23 Best Fences: Types, Installation, Cost, Repair and Maintenance

Choosing the right fence involves more than just picking a style. It requires understanding the full picture of installation, cost, repair, and maintenance. Each fencing material has unique strengths, price ranges, and upkeep needs that affect its long-term value.

Whether you’re weighing affordability, durability, or curb appeal, knowing what to expect helps you make an informed decision. From initial installation to routine care and eventual repairs, understanding fencing types and their requirements ensures your investment provides lasting security, functionality, and style.

What is Fencing?

Fencing is a structure built to define property lines and serve practical needs. It marks boundaries, provides security, creates privacy, keeps kids and pets safely contained, and can even boost the appearance of a home or business.

There are two main categories: commercial fencing and residential fencing. Commercial fencing is built for places like schools, businesses, and industrial sites, where strength and access control are top priorities. Residential fencing is usually designed around privacy, safety, and style, shaped to match the character of a home and neighborhood.

The most common fence types, materials, and parts, along with installation basics, cost factors, and maintenance tips, are all important to know, and Titan Fence & Supply Company designs, installs, and services fences throughout the North Dallas and Ft. Worth area, so you’ll have the right place to start when you’re ready.

Why Do People Need Fencing?

People need fencing for both practical and aesthetic reasons. At the most basic level, a fence defines property lines and creates a clear boundary between spaces. Beyond that, fencing provides security by deterring trespassers, protects children and pets by keeping them safely contained, and creates privacy from neighbors or public areas.

For residential properties, fencing is about safety, comfort, and curb appeal, giving families a secure place to relax while adding value to the home. For commercial properties, fencing plays a critical role in access control, protecting equipment or inventory, and ensuring the safety of employees and visitors.

What are the Different Types of Fences?

The different types of fences include many styles and materials, each with its own strengths. Some focus on strength and security, while others emphasis privacy, aesthetics, or cost effectiveness. The types of fences are listed below:

• Chain link fence
• Vinyl fence
• Wood fence
• Iron fence
• Aluminum fence
• Picket fence
• Steel fence
• Bamboo fence
• Barbed wire fence
• Composite fence
• Lattice fence
• Masonry fence
• Electrified fence
• Metal fence
• Split rail fence
• Slatted fence
• Wire fence
• Board on board fence
• Concrete fence
• Horizontal fence
• Larch lap fence panels
• Living fence
• Agricultural fencing
  

Chain Link Fence

A chain link fence is a woven steel option known for affordability and strength, often used in schools, fields, and industrial lots. Costs average $8–$18 per foot, and it lasts 15–25 years (up to 30 with coating). Maintenance is minimal, mainly rust prevention and repairs. Installation is quick, making it one of the most practical large-scale fences.

Installing a chain link fence involves setting properly spaced terminal and line posts in concrete, aligning and tensioning the woven steel mesh between terminals using tension bars and bands, securing it to line posts while maintaining consistent height and ground clearance, stretching the fabric to prevent sagging, attaching top rails or tension wire for rigidity, and accounting for grade changes and gates before final tightening.

Vinyl Fence

Vinyl fence is made from PVC, offering durability, low upkeep, and a modern look. It costs $20–$40 per foot and lasts 20–30 years. Maintenance is limited to occasional cleaning, though heavy impact can cause damage. Prefabricated panels make installation straightforward for most residential projects.

Installing a vinyl fence involves setting properly spaced posts in concrete to precise depths, aligning prefabricated PVC panels or rails between them, allowing for thermal expansion during fastening, keeping posts plumb to avoid panel stress, and completing layout and obstruction clearance in advance since impact resistance is lower than wood or metal.

Wood Fence

Wood fences provide a natural look and privacy but require frequent upkeep. They cost $15–$35 per foot, with cedar and redwood lasting longer than pine. With treatment, they last 10–20 years. Installation is moderately easy, but labor intensive for larger projects.

Installing a wood fence involves setting properly spaced, depth-set posts below the frost line, attaching horizontal rails to establish structure, fastening fence panels or pickets with consistent gaps for expansion and drainage, selecting rot-resistant lumber or applying preservative treatments, and accounting for soil conditions, moisture exposure, and long-term maintenance demands before scaling labor across larger runs.

Iron Fence

Iron fences are decorative and durable, used for upscale homes and businesses. They cost $30–$70 per foot and last 30–50 years with proper care. Maintenance includes preventing rust and repainting. Installation is complex due to heavy panels but adds strength and prestige.

