Find out everything you should know about lattice fences to decide if they're right for your project.

Lattice Fencing Advantages and Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of lattice fencing is it usually offers no privacy. A true lattice fence is as see-through as a chain link fence. Some homeowners combat that fact by installing solid privacy panels below, but that's essentially a privacy fence with lattice accents. Lattice fences also aren't as durable as, say, a privacy or palisades fence.

The main advantage of lattice fencing is its aesthetic value. The style is highly decorative. What's more, a lattice's purpose is as a support for climbing plants, so such a fence can complement your landscaping. Lattice fencing is also highly versatile.

Lattice Fence Materials

The traditional material for lattice fencing is wood. Cedar is a high-end choice, but you can also choose natural whitewood or pressure-treated pine. Contractors can stain, paint, or whitewash the surface. Wood offers the most customization options.

Vinyl is a standard alternative to wood in most fence styles, including lattice. The quality of vinyl fencing varies, which relates to its durability and longevity. However, vinyl typically makes for low-maintenance fencing. You see plastic lattice panels, but contractors rarely use them for an entire fence.

Lattice Panel Styles

Because lattice fencing is a decorative fence to begin with, it offers many modifications for decorative elements. At minimum, you can choose how weighty and elaborate you want the rails and posts to be. You can even omit the top rails for a rustic finish.

The top of the fence offers other opportunities for decorative elements. The tops of the lattice panels can be concave or convex. You can also extend the posts up and join them with a floating top rail.

Lattice Fence Decorative Elements

Because lattice fencing is a decorative fence to begin with, it offers many modifications for decorative elements. At minimum, you can choose how weighty and elaborate you want the rails and posts to be. You can even omit the top rails for a rustic finish.

The top of the fence offers other opportunities for decorative elements. The tops of the lattice panels can be concave or convex. You can also extend the posts up and join them with a floating top rail.

Lattice Fence Cost Considerations

A couple considerations go into the cost per foot of a lattice fence. The main consideration is material. You can choose a low-cost vinyl or wood, which are about the same price as each other. As a material, quality wood comes in at a good midrange price. Quality vinyl is the most expensive option.

The other major cost consideration is fencing style. If you choose a prefabricated wood fence, it will usually lower the installation cost. Any customizations that require the contractors to put the fence together on-site add to the cost. With prefabricated vinyl, more elaborate fences cost more at the outset, but they're all about the same for installation.

Lattice Fence Maintenance

The maintenance for lattice fencing also relates to the material. With wood, both cedar and pressure-treated pine are resistant to rot and warping. However, you do need to inspect the fence regularly for signs of either issue. You can also detect breaks that way. Likewise, you must refinish or repaint the fence every few years.

Vinyl fencing requires little maintenance. You can power wash it once or twice a year. Otherwise, give it an inspection to detect breaks. If part of a panel breaks, you typically have to replace the whole panel to maintain the fence's structural integrity.

If you think a lattice fence will work for your project, contact Alta Fence Co.