First impressions last, and it's generally the fence or gate that has an immediate impact on a home or building. It’s often the first interaction people have with a building and one that defines the lasting impression of it. In terms of residential properties, street appeal is an important part of creating a seamless style, and a simple way to add value, define boundaries and create a dynamic outdoor area.

The best fences and gates for a property will depend on various factors, including the architectural style of the building, the primary function of the fence or gate, and what sort of statement the boundary is to make. 

For example, is privacy the most important function? Or is the fence designed to provide a buffer for noise? Is it simply to define the boundary of a property, or is it for security purposes? Is it a pool fence that must comply with fencing regulations?

Once the primary function is clear, the next step is to consider style, and this is where creativity comes into play. With so many styles and materials available, choosing the style of fences and gates can be an exciting process to work through, with different styles potentially changing the entire look and feel of a property, and often significantly increasing its value. 

How to style fences and gates

Selecting the best materials is a good way to start when working out how to style exterior fencing and gates. For example, timber fencing may suit a traditional property where the notion of the garden fence naturally lends itself to a picket fence. Often, these types of fences can work well with older homes and heritage-listed properties where only certain heights of fencing may be allowed. 

Wooden gates can add a traditional sense of elegance and a nice, natural element to a home’s street appeal. Wooden gates can offer a tactile and natural entrance to a home, with either traditional manual operation or via remote control or sensor. 

More contemporary options such as an aluminium fence and gates, or a metal or steel fence and wrought iron gates can create a striking, seamless street appeal, and often have the benefit of longevity over timber options. Wrought iron gates can be crafted into some of the most detailed and sculptural designs, suiting both contemporary and traditional architecture. In some cases, a steel gate can be another option where complex designs can be achieved. 

Choosing a gate: automatic, swing or sliding?

Residential gates are a central part of access to a property and can offer many benefits from added security to ease of use. Many modern driveway automatic gates are operated via remote control, keypad or sensor, whether sliding or swing gates, with automatic gate openers a generally preferred option. More traditional manually operated gates are often popular as a garden gate for pedestrian access to a property. For security fencing, locked or automatic gates are generally a preferred option.

For rural properties, the outlook on fences can be slightly different, with traditional post fences still a popular option for larger properties. However, in many cases, a feature can be created around the residential part of a larger rural property with fence panels and ornate farm gates.