A front fence can add to the kerb appeal of a property, adding style and harmony. Consider the architecture of your house and what will suit the setting. You'll have plenty of materials and designs to choose from, so here are some considerations to help shape your thinking.

Privacy

One of the most crucial attributes of a fence if you want privacy in your front yard is its height. A tall barrier will block the view more than a low, waist-high structure. You can choose solid options such as colorbond, brick or cement. 

However, to create privacy with a less enclosed effect, you could opt for a slatted design of horizontal boards. The small gaps between each one let light flicker through the fence, making it appear airier while offering privacy. You could disguise a high barrier, from the perspective of your yard, with a vertical garden. Alternatively, place planter boxes full of ferns and foliage along the fence line. The plants will camouflage a tall barrier.

Mixing Materials

When planning a fence installation, you might review the various material options, such as wood, brick, cement, aluminium and wrought iron. Some of these substances are chunky and will give a fence a substantial feel, especially if it's high. For example, stone, brick, and cement form solid structures, which may be what you're after. However, if you want a lighter look, you could mix materials.

For example, build a low brick fence with a series of raised pillars, bridged with timber slats. Alternatively, construct cement pillars and connect them with aluminium slats. You could also set decorative wrought iron railings along a low brick barrier to suit a grand period home. These fences will have appeal because of the combination of slimmer slats and rails against heavier bricks and concrete.

Choosing Colours

As well as choosing the height, design and material of a fence, you also need to select its colours. One approach is to repeat a colour somewhere on the house cladding, trim or roof. For example, your house may have golden cladding, which you can match with a warm sandstone and timber barrier. For a cream house, you could opt for a cream-coloured rendered-cement barrier with contrasting charcoal slats or railings. For a grey-roofed house, you could install grey slat fencing. If your house cladding is two-toned, you could repeat both tones on the front fence.

Your house might call for a simple approach. For example, you may live in a rustic white cottage. In this case, you could install a simple white picket fence. Pairing one material with a straightforward design will complement the architecture.

Contact a fence installation contractor to learn more.