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Fence Options: Pickets vs Panels

picket fence design

As spring and summer draw near, many turn their attention to the outdoors and what home improvement projects they can get done during the warmer months. When it comes to fencing, you have a variety of options that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical. The main options tend to be pickets or panels, so below we discuss some of the drawbacks and benefits of each type of fencing.

Picket Fence

Giving you a traditional and classic look, many opt to build their fence using individual pickets. Because of this, a picket fence tends to be cheaper since you can easily calculate and buy the exact amount of material needed, and it is much easier to customize since you are building it board by board. Common materials for pickets include wood and vinyl, so you can choose the look that will best match the rest of your exterior.

Even still, building an enclosure with pickets requires more effort and attention to detail, and is a much more time-consuming option. Maintaining uniformity and properly building out all the rails, posts, and individually attaching each picket may not be an easy task for everyone if they are taking the DIY route. So, you may want to hire a professional if you’re opting for the picket option. 

Paneled Enclosure

High quality and uniformly manufactured, fencing panels come in many different colors, styles, and sizes, so they can be the perfect fit for any exterior. Plus, building a perimeter with panels is often quicker and can even be done in one day, though it may be a bit more expensive.

A downside of using panels to build an enclosure is that they typically can’t be used in a sloped yard, and even though you can construct the fence much quicker with panels over pickets, this is usually only true if you have multiple people helping you to build the fence since the panels are often oversized and heavy.  

Aside from panels and pickets, there are other common options to build a fence, including wrought iron, chain link, or other types of metals. Overall, you can always find a fencing option that matches your style aesthetic, budget, and functionality needs. After considering what you want out of your fence and which look you prefer, you can easily make the choice that is right for your yard

Bailey Schramm is a Guest writer from Happy Writers, Co.