The best garden fences to edge your outdoor space

This type of fence is made of woven coppiced hazel to a traditional pattern that allows some light to pass through, making it a good option for smaller gardens or those that need a degree of shading. It's also good for sectioning off areas of larger gardens to make designated spaces for various design features. The construction also gives a nice texture to the fence, making it seem more welcoming and decorative and less utilitarian. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Customer review: "Absolutely love these 6' hurdles. A new project at the top of our garden. There's a wood beyond the hurdles, and they blend in so naturally. They are so strong and really well made."

A classic and timeless choice, wooden picket fences are made of vertical slats that are spaced evenly apart, and these panels from The Garden Trellis Co. have been endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. They are a good option for providing a traditional decorative border to your garden – not to mention bringing a touch of charm. The picket fence gives a feeling of openness and allows a degree of versatility in how it is presented. For instance, the wood can be left to grey naturally, it can be annually stained with a coloured wood preserver, or it can be painted with a suitable outdoor wood paint – after all, who doesn't like a white-painted picket fence?

Metal fences are strong and durable, but their main purpose is as an aesthetic way of marking your garden border. They are also good for keeping younger children and pets safe, and they don't create too much of a barrier to any view you might enjoy. They do require a bit of maintenance to keep them looking good in top condition, but they can be painted to suit the rest of your garden décor.

Customers review: "Really good quality product, really pleased with the look easy to construct although two people needed to lift as quite heavy."

Feather edge or stockade panels are designed with partial overlapping, making them a popular choice for those seeking a strong and durable fence that affords good privacy and security. These are perfect if you are planning to build a fence from scratch, perhaps due to an undulating ground surface or an awkwardly shaped boundary; it means you can construct the fence to your own design and requirements. Once constructed you have the choice of a natural wood finish, protecting it with wood stain or painting it with a suitable wood colour to match your garden décor.

Customer review: "Needed to build a made-to-measure fence. Looks fantastic. Great for the price."

Made of durable PVC, this type of fence is weatherproof and low-maintenance. It's not the prettiest of solutions, but is ideal if there is an area of your garden that you need to secure, perhaps to prevent pets from escaping or to stop wildlife from getting at your veggies. It is easy to cut to size, and once installed, you can improve the appearance by growing climbing plants or buying a garden fence cover.

Customer review:" Absolutely perfect product to create a dog-proof barrier around the veggie patch!"

Bamboo fencing is a natural and sustainable option for your garden. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Bamboo fences come in a variety of styles and sizes, it's natural and sustainable, and it looks good in just about any situation. It's not so good for providing strong boundary security, but it does come into its own when used to separate sections of your garden for different uses or to provide shade from the wind or sun. Make sure you choose the correct size of slats for the level of privacy and security you desire.

Customer review: "This product has transformed my outdoor space into a private, serene oasis that I can now enjoy to the fullest. The bamboo split slat design not only provides excellent privacy from prying eyes but also adds a touch of natural beauty to my garden."

A cost-effective option, chain link fences are made of metal wires that are woven together and then can be covered in a plastic powder coating. Once again, they may not be the most attractive solution, but they are a good choice for gardens that need to be secure, keeping pets and children safely in and unwanted intruders out. Another advantage is that they are generally quite tall – great if you have aspiring footballers or tennis players in your garden!

Customer review: "I had to have a secondary fence to stop the dogs swimming off from the bottom of my garden. This was perfect as the view is uninterrupted, and the dogs are safe."

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