6 Practical Fencing Ideas You Haven't Thought of Yet
Giving the humble paling fence a run for its money, these alternatives are just as practical and boast good looks too
Josh Harrison
16 May 2015
Houzz contributor based in Sydney and owner of Harrison's Landscaping and The Balcony Garden. I started Harrison's Landscaping the day after I finished my apprentice at 22 years of age. Since then, the business has grown into a company of 30+ amazing people with four divisions: design, construction, pools and maintenance.
Thanks to the quality of our staff who share my love of gardens, Harrison's has experienced great success, including multiple magazine covers, a garden featured on Grand Designs Australia and a best show Gold Medal at the Australian Garden Show Sydney in 2014.
Houzz contributor based in Sydney and owner of Harrison's Landscaping and The Balcony... More
Fences are used to provide security, delineate between boundaries and entice you into the garden to see what lies beyond. Depending on the purpose of your fence, there are, however, many more options than the humble timber-paling fence. Fencing plays an integral part in both garden design and architecture, and there are now shapes, sizes, materials and styles of all sorts, to suit every purpose – no matter how unusual – and budget.
The fence you choose will make a statement about your property, so deserves careful planning and consideration. With today’s gardens getting smaller, the luxury of hiding an unsightly fence behind a thick hedge of greenery is just not practical. The following examples prove that alternative fencing options are only limited by your imagination.
The fence you choose will make a statement about your property, so deserves careful planning and consideration. With today’s gardens getting smaller, the luxury of hiding an unsightly fence behind a thick hedge of greenery is just not practical. The following examples prove that alternative fencing options are only limited by your imagination.
1. Corten panels
I’m a huge fan of the country gardens designed by Nicholas Bray Landscapes. You can see how effective his solid pieces of Corten steel fencing are here.
Rather than using a transparent form of fencing such as glass or aluminium pool fencing, the solid panels create a sense of privacy in the space.
Fencing can play a huge role in getting the scale of a property right. These solid panels are a great idea for a large garden on a country estate or acreage.
I’m a huge fan of the country gardens designed by Nicholas Bray Landscapes. You can see how effective his solid pieces of Corten steel fencing are here.
Rather than using a transparent form of fencing such as glass or aluminium pool fencing, the solid panels create a sense of privacy in the space.
Fencing can play a huge role in getting the scale of a property right. These solid panels are a great idea for a large garden on a country estate or acreage.
2. Scyon
For instances where total privacy is required and you need a solid fence, using a product like Scyon is a great alternative to paling fencing. Scyon is most commonly used to clad the exterior of houses and has a geometric, expressed-joint look. It’s durable, easy to work with and quick to install.
You simply hire a pro to build a timber frame with galvanised metal posts then fix the Scyon panels directly to the frame. The offset-expressed joints create interest and a visual backdrop far more interesting than a standard rendered wall.
The other great thing about using Scyon is that it gives the illusion of a solid masonry wall, when it’s actually just a fence. Scyon requires no rendering, just a few coats of paint and it’s ready to go.
Find a fencing professional near you on Houzz for expert advice on refreshing your home’s fencing
For instances where total privacy is required and you need a solid fence, using a product like Scyon is a great alternative to paling fencing. Scyon is most commonly used to clad the exterior of houses and has a geometric, expressed-joint look. It’s durable, easy to work with and quick to install.
You simply hire a pro to build a timber frame with galvanised metal posts then fix the Scyon panels directly to the frame. The offset-expressed joints create interest and a visual backdrop far more interesting than a standard rendered wall.
The other great thing about using Scyon is that it gives the illusion of a solid masonry wall, when it’s actually just a fence. Scyon requires no rendering, just a few coats of paint and it’s ready to go.
Find a fencing professional near you on Houzz for expert advice on refreshing your home’s fencing
3. Laser-etched screens
Laser-etched screens have been around for many years now, but I’ve recently seen some amazing designs and patterns emerging.
I particularly like the designs that feature less metal, like the one pictured here. After all, it’s the negative space that’s the real star.
Laser-etched screens are the perfect solution for creating privacy when an aesthetically pleasing background is required. They’re easy to install, manufactured off site and look amazing surrounded by plants.
I’ve used both Corten and powder-coated steel for feature screens and many different variations of patterns. Get creative, have some fun and ask your steel fabricator to push the boundaries with what can be done.
The Seduction of Outdoor Sculptures, Screens and Installations
Laser-etched screens have been around for many years now, but I’ve recently seen some amazing designs and patterns emerging.
I particularly like the designs that feature less metal, like the one pictured here. After all, it’s the negative space that’s the real star.
Laser-etched screens are the perfect solution for creating privacy when an aesthetically pleasing background is required. They’re easy to install, manufactured off site and look amazing surrounded by plants.
