Seeing materials without the photos
Choosing a fence from a small online photo is hard. Color shifts on screens, and a swatch tells you little about how a whole run will look beside your house or after five winters. This guide describes each material in words: its surface, its sheen, how it takes color, and how it tends to change with age. Seeing real samples and installed examples in daylight is still the best test.
Wood
Look and texture. Warm, natural and varied. Grain and knots give every board some individuality. Cedar and redwood have reddish or honey tones, while pressure-treated pine often starts greenish or tan. Surfaces range from smooth to rough-sawn.
Color and finish. Wood is the most flexible for color. It takes opaque paint, semi-transparent stain or clear sealer. Semi-transparent stains let grain show; solid-color stains and paint hide it but give a uniform effect. For details on application, see how painting fences works and how fence staining differs.
Aging. Without a finish, wood weathers to silvery gray, which some people like. With a finish, color slowly fades and needs renewal. Boards can cup, check or darken where water sits. Many styles are possible, from wood fence styles like picket and shadowbox to modern horizontal slat arrangements.
Vinyl
Look and texture. Clean, uniform and smooth, sometimes with an embossed wood-grain texture. The classic color is white, with tan, gray and a few other shades available. Panels look consistent from one section to the next.
Color and finish. The color is typically molded into the material, so there is nothing to paint, and painting is generally not recommended. That limits choice but removes upkeep.
Aging. It can slowly yellow, fade or chalk, and shaded areas may show green mildew that washes off. It does not develop the character that wood does; it either looks neat or looks tired.
Aluminum
Look and texture. Slim, crisp and open, with vertical pickets and sometimes small decorative tops. The finish is a smooth powder coat, most often black, with bronze, white and other colors offered.
Color and finish. Colors are applied at the factory. Choosing a color that matches the house trim or window frames creates a polished look.
Aging. The finish tends to hold well, with gradual fading in strong sun. Chips can reveal bare metal, which may show white oxidation. It reads as light and elegant rather than massive.
Steel
Look and texture. Sturdier and heavier-looking than aluminum, with thicker bars and a more substantial gate. It ranges from plain and industrial to detailed and decorative. Modern designs use flat panels, slats or perforated sheets in matte black or earth tones.
Color and finish. Powder coating, galvanizing and paint are common. Weathering steel, which forms a rust-colored surface on purpose, is sometimes used in modern designs; it is a distinct material choice, not a flaw.
Aging. A well-coated steel fence keeps its look for years, while neglected spots show rust streaks.
Wrought iron and iron-style
Look and texture. Classic and formal: scrolls, finials, and curved gates. It has a hand-made impression and a strong presence, which suits older and traditional homes. See the discussion of the ornate iron fence for more on the style.
Color and finish. Usually black or dark in gloss, satin or matte. Repainting can refresh it.
Aging. Chips and rust show up first on horizontal surfaces and joints. A sheen that was glossy when new typically dulls.
Composite
Look and texture. Resembles wood, with a grain pattern and slightly matte surface, but more regular. Colors are usually earth tones such as brown, gray or tan, often with some variation from board to board.
Color and finish. Color comes with the material, and painting is usually not part of the plan.
Aging. It may lighten over time, and some products fade evenly. Shaded surfaces may collect mildew that cleaning removes.
Masonry
Look and texture. Solid, textured and permanent. Brick has a regular pattern, stone is varied and rugged, and stucco or painted block appears smoother. Piers are often topped with caps.
Color and finish. Brick and stone keep their natural color. Stucco and block can be painted.
Aging. Develops a gentle patina, with occasional moss or efflorescence (white mineral deposits) in damp areas.
Putting it on your house
To picture a fence on your home, compare these descriptions with your siding, roof and trim. A few quick guides help:
- Match or complement trim and window frame colors.
- Consider whether you want the fence to blend in or to be a feature.
- Keep the neighborhood in mind; a few drives or walks to look at nearby fences can help with your neighborhood fence style.
- Look at samples outdoors in morning and afternoon light.
Finally, check any rules on colors, materials and height with your homeowner association or local authority before ordering.