Which Type of Garden Fence Should I Choose?
Slatted, louvred, larchlap... There are numerous options out there, so have a nosy over these fences for design ideas
Amanda Pollard
7 April 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Your choice of fence can have a big effect on the look of your garden, so it makes sense to consider all the different options. There’s more to a garden fence than just aesthetics, of course, and to ensure yours is fitted properly and provides the security, noise reduction, privacy and wind resistance you need, it’s important to get professional help. But before you start, check out this selection to assess how each style might look in your outside space.
Run across
If you’d like to give your garden a contemporary upgrade, horizontal slats are a great choice.
There are a few different designs available, including this wide-slatted version with narrow gaps between the timber battens. The horizontal lines visually widen the space and make a pleasing contrast to the tall, slim planting in front.
If you’d like to give your garden a contemporary upgrade, horizontal slats are a great choice.
There are a few different designs available, including this wide-slatted version with narrow gaps between the timber battens. The horizontal lines visually widen the space and make a pleasing contrast to the tall, slim planting in front.
Slim down
Alternatively, go for thinner slats like these. The look is similar, but the narrower battens give a lighter feel, which works particularly well in a compact garden.
The slats on these fences are long, so they form a continuous line around the perimeter of the garden. However, you can also buy fence panels with shorter slats separated by vertical posts.
Alternatively, go for thinner slats like these. The look is similar, but the narrower battens give a lighter feel, which works particularly well in a compact garden.
The slats on these fences are long, so they form a continuous line around the perimeter of the garden. However, you can also buy fence panels with shorter slats separated by vertical posts.
Space out
For an even lighter look, go for larger gaps between the battens, and try painting the fence in a pale shade. Here, the off-white panels blend in with the furniture and light wood decking, which helps to show off the simple planting around the space.
The light streams through the gaps in the fence and bounces around the garden, and at the same time the tree and plants cast shadows on the pale surfaces.
Search for local fencing and gate professionals on Houzz.
For an even lighter look, go for larger gaps between the battens, and try painting the fence in a pale shade. Here, the off-white panels blend in with the furniture and light wood decking, which helps to show off the simple planting around the space.
The light streams through the gaps in the fence and bounces around the garden, and at the same time the tree and plants cast shadows on the pale surfaces.
Search for local fencing and gate professionals on Houzz.
Take the long view
Thin slatted fences don’t have to be horizontal, of course. In this garden, the designers have created a surface of very thin timber battens to contrast with the adjacent horizontal design.
Discover more ideas for a small urban garden.
Thin slatted fences don’t have to be horizontal, of course. In this garden, the designers have created a surface of very thin timber battens to contrast with the adjacent horizontal design.
Discover more ideas for a small urban garden.
Add an angle
Horizontal fencing also comes in a louvre style like this one, with the slats set at a 45 degree angle.
Louvred fences are a great option if you want to combine ventilation with privacy. Air can circulate through the fence – helpful in a small, enclosed space – and light can filter in. However, anyone on the other side of the angled slats would struggle to see into your space.
Horizontal fencing also comes in a louvre style like this one, with the slats set at a 45 degree angle.
Louvred fences are a great option if you want to combine ventilation with privacy. Air can circulate through the fence – helpful in a small, enclosed space – and light can filter in. However, anyone on the other side of the angled slats would struggle to see into your space.
Close the gaps
If air circulation isn’t an issue and you prefer even more privacy, take inspiration from this front garden. This style of fencing is known as larchlap and features feathered timber boards in an overlapping arrangement.
Larchlap fences work well in a traditional garden, but here the designers have given the surface a contemporary look by painting it dark grey.
If air circulation isn’t an issue and you prefer even more privacy, take inspiration from this front garden. This style of fencing is known as larchlap and features feathered timber boards in an overlapping arrangement.
Larchlap fences work well in a traditional garden, but here the designers have given the surface a contemporary look by painting it dark grey.
Turn to the side
Closeboard fences are another design with overlapping boards, but this time they’re positioned vertically. They tend to be pricier than larchlap panels, and are harder to fit, but they’re also stronger and more durable.
