A fence serves practical purposes — privacy, security, pet containment — and aesthetic ones. The practical purpose should drive the structural design; the aesthetic purpose should guide the material and profile choice.
Height and Transparency
A 4-foot fence provides visual boundary and light pet containment but minimal privacy. A 6-foot fence provides meaningful privacy for most adults. Solid board or shadowbox construction creates more privacy than spaced picket construction.
Wood vs. Metal
Wood fences offer warmth and natural appearance but require periodic staining or sealing. Metal fences — aluminum, steel, wrought iron — offer durability and security with a more formal or modern appearance. Composite materials combine the appearance of wood with the durability of plastic.