Garden barbecues, sunbathing, reading on the terrace… sunny days bring the pleasures of summer, and you can finally enjoy your outdoor space! To remain alone, with family, or with guests without the neighbor’s dog stealing sausages—or simply to protect your privacy—installing a fence is the solution. Here’s everything you need to know about this true “Swiss Army knife” of the garden and its multiple uses.
What Is a Fence?
The dictionary defines it as a “barrier made of stakes or boards, more or less closely spaced.” What does that mean exactly?
Originally
Before becoming the charming and picturesque barrier we know today, fencing consisted of stakes forming a fortification to prevent enemies from passing. A purely defensive system made from readily available materials (wood), regardless of where the fence was erected.
The Gaulish village of Asterix and Obelix, for example, is surrounded by a fence, as are Roman camps.
Today
Following the dictionary definition, it is a way to mark boundaries and enclose a property using a wooden fence.
Rest assured, if you are not a professional in the field, it is quite common to mix terms and use “fence” to refer to any enclosure, privacy panel, or screen surrounding your garden or protecting your terrace—wood or otherwise.
In principle, there is still a difference with a trellis, which serves only to divide spaces within your garden itself, not to enclose it.
Note: a fence can be solid, with no gaps between the wooden slats, slatted to allow light through, or decorated with ornamental features.
Why Install a Fence?
While the primary purpose of a fence is to enclose your outdoor space, it has other advantages. Privacy screen, sunshade, windbreak, decoration… Here are 5 good reasons to install a fence around your garden.
1. Mark Your Boundaries
Its main purpose remains to define your property. Although times have changed and we no longer erect fortress-like defenses, the principle of enclosing your outdoor space remains. By installing a fence, you clearly separate your garden or terrace from your neighbors’, and passersby will not walk on your lawn or well-maintained flowerbeds thinking they are in a public space. It is not an impenetrable wall—the neighborhood cat will always find a way in—but rather a boundary marker indicating no trespassing.
2. Serve as a Privacy Screen
Installing a sufficiently tall fence also helps preserve your privacy. Without necessarily erecting a 4-meter-high fence (be mindful of local regulations!), a fence at human height allows you to enjoy your garden in complete peace. Curious onlookers will no longer be able to sneak a glance at your property, and you can enjoy a nap in the sun undisturbed.
3. Provide Sun Protection
A slatted or solid fence provides some shade in your garden. In the middle of August, this is a pleasant advantage for you… and for your plants!
4. Reduce Wind
Like a privacy screen, a wooden fence shelters you from the wind. This will naturally depend on the height chosen and the spacing between the slats. Logically, a solid fence will block wind better than a slatted one. In any case, it will reduce light breezes that can sometimes be too chilly in the evening and limit changes in the direction of barbecue smoke. Note: the thicker the slats, the better the wind protection.
5. Add a Decorative Touch
Choosing a wooden fence means opting for the natural character of this material. Rustic and country-style or modern and sleek—it’s up to you! The decorative possibilities for enhancing your garden’s aesthetics are endless. And since wood is easy to paint, you are free to change regularly, choose a discreet color, or, on the contrary, something vibrant! It is the ideal support for climbing plants, string lights, birdhouses, hanging flower pots… and why not mirrors, mosaics, or other artwork of your choice? Make your garden a space of well-being that reflects you and where you feel comfortable.
For more information, please contact us! We will be happy to help you find the wooden fence that suits you.
How to Choose Your Garden Fence?
Did you know there are different types of wooden fences?
Wood, Yes, but Which Kind?
The wood species chosen allows for color variations while remaining natural. However, nothing prevents you from making a small departure from traditional fencing by choosing another material, sometimes better suited to your garden.
- Wood. This is obviously the most common choice, with a relatively low price for an attractive finish. However, it requires regular maintenance with paint or, to preserve the natural appearance, wood stain. Untreated wood will last less long and will quickly change color, turning dull gray.
- Composite Wood Also called resin, this type of wood is actually a blend of natural fibers mixed with plastic resin. It is an excellent alternative to natural wood, bypassing the environmental issues associated with the mass importation of exotic woods. This material has the same appearance as wood while being much more resistant to weather and fungi and requires less maintenance. All these advantages come at a cost: composite wood is more expensive than traditional wood, and it is not suitable for those who enjoy painting, since, unlike traditional wood, composite wood cannot be painted. So choose the color carefully, as it will remain as-is.
- PVC. You can choose PVC slats imitating wood or opt for bolder color choices. PVC has the advantage of being very easy to install and requires very little maintenance while being more affordable than composite wood. However, it is less durable than the two previous materials and therefore deteriorates more quickly.
- Aluminum We move away from wood and traditional fencing, but aluminum allows for modern-design fences that last over time without fearing weather, fungi, or corrosion. An ultra-durable material is naturally more expensive than its counterparts.
A possible alternative: choose a rigid mesh panel onto which you slide wooden slats for a clean finish and good levels of privacy and protection from wind and sun! A modern and versatile combination.
What Shape for My Fence?
After choosing the wood—or equivalent—the next step is to determine the arrangement of the boards!
- Classic: slats are installed vertically, or sometimes horizontally, for a clean and uniform finish.
- Louvered: by angling the slats at your chosen degree to draw the eye outward, and possibly allowing some sunlight through by spacing them.
- Lattice: wooden strips form diamond shapes through which light passes. Privacy-wise, this is not ideal, but it allows climbing plants such as ivy or vines to grow, creating a green wall that protects you from prying eyes.
- Woven: flexible wooden strips are woven—hence the name!—from post to post. The result is natural, allows light to pass through slightly while preserving your privacy.
Tip: alternate panels and install lattice sections along your classic fence, or even artificial hedges to vary the view without requiring too much maintenance.
Two Ways to Install Your Fence
When installing your wooden fence, two options are available:
- 1Framed Panels: the quickest and simplest solution to do yourself. The wooden slats are already prepared and fixed between the posts. The installer or you simply need to attach the all-in-one panels directly.
- 2Custom Panels: more choice and possibilities. If you are looking for a slightly more personalized wooden fence, custom panels allow you to choose the height of the posts as well as the slats between them. Height, wood type, thickness, spacing between boards… adapt your fence to your garden.
Rules to Know
You have every right to wish to enclose and mark the boundaries of your property. If you own a detached house, you will have considerable freedom on this matter, as long as you do not exceed certain heights and comply with legal distances. Generally, choose a fence at least 2 meters high to preserve your privacy, and do not exceed 2.6 meters. It is still advisable to check with your town hall’s planning department to learn about local requirements.
In a condominium or apartment building, the property management may require uniformity in privacy screens, fences, and other exterior features.
Finally, in rare cases, a building permit or planning permission may be required. Again, the simplest approach is to check with the planning department to learn about requirements related to your town’s local development plan (PLU).
Also read: How to Choose Your Balcony Privacy Screen?
Fences no longer hold any secrets for you! Shape, color, material, mix of styles… do not hesitate to consult a professional to find the wooden fence you need. And enjoy your outdoor haven in complete peace of mind!
Dans le même thème
Expert in fencing, gates, and outdoor landscaping since 2019.
Holds a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing – SEO, UX/UI.
View LinkedIn profile