Installing an iron fence involves setting precisely aligned, reinforced posts in concrete, handling and positioning heavy prefabricated panels or pickets between them, anchoring connections to maintain structural rigidity, accounting for grade changes and spacing tolerances, applying protective coatings at cut or welded points to prevent corrosion, and planning for long-term maintenance through rust prevention and periodic repainting to preserve strength and appearance.

Aluminum Fence

Aluminum fences mimic wrought iron but are lightweight and rust resistant. Costs average $25–$50 per foot, with a lifespan of 30–40 years. Maintenance is minimal, and prefabricated panels allow for easy installation. They are better for decoration than heavy security.

Installing an aluminum fence involves setting properly aligned corner and line posts, mounting prefabricated panels between posts (allowing for grade changes and thermal movement), fastening connections without overtightening to preserve panel integrity, maintaining consistent spacing and height for visual continuity, and verifying layout and ground conditions in advance since aluminum systems prioritize decorative structure and corrosion resistance over load-bearing security.

Picket Fence

Picket fences are a classic style, usually wood or vinyl, used for front yards and gardens. They cost $15–$30 per foot and last 10–15 years in wood or up to 30 in vinyl. Maintenance ranges from repainting to simple cleaning. Installation is light and quick.

Installing a picket fence involves laying out a straight, visible boundary for curb appeal, setting evenly spaced posts in shallow footings, attaching prefabricated or assembled picket panels at consistent heights, aligning spacing for visual uniformity rather than structural load, securing rails and pickets with allowance for minor material movement, and finishing with surface protection or cleaning depending on whether the material is wood or vinyl.

Steel Fence

Steel fences are heavy-duty barriers for maximum security. They cost $30–$60 per foot and last 20–40 years with coatings. Maintenance involves checking for rust and wear. Installation is labor intensive but delivers unmatched strength.

Installing a steel fence involves setting deeply anchored structural posts, aligning and fastening heavy-gauge steel panels or pickets, managing load and wind stress through proper spacing, applying or preserving protective coatings to prevent corrosion, and accounting for labor-intensive handling and long-term durability requirements that trade higher upfront cost for maximum security and service life.

Bamboo Fence

Bamboo fences offer an eco-friendly, decorative option at $10–$25 per foot. Lifespan is 5–15 years, extended with sealing. Maintenance is higher than vinyl or metal. Installation is simple with prefabricated panels, making it popular for gardens and patios.

Installing a bamboo fence involves selecting treated or sealed bamboo panels for outdoor durability, setting stable posts or mounting frames to support lightweight sections, attaching prefabricated panels with flexible fasteners to allow natural expansion and moisture movement, sealing the bamboo to slow weathering and rot, and planning for higher ongoing maintenance compared to vinyl or metal while using it primarily for decorative boundaries in gardens and patios.

Barbed Wire Fence

Barbed wire is a low-cost option for farms and industrial areas, at $1.50–$3 per foot. It lasts 10–20 years with galvanized wire and basic upkeep. Installation is fast and effective for large boundaries, though rarely used in residential settings.

Installing a barbed wire fence involves setting load-bearing corner and end posts, spacing and anchoring line posts, running and properly tensioning galvanized wire while allowing minimal slack for temperature expansion, securing strands without over-stapling, repeating the process across multiple wire lines at functional heights, and clearing the fence line in advance to maintain durability, speed of installation, and cost efficiency over large agricultural or industrial boundaries.

Composite Fence

Composite fences blend wood fibers and plastic for durability and a wood-like look. Costs are $25–$55 per foot, and they last 25–30 years. Maintenance is minimal, usually just washing. Installation requires professional handling due to heavy panels.

Installing a composite fence involves preparing a level, well-drained fence line, setting reinforced corner and line posts to handle heavier panel loads, accurately spacing posts to manufacturer specifications, mounting composite panels and rails without overtightening fasteners to allow thermal expansion, maintaining consistent alignment and reveal gaps for airflow, and handling panels carefully to avoid flex or surface damage during placement.

Lattice Fence

Lattice fences feature crisscrossed wood or vinyl strips for decoration or garden use. They cost $15–$35 per foot and last 5–15 years in wood, 20–30 in vinyl. Maintenance depends on material. Installation is simple and lightweight.

Installing a lattice fence involves setting properly spaced corner and line posts, attaching lightweight lattice panels or sections level and plumb between them, allowing clearance for ground contact and material expansion, fastening panels with appropriate hardware without over-tightening, aligning seams for consistent pattern flow, and accounting for drainage, wind load, and material-specific maintenance requirements upfront.

Masonry Fence

Masonry fences use stone, brick, or concrete for durability and privacy. They cost $40–$100 per foot and last 50–100 years with little maintenance. Installation is the most labor intensive but provides unmatched permanence.

