Fences are many things to many people. For some it might be a way to keep your privacy whilst sitting in the garden, for others it might be a way to keep out animals or it could be to prevent burglars from entering their property. However fences aren’t just for practical reasons, they can also be installed in your garden to be ornamental. This is why you’ll find garden fences made from a fantastic range of materials and come in different styles.
Often ornamental fences are made from aluminium because it’s very sturdy, can be shaped into many different designs and can also resist oxidation. Even some fences which look as if they are made from wrought iron are made from aluminium.
Although aluminium is often a great alternative to wrought iron you might still prefer to have your fence made from this more traditional material. The good thing is that there have been some great advances in wrought iron materials and manufacturing which allow them to be just as stylish as any other metal. Also modern wrought iron is actually a lot less brittle and they aren’t as likely to rust as wrought iron used to.
However you don’t need to be confined to using metal for your ornamental garden fence. There are other materials which are just as beautiful in their own individual way.
For those who like to have a maintenance free garden then buying a vinyl fence is probably going to be quite high up your list of fences to choose from. In terms of being decorative, vinyl can be extruded into different shapes and will also come in pretty much whatever color you desire. Not only can vinyl fencing be very decorative but it can also last for just about ever. It won’t peel or crack and can designed to fit even the most odd shaped gardens and you might even be able to buy it curved.
Although there are some great modern materials that can be used for garden fences, for many wood is still the king of fence materials. Wood can easily be cut into many shapes and you will find that they can be created in many unusual and decorative ways. It’s really up to the designer how fancy or simple the design will be. Although picket fences can still easily be considered ornamental, for some people they are just a bit too popular and commonly found in many gardens. If you want something more contemporary you can have wood fences cut into waves, scalloped, waffle or anything else you might have in mind.
Of course, when it comes to being decorative, don’t forget the fence posts. There are some that have lighting integrated or you might elect to choose metal caps that have an ornate design. Let your imagination run wild.
There are then other details which can be added to your design of fence such as a spear top, quad-flare or maybe a ball cap. Don’t forget the gate as this should also fit into your style of fence and will not only serve a function but also look great too. If you have a family crest, this could be worked into the design or perhaps you might want to include the name or number of your house.
If you want the best of everything then you should look at having a gate wich has automatic controls. This will not only make your life easier and add in an extra level of security to your home, but it will also prevent wear and tear on your decorative elements.
When designing an ornamental fence it’s very easy to get carried away. There is a big risk that you could end up trying to integrate every style and decorative feature you can find into your fence and gate. The result is a design that is somewhat over the top and could easily be hideous. It might be better just to choose one or two of the best ideas rather than try to incorporate every idea you ever had into the one design. This isn’t always easy but you’ll be glad that you simplified the design.