Fence installation is one of the most popular home outdoor improvements most homeowners pursue. As reported by real estate experts, fenced homes have up to 10% higher resale value than houses with none.

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Another research also states that the demand for fencing materials is forecast to increase yearly as many homeowners use fences to improve the security of their properties. Ultimately, installing a fence for your home can strengthen safety, enhance the exterior appeal, and boost property value.  

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But before you go deep into shopping for fencing materials and building one, you may need to consider whether to have a horizontal or vertical fence.  

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Comparing horizontal and vertical fencing

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If you look around your neighborhood, you might notice how vertical fences are much more common than horizontal ones. But just because you rarely see a horizontal yard fence doesn’t mean they’re out of the option.

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So, before you finalize your fence selection, this article will provide a few points on how vertical and horizontal fences are different or similar to each other in terms of style, functionality, and design.

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Style

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When it comes to style, horizontal and vertical fences significantly differ from each other. A horizontal fencing design offers a cleaner and more modern look, making it a perfect choice for sleek and contemporary houses. Vertical fences are also attractive and stylish in their own right, but it has a more traditional appearance. Nonetheless, both horizontal and vertical fences are customizable.  

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Highlighting your property size

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If you have spacious land or a wide property size, horizontal fences can easily highlight your property size. They can accentuate the width and length of your plot, which is good if you want to emphasize your wide property. However, horizontal fences can de-emphasize your house’s height, especially for single-story houses. If you wish to make your home look taller, you may need to avoid using horizontal fences unless you have a multiple-story home.  

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Vertical fences, on the other hand, can be a suitable choice if you wish to highlight the openness of your property and the height of your home. Since the average vertical fence height for the front yard is three feet, it’ll create an illusion that your home is taller.  

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Structure

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Horizontal fences are harder to contour, making them look better when installed on level land. So if you have a residential property with uneven or sloped landscapes, you can benefit better from vertical fences. That’s because you can customize each fence panel and contour it on the ground compared to horizontal fences.  

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In terms of the sturdiness of the fence structure, horizontal fences can be sturdy, but you’ll need to reinforce more cross beams and posts to prevent the panels from sagging. On the other hand, vertical fences may be stronger since the weight of each panel is evenly distributed.  

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Installation

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Installing horizontal fences is easier since you only have to dig holes for the posts. In contrast, vertical fences may be more tedious and challenging to install since you’ll need to dig holes for the post and panels before pouring the concrete. On the bright side, some fencing companies sell pre-built vertical fence panels, which can help you save time during fence installation.  

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Horizontal pre-built panels may be more difficult to find, so you’ll have to build the fence yourself. Suppose you’re unsure how to build a horizontal fence. In that case, it’s wise to hire professional fence installers with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to build and install horizontal and vertical fences.  

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Privacy and visibility

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If you’re looking for a fence that can provide maximum privacy and minimum visibility, a modern horizontal fence design may be for you. The panels are designed to be closer to each other to block external viewing completely. Meanwhile, if you have a well-designed landscape and don’t want to cover the exterior view completely, you may opt for vertical fences. The panels for vertical fences are more spaced than most types of horizontal fences.  

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Security

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One of the major reasons homeowners build a fence is to enhance the physical security of their property. But the level of security provided by your fence depends on the choice of material you use and the direction of your fence panels. Vertical fences are harder to intrude on by trespassers because there are no footholds. In contrast, horizontal fences may be much easier to climb when the slats are purposely spaced far apart.  

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If you wish to build a horizontal fencing design without compromising the physical security of your property, ensure the slats are tightly spaced together to make it impossible for intruders to use the panels as footholds. You may add anti-climbing features like fence spikes or cacti spikes to deter intruders from attempting to climb over your horizontal fence.  

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Cost

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Unsurprisingly, horizontal fences are more expensive to install and construct than vertical fences. Since horizontal fences need less support at the center, you’ll need to invest in high-quality and often costly materials to avoid sagging.  

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On average, a horizontal wood fence may cause around USD$5 to USD$12 per linear foot. Meanwhile, vertical fences may cost between USD$3 to USD$8 per foot. However, remember that other factors can also influence your fence’s overall installation cost, such as the material used, supplier choice, and labor cost.

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How to select the best fence type for your property?

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Now that you have the comparisons, the real question is, how can you choose the best fence type? Ultimately, it depends on your purpose or goal of installing the fence.  

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For instance, if you want a fence that matches with your contemporary home, you may opt for a horizontal fence and start searching for horizontal fencing ideas. However, if you have an uneven or sloped landscape, you may opt for a vertical fence and choose a fencing material that will complement your home. If you wish to emphasize the spaciousness of your property, it’s only another good reason to choose horizontal fencing.  

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Conclusion

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Overall, horizontal and vertical fences have perks and advantages that are useful in different situations. So, if you’re unsure which fence type to choose for your home, don’t forget to check these factors and contact a reputable fence installation company to help weigh your options.

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References

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1. Home Light, https://www.homelight.com/blog/does-fence-increase-home-value/

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2. Grand View Research, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/fencing-market

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3. Fixr, https://www.fixr.com/costs/wood-fence3

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