Design Workshop: How to Choose Your Garden Walls and Fences
We ask a lot of our fences and walls, so be sure to choose the right style and materials to suit your garden and your home
Carol Bucknell
15 May 2016
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises in writing about gardens, houses and design. Author of two books on garden design: Contemporary gardens of New Zealand and Big Ideas for Small Gardens both published by Penguin. I also design gardens and am a passionate gardener. Currently I write the garden pages for New Zealand magazine Your Home & Garden and contribute to NZ Gardener and NZ House & Garden magazines.
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises... More
By now you will have worked out what you want in your garden and where everything in it should be (see my guide to creating your garden layout). The next stage in the design process is to define the boundaries and the different spaces within the garden. Whether you would prefer to do this by building a solid wall or a sectional fence – or using something fancier, like a pierced screen – there are a lot of things to consider to make sure you create the right boundary structure for your home.
Painting existing boundary structures
Unless you’ve moved into a brand new subdivision, chances are you’ll have inherited the boundary fences or walls. If these are not too flash, there are plenty of things you can do to improve them without breaking the bank. Remember, fences or walls are very dominant features in a garden so if they’re horrible – change them before you do anything else.
Paint and stains are marvellous things; they can hide a multitude of sins. Paint can be used to spruce up concrete, timber, steel, iron, even brick. For a coordinated look, match the colour to one of those used on your house, e.g. on window trim.
PROS: This option is low cost, requires little DIY skill, saves you money on building new boundary structures and instantly revitalises the garden.
CONS: Painted structures need regular maintenance.
Unless you’ve moved into a brand new subdivision, chances are you’ll have inherited the boundary fences or walls. If these are not too flash, there are plenty of things you can do to improve them without breaking the bank. Remember, fences or walls are very dominant features in a garden so if they’re horrible – change them before you do anything else.
Paint and stains are marvellous things; they can hide a multitude of sins. Paint can be used to spruce up concrete, timber, steel, iron, even brick. For a coordinated look, match the colour to one of those used on your house, e.g. on window trim.
PROS: This option is low cost, requires little DIY skill, saves you money on building new boundary structures and instantly revitalises the garden.
CONS: Painted structures need regular maintenance.
However, if you do decide that you want to install a brand new wall or fence for your property, there are many options to consider. Before you start building, establish exactly what you want from your boundary structures – this will make it easier to decide on the appropriate style and materials. Your fence or wall can be used to achieve the following goals:
- Define the edges of your property.
- Create a sense of enclosure within your garden.
- Provide security for children and pets.
- Give you privacy.
- Shelter people and plants from wind.
- Reduce noise and pollution.
- Extend the architecture of the house into the garden by using similar materials and/or colours.
- Focus attractive views.
- Screen unattractive views.
Timber
Good old versatile timber. Where would we be without it? It is one of the cheapest materials for boundary structures, but it does require maintenance. Some of the many timber fencing options including paling, often built with a trellis top; pickets and
tongue and groove (also sold in panels). Timber fences can be used for virtually any style of garden as long as the design reflects the architecture of the house as this picket fence does.
PROS: There are many options available at the low end of the price range. Timber is versatile, can be painted or stained or left to weather for a rustic look, and picket and wide-spaced palings create transparency between your garden and the street.
CONS: Timber needs regular maintenance, and is not as durable as concrete, stone, brick or steel.
Good old versatile timber. Where would we be without it? It is one of the cheapest materials for boundary structures, but it does require maintenance. Some of the many timber fencing options including paling, often built with a trellis top; pickets and
tongue and groove (also sold in panels). Timber fences can be used for virtually any style of garden as long as the design reflects the architecture of the house as this picket fence does.
PROS: There are many options available at the low end of the price range. Timber is versatile, can be painted or stained or left to weather for a rustic look, and picket and wide-spaced palings create transparency between your garden and the street.
CONS: Timber needs regular maintenance, and is not as durable as concrete, stone, brick or steel.
Timber battens
Vertical and horizontal timber battens, more specifically, are a lightweight timber material used for screening, boundary structures and as a support for climbing plants. They can be stained, painted or left to weather. Horizontal battens have been very popular in the last 10 years and can be used to make a garden space seem wider. Vertical battens are now very on-trend and can be used at varying heights.
