Photo: Liza Bakay

What is the cheapest privacy fencing?

Chain link, comprising thick steel wires bent and hooked together, is often the best option for a small budget and a large yard. While the 2- to 3-inch spaces between the wires mean less privacy than a solid fence, chain-link fences effectively keep pets in and intruders out.

bobvila.com - The Most Affordable Ways to Fence in a Yard - Bob Vila

What is best to waterproof plywood?

Plywood can be waterproofed with paint, polyurethane, or epoxy finish. Lightly sand the plywood with 180 grit sandpaper, clean off any sawdust, and...

Last updated Jan 14, 2023

What is a window called that does not open?

fixed windows Windows that don't open are, generally speaking, called 'fixed windows' – but let's get into the most commonly types of fixed...

Last updated Nov 21, 2020

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

A fence that keeps out nosy neighbors and possible intruders can also boost your home’s curb appeal without breaking the bank. While fencing materials such as aluminum ($45 to $65 per linear foot installed) and vinyl ($27 to $47 per linear foot installed) are decidedly pricey, it is possible install a front yard or backyard fence far more frugally. The following fencing options are relatively affordable, particularly compared to the cost of vinyl and aluminum versions. Some of these cheap fencing ideas below are purely utilitarian and others, primarily decorative, but you’re sure to find a fence that suits your tastes and your budget. Treated wood tends to twist or warp after it is installed, so you will want to handpick fence panels from your lumberyard to ensure that they aren’t green or damp. If they are, it’s a sign that the wood will easily move out of place once it is in the ground.

Cost: $14 to $20 per linear foot installed

RELATED: All You Need to Know About Fence Materials

2. Chain Link

Looking for a cheap dog fence? Chain link might be your best bet. Comprised of thick steel wires bent and hooked together, this type of fencing is often the best option for a small budget and a large yard. While the 2- to 3-inch spaces between the wires mean less privacy than a solid fence, chain-link fences effectively keep pets in and intruders out. While chain link isn’t especially attractive, you can improve its appearance by installing a privacy panel over the chain links, or planting a fast-growing vine such as ivy directly behind it and letting it overtake the fence. Painting it with an oil-based exterior paint in a neutral or earth tone, like forest green, can also transform the look of the chain link.

Cost: $17 to $20 per linear foot installed

3. Full Trellis

Using a trellis as the panels in a fence can create a charming backdrop for a yard. Whether painted bright white, stained and sealed a rich chocolate hue, or covered in vines from the garden, a trellis allows some light to filter through and creates interesting shadows in the yard. Price will vary based on the material and strength. Keep in mind, though, that trellises—especially trellises on the cheap—will not be as sturdy as conventional fencing, so don’t expect them to corral dogs or keep predators out. They can, however, add visual appeal and privacy where you need it.

Cost: $3.50 to $7 per linear foot

RELATED: How to Build a Trellis

4. Barbed Wire

When you’ve got livestock to rein in and fierce roaming predators like wolves and coyotes to keep out, it’s hard to beat this low-cost option. Three to five strands (tiers) of barbed wire are stretched horizontally between metal posts around the property line, with wood or metal posts installed at corners to hold the wire up. Note that barbed wire fences are only permitted in rural areas, so check local codes before using this material.

Cost: $1.50 to $2 per linear foot

5. Hog Wire

Budget-conscious homeowners may appreciate this fencing for cheap option to corral small animals or mark property boundaries. Rigid metal wire is usually strung in a grid-like pattern over a series of large wooden frames. There’s minimal wood incorporated in this type of fencing, which may allow you to splurge on a high-end species like redwood for a more attractive look.

Cost: $3 to $5 per linear foot

What is an offset pivot hinge?

Offset pivot hinges allow a door to swing clear of the inside frame. You'd use one when a door needs to open out of the way, giving clear access to...

Last updated Feb 28, 2020

What is a good size Barndominium?

A barndominium of 30 feet by 40 feet allows for a ground-level space of 1,200 square feet. Adding a second floor puts the interior space at about...

Last updated Feb 25, 2018

These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »

Promotion

RELATED: 20 Tips for Keeping All Critters Out of Your Yard and Garden

6. Electric Fencing

Electric fencing to deter animal and human intruders is popular with homeowners for its low cost and simple setup: All you need is an electric fence charger, posts, wires, insulators (and warning signs so that interlopers know the fence is charged). These security fences deliver a high-voltage pulse when the wire is breached, so they are usually only allowed in rural areas and must be kept clear of roads and highways.

Cost: $2.40 to $7 per linear foot

7. Pallet Fencing

Want a wood fence but don’t want to pay for it? DIY a fence from pallets you can pick up gratis at nurseries, construction sites, and other venues. Pallets can be installed either vertically or horizontally between vertical pallet posts, either with or without space between. Though you can usually get the pallets free, keep in mind there are costs associated with fasteners and other installation supplies. Make sure any pallets you score bear the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo, which certifies they were heat-treated or fumigated to prevent the spread of insects or plant diseases. Also know that pallets can contain splinters and nails—handle with care.

Cost: Free

RELATED: 15 Shipping Pallet Projects for the DIY Home

8. Split Rail

Traditionally used on farms and ranches to corral animals or mark property boundaries, the split-rail fence has made the leap to ranch and Southwestern-style homes and beyond. Timber logs, usually cedar or chestnut, are split lengthwise into “rails” and then stacked horizontally between short or tall vertical posts. Because there are 8 to 10 inches of space between individual rails, this fencing uses less material than solid varieties, and thus costs considerably less.

