Choosing a fence involves more than matching styles. It’s about protecting your space, keeping it functional, and staying compliant with local rules. Without the right material or structure, fences wear out quickly, fail to perform, or cost more in maintenance than expected.
When property boundaries are exposed, safety and privacy drop. Poor visibility control, weak gates, or sagging panels create issues over time. The right fencing removes those problems and makes the space more secure, easier to manage, and more presentable.
This guide outlines what to consider before installing a fence and what types suit different property needs.
Know the Purpose Before Choosing a Fence
Fencing works differently depending on why it’s installed. Understanding the main use helps narrow down the best material and design.
Common fencing purposes include:
- Defining boundaries clearly
- Securing pets or livestock
- Adding visual privacy
- Reducing noise
- Preventing unauthorised access
- Creating a controlled entry point
Clarifying the function of your fence early avoids unnecessary costs or later changes.
Fencing for Privacy
Fencing for privacy is used to limit visibility from neighbouring homes, streets, laneways, and public spaces. These fences help separate outdoor areas, reduce external noise, and support a sense of boundary.
A privacy fence is commonly installed along rear and side boundaries, around courtyards, or between dual-occupancy dwellings.
Privacy fencing must minimise gaps, block direct views, and maintain stability over time. Solid materials with consistent panel coverage are preferred to slatted or open-frame designs. The height of the fence often depends on council regulations, neighbour agreements, and the natural slope of the land.
Timber
Timber is one of the most widely used fencing materials in residential areas. It provides full coverage from ground level to the top rail, helping to reduce noise and block sightlines. Timber fencing is built with vertical palings fixed to horizontal rails and supported with concreted posts.
Common types include:
- Standard paling fencing for basic boundary screening
- Lapped and capped fencing for complete visual blockage
- Butted timber slats for minimal gap exposure
Timber panels can be modified to suit sloped ground or extended for higher coverage. Surface protection is needed to prevent weather damage, and re-coating is recommended every few years.
Composite
Composite fencing is made using recycled timber fibres and plastics, bonded together to form solid boards. These boards are resistant to warping, insect damage, and moisture absorption. They are mounted in vertical or horizontal format between support posts using fixed brackets.
Unlike timber, composite boards do not require staining, sealing, or painting. They are used where appearance and durability are both priorities. Many systems use interlocking boards, which eliminates gaps and improves wind resistance.
Composite fencing is used in medium-density housing, new developments, or where shared boundaries require a clean finish.
Masonry or Brick
Masonry fencing provides a solid structure with a long service life. These fences can include brick walls, rendered blockwork, or modular concrete panels. They block view, reduce sound transmission, and are unaffected by wind or rain.
Masonry is used on rear boundaries, between townhouses, or where higher privacy and acoustic reduction are required. The weight of the structure requires adequate footing and drainage planning. Once installed, minimal maintenance is required aside from periodic cleaning.
Masonry fencing can also act as a fire break in areas close to bushland or where council rules require fire-resistant boundary treatment.
Fencing for Security
Security fencing is used to control access, define physical boundaries, and protect assets from unauthorised entry. It is installed around residential lots, commercial yards, government sites, and infrastructure areas. The type of fence chosen depends on site layout, level of risk, and whether the area requires clear visibility or physical barriers.
Security fencing works best when designed as part of a broader access control system. This includes secure gates, restricted entry points, clear zones, and site-specific hardware such as locking mechanisms or sensor supports.
Chainwire
Chainwire fencing is one of the most common types used in security applications. It consists of tensioned wire mesh fixed between steel posts. Chainwire is chosen when visibility is important, such as in monitored zones or shared-use sites where movement on either side of the fence must remain visible.
Applications include:
- Storage yards
- Substations
- Equipment compounds
- Sporting facilities
- Remote access tracks
- Schools and council sites
Chainwire fences can include barbed wire or razor wire at the top for added deterrence. Posts are concreted in, and tensioned wires are used to keep the mesh firm across long runs. Chainwire skirts or bottom rails can be added to reduce entry under the fence.
Steel or Aluminium Panels
Fixed panel fencing is used where a solid structure is needed to prevent access or climbing. These panels are made from vertical slats that allow wind and partial visibility while reducing the ability to grip or scale the surface.
The panels are powder-coated to prevent rust and are mounted to posts using tamper-resistant brackets. Heights vary based on use, from 1200 mm for residential settings to 2400 mm or more for high-security sites.
Common uses include:
- Industrial compounds
- Loading areas
- Storage facilities
- Private service zones
- Educational sites
This fencing type is often selected where chainwire does not provide a strong enough barrier or where site appearance is also a consideration.
Sliding or Swing Gates
Gates are integrated into the security fence layout to allow controlled access. The design depends on available space, usage frequency, and access type.
Swing gates are commonly used in low-traffic areas or where space is limited. They can be locked manually or fitted with access control hardware.
Sliding gates are used where driveways, equipment access, or wide openings are needed. They are often fitted with wheels or tracks and can be automated for larger sites.
