Modern Fencing Trend: Horizontal Fencing

For decades, the standard in fencing has primarily consisted of vertical pickets and uprights. It’s a tried-and-true design popularized by the white picket fence model depicted in films and TV. Fencing design professionals originally introduced the horizontal fence in the 1950s and 1960s.

After a substantial run of popularity, fencing again returned to the vertical model. Today, individuals are seeking ways to express a greater sense of style in their fencing. The result is that those that want something new and trendy have reimagined horizontal fencing in multiple ways.

Aside from the unique appearance of a horizontal fence, they’re also quicker to install and they’re often less expensive since less material is needed to achieve the same effect as a vertical fence. They typically buffer more street noise than vertical fencing and a horizontal fence tricks the eye into perceiving a larger area than there actually is, which is handy for anyone trying to sell their home.

There are no hard and fast rules for today’s horizontal design. Individuals can incorporate different types of materials in their fencing. People are combining alternating colors and planks of varying widths for visual interest. No one ever said fence planks have be perfectly aligned and many are opting for planks that are staggered and uneven.

There’s also no rule that says fencing has to be constructed of the same type of wood. Fashionable homeowners across the nation are designing fencing that utilizes planks of different wood types. Pine, cedar and redwood are the most popular material combinations.

Once widely used for furniture, bamboo is quickly becoming a preferred fencing material as it weathers well in outdoor environments. An additional benefit is that bamboo is a renewable and eco-friendly resource.

If none of those options are appealing, there’s also louvred models – an entirely new direction for fencing. The louvres can be adjusted – just like louvred windows – to allow for specific levels of privacy.