The idea of a house with a picket fence is iconically American. Sturdy, attractive, and ingeniously thrifty with evenly spaced vertical boards that allow daylight to peak through, the wooden fences originated as an inexpensive way for colonists to mark property boundaries.
Photography by Ellen Jenkins, except where noted.
A house with a modern picket fence (using 2-by-2-inch pieces of clear cedar) designed by Mill Valley architect Kelly Haegglund.
Dating to pre-Revolutionary days, the first wooden fences developed as sturdy, simple, and utilitarian boundaries to keep chickens in or out of gardens.
What is the history of the picket fence?
A sophisticated version, designed by SF-based architect Ken Linsteadt. To match the house’s trim color, the fence is painted Navajo White by Benjamin Moore.
What are the different types of picket fences?
The first thing to consider is the color: will it be natural, stained, or painted? It’s a good idea to make sure the color matches or complements either the facade or another visible architectural element, such as a backyard fence.
A sampling of profiles of picket designs, cap styles, and posts by Heritage Fencing, an Australia-based manufacturer of hardwood fences. Local mills can often produce almost any style to suit your project.
Photograph by Michelle Slatalla.
A low-pitched ranch-style roof may call for a squared or blunt point.
For more of this garden, see Landscape Designer Visit: A Sprawling Long Island Estate by Scott Mitchell. If there is slope and it’s steep enough, architect Kahlil Bair recommends stepping up fence sections.
The decision on design and color will affect which type of wood you will want to use.
What types of wood are used for picket fences?
A 6-foot-long panel of 3.5-foot-high Spaced Cedar Fence is $62.67 from Home Depot. A fence of these materials will last a long time if protected with paint and primer.
A 4-foot-high custom fence costs from $25 to $50 per linear foot, unpainted. Walpole Woodworks of Maine makes all parts of a fence (as well as gates and trellises) and ships to various dealers, primarily on the East Coast (call a local dealer for pricing).
How much does a picket fence cost?
Cons:
For the quintessential paint color, see Rehab Diary: Dream Kitchen for Under $3,000 on Remodelista.