Fences offer necessary protection and privacy for your home and yard and can enhance your property’s overall character. Homeowners have a lot to consider when installing a fence, including choosing a color to last for years to come. This guide will help homeowners choose a fence color that best complements their home’s exterior and reflects their individual tastes.
Choosing the Right Fence Material
Before deciding on a color, homeowners must select the right material for their fence. Each material offers unique characteristics and benefits, and the choice of material can influence the color options available to you.
Wood Fence
Wood fences offer a natural look that you can enhance with stains or paints. When choosing a color for a wood fence, consider the natural hues of the wood and how they’ll age over time. Wood fence installers often recommend stains that preserve the wood’s natural beauty while providing protection against the elements. A stain can enhance the wood’s natural grain, while paint can provide a more uniform and vibrant color.
Metal Fence
Metal fences, such as those consisting of aluminum, iron, or steel, offer durability and are easy to maintain. Homeowners have two main options for metal fence styles: chain link and ornamental. The color choices for metal fences are often more limited compared to wood. However, you can have a metal fence powder-coated in various colors to match your home’s exterior. Chain link fences are generally available in black, brown, and green, whereas ornamental fences are primarily available in black and bronze.
Vinyl Fence
Vinyl fences are a popular choice for homeowners looking for a low-maintenance and cost-effective option. They come in a limited range of colors, primarily whites and tans, and don’t fade or chip over time, unlike wood fences. However, their light coloring shows more dirt and grime than other fence materials. Vinyl fences come in several style options to accommodate a household’s privacy and design needs.
How To Match a Fence Color
Matching your fence color to your home’s exterior and landscape can create a cohesive and visually appealing look. Consider matching your fence color to one of your home’s exterior features.
Siding
Homeowners should first decide if they would like their fence color to match their house siding. A fence that closely matches the siding can create a seamless look, making your property appear larger. However, many more people prefer the appearance of a complementary color for their fence. Light-colored siding tends to complement more fence colors. On the other hand, bolder-hued homes benefit most from neutral fences that don’t take attention from them.
Trim
Matching the fence color to your house’s trim creates a cohesive look that enhances its architectural features. Coordinating your fence color with the trim can frame your home beautifully, creating a cohesive appearance from the curb to the boundary of your property. Since your home’s trim is present as an accent, using an exact color match for a fence won’t lead to an overpowering appearance of one hue.
Existing Yard Structures
Homeowners could consider matching their fence color to existing yard structures, such as decks, pergolas, or gazebos. Choosing a fence color that harmonizes with these structures can create a unified outdoor living space, making it appear well thought out and intentionally designed. Matching the fence color to a natural wood stain or paint color can tie the yard’s aesthetic together, providing a sense of continuity and flow.
Other Factors To Consider
Here are some other factors you should also think about when determining your fence’s color.
Architecture
Your home’s exterior architectural style should complement its fencing. Natural wood tones suit many traditional homes with their timeless appearance. Modern and contemporary homes will look stylish with neutral or gray shades to complement their dramatic appearance.
Personal Style
The color of your fence should reflect your personality while still complementing your home’s exterior. Look for inspiration across available colors to decide whether you’re interested in a fence that’s light or dark, subtle or bold. It’s important to consider how the color will look during different times of the day and in various seasons to ensure it aligns with your personal aesthetics year-round.
Landscaping
Your yard’s features should influence your decision when choosing a fence color. A darker fence can serve as a stunning backdrop for colorful flower beds, making the colors pop. Conversely, a lighter fence color can brighten a shaded yard, creating a sense of openness and space.
Neighborhood
Before changing your fence’s color, you need to consider if there are neighborhood guidelines you must adhere to. Homeowners’ associations (HOAs) tend to have particular rules about exterior colors so that the entire neighborhood maintains a coherent appearance. Even if you don’t belong to an HOA, it’s still crucial to consider your neighbor’s fence style and communicate with them about any upcoming home projects that could affect them.
Fence Color Scheme Ideas
Now that we’ve presented several factors for choosing the best fence color, let’s discuss some popular colors for residential fences and what homes would best complement them.
- Natural wood: Maintaining the natural color of your wood fence with a natural stain gives your property a timeless appearance. It complements a range of home styles, from rustic cottages to modern farmhouses.
- White: White fences are a classic choice that pairs well with virtually every home exterior, including natural stone.
- Black: Black fences exude a modern and sleek feeling, making them ideal for contemporary homes. Black ornamental fences give a classy appearance and look stunning with brick homes.
- Vibrant colors: If you’re looking to make a statement, consider bold colors like deep blues, greens, or even bright reds. These colors can add personality and create a focal point in your outdoor space.
- Two-tone: Two-tone fences create design contrast that can add dimension to your yard. You’ll typically see these fences pair a neutral color with either white or black.
Your fence is an extension of your home, and with thoughtful selection, it can significantly boost your home’s curb appeal and value. When looking for a beautiful, long-lasting fence that fits your style, contact the Door and Fence store for all your fence installation needs. We offer an array of residential fence styles for homeowners in Ames, Iowa.
