Though your backyard fence is a practical feature for safety and privacy, the right fence can dramatically enhance your home’s curb appeal. A horizontal fence offers a clean, organized look that complements your home’s design, landscaping, and backyard features.
Horizontal fences are a growing trend for Austin homeowners for good reason, including versatile designs that work well with the craftsman, bungalow, contemporary, and Spanish and Mediterranean styles that are typical of the city.
With so many designs, colors, materials, and features, horizontal fences suit just about any home or landscape. Here are 11 stunning ideas to inspire you.
Great for pets
A horizontal wood fence with metal posts combines the natural aesthetic of wood with the durability and stability of metal. These posts are resistant to rot, warping, and insect damage, which are common issues with traditional wooden posts. Additionally, the horizontal orientation of the wood boards reduces the risk of sagging over time, maintaining a clean and uniform look.
Horizontal wood fences with metal posts offer versatility in design, allowing for customization in terms of wood type, stain color, and board spacing. This flexibility allows you to match the fence to your exterior aesthetic and complement your landscape design.
Great for sloped properties
A horizontal cedar fence with a gate on a slope offers both practicality and aesthetic appeal to outdoor spaces. Constructed with cedar boards arranged horizontally, this style of fence exudes a modern and natural charm. The addition of a gate creates access while maintaining the continuity of the fence line, making it suitable for sloped landscapes.
Cedar, known for its natural resistance to decay and insects, is an ideal choice for outdoor fencing. Its durability ensures longevity, requiring minimal maintenance over time. The horizontal orientation of the cedar boards provides a contemporary look and can help visually expand smaller outdoor spaces.
Great for privacy
A horizontal board-on-board fence for a backyard offers a blend of privacy, style, and durability. In this design, wooden boards are positioned horizontally and overlap slightly, providing a seamless barrier that obstructs the view from outside. Depending on the type of wood used, such as cedar or redwood, the fence can also contribute to the natural aesthetic of the surroundings.
The board-on-board construction adds an extra layer of privacy compared to traditional fence designs, as there are no visible gaps between the boards. This makes it an excellent choice if you value seclusion in your outdoor spaces.
Great for backyards
A horizontal basket weave cedar fence offers a unique and eye-catching alternative to traditional fencing designs. Instead of the typical vertical or horizontal board arrangement, this style features cedar boards woven together horizontally and vertically, creating a distinctive basket-like pattern. While offering a sense of seclusion, the alternating weave also allows for air circulation, helping to prevent the buildup of moisture and maintain the health of surrounding plants.
The use of cedar wood adds natural beauty and durability to the fence. Cedar is renowned for its resistance to decay, insects, and rot, making it a great choice for outdoor structures. Additionally, the warm tones and natural grain of cedar complement various architectural styles and landscaping, enhancing the overall aesthetics.
Great for modern homes
A modern horizontal fence offers a sleek and contemporary option. Typically constructed with materials such as wood, metal, or composite, modern horizontal fences can be customized to suit various preferences and Austin architectural styles. For example, using natural wood like cedar or redwood lends warmth and texture to the fence, while metal or composite materials offer a more industrial or minimalist look.
One of the key features of a modern horizontal fence is its versatility. You can choose different board sizes, spacings, and finishes to achieve your desired look. Additionally, modern fencing designs often incorporate elements such as slat spacing or alternating board widths to add visual interest and depth.
Great for front yards
A horizontal fence for the front yard offers a fresh and modern approach to curb appeal while providing practical benefits. One of the main advantages of a horizontal fence in the front yard is its ability to enhance the visual appeal of the property. The modern design can complement a variety of architectural styles, from craftsman to contemporary, adding character and sophistication to the front yard.
A horizontal fence can create a sense of openness while still providing a boundary for the property. The horizontal orientation of the boards allows for airflow and visibility, maintaining a connection with the surrounding landscape and neighborhood.
Great for modern homes
A decorative horizontal fence with an iron gate combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, creating an elegant and stylish entrance for your home. The combination of wood and iron creates a striking contrast that captures attention and adds curb appeal. The decorative elements of the iron gate, such as scrolls, finials, or geometric patterns, can be customized to complement the architectural style of the home and reflect your personal taste.
