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Picket fences are an iconic symbol of the American dream. They combine charm with practicality, defining property lines and adding character to your home. Originally designed for utility, picket fences have evolved into an outdoor feature that enhances your home’s curb appeal while adding a functional barrier.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common picket fence materials, types, and adornments, then give you some tips on plans that can help make your new fence pop.
Anatomy of a Picket Fence
While picket fence designs vary, they all share common structural elements:
- Posts: Critical vertical supports anchored into the ground
- Rails: Essential horizontal members that connect posts
- Pickets: Distinct vertical boards attached to the rails
- Post caps: Decorative toppers for posts, adding flair
- Gates: Movable sections for entry and exit within the fence line
Popular Picket Fence Materials
Wood is the classic choice for a picket fence, requiring regular maintenance but offering a classic look. However, there are plenty of other materials to choose from. As you plan your fence project, consider factors such as durability, maintenance, and aesthetics.
Here are a few of the most popular non-wood picket fence materials.
- Composite: Composite fences combine wood fibers with plastic for a low-maintenance option that mimics the look of stained wood.
- Metal: Metal fences are durable and easy to clean, and often feature decorative finials. Powder-coated finishes resist rust and scratches.
- Vinyl: Lightweight and low-maintenance, vinyl fencing is available in pre-fabricated panels. However, the glossy finish may not appeal to all homeowners.
- Cellular PVC: This fence material resembles painted wood but resists rot and requires minimal upkeep. The material can be milled into various shapes and painted if desired.
Each material has its advantages, so consider your climate, budget, and design preferences when making a selection.
Picket Fence Material Buying Options
Homeowners have several options for purchasing and installing picket fences. Here are the most common ways you’ll buy fence materials.
Bare Materials
Especially if you’re building a wooden fence, it’s easy to simply buy fence posts, pickets and rails. You can likely find them as bare wood or in pre-primed options that are ready for paint.
Prefabricated Fencing
Home improvement centers offer pre-made panels in standard sizes, typically 3 to 4 feet high and 8 feet long. These are suitable for DIY installation on level ground. Prefab kits often come with clear instructions, making them accessible for many homeowners.
Ready-to-Assemble Fencing
Vinyl and some metal systems come in kits with hollow posts and snap-together components. These are designed for easy installation without specialized tools. They provide a balance between DIY convenience and professional results.
Pro-Installed
Of course, you can always hire a contractor to handle the project from start to finish. For the widest range of styles and materials, professional installation is the way to go. While it costs about 20% more than DIY, it ensures proper installation and often comes with warranties.
Building a picket fence on level ground is a DIY-friendly project. If your yard slopes or has other obstacles, professionals can handle complex terrain and customized designs with ease.
Picket Fence Styles
Here are some of the most common picket fence styles you can choose from for your home. Need more picket inspiration? Fences: Authentic Details for Design and Restoration, by Peter Joel Harrison, features dozens of drawings of historic fence styles.
Functional Spear
This classic design features a pointed top that sheds water efficiently. Historically made from rot-resistant woods like locust, cedar, and white oak, these pickets were often left unpainted in Colonial Williamsburg but are now often painted white. The functional spear design remains popular for its blend of style and practicality.
Turned Greek Revival
Characterized by a round profile with an eased top and decorative bead, this style complements Greek Revival architecture. It’s reminiscent of designs found in historic towns like Tarboro, N.C. The turned Greek Revival picket showcases the elegance associated with this influential architectural era.
Georgian Point
This elegant design, featuring a pointed top with a delicate bead detail, was used at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Crafted from durable woods like cypress or locust, it exemplifies colonial craftsmanship. The Georgian point picket is an excellent choice for homes seeking a touch of historical sophistication.
Classic Picket
Simple yet refined, this pointed picket style was common in early American architecture. Its orderly appearance often mirrored the balusters used on porches, as seen at the Hopsewee Plantation house in South Carolina. Classic pickets offer timeless appeal and simplicity.
Shapely Victorian
The Industrial Revolution brought intricate woodworking to fence design. This elaborate picket, reminiscent of interior balusters, showcases the ornate details popular in Victorian-era coastal homes. The shapely Victorian picket adds a touch of flair and ornateness to any property.
Picket Fence Designs
Most picket fences run straight across, but it’s not your only design option. You can add a unique design element to your picket fence, such as one of the following.
Arched
Arched picket fences create a graceful, undulating line between posts. This design adds visual interest and can be achieved in both wood and vinyl materials. The varying heights of pickets culminate in taller post finials, creating focal points along the fence line. Arched designs are both elegant and practical.
Dual Pickets
Combining two picket styles in one fence offers a unique look. Squared-off boards set between spiked pickets create a softer appearance while maintaining garden views. This design also provides safe perches for birds, adding to its garden-friendly appeal. Dual pickets bring versatility and charm to any fence.
Staggered
A staggered design uses alternating picket heights to create a dynamic pattern. This variation adds texture and depth to the fence line, making it an attractive option for both traditional and contemporary homes. Staggered designs are particularly effective in adding movement and rhythm to static spaces.
Irregular Heights
Alternating short and long pickets creates a rhythmic pattern that adds visual interest to the fence line. This design works particularly well when contrasted against stone walls or other solid structures. Irregular heights can create a whimsical and engaging fence line.