PROS: Batten fences are cost effective, relatively easy to build and versatile – spacings can be varied according to the level of privacy required. They’re also a great option for improving an existing wall or fence.
CONS: They have a short life span (10-30 years depending on coatings used) compared to concrete stone, brick or steel, and may also need more regular maintenance.
Vertical and horizontal timber battens, more specifically, are a lightweight timber material used for screening, boundary structures and as a support for climbing plants. They can be stained, painted or left to weather. Horizontal battens have been very popular in the last 10 years and can be used to make a garden space seem wider. Vertical battens are now very on-trend and can be used at varying heights.
PROS: Batten fences are cost effective, relatively easy to build and versatile – spacings can be varied according to the level of privacy required. They’re also a great option for improving an existing wall or fence.
CONS: They have a short life span (10-30 years depending on coatings used) compared to concrete stone, brick or steel, and may also need more regular maintenance.
Corten steel
One of the most popular materials for fences and walls in contemporary gardens, Corten steel (also known as weathering steel) is used to particularly good effect in this stunning pool fence and pavilion. Corten gradually weathers to a self-protecting warm rust colour that suits both urban and rural gardens. The patina resists corrosion so the walls and fences don’t need painting or weather-proofing, but the fence retains its structural integrity.
PROS: Corten adds a contemporary look to a garden, is low maintenance, thinner than brick or stone so ideal for tight spaces, and is versatile – so it can be used for variety of structures.
CONS: It’s one of the more expensive boundary materials, and requires skilled installation.
7 ways with Corten weathering steel
One of the most popular materials for fences and walls in contemporary gardens, Corten steel (also known as weathering steel) is used to particularly good effect in this stunning pool fence and pavilion. Corten gradually weathers to a self-protecting warm rust colour that suits both urban and rural gardens. The patina resists corrosion so the walls and fences don’t need painting or weather-proofing, but the fence retains its structural integrity.
PROS: Corten adds a contemporary look to a garden, is low maintenance, thinner than brick or stone so ideal for tight spaces, and is versatile – so it can be used for variety of structures.
CONS: It’s one of the more expensive boundary materials, and requires skilled installation.
7 ways with Corten weathering steel
Corrugated iron
Once only seen in rural properties, corrugated iron –particularly the narrow-width corrugations and coloured types – is now being seen as a boundary structure in many contemporary gardens.
PROS: Corrugated fences have an elegant appearance, are strong and long-lasting, low maintenance and take up less space than brick, stone or concrete walls.
CONS: The look of these boundaries can be imposing unless softened, as shown here with planting. They’re also not often suitable for traditional gardens.
Front garden makeovers with mojo
Once only seen in rural properties, corrugated iron –particularly the narrow-width corrugations and coloured types – is now being seen as a boundary structure in many contemporary gardens.
PROS: Corrugated fences have an elegant appearance, are strong and long-lasting, low maintenance and take up less space than brick, stone or concrete walls.
CONS: The look of these boundaries can be imposing unless softened, as shown here with planting. They’re also not often suitable for traditional gardens.
Front garden makeovers with mojo
Concrete
The versatility of concrete makes it a favourite among innovative designers such as Gregory Phillips Architects, who have used a bespoke form of the material here to create a fabulous wall with a textured surface, enhanced at night with subtle lighting.
Concrete can be used for boundaries and screens in a variety of forms, including pre-cast panels, poured in-situ or blocks. New smaller block sizes are now available for a stylish modern look, or you could go for shuttered or off-form poured concrete, where the lines of the formwork are left to add texture. Concrete can also be finished in different ways, including clear sealants, paint, plaster and stucco.
PROS: This material is long-lasting, versatile, excellent for sound-proofing and creates a feeling of solidity in the garden.
CONS: It’s a costlier option, requires skill to construct, and needs regular cleaning to avoid mould build-up in areas where moisture is high.
The versatility of concrete makes it a favourite among innovative designers such as Gregory Phillips Architects, who have used a bespoke form of the material here to create a fabulous wall with a textured surface, enhanced at night with subtle lighting.
Concrete can be used for boundaries and screens in a variety of forms, including pre-cast panels, poured in-situ or blocks. New smaller block sizes are now available for a stylish modern look, or you could go for shuttered or off-form poured concrete, where the lines of the formwork are left to add texture. Concrete can also be finished in different ways, including clear sealants, paint, plaster and stucco.