Here, the garden designers have fitted a trellis to the top, adding height and interest to the solid fence.
Closeboard fences are another design with overlapping boards, but this time they’re positioned vertically. They tend to be pricier than larchlap panels, and are harder to fit, but they’re also stronger and more durable.
Here, the garden designers have fitted a trellis to the top, adding height and interest to the solid fence.
Look good from all angles
If you’d like a fence that’s attractive on both sides, a hit-and-miss design is a good choice. You can get this type of fence with a horizontal pattern, like this one, or with a vertical layout.
The timber panels are laid so they alternate between the front and back of the structure, meaning the fence looks the same from your neighbour’s garden as it does from yours.
The double-sided layout of a hit-and-miss fence makes it robust and private, but if you’re planning to paint it, be aware that the boards on the inside of the panel can be tricky to reach.
If you’d like a fence that’s attractive on both sides, a hit-and-miss design is a good choice. You can get this type of fence with a horizontal pattern, like this one, or with a vertical layout.
The timber panels are laid so they alternate between the front and back of the structure, meaning the fence looks the same from your neighbour’s garden as it does from yours.
The double-sided layout of a hit-and-miss fence makes it robust and private, but if you’re planning to paint it, be aware that the boards on the inside of the panel can be tricky to reach.
Check it out
If privacy and security aren’t a huge issue, consider installing a lattice fence around your garden. The beauty of a design like this is that it works like a trellis, allowing climbing plants to grow up and along it with ease.
Lattice fences come with vertical and horizontal slats, or with a diagonal layout. Their lightweight design makes them easy to install, and they instantly provide an attractive border to your outside space.
If privacy and security aren’t a huge issue, consider installing a lattice fence around your garden. The beauty of a design like this is that it works like a trellis, allowing climbing plants to grow up and along it with ease.
Lattice fences come with vertical and horizontal slats, or with a diagonal layout. Their lightweight design makes them easy to install, and they instantly provide an attractive border to your outside space.
Weave it in
For a traditional-style boundary with added texture, you could opt for a horizontal weave design. Wooden panels are woven in and out of vertical struts to resemble the pattern on a wicker basket.
The woven panels create a design of interspersed gaps, which cast a lovely dappled light when the sun shines through them.
Here, the owners have positioned a short structure above a wall, but this type of fence could equally go from ground level.
For a traditional-style boundary with added texture, you could opt for a horizontal weave design. Wooden panels are woven in and out of vertical struts to resemble the pattern on a wicker basket.
The woven panels create a design of interspersed gaps, which cast a lovely dappled light when the sun shines through them.
Here, the owners have positioned a short structure above a wall, but this type of fence could equally go from ground level.
Play with lines
Here’s an interesting fence design. Wooden slats are positioned diagonally along the panels with small gaps between them. Each panel is laid out at a different angle to create a chevron pattern along the garden’s boundary.
A pattern like this would work well in a contemporary garden with simple planting that won’t distract from the design.
Tell us…
Which of these fence styles appeals to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Here’s an interesting fence design. Wooden slats are positioned diagonally along the panels with small gaps between them. Each panel is laid out at a different angle to create a chevron pattern along the garden’s boundary.
A pattern like this would work well in a contemporary garden with simple planting that won’t distract from the design.
Tell us…
Which of these fence styles appeals to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Eager to see a feature (+ examples, stockists) of composite fencing and gate components that we could install ourselves. Light and dark grey appear to be the only colour choices.
Went for a planed timber fence a few years ago and painted it birch green to match the shed as it is dark at that side of the garden . Decided to go for a good quality one as the previous one was falling to bits, stained brown and had neighbours trellis which was heavy dragging it down it spots. We paid for it though.
It is lovely against the planting, and I will probably experiment with colours in time, if my family cooperate :))
Does anyone know how high you can go with horizontal slatted fences. I read somewhere that you can go over 2 metres as it isn't a solid fence, but cannot now find where I read it.