Installing a masonry fence involves excavating and pouring a reinforced concrete footing below the frost line, laying stone, brick, or concrete block courses with proper mortar joints and alignment, integrating rebar or internal reinforcement for load and wind resistance, allowing for drainage and expansion joints, and finishing with caps or coping to shed water, making it a labor-intensive process designed for maximum permanence and minimal long-term maintenance.

Electrified Fence

Electrified fences deter trespassing or contain livestock with mild shocks. They cost $1–$6 per foot for basic systems, or $10–$20+ for high-security. Lifespan is 10–20 years with regular inspections. Installation is quick for farms but complex for commercial security.

Installing an electrified fence involves establishing a continuous perimeter with insulated posts and conductive wire, grounding the system properly, connecting a correctly sized energizer to deliver controlled pulses, ensuring consistent voltage across runs and gates, isolating the live wire from vegetation and structures to prevent energy loss, and setting up regular inspection points to maintain deterrence or containment over time.

Metal Fence

Metal fences, including steel, aluminum, and iron, offer durability and style. They cost $20–$60 per foot and last 30–50 years. Maintenance ranges from light cleaning to recoating. Installation is heavier than wood or vinyl but versatile in design.

Installing a metal fence involves setting reinforced corner and terminal posts to handle higher load, aligning and anchoring intermediate posts at precise spacing, mounting prefabricated panels or rails with consistent level and clearance, fastening components to allow for thermal movement without rigid locking, applying corrosion protection at cut or drilled points, and verifying ground clearance and layout accuracy before final tightening.

Split Rail Fence

Split rail fences are rustic wood designs common in rural areas. They cost $10–$20 per foot and last 10–20 years. Maintenance includes staining and replacing rails. Installation is simple, requiring posts and rails.

Installing a split rail fence involves laying out straight fence lines, digging evenly spaced post holes to consistent depth, setting posts plumb and firmly in the ground (often without concrete), sliding horizontal rails into the pre-cut post openings, aligning rails for uniform height and spacing, repeating the process across sections, and accounting for natural wood movement, ground slope, and future rail replacement.

Slatted Fence

Slatted fences use evenly spaced wood, composite, or metal boards for a modern look. Costs are $20–$40 per foot, with lifespans of 15–30 years. Maintenance depends on material, from sealing to simple cleaning.

Installing a slatted fence involves setting accurately aligned corner and line posts to establish consistent spacing, mounting prefabricated or individually spaced slats to a rigid horizontal frame, maintaining uniform gaps for airflow and visual symmetry, securing fasteners to allow for material expansion and contraction (especially with wood or composite), keeping panels level across grade changes, and preparing the site in advance to avoid cumulative alignment drift.

Wire Fence

Wire fences are affordable and practical, used in farms and gardens. They cost $2–$7 per foot and last 10–20 years. Maintenance includes tightening and patching. Installation is simple but laborious for large areas.

Installing a wire fence involves setting properly spaced corner and line posts, unrolling and aligning the wire mesh along the fence line, tensioning it evenly to prevent sagging, fastening it securely while allowing slight flex for ground movement, trimming and anchoring ends cleanly, and clearing vegetation and debris beforehand to avoid long-term strain and damage.

Board on Board Fence

Board on board fences overlap wood panels for full privacy. They cost $20–$45 per foot and last 15–25 years. Maintenance involves sealing or staining. Installation is more involved but provides strong durability.

Installing a board-on-board fence involves setting properly aligned and reinforced corner/end posts and evenly spaced line posts, attaching alternating overlapping vertical boards on opposite sides of horizontal rails to eliminate gaps (maintaining consistent reveal and expansion spacing), fastening with corrosion-resistant hardware without over-driving, repeating the overlap pattern uniformly across sections for full privacy and wind resistance, and finishing with sealing or staining to control moisture and extend service life.

Concrete Fence

Concrete fences are solid walls built to last. They cost $45–$100 per foot and last 50–100 years with minimal upkeep. Installation is complex but delivers unmatched strength and security.

Installing a concrete fence involves preparing a stable foundation with precise excavation and leveling, setting reinforced posts or panels in concrete footings, aligning and bracing sections to maintain straightness during curing, managing heavy materials and load-bearing tolerances, allowing proper cure times before stress is applied, and coordinating drainage and site access to prevent long-term structural shifting.

Horizontal Fence

Horizontal fences use wood, composite, or metal boards for modern appeal. They cost $25–$50 per foot and last 20–30 years. Maintenance varies by material. Installation requires skilled carpentry but offers strong curb appeal.