PROS: This material is long-lasting, versatile, excellent for sound-proofing and creates a feeling of solidity in the garden.
CONS: It’s a costlier option, requires skill to construct, and needs regular cleaning to avoid mould build-up in areas where moisture is high.
Stone
Ideally you should always use local stone in a garden, because its colours will be similar to those of the earth and the surrounding landscape. There is a large range of stone available for boundary walls, including bluestone, scoria, basalt and schist, each with their own level of hardness. Stone blocks come in a variety of sizes and they can be laid dry or with mortar, as shown here. One of the lovely things about stone walls is that their colours change in different lights.
PROS: Stone provides strength and solidity, both structurally and visually and is timeless, durable, low maintenance and versatile.
CONS: It’s not cheap, requires skilled trades to install, and usually needs to be softened with planting.
Ideally you should always use local stone in a garden, because its colours will be similar to those of the earth and the surrounding landscape. There is a large range of stone available for boundary walls, including bluestone, scoria, basalt and schist, each with their own level of hardness. Stone blocks come in a variety of sizes and they can be laid dry or with mortar, as shown here. One of the lovely things about stone walls is that their colours change in different lights.
PROS: Stone provides strength and solidity, both structurally and visually and is timeless, durable, low maintenance and versatile.
CONS: It’s not cheap, requires skilled trades to install, and usually needs to be softened with planting.
Brick
Usually seen in traditional gardens, brick has been making a comeback lately, particularly when combined with modern materials as shown here. Whether new or or old recycled brick, this classic material adds a feeling of solidity and timelessness to a garden. The warm colours of most bricks complement green planting beautifully and suit both formal and cottage garden styles.
Brick is available in a range of colours and can be laid in a variety of patterns.
PROS: Brick is a versatile building material, is available in a range of attractive colours, is low maintenance, timeless and durable.
CONS: Unless you choose recycled, they’re not cheap, and it’s essential to use skilled trades to build with them.
Usually seen in traditional gardens, brick has been making a comeback lately, particularly when combined with modern materials as shown here. Whether new or or old recycled brick, this classic material adds a feeling of solidity and timelessness to a garden. The warm colours of most bricks complement green planting beautifully and suit both formal and cottage garden styles.
Brick is available in a range of colours and can be laid in a variety of patterns.
PROS: Brick is a versatile building material, is available in a range of attractive colours, is low maintenance, timeless and durable.
CONS: Unless you choose recycled, they’re not cheap, and it’s essential to use skilled trades to build with them.
Laser-cut metal screens
These screens are great for dressing up an existing wall or creating a semi-transparent screen between areas of the garden. Patterns can be cut to your own design, adding a one-off element to the garden. They’re usually seen in contemporary gardens, but can work just as well in a traditional design, especially if the pattern reflects an existing decorative detail of the house or the era.
PROS: The designs can be personalised, they take up less space than solid screens or walls, and allow light and air to enter the garden.
CONS: They’re at the more expensive end of boundary or screening structures.
10 uses for laser-cut screens at home
YOUR SAY
Tell us about your material of choice for garden walls and fences in the Comments below.
MORE
How to Bring Your Front Fence Back to Life
Design Workshop: How to Analyse Your Outdoor Site
Finding the Right Fence for Your Home
These screens are great for dressing up an existing wall or creating a semi-transparent screen between areas of the garden. Patterns can be cut to your own design, adding a one-off element to the garden. They’re usually seen in contemporary gardens, but can work just as well in a traditional design, especially if the pattern reflects an existing decorative detail of the house or the era.
PROS: The designs can be personalised, they take up less space than solid screens or walls, and allow light and air to enter the garden.
CONS: They’re at the more expensive end of boundary or screening structures.
10 uses for laser-cut screens at home
YOUR SAY
Tell us about your material of choice for garden walls and fences in the Comments below.
MORE
How to Bring Your Front Fence Back to Life
Design Workshop: How to Analyse Your Outdoor Site
Finding the Right Fence for Your Home
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Finding the right fence can be a difficult job, believe me. Choosing between a picket or a merbau, or any other style..I ultimately decided to make a list of pros and cons for different types of fences. I found a really fun and an interesting article concerning that subject: http://www.taylorfencing.com.au/introducing-fence-wars/