Since early civilization, fences have served a variety of functions, including providing safety and security, decoration, and creating privacy. Fences excel in keeping certain things in while others out. Privacy fences, in particular, are adept at blocking views, access, and disturbances from the outside. These fences are made of various materials, but which one makes for the best privacy fence material?
The best privacy fence depends less on what material is used and more on the design of the fence. However, certain materials are better suited to enhancing privacy, including wood, concrete, brick and mortar, and vinyl. Adding a screen or mesh to fences also improves privacy.
Almost all fences have an element of privacy to them; this is either by directly blocking the view or blocking access into certain areas. However, what makes a good privacy fence? Is there a particular design and material that stands out? And how does the fence’s purpose influence the amount of privacy you need?
Fence Designs And Materials, And How They Contribute To Privacy
Fences serve different functions, including safety and security, decoration, and privacy. Due to the range of purposes, fences come in various shapes, sizes, and designs.
When it comes to privacy, certain fence designs lend themselves to enhancing privacy, while others forgo this for other reasons (increased visibility).
Examples Of Popular Fence Designs
The design of a fence is how it is assembled (how it looks). It includes the posts, the infill, the gate, etc., and how they work together to achieve the desired purpose.
Some of the more common designs you will probably come into contact with are below:
- Chain-link fences
- Palisade/Picket fences
- Wildlife, livestock, and agricultural (rail) fences
- Privacy fences
- Wrought iron fences
Examples Of Materials Used In Fence Manufacturing
Not only are fences varied in how they look, but they are also made of different materials. Almost any material could work as a fence; however, certain materials are better adapted to the purpose.
Popular fences can be divided into the following categories based on the materials they are made out of:
- Fences which are made out of wood and wood-like materials, including wood planks, reeds, and bamboo.
- Fences which are made out of metal wire or bars, including steel, iron, and aluminum.
- Fences which are made out of vinyl, PVC, or other plastics.
- Fences which are made out of concrete (precast) and bricks. These are known as masonry fences, although they are fundamentally boundary walls. Walls are, however, thicker than fences.
- Fences which are made out of glass. These fences are generally used around pools or other areas you want to see into the fenced area while still keeping people and animals out.
Many fence designs allow for the addition of extra components to improve privacy. For example, a standard chain link fence has a very low privacy function.
However, with the addition of wood or vinyl slats (panels), chain link fences provide a similar degree of privacy to a palisade fence of wood or vinyl.
Which Materials And Designs Are Best Suited For Privacy Fences?
Although most fences do serve as a source of privacy in some way or another, some materials and designs stand out in their ability to maximize privacy.
The best-suited materials for constructing privacy fences include:
- Wood
- Vinyl
- Metal (aluminum and steel)
- Masonry (concrete and steel)
- Plants
While wood and vinyl are generally the top picks for making privacy fences, they are not limited to only these two materials.
Other materials are also often used; however, they come with drawbacks and benefits, e.g., concrete precast is set in its appearance, with little you can change, other than painting it.
The materials chosen will play a role in determining how closely slats are positioned in the fence, contributing to the overall privacy of the fenced-off area.
The Pros And Cons Of Wood, Vinyl, Metal, And Masonry As Fence Materials
| Materials | Pros | Cons |
| Wood | CheapAesthetically appealingLots of customization potentialProvides a fair amount of security, depending on the design | Not as durable as other materialsLots of maintenance required |
| Vinyl | Little maintenance requiredAesthetically appealingVery durableA high level of customization | ExpensiveThe whole section may need replacing if something breaks Security is not as good as masonry or wood |
| Metal | Very durable (if galvanized)Relatively cheapLittle maintenance required | May begin to rust if not good qualityDepending on the metal, it may not be good for security |
| Masonry | Very durableLittle maintenance requiredGreat for security | Not a high level of customizationNot very aesthetically appealing (e.g., concrete)Costly as more materials are required (e.g., brick) |
| Plants | Very cost-effectiveA huge aesthetic appealAttracts wildlife (birds)Fewer restrictions and laws governing these fences | Very high maintenanceAttracts wildlife (bugs)Not the most secure unless coupled with other fencesNot very durableThey require more yard space than other fencesLimited by climate |
Fence Designs Best Suited For Privacy Fencing
Although the materials used in fence construction have a huge role in adding to a property’s privacy, how these materials are constructed/assembled and the design “template” followed are also critical factors.
Fence designs that lend themselves to maximizing privacy include:
Privacy Picket Fences Design And Materials
Picket fences designed for privacy are simple and effective in design.
Like a standard picket fence, however, instead of evenly spaced pickets (panels placed a few inches apart to create gaps), the pickets are placed adjacent to one another, creating a “wall” to obstruct views.
Alternatively, pickets are spaced the same distance apart as a standard version; however, additional, thinner slats are placed between to mitigate onlookers’ views.
The most common materials used are wood, vinyl, and metal.
Shadow Box Fences Design And Materials
Shadowbox fences resemble privacy picket fences. A shadowbox fence promotes privacy from the front while allowing light and air movement through the sides.
There are two rows of slats (inside and outside, so the fence looks the same from both sides) attached to a top and bottom rail. Each row’s slats (pickets) are evenly spaced. However, privacy is maintained through the other row, whose pickets line up with the gaps formed.
The majority of shadowbox fences are made out of wood. There are, however, vinyl and metal versions as well.
Decorative Screen Fences Design And Materials
A decorative screen fence is fencing custom-made to your preferences. These screens are usually made out of sheets of metal that have various designs, and patterns cut into them (often through laser cutting tools).
They are also durable and enhance security.
Other Types Of Screens, Designs, And Materials
Privacy screens are not limited to decorative metal designs. Screens are often added to pre-existing fences to enhance the privacy provided. Screens are often made of wood, bamboo, or vinyl in various shapes and sizes. However, metal and other plastics are also feasible materials.