I’ve used both Corten and powder-coated steel for feature screens and many different variations of patterns. Get creative, have some fun and ask your steel fabricator to push the boundaries with what can be done.
The Seduction of Outdoor Sculptures, Screens and Installations
4. Off-form concrete
While it’s definitely not a cheap option, off-form concrete is guaranteed to make a statement. It’s bold, industrial and, funnily enough, complements hardwood timber.
I’ve just finished designing a front fence with large panels of off-form concrete, with sections of vertical hardwood battens, for a property on Sydney’s northern beaches in NSW. The house was a contemporary architecturally-designed home and the raw concrete fence made a grand statement at the front of the property.
I certainly wouldn’t suggest this style of fencing for all homes, though – it needs to complement a contemporary home and can very easily look out of place.
8 surprising ways to use concrete that won’t leave you feeling cold
While it’s definitely not a cheap option, off-form concrete is guaranteed to make a statement. It’s bold, industrial and, funnily enough, complements hardwood timber.
I’ve just finished designing a front fence with large panels of off-form concrete, with sections of vertical hardwood battens, for a property on Sydney’s northern beaches in NSW. The house was a contemporary architecturally-designed home and the raw concrete fence made a grand statement at the front of the property.
I certainly wouldn’t suggest this style of fencing for all homes, though – it needs to complement a contemporary home and can very easily look out of place.
8 surprising ways to use concrete that won’t leave you feeling cold
5. Vertical timber screening
We’ve all seen thousands of horizontal timber screens over the past decade. To be honest, though, I feel the once always-reliable horizontal-slat screen has been done to death lately. It’s amazing how modern and contemporary a thin profile, timber vertical-batten screen looks compared to the horizontal variety.
Lately I’ve been designing vertical-batten screens using 42 x 19-millimetre spotted gum with a 10-millimetre gap between the boards. If you’re going to give it a try, it’s worth spending the time getting all your screws in a straight line for an expert finish or better yet, hire a professional for a superior result.
This style of screening is a great option when you have a standard timber-paling fence that you’re looking to jazz up. Your chosen professional can install some galvanised posts with a treated-pine frame directly in front of the boundary fence then clad it with vertical batons. It’ll create a dramatic backdrop and make an instant feature out of an otherwise plain, boring fence.
We’ve all seen thousands of horizontal timber screens over the past decade. To be honest, though, I feel the once always-reliable horizontal-slat screen has been done to death lately. It’s amazing how modern and contemporary a thin profile, timber vertical-batten screen looks compared to the horizontal variety.
Lately I’ve been designing vertical-batten screens using 42 x 19-millimetre spotted gum with a 10-millimetre gap between the boards. If you’re going to give it a try, it’s worth spending the time getting all your screws in a straight line for an expert finish or better yet, hire a professional for a superior result.
This style of screening is a great option when you have a standard timber-paling fence that you’re looking to jazz up. Your chosen professional can install some galvanised posts with a treated-pine frame directly in front of the boundary fence then clad it with vertical batons. It’ll create a dramatic backdrop and make an instant feature out of an otherwise plain, boring fence.
6. Large format vertical timbers
I love large-format hardwood timbers set vertically with no frame as a fencing option. It creates such a spectacular effect and, at the same time, it’s not as intrusive as solid fencing as your eye can penetrate the perimeter.
The vertical posts or timber battens can be either set directly into the ground or fixed to a low wall, as in this image.
This type of fencing can also be used as pool-safe fencing. Just make sure you keep it above 1,200 millimetres high, and ensure the gaps between posts are a maximum of 100 millimetres. I set the gap between our posts to 90 millimetres to allow for the timber to shrink during the dryer months.
Your turn
Which type of fencing do you have at your home? Tell us if it’s a dream or a disaster in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more natural fencing inspiration? Read how to Block Out Thy Neighbour: Privacy Plants for the Modern Home
I love large-format hardwood timbers set vertically with no frame as a fencing option. It creates such a spectacular effect and, at the same time, it’s not as intrusive as solid fencing as your eye can penetrate the perimeter.
The vertical posts or timber battens can be either set directly into the ground or fixed to a low wall, as in this image.
This type of fencing can also be used as pool-safe fencing. Just make sure you keep it above 1,200 millimetres high, and ensure the gaps between posts are a maximum of 100 millimetres. I set the gap between our posts to 90 millimetres to allow for the timber to shrink during the dryer months.
Your turn
Which type of fencing do you have at your home? Tell us if it’s a dream or a disaster in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more natural fencing inspiration? Read how to Block Out Thy Neighbour: Privacy Plants for the Modern Home
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Some really great ideas! Fencing should always incorporate into the landscaping on the property and highlight
it effectively.
Just finished a fence between 2 towhouses we built. Didn't want the paling fence and these citrus will espalier in time providing privacy and edible benefits.
Wow this looks great - did you build this yourself?