This type of fence and gate combination also offers practical benefits. The sturdy construction of the iron gate provides security and access control, while the horizontal fence provides privacy and boundary definition for the property. Together, they create a welcoming and functional entrance that enhances both the beauty and security of your home.
Great for backyards
A horizontal fence with a top cap is a stylish and functional choice, combining modern design with practicality. The addition of a top cap, typically made of wood or metal, provides added strength and stability to the fence, helping to prevent warping or sagging over time. This ensures that the fence maintains its clean lines and uniform appearance for years to come.
You can choose from a variety of materials and finishes for both the horizontal boards and the top cap, allowing for customization to match the aesthetic of the property. Whether opting for natural wood for a rustic look or sleek metal for a modern feel, there are options to suit every style preference.
Great for privacy
A horizontal fence with slats and a top cap offers a modern and stylish solution for residential properties seeking privacy, security, and aesthetic appeal. The addition of a top cap, typically made of wood or metal, adds an extra layer of protection and structural integrity to the fence while providing a finished look.
Beyond its visual appeal, this type of fence provides privacy and security for the property. The solid construction of the slats and top cap obstructs the view from outside, creating a sense of seclusion, while still allowing airflow and light to pass through. This makes it suitable for backyard boundaries, patio enclosures, or garden partitions.
Great for modern homes
A horizontal mixed slat fence offers a unique and visually appealing alternative to traditional fencing designs. You can choose from a variety of materials, colors, and textures for the slats, allowing for endless customization options to suit your needs.
A horizontal mixed slat fence provides privacy, security, and boundary definition for outdoor spaces. The solid construction of the fence obstructs the view from outside while still allowing airflow and light to pass through, maintaining a sense of openness.
Great for backyards
A horizontal wood fence with a seamless gate combines modern design with practical functionality, offering both aesthetic appeal and ease of access to outdoor spaces. In this style, wooden boards are arranged horizontally, creating clean lines and a contemporary look, while the seamless gate integrates with the fence for a cohesive appearance.
The gate enhances the overall look of the fence by blending in with the surrounding structure. When closed, it maintains the clean lines of the fence, while when open, it provides convenient access to the property without disrupting the flow of the design.
Great for backyards
A horizontal fence with black exposed posts offers a striking and contemporary fencing solution for residential properties seeking a modern aesthetic. Horizontal wooden boards with black exposed posts provide a bold contrast and add visual interest for a modern and sophisticated aesthetic that can complement a variety of architectural styles.
This type of fence provides privacy, security, and boundary definition for outdoor spaces. The solid construction of the fence, along with the sturdy black metal posts, offers durability and stability, ensuring the fence stands strong against the elements and the test of time.
Horizontal fences offer a lot of benefits beyond aesthetic appeal, including:
Looking for more fence ideas? Check out 15 types of wood fences.
There are many factors to consider in choosing the right material for your horizontal fence. Here are the common options:
If you’re considering a horizontal fence, you have the option to take on the project yourself or hire a professional.
With DIY installation, you can save money on labor costs by doing the work yourself. Keep in mind that you will need to purchase the materials and perhaps take time off to complete the installation, which you should factor into the total cost.
DIY installation is more flexible as well. You can customize the design and materials according to your preferences and work at your own pace. When you’re finished, there’s a sense of accomplishment and pride in your workmanship.
However, there are downsides to DIY installation. It’s a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, especially if you lack the experience or tools for the job. Installation requires a certain level of skill and knowledge to avoid mistakes that can compromise the durability of your fence. if you install your fence wrong, you could end up with uneven boards, leaning posts, gaps in the fence, and more, which you’ll need to pay to fix.
With professional installation, you have the peace of mind of knowing that your fence is installed correctly and efficiently. Contractors have the skills, tools, and knowledge to handle your fence installation and ensure a quality result. They can complete the work in a shorter timeframe as well, so you can enjoy your fence sooner. Many professional installers offer warranties or guarantees.
However, professional installation comes with a higher upfront cost compared to DIY installation. This cost is worth it if you value quality, convenience, and peace of mind. In addition, you have to coordinate schedules and communicate with your contractor, which may take time.
Ready to install your horizontal fence? Get an instant online fence quote for professional fence installation or contact us to schedule your consultation!
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