Screens, in general, are lightweight and are relatively easy to move around as needed. Lattices are another example of screens, which have lovely decorative designs, which enhance the aesthetics of your property while contributing to the overall privacy of the area.
Infill Fences Designs And Materials
This type of fencing fills the “gap” between brick or concrete masonry posts. It is a fence with a combination of materials.
The benefit of this type of fencing is that it adds an aesthetic appeal to privacy fencing, by breaking the solid, continuous wall appearance, without compromising privacy. The other added benefit is that it is a strong and secure fence.
The infill material can be wood, vinyl, or metal. The slats need to lie close to one another to function as a privacy fence.
Natural Fences Designs And Materials
As the name suggests, these fences are grown from vegetation (plants and trees). The benefit of this type of fencing is that you have a lot of wiggle room for customization. Plants or trees are grown in a row to form a wall around your property.
Hedges are an example of this type of fencing. Although the maintenance of these fences is incredibly demanding (especially during the beginning stages, once established, there is less maintenance), the benefit is that you have an aesthetically pleasing fence.
They are, however, not always great for security, which is why many opt for a combination of these natural fences with a normal fence (especially chain link). By blocking a less desirable fence from view, you benefit from the other fence’s safety and security without compromising privacy and aesthetics.
Natural fences work as security when you plant thick trees or dense bamboo to create a wall. There will still be a risk of someone cutting through this fence, but the more densely growing or thick and hard the trunks are, the less likely someone will quickly succeed.
Slat Fences Design And Materials
Slat fences are simple and effective as privacy fencing. Fundamentally, these fences are many rails running horizontally (or vertically) between two posts.
The spacing of these rails can be altered, depending on the degree of privacy you desire. These fences often retain gaps between the slats, allowing sunlight onto lawns and gardens.
Slat fences are usually made from aluminum boards that are powder-coated. They come in a range of colors for customization purposes. These fences can also be made of wood, vinyl, and other metals.
Masonry Fences Design and Materials
These fences include gabion, brick, and precast concrete fences. These fences are incredibly secure, and if designed well, can create an appealing aesthetic to your property (although precast concrete remains unattractive).
However, they are expensive and do require a degree of expertise in erecting.
These fences will provide a high level of privacy as they form a wall around your property.
The Reason For, And Degree Of Privacy Needed, Determines The Materials
When choosing a fence design and material for privacy, the best choice of fence comes down to what your needs are; the purpose of the fence, your budget and time constraints, and what you are allowed to build (local government and homeowners association).
- What purposes does your fence need to fulfill?
- What designs appeal to you?
- What level of privacy do you need/want (does the fence need to obstruct views completely, or only partially)?
- What are your areas’ rules and regulations in what fences you can build?
- What are your budget restrictions, including both present and future maintenance requirements?
After answering these questions, you can better decide what type of fence you should choose.
What Enhances A Fence’s Privacy Function?
The purpose of these fences is to afford the owner the most privacy. This privacy includes limiting access to people and animals to the area, which is fenced off, blocking the view from passers-by, and preventing the most inquisitive of neighbors from peering in (over the top of the fence).
The truth is, a privacy fence will most likely need to serve additional purposes, such as keeping children and pets inside while still improving the security of your property. For this reason, a privacy fence needs to be multi-purposeful in its design and not only cater to maximizing privacy.
Privacy fences need to meet certain criteria, to meet these needs, which include:
- Privacy Fences Need To Be Strong And Sturdy
A privacy fence, like most fences, needs to be strong enough to support its weight. If this fence encompasses a property, chances are it needs to be strong enough to prevent people or animals from breaking it/pushing it over.
- Privacy Fences Need To Be Durable
Repeating work already completed, especially multiple times, is not ideal. Any fence you erect needs to be durable enough to last for the maximum time that its materials should realistically last. If the fence breaks prematurely, so does your privacy.
- Privacy Fences Should Be Designed To Be View Obstructing
A privacy fence needs to offer you seclusion from the view of other people, which means that a privacy fence should be designed with little to no gaps or viewpoints, through which to allow onlookers a view in.
Most privacy fences have a solid infill in their design (slats, panels, or other fencing materials are placed adjacently, leaving no gaps).
Privacy Fences Need To Be Tall Enough – here is an easy way to figure out how tall yours can be
These fences prohibit people from looking over into your yard. It does not help if the fence’s slats prevent people from seeing in, but the fence is low enough for people to look over. By ensuring the fence is a suitable height (between six and eight feet, but a minimum of at least 4 feet), it will be effective in keeping onlookers out.
- Privacy Fences Should Be Decorative And Not An Eyesore
Although privacy is crucial, it is still paramount to have a decent-looking fence once it’s built. Many privacy fences have a solid infill in the “middle reaches’ of the fence and decorative latticework or other designs on top of the fence (at six feet or higher).
Privacy fences have the potential to look imposing, ominous, or utterly ghastly, especially in areas where other properties are not fenced, or have decorative, open fencing.
Care should be taken in making the fence as attractive as possible to fit in as best as possible with the neighborhood.
It is important to note that many areas (municipalities and homeowners associations) have a set of rules and regulations governing what type of fence you may/may not build, including design, materials, height, etc.
Before you start building your fence (or hiring a contractor), it is critical to find out what these prerequisites are and any permits you may require to build a fence. Additionally, it is considered the correct thing to inform your neighbors about what you intend to do.
Conclusion
Although most fences provide a deal of privacy, certain fences are superior in the amount of privacy they afford. A fence’s compatibility to provide privacy is less dependent upon the materials used and more dependent on the style of fencing. However, wood, vinyl, masonry, and metal tend to be popular in privacy fencing materials.