Installing a horizontal fence involves establishing precise post spacing and alignment, setting level and plumb posts to tighter tolerances than vertical fencing, attaching horizontal rails or mounting systems designed to prevent sagging, securing wood, composite, or metal boards with consistent reveals and expansion gaps (material-dependent), maintaining uniform sightlines across grade changes, and accounting for long-term load, moisture movement, and wind stress to preserve structural integrity and curb appeal over time.

Larch Lap Fence Panels

Larch lap fences overlap timber slats for budget privacy. Costs are $15–$25 per foot, with lifespans of 10–15 years. Maintenance includes staining or weatherproofing. Prefabricated panels make installation quick.

Installing larch lap fence panels involves setting level, pressure-treated posts at consistent spacing, fixing gravel boards where required, mounting prefabricated overlapping timber panels between posts with appropriate fixings that allow for timber movement, maintaining ground clearance to prevent rot, aligning panels for continuous privacy, and planning for ongoing staining or weatherproofing to reach an expected 10–15 year lifespan.

Living Fence

Living fences use hedges, shrubs, or trees for natural boundaries. Costs range $20–$60 per foot plus upkeep. Maintenance is high with trimming and watering. With care, they last indefinitely but take time to mature.

Installing a living fence involves selecting hedge, shrub, or tree species suited to the local climate and soil, preparing and spacing the planting line correctly, establishing roots through consistent watering and soil care, guiding growth with early pruning and training, maintaining regular trimming and nutrient support over time, and allowing for a long maturation period before the boundary becomes fully functional.

Agricultural Fencing

Agricultural fencing includes barbed wire, electric, and rail systems for farms. Costs vary by type, averaging $1.50–$3 per foot for barbed wire. Lifespan is 10–25 years with upkeep.

Installing agricultural fencing involves selecting the appropriate system for livestock and land use (barbed wire, electric, or rail), setting load-bearing corner and gate posts with adequate bracing, installing evenly spaced line posts across large runs, running and tensioning wire or rails according to system requirements (allowing tolerance for movement and terrain), integrating energizers and grounding for electric fences where applicable, securing materials without over-tightening, maintaining consistent heights and spacing, and clearing vegetation and obstructions beforehand to ensure durability, containment, and long-term performance across expansive areas.

What Is the Maintenance of Fencing in Dallas, Texas?

Maintaining a fence in Dallas means dealing with hot summers, humidity, occasional storms, and soil movement. Here are the key tasks:

• Regular inspections — Check for rust (on metal), rot or splitting (on wood), loose posts, shifted panels, or insect damage.
• Cleaning — Rinse vinyl, aluminum, or metal fences periodically. For wood, pressure-wash every few years (gently) and let it dry before sealing.
• Sealing, staining, or painting — For wood fences, reapply sealant or stain every 2 to 3 years (sometimes more often) to protect against UV damage and moisture.
• Rust prevention and touch-ups — For metal fences (iron, steel, aluminum), treat exposed areas by sanding and applying rust-inhibiting primers or paint.
• Vegetation control — Keep plants, vines, and mulch away from fence bases to avoid trapping moisture or causing rot.
• Post and footing checks — Dallas soil can shift or settle, so verify posts remain straight and secure. Cement footings may need minor repair or reinforcement over time.
• Hardware & gate maintenance — Lubricate hinges, check fasteners, tighten or replace screws, and ensure gates swing freely without sagging.

How to Choose the Right Fence in North Dallas or Fort Worth Texas

To choose the right fence in North Dallas or Fort Worth, Texas means balancing design, privacy, and security with the practical needs of a property. For residential settings, the right fence reflects lifestyle, some homeowners want privacy for family life, others prioritize curb appeal, and many want a safe space for children and pets. In commercial settings, security, access control, and long term durability usually take priority, though appearance can still play a role in shaping customer perception.

The surrounding environment and landscaping also matter. A fence that looks natural in a residential garden may not hold up in a high traffic industrial site. Similarly, exposure to moisture, soil conditions, and climate can all impact how well a fence lasts. Purpose is another factor: a decorative boundary has very different requirements than a perimeter meant to deter intruders or contain livestock.

Upkeep and durability are also the deciding points. Wood and living fences require ongoing care, while vinyl, composite, and metal fences demand less attention but come with higher upfront costs. Considering lifespan alongside maintenance helps determine true value. Ultimately, the right choice comes from weighing appearance, function, and effort, ensuring that the fence matches both the property’s needs and the owner’s priorities. Titan Fence helps property owners across North DFW make that decision with confidence by designing, installing, and servicing fences that fit both form and function.