Fence panels
do not have to look ordinary or as if they were chosen out of a catalog. They can be painted to create a more personal look or custom-designed as a one-of-a-kind fence. When working with local fencing contractors, ask for something different in a fence panel design. Use fence panels in ways that have nothing to do with exterior fencing for an added decorative touch. Does this Spark an idea?
Use Decoratively
Pre-made fence panels come in several different heights and can be found integrated into brick walls, stone fences and even used as railing on decks. Use an open-design fence panel as a garden trellis mounted between two posts or close to a wall or side of the house. Use lower, shorter panels to outline interior gardens or special areas of the yard containing a meditation bench, Zen garden or prize plants. Fence panels can also be used singly or in groups to guide visitors through a yard or to a patio area, as a protective screen, or to block a view or hide an air-conditioner.
Add Some Color
Fence panels come in very basic colors, usually white or beige, and materials, vinyl or unpainted wood. Paint the interior of the panel colorfully to liven up the backyard. Clean the surface with soap and water, rinse thoroughly and allow the surface to dry. Spray vinyl or plastic panels with a primer designed for use on plastics and hard vinyls before spraying the surface with color. Follow the paint manufacturer's directions for the products and add a final coat of sealer for further water resistance. Consider staining the wood fence panel instead of painting it. Try a colored stain such as a deep green or a brown-red as a backdrop to the landscaping.
Design a Panel
Wood fence panels can be designed and made by local fencing companies. Design a pattern that fits the style of your home and yard. Collect images from magazines and books. Carry a camera and begin collecting photos of what others have done. Using graph paper and pencil, design a single panel to be repeated throughout the majority of the fence. Keep the core panel (the one repeated over and over) a simple plank design and add a foot-high decorative panel that contains a pattern reflecting an Asian, arts and crafts or other decorative style. Consider designing a fence panel that is more open and not so private, one that mixes several colors of wood or that mimics the window pane pattern of your home. Work directly with a fence-building expert to perfect the fence panel design.
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