Cost: $12 to $30 per linear foot

9. Picket

Probably the most visually appealing of any cheap front yard fence ideas, An enduring symbol of the American Dream, the picket fence is an enduring symbol of the American Dream. It provides the yard with some privacy, too, thanks to vertical fence pickets spaced 1 to 3 inches apart that are attached to top and bottom horizontal rails. Available in a range of decorative picket styles, including pointed and round, picket fences look particularly charming around Colonial, Craftsman, Cape Cod, or Georgian homes.

Cost: $17 to $25 per linear foot installed

RELATED: How to Fix a Leaning Fence

10. Dog Ear

In this modern twist on the picket fence that’s ideal for Colonial Revival homes, the top of each individual section of fencing takes an inverted curve shape. The fence panels in a dog-ear fence may all be of shorter lengths than the fence posts, adding more visual variety. But more complex wood cuts are needed to achieve fence panels of different heights, hence a higher price than traditional pickets.

Cost: $16 to $21 per linear foot installed

RELATED: 11 Ideas for Better Backyard Privacy

11. Lattice Top

This unexpected tweak on a solid wood fence is well suited for Queen Anne or Country French homes. A frame of thin slats, made of wood or metal in a crisscross pattern, is installed on top of a shorter, solid wood fence to let in sunlight and maintain a view to the outdoors while preventing unwanted attention from passersby. Even better? The lattice doubles as a trellis for nearby climbing vines.

Cost: $16 to $22 per linear foot

Can too much insulation cause mold?

Mold in the Middle It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal...

Last updated Jul 10, 2020

Can you put insulation directly on concrete?

It's not recommended that you apply fiberglass insulation directly to a concrete wall. If you must use fiberglass, there needs to be a space...

Last updated Nov 14, 2020

Promotion

12. Privet

Green thumbs appreciate living privacy “fences,” most commonly made of privet hedges. Depending on the privet species (there are more than 50), the semi-evergreen shrubs grow tall, from 4 to 10 feet or more. They can be planted around the entire yard or only a small expanse, and then pruned and sculpted to suit your taste.

Cost: $2 to $3 per linear foot

RELATED: 11 Living Fences that Look Better than Chain Link

13. Spotted Laurel

These hardy, bushy plants with green leaves and yellow or brown markings can survive air pollution and salt-bearing winds alike, which is why they are popular in places with suboptimal air quality, as well as near the coast. Also known as Aucuba japonica, laurels reach 6 to 10 feet tall at maturity, ideal for backyard privacy with a burst of color.

Cost: $8 to $9 per linear foot

14. Bamboo

These tall and striking plants in the grass family around the perimeter of your property look great with Tropical Modern or California Bungalow homes. Bamboo reaches 10 to 50 feet or higher to boost outdoor shade and comfort. Keep in mind that the more invasive “running” variety of bamboo spreads fast and far, potentially overtaking the land, so stick to the clumping variety that grows in small mounds. Bonus: Bamboo repels deer, so your new fence won’t be food for 4-legged neighbors!

Cost: $3 to $6 per linear foot

RELATED: The Best 10 Plants to Grow for Backyard Privacy

15. Yew

This dense, dark, hardy evergreen is a smart choice for a living fence in cloudy and sunny climates alike. Yew grows slowly, however, usually taking years to reach a mature hedge height of from 4 to 20 feet or taller, depending on the variety.

Cost: $6 to $7 per linear foot

16. Corrugated Metal

If total privacy is the goal, and your design style of choice is industrial, a corrugated metal fence may be ideal for your needs. Galvanized sheets of corrugated metal are lighter in weight per square foot than many other fence materials, and the material can resist mold and rust. Some DIYers even choose to upcycle old metal.

Cost: $10 and up per linear foot

RELATED: 6 Things to Know Before Cutting Metal

17. Potted Plants

For those who don’t need privacy or a secure perimeter to contain pets or little ones, a row of potted plants or potted trees can make a visually striking and interesting border to a yard. While the plantings can be anything that enjoys the local climate, inexpensive options for pots can include simple DIY-made boxes, upcycled pallets, or crates.

Cost: $25 and up per linear foot

18. Garden Wall

Rather than using wood or metal to partition your property, consider growing a garden wall. Instead of the traditional hedge, create a functional vine-filled vegetable garden of cucumbers, pole beans, or pumpkin. Vertical gardens are popular because you can grow plants up instead of out, saving space and water if designed well. The garden’s bounty can provide some extra privacy to a hog wire, lattice, or chain-link fence and make a delicious addition to the dinner table, too.

Cost: $15 and up per linear foot

Prices are based on current national estimates from HomeAdvisor and pricing from The Home Depot as of March 15, 2022.

bobvila.com - The Most Affordable Ways to Fence in a Yard - Bob Vila

What does black mold smell like in a house?

It's often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants. You might notice a musty smell, but not be able to...

Last updated Aug 4, 2021

What size lumber should I use for a shed floor?

The most common option for your floor joist is your standard 2×6. A 2×8 will provide a few additional benefits and have some advantages, but...

Last updated Jan 3, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Should I leave outdoor lights on all night?

You should treat your porch light the same as you would any other room in the house. Not only is leaving the lights on overnight bad for the...

Last updated Jul 28, 2019

Promotion

Are plastic sheds rodent proof?

Are plastic sheds rodent-proof? The construction of plastic sheds means that they won't harbour cracks and holes which could allow rodents to...

Last updated Jul 7, 2022