Composite Fences: How to Choose the Right Style for Your San Antonio, TX Home

According to HomeLight, landscaping upgrades can add over $7,300 in value to your home, and that includes fencing. So not only does fencing provide defined property lines and privacy, but it can also boost your property’s curb appeal!

Now that you know this information, there’s no better time than now for you to replace your fencing, especially if it’s old and falling apart. A popular option is composite fences, as it has all the benefits of wood, but without hefty maintenance requirements.

There are several composite fence designs available though, and it can be difficult to decide which is right for your home. To help you out, here’s a guide on how to weigh up your choices.

Understand the Benefits of Composite Fencing First

First of all, do you even know what composite fencing materials are? Well, many products are made from recycled plastics and wood fibers, which means that they’re eco-friendly.

Because it has this unique blend of materials, composite fencing offers several benefits that are ideal for the San Antonio area. For example, it’s resistant to the following:

• Fading
• Warping
• Cracking

Resistance to all of the above is essential, considering that the city has hot summers and occasional heavy rains. In addition, it’s impervious to termites, rot, and mildew, which is invaluable in humid climates.

As mentioned earlier, composite fencing doesn’t require much maintenance either. Unlike wood, it doesn’t need staining, sealing, or painting.

Now that you understand the benefits you can get from this type of durable outdoor fencing, let’s move on to narrowing down your choices.

Consider Your Home’s Architectural Style

Your home’s current aesthetics will heavily impact which type of composite fencing you choose. If you don’t carefully match the two, then the overall look can be incohesive.

For example, if you have a modern or contemporary home, then we’d suggest horizontal slat composite fencing in cool tones like charcoal, black, or dark gray.

Here are our other suggestions based on the types of homes available:

• Traditional or colonial: Composite picket fences or shadowbox styles in classic white, light tan, or brown
• Ranch or Southwestern: Board-on-board horizontal plank with wood grain texture in earth tones (like cedar, sienna, or rustic brown)
• Spanish or Mediterranean: Decorative composite fences with wrought-iron inlays or warm wood-look panels in colors of clay, terra cotta, or redwood tones

Make sure to match your composite deck too!

Determine the Purpose of Your Fence

What you mainly use the fence for will determine its height, opacity, and structure. For instance, if you want privacy and security, then you’re better off with full panel privacy fences that are 6-8 feet tall that have tongue-and-groove designs or solid interlocking boards. You’ll also want reinforced posts and perhaps some add-ons, like lockable gates and steel-reinforced cores.

Those who have pets and/or children should opt for durable, gap-free fences with no climbable rails. They should be at least four feet high for most pets (higher for larger breeds).

On the other hand, if you want to boost curb appeal, then you’ll want decorative tops, like lattice or scalloped edges. Mixed materials are good too, such as composite with stone columns.

Choose the Right Color and Texture

As you might’ve guessed from a previous section, composite fencing comes in a range of colors and wood-look finishes. Not only do you have to consider your home’s current aesthetics when choosing the right color and texture, but you’ll also have to factor in the sun.

These are the popular color choices in San Antonio:

• Natural wood tones (cedar, walnut, driftwood)
• Neutral grays and charcoals
• Desert tones (sandstone, redwood)

Whichever color you pick, make sure you get UV-resistant finishes to prevent fading in intense sunlight.

Consider Your Maintenance Preferences

We’ve already said that composite is low-maintenance, so you won’t have to worry about complicated care procedures. However, some styles can hide dirt and damage better than others, which can make maintenance a non-factor!

For low to no maintenance, your best option is textured or wood-grain finishes, as well as darker colors. Do note that darker colors may show dust or pollen, but they’re better at hiding small scratches and scuffs.

You should know that horizontal designs may require occasional cleaning to prevent buildup. If this isn’t to your liking, then pick vertical designs instead.

Check HOA Rules and City Ordinances

It’s common for neighborhoods to have HOA restrictions or local building codes that regulate fencing. They may restrict your choices for:

• Fence height
• Approved materials and colors
• Setback distances from sidewalks or property lines

You should always check with your HOA and city permit office before installing a fence. That way, you’ll avoid fines or mandatory changes.

Weigh Up Your Choices

Once you have a better picture of what you potentially want, don’t commit immediately. You should request samples from manufacturers or local suppliers to compare the color and texture in person. In addition, you should visit nearby installations or view pictures to see how different styles look after a few years, as this may sway your decision.

Lastly, request quotes from at least three reputable local fence contractors. This will give you a good idea of what’s reasonable (and what’s not).

Pick the Best Composite Fences for Your Home

As you can see, there are various options regarding composite fences. Not only are there different colors, but also varying heights and styles, so take your time in exploring each possibility.

Whether you want traditional or modern fence styles, it’s vital that you get a professional installer for the job. Even if you’re an experienced DIYer, having an expert’s touch will ensure that quality work is done. Plus, they’ll typically have a workmanship warranty, so if anything goes wrong in the future, you can call them back in to fix things up.

Get in touch with us now if you’d like to speak with an expert about your home project. We at Diamond Decks can help with fence installation in Texas and have over 30 years of combined experience as a seasoned composite deck builder.