Fence Sense: Your Guide to the Perfect Fence

A fence can add charm, privacy and curb appeal to any home, but many homeowners aren’t aware of the wide variety of fence options available. From privacy fences to traditional picket fences and rustic post & rail to the latest in horizontal fences, use this guide to find the fence that’s right for you.

Privacy Fences

Privacy fences usually stand between 6’ and 8’ tall. Of all the fence options, privacy fences offer the most seclusion from surrounding areas. The fence rails lie flush to each other creating a continuous barrier and offering homeowners exceptional privacy.
Seen here: Bufftech® Chesterfield privacy fence with CertaGrain® texture in Sierra blend

Privacy Fences

Privacy fences are commonly found around swimming pools or they can be used to block properties from busy roadways. They add character and visual interest, turning an ordinary backyard into a private retreat.
Seen here: Bufftech® Chesterfield privacy fence with CertaGrain® texture and convex detail in Weathered blend

Privacy fences

Privacy fences can be customized to match the design of the home. A modern home may do well with a simple fence in a contemporary gray while this red brick Georgian estate is complemented by a stately Chesterfield privacy fence with Victorian accent but don’t feel locked into conventions. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to fence design, as with most things it comes down to personal preference.
Seen here: Bufftech® Chesterfield with CertaGrain® Texture and Victorian accent in CertaGrain White

Semi-Private Fences

Semi-private fences are as the name implies, semi-private, blocking the view to most but not all that is going on beyond their borders. With heights between 4-6’ they can be as tall as a privacy fence but the rails are placed with a small gap, generally between ½” and 1”, allowing light to shine through.
Seen here: Bufftech® Breezewood Select Cedar in Sierra blend

Semi-Private Fences

The decision between a privacy and semi-private fence comes down to aesthetics and how much seclusion is desired. If your fence is surrounding a pool you may want full privacy but if it is used to keep young children in or pets from getting out, a semi-private fence may be preferred. It’s common courtesy to put the finished side of the fence facing out or select a fence that is finished on both sides.

Semi-Private Fences

Semi-private, like privacy, fences come in many styles, colors and materials. Vertical rails are common and can be topped with lattice or spindles for distinction or for something different try the clean modern design of a horizontal fence like the new Breezewood Select fence seen here. Seen here: Breezewood Select semi-private fence with Cedar Texture in Arctic blend

Post and Rail Fences

Post and rail, or split rail, fences are distinguished by widely spaced, usually 8-10” apart, horizontal rails. These fences are easy to install along steep hills and slopes which may be why they are often selected for sprawling rural properties where they serve to define boundaries and keep livestock from wandering off.
Seen here: Bufftech®4-rail Post & Rail with CertaGrain® texture in CertaGrain Sierra blend

Post and Rail fences

Post and Rail Fences come in 2, 3, and 4 rails. Two rail fences, like the 2-rail Post & Rail fence seen here, are recommended for decorative accent only. While this minimalistic fence provides an effective visual barrier, the low height, 69”, and widely spaced rails make it pretty easy to traverse.
Seen here: Bufftech®2-rail Post & Rail with CertaGrain® texture in Sierra blend

Post and Rail Fences

The rails on a Post and Rail fence can run horizontal or can cross in an X pattern. This type of post and rail fence with a cross rail construction is commonly referred to as cross buck fencing and is often associated with horse farms. While post and rail fences suit a variety of the exterior styles this rustic look is particularly charming when paired with an elegant farmhouse or a classic ranch style home.
Seen here: Bufftech®Crossbuck fence in white

Picket Fences

Popular in the United States since early Colonial times, picket fences are one of the best known types of fences. Distinguished by uniformly spaced vertical boards, or pickets, attached to horizontal rails, picket fences are a popular choice to mark a property line, or to keep small animals or children in.
Seen here: Danbury Concave with Danbury Concave gate both in white

Picket Fences

Picket fences come in many different styles including Dog-eared with the edges clipped, Gothic where the pickets come to a point, Square, seen here, has them squared off, or smooth which covers them completely with a top rail. Traditional or modern, there’s a picket fence perfectly suited to your style.
Seen here: Bufftech® Manchester fence in white

Picket Fences

Traditionally picket fences were made of wood usually cedar or a redwood. While wood can be a beautiful choice, there is significant upkeep involved including regular painting or staining and replacing of damaged or rotten boards. Today a more popular option is vinyl fence reinforced with metal supports. Available in smooth or imprinted with a wood-grain it provides the same curb appeal as traditional wood but is extremely durable and can be cleaned and maintained with just a hose.
Seen here: Bufftech® Canterbury in white

Picket Fences

While the iconic imagery is that of a white picket fence, picket fences come in a variety of colors. Just know when selecting a dark hued option it’s important to pay attention to fade specifications. Most vinyl fence products target the industry standard of 7 Hunter units* of fade – at this level the original color will lighten significantly over time. By comparison Bufftech vinyl colors lighten only 1 or 2 Hunter units, which means these products stay virtually true to the original color even after years of wear.
Seen here: Bufftech® Danbury Select in Cedar Texture in Sierra blend
* A Hunter unit is a measure in color difference used to quantify the degree of fading of vinyl products like siding over time.

Personal Style

Whether you are seeking to create a private retreat or just want to up your curb appeal, a new fence can make your whole home feel renovated and fresh, and with so many options available it’s easier than ever to find the right style for your property. For more on fence options, visit http://www.certainteed.com/fence/.

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Fall in love with a fence above? Find it here.

Privacy Fences

Slide 1: Bufftech® Chesterfield privacy fence with CertaGrain® texture in Sierra blend.

Slide 2: Bufftech® Chesterfield privacy fence with CertaGrain® texture and convex detail in Weathered blend

Slide 3: Bufftech® Chesterfield with CertaGrain® Texture and Victorian accent in CertaGrain White

Semi-Private Fences

Slide 1: Bufftech® Breezewood Select Cedar in Sierra blend

Slide 2: Bufftech® Fence

Slide 3: Breezewood Select semi-private fence with Cedar Texture in Arctic blend

Post and Rail

Slide 1: Bufftech®4-rail Post & Rail with CertaGrain® texture in CertaGrain Sierra blend

Fence Sense: Your Guide to the Perfect Fence

Privacy Fences

Privacy Fences

Privacy fences

Semi-Private Fences

Semi-Private Fences

Semi-Private Fences

Post and Rail Fences

Post and Rail fences

Post and Rail Fences

Picket Fences

Picket Fences

Picket Fences

Picket Fences

Personal Style

Get The Look
Fall in love with a fence above? Find it here.

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About Certainteed

Recent Blog Posts

Pro Resources

Privacy Fences

Privacy Fences

Privacy fences

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Semi-Private Fences

Semi-Private Fences

Post and Rail Fences

Post and Rail fences

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Get The Look
Fall in love with a fence above? Find it here.