Scallop
Scalloped picket fences feature a gentle curve between posts, creating a welcoming approach along driveways or garden paths. This design softens the overall appearance of the fence while maintaining its functional purpose. Scallop designs are particularly inviting for garden spaces.
Capped
Capped picket fences feature a top rail that unifies the pickets, creating a clean, cottage-style look. This design often incorporates diagonal bracing on gates, which adds both structural support and visual interest. Capped designs evoke a sense of nostalgia and charm.
Picket Fence Post Toppers
Adding caps or other toppers on your picket fence posts can add another stylistic element to your yard. Here are the most popular options you can select from.
Cap
Post caps serve both functional and decorative purposes. A shallow beveled cap sheds water effectively, while details like bead-and-cove molding add a touch of elegance to the overall fence design. Caps are essential for both protecting and beautifying the posts.
Ball
Ball-topped posts make a statement at fence entrances and are particularly suited to Victorian-era homes. These decorative elements draw the eye and define important points along the fence line. Ball-topped posts combine formality and elegance.
Staining vs. Painting a Picket Fence
When it comes to protecting and beautifying wood picket fences, both staining and painting have their merits. However, solid-color stains often prove more effective for fences. Here’s why:
- Thickness: Stain applies thinner than paint, allowing wood to breathe better.
- Moisture resistance: A stain’s thinner coating allows trapped moisture to escape more easily, reducing the risk of peeling.
- Longevity: Two coats of solid-color stain can last 5 to 10 years on a fence.
- Easy reapplication: When it’s time to refresh, stained surfaces require less preparation than painted ones.
For best results, use an airless sprayer to apply stain, ensuring even coverage in all the nooks and crannies of your picket fence. Stained fences often display the natural beauty of the wood, adding an organic touch to your yard.
Plants to Pair With Your Picket Fence
Adding flowers can really highlight your picket fence. Here are some options we love:
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas make excellent companions for picket fences. Their large, showy blooms in shades of pink, purple, or blue create a stunning contrast against white pickets. Plant them along shorter fences to add height and privacy to your garden border. These perennial favorites require minimal maintenance and add a lush, vibrant feel to your outdoor space.
Marigold
Marigolds offer vibrant color and pest-repelling properties, making them ideal for planting along picket fences. Their drought resistance and long blooming period ensure a beautiful display throughout the growing season. Marigolds’ resilient nature makes them perfect for sunny spots and busy garden borders.
Rose
Climbing roses paired with picket fences evoke a classic cottage garden aesthetic. Alternating rose varieties with other flowering plants, such as salvia, creates a dynamic and colorful fence line that changes with the seasons. The mix of blooms can provide year-round color.
Picket Fence Hardware Options
Don’t forget about the hardware for your picket fence’s gate. Here are some examples.
Latches
A well-chosen latch adds both functionality and style to your picket fence gate. This aluminum-alloy ring latch mimics the look of wrought iron without the added weight, making it an excellent choice for wood gates. Quality latches provide security while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your gate.
Hinges
Decorative hinges can enhance the overall design of your picket fence. This curved strap hinge complements arched gates and adds a touch of old-world charm to your fence installation. Hinges not only serve as practical hardware but also contribute to the visual impact of your gate.
Closures
An automatic gate closer ensures your picket fence gate always shuts securely. This colonial-style closer uses a weighted ball to gently pull the gate closed, combining historical aesthetics with modern convenience. Automatic closers help maintain boundaries and prevent unwanted access.
Picket Fence FAQs
Below, we answer some of the most common questions we get about picket fences.
Why Is White Such a Popular Color for Picket Fences?
The tradition of white picket fences dates back to early America, where affluent colonists used white paint or whitewash to preserve their fences and match their home’s trim. This practice continued through the Greek Revival period (1830s–1860s), which associated white pickets with prosperity.
During the Victorian era, homeowners experimented with darker colors like green and brown to blend fences with the landscape. However, the Colonial Revival style of the early 20th century brought white back into fashion, particularly in suburban areas. White fences became synonymous with cleanliness and simplicity.
The iconic status of white picket fences was further solidified during the post-World War II housing boom. This is when white picket fences became a symbol of the American Dream and middle-class success. Today, white picket fences remain a favored choice for many seeking to evoke a classic, timeless look.
How Much Do Picket Fences Cost?
Depending on style and species, 3½-foot-tall panels of wood pickets run $4.40 to $60 per linear foot, not including installation, according to our research. Vinyl or aluminum versions cost $6 to $13.60.
How Tall Should a Picket Fence Be?
A fence 3 to 4 feet tall makes for a nice barrier from the street. For fences enclosing a pool, most local building codes require a minimum height of 4 feet.
Our Conclusion
Picket fences are a timeless choice for homeowners seeking to add charm and definition to their property. Whether you opt for traditional wood or low-maintenance alternatives, a well-designed picket fence can enhance your home’s curb appeal and create a welcoming entrance. Thoughtful selection and maintenance ensure that your picket fence will remain a beloved feature for years to come.
Special thank yous go to:
- Peter Joel Harrison, author, designer, and historian
- Susan Schnare, Mountain Brook Consulting, Andover, NH
- Sally Zimmerman, Historic New England
- Rich O’Neil, Masterwork Painting & Restoration, Woburn, MA, 781-275-3050
- FenceTown