Gates should match the height and strength of the fence and include lockable points that align with site security needs. Gates are built using the same mesh or slat design to keep structural consistency.
Fencing for Appearance
Fences used for appearance define space, support landscape design, and enhance street presentation. These fences do not aim to block view or stop access but provide visual structure around a property.
Appearance-based fencing is installed along front boundaries, garden borders, and side access areas that remain visible to the street or neighbouring properties.
These fences are often chosen based on how they align with the building design, surrounding streetscape, and planning guidelines. In some cases, councils may require specific fencing types in heritage zones or high-visibility locations.
Picket
Picket fencing is built from upright vertical boards spaced evenly between posts. The spacing allows airflow and visibility while still marking the edge of the property. Heights range between 900 mm and 1500 mm depending on site layout.
Timber pickets can be painted or stained, while composite versions are fixed into prefabricated frames. Pickets can be shaped or cut at the top for a flat, rounded, or pointed finish. These fences are used on suburban front boundaries, particularly on corner blocks or along shared footpaths.
Picket fencing works best where the goal is to define the property edge without blocking natural light or enclosing the yard completely.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron fencing is installed where a decorative but durable structure is required. These fences consist of welded vertical bars with occasional scrolls, finials, or cross rails. The open design allows full visibility while still creating a formal boundary.
Wrought iron fencing is often used on heritage properties, civic buildings, and formal gardens. It requires surface treatment to prevent rust and is fixed to concrete or masonry footings. When maintained properly, these fences last across decades of exposure and use.
The weight and rigidity of wrought iron also help it resist movement from wind or contact.
Lattice
Lattice is often used as a fence extension or garden divider. It consists of intersecting timber or composite strips that form a grid. Lattice allows filtered light and partial view through the panel, making it suitable for garden screening or climbing plants.
It is mounted above a solid fence base, between posts, or as a low-height divider inside garden spaces. Lattice is not used for security or privacy but supports soft screening, visual separation, and vine training without creating a solid wall.
Fencing for Environmental Impact
Fencing options with reduced environmental impact use recycled materials, fast-growing resources, or systems that avoid the need for frequent replacement. These fences are selected based on their material source, service life, and how they reduce waste over time.
In residential and landscape settings, these options are installed in garden zones, back boundaries, or around low-impact builds.
They do not replace high-security or structural fencing but can serve as boundary markers, soft screens, or garden dividers.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a renewable material that reaches harvest maturity much faster than timber. It can be cut into poles, slats, or woven into roll-out screening. Panels are usually fixed to timber or steel frames and mounted between posts.
Bamboo fencing is suited for use along rear boundaries, garden borders, or as an internal yard feature. It does not perform well under high impact or full exposure without treatment. In damp zones, bamboo should be kept above soil level to prevent moisture absorption.
Maintenance includes oiling or sealing depending on the product used. Some bamboo fences are left to weather naturally if used purely as a screen.
Recycled Composite
Composite fencing uses processed timber fibres and recovered plastics to form boards that resemble standard slats. These boards do not absorb water, resist warping, and do not need painting or staining. The use of recycled content reduces waste and avoids the need for pressure-treated timber products.
Composite fencing is installed in yards, schools, and commercial properties where durability and low maintenance are required. Most systems use interlocking boards and metal posts, allowing consistent panel spacing without visible gaps.
Because composite boards last longer than untreated timber, they reduce replacement cycles and help manage long-term material use on site.
Maintenance and Lifespan Factors
Each fencing material requires a different level of care to keep it in place and functioning.
- Timber must be sealed or painted to prevent decay
- Steel and aluminium need cleaning and occasional touch-up of coatings
- Chainwire may need re-tensioning after years of exposure
- Composite fencing may fade slightly but needs no surface treatment
- Brick and masonry require little maintenance but need stable footing to avoid cracking
Routine inspections prevent early failure and reduce long-term cost.
Budget Considerations
Fencing cost depends on materials, height, ground conditions, and length. Some materials cost more upfront but reduce maintenance later.
General pricing patterns:
- Chainwire and treated pine are lower-cost options
- Powder-coated aluminium and composite materials sit in the mid-range
- Brick, masonry, or custom decorative fencing are higher-cost installs
Choosing based on function first helps keep costs aligned with property needs.
Local Requirements and Approvals
Check with your local council before installing a fence. Most areas have rules about height, materials, and placement — especially on corner blocks or shared boundaries.
In shared fencing cases, communication with neighbours avoids disputes and may allow cost sharing. Rules also apply near easements, pool areas, or driveways where visibility is limited.
Fencing that doesn’t meet local rules may need to be removed or modified.
Advice from Chainwire Fencing Specialist
Fencing isn’t just about appearance — it’s about function, lifespan, and how well it matches the layout of your property. Choosing the wrong type can lead to wasted costs, safety issues, or early failure.
At Chainwire Fencing Specialist, we help property owners across the Hunter Region find fencing that suits their site, budget, and purpose. We install chainwire and steel fences for homes, businesses, and government sites. If you need help selecting materials or building to meet local rules, we’re ready to assist.Contact us to discuss your fencing needs or request a quote.
