues with privacy, a shadowbox fence positions the boards further apart so that they only slightly overlap.

This means that the fence cannot be seen through when viewed straight on, but by looking at the fence from an angle, you can see through to the other side. The design allows air and sunlight to come through the fence, making it a great style for homeowners with flower or vegetable gardens along the borders of the yard.

Side-by-Side Fence

One of the simplest wood fences to build is known as a side-by-side fence. While a shadowbox or board-on-board fence overlaps each board, the boards of a side-by-side fence sit touching each other. This design is great for both privacy and pricing because the homeowner only needs to worry about purchasing boards for one side of the fence.

The drawback to a side-by-side fence is that the boards can warp over time, creating small gaps between the boards. If the fence goes for too long without proper care and maintenance, the slight warping can lead to splintering, so it's important to seal the wood after installation, then regularly inspect and repair the fence as needed.

Split-Rail Fence

A split-rail fence is common in rural settings. Similar to a post-and-rail fence, a split-rail fence is usually made up of just posts and rails. The main difference is that the rails used for a split-rail fence are typically made by splitting thick logs lengthwise to make two to four long pieces that can be positioned and secured between two posts.

This type of fence gives the property a rustic aesthetic and can be used to mark the border of the property or to keep livestock fenced in. However, split-rail fences do not offer any level of privacy due to the large gaps between the rails, and they cannot be used to keep kids or pets in the yard.