Do You Want to Know How to Create a Modern Fence?
Maybe you would like something a little different to reflect your style. Maybe you’re just looking for some inspiration for your next fence project. While your fence often needs to meet practical considerations, a little thought and imagination can turn your humble fence into a work of art. At the least, you can make your fence something that enhances your garden and is a pleasure to look at.
Either way, you’ve come to the right place. At Solent Fencing, we have everything you need, including friendly, expert advice. In this article, we will look at a variety of different ways that you can create a modern fence. We’ll also provide tips and advice on choosing the right materials and design for your needs. So whether you’re looking to install a brand new fence or give your old one a modern makeover, read on for some helpful tips.
There are many ways to create a modern-looking fence, but you also need to think about what you consider modern. Do you want a fence that looks almost futuristic with stark grey lines, or do you want to brighten up a dull old fence with some bright paint?
Practical Considerations for Your Modern Fence Design.
Before you decide on the style of your fence, there are some practical considerations to consider regarding privacy, security, space, budget etc. We discussed that in more detail in our article on decorative fence panels.
Briefly summed up, they are as follows:
- The size of your garden.
- Your neighbours.
- Maintenance.
- Your budget.
- Planting.
- Security.
- Privacy.
Whatever the design of your fence, make a few notes about the practicalities before you shop. It’s annoying to get carried away with planning home improvements and then realising you’ve forgotten some basic necessities.
What is a Modern Fence?
A modern fence is a type of fence that typically lends itself to a sleek, minimalist design. It often features clean lines and sharp angles, making it a perfect choice for homes with a modern or contemporary aesthetic. One of the reasons to choose a modern fence is low maintenance, meaning it will require minimal upkeep and be resistant to rust and corrosion.
This is usually true of artificial materials such as composite, metals and concrete. Wood will always require a little maintenance. It is a natural product, and you should expect it to change with exposure to weather. You can reduce this by using more resistant materials to weather damage in more exposed areas. Typically this would be posts and gravel boards. These are the parts that take the heaviest load or are in touch with the damp earth. Choose the right posts and gravel board, and you will extend the life of your fence by many years.
Modern fences can also be made from natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and stone, but how they are designed or constructed will determine whether they are modern.
Rustic fencing can work well with modern fencing as a smaller backdrop or boundary fence. This garden (see image) could look quite monochrome with so much greenery, but the bamboo fence posts provide texture in contrast to the zen-like patio and emphasise the planting lines.
Modern or Fashionable?
Don’t confuse modern with ‘on trend’. Fashions come and go. According to House Beautiful Magazine, Hazel hurdles are trending this year. They report a focus on raw materials and cite hazel as one of those materials that creates a perfect natural backdrop for colourful plants. A Hazel twig fence has a traditional look, so could not be considered modern, but is, currently, fashionable. This is to point out that fashionable and modern can easily be confused. Sometimes ‘fashionable’ does not stand the test of time, so be clear about what you like and be aware of how long you will have to live with the fence.
Also, think more broadly about the look of the garden. A fence does not stand in isolation, so you will want it to sit well with the house. The planting, driveway, grass areas, patio design and furniture will all contribute to the overall look and have a hand in whether it will look modern or traditional. Even modern design sometimes benefits from a little warmth, in colour or softer lines, to feel comfortable and provide balance.
Fence Materials.
When considering a modern fence, think more about smooth materials and minimal colour and variation in shade. The more rustic and varied the surface is, the further it moves from being modern.
Metals, Composite and PVC, are all artificial materials that will create a modern look. You can use small amounts of these to add to your modern look. Aluminium panels and mirrors mounted on fences help create texture and the illusion of space in a small garden. Don’t forget that a fence does not have to be the same all the way along, especially inside the garden. You can hang plant pots or other decorations or paint parts of the fence to create interesting sections. Think about the planting that will sit in front of the fence section. A dark grey painted panel could create a stunning contrast to white flowers and contribute to the modern look you want to create.
Using Wood for a Modern Fence.
Wood is a popular choice for modern fences because it can be easily worked into various designs and is relatively affordable. However, it’s important to choose the right type of fence panel if you want your fence to have a polished finish that will contribute to that modern look.
Look for panels with planed wood which gives them a smoother finish. Think of straight lines rather than rough edges. Choose wood that is more consistent in colour. Some woods naturally have more knotting, which looks rustic.
If you think of painting your fence, remember that the treated smoother wood will be easier to paint. Untreated wood will need a primer to achieve a solid colour. A watered-down colour wash or clear coloured varnish will provide a less opaque covering and allow the grain to show through. The smoother and more consistent the finish, the more modern it will look. Don’t forget that you don’t need to paint the whole fence. You can create painted sections for emphasis.
The panels shown below are all suitable in a modern scheme as they are built with smooth, planed timber. See these panels and others on our fence panel pages.
Durapost Fencing Posts and Accessories are Perfect for a Modern Fence.
Composite fencing posts and accessories from Durapost are an excellent choice to combine the beauty and value of wooden fence panels with robust support to create a modern fence that will last for many years. Durapost products are made from galvanised steel which goes through a process called ‘cold rolling’. This gives the posts incredible strength that has withstood laboratory testing against wind speeds of 110mph.
Durapost powder-coated posts are guaranteed for 25 years, and you could expect them to last longer than that. Both concrete and timber could last that long if treated properly, but in addition to the long-lasting benefits, this article focuses on modern fencing, and Durapost products could provide the answer. The colours of posts, caps and gravel boards include Anthracite Grey, Olive, Sepia Brown and galvanised steel. These finishes provide a perfect contrast with the wood and instantly bring your fence design to life. Create focal areas with stacked gravel boards that provide contrast and prove exceptionally durable for areas that need more protection.
Creating a Modern Fence on a Budget.
The cheapest fence panels are pressure treated lap panels that start at around £30 per panel. You can build a long run using concrete or timber posts for very little money. This is the most popular type of fencing, partly because it’s great value and does the job well. The question is – how can you make the fence look more modern? You can use concrete posts and gravel boards to create contrast. The side without the rail will look most modern so if you share this fence with a neighbour, make sure you get the good side.
The quickest way to modernise a wooden fence is to paint it. Dark greys are popular and instantly smooth out the look. If you prime the fence first, you are more likely to achieve a solid colour.
Make Your Garden Look Modern if You Can’t Change the Fence.
An old tatty fence can let the garden down, but a little TLC and clever planting could make your garden look modern.
Repair the fence and make sure that the posts are still solid and upright. If you fear that the fence is past its best, you may be able to extend its life with concrete repair spurs. These are shorter concrete posts installed against the old posts to give them extra strength. Treat the fence with weather protection if it needs it, or paint it with appropriate paint.
If you can’t have a modern fence, disguise it with containers and plants.
Find containers that could be used for planting. Look for straight lines and solid colours to bring a sense of order into the garden. Choose plants that have a lot of leaves in proportion to the flowers and sleep your colour scheme to one or two colours.
Plant structural hedges and cut them into shape if you feel creative. Box hedges are not too expensive, especially if you buy them when they are small. They will soon grow.
Look for composite plant pots at your local nursery. They are available in various colours and sizes and are not expensive. If you have a recycling centre near you, check their shop. You may be surprised at what you can find that is suitable for plants. Any containers can be used as planters. Drill holes in the bottom for drainage.
Above all, have some fun designing your garden. If you need help, pop into our fencing centre in Gosport. If you can’t get to us, give us a call, and we will deliver to you.
