What Is the Difference Between a Picket Fence and a Privacy Fence?

Fencing options are aplenty in today’s market, but as far as fencing styles go, they fall into one of two categories: open and privacy fences. The concept is quite simple: open fences allow people outside to see your yard and home, whereas privacy fences are completely blocked from prying eyes.

If you’re reading this, we can think of a reason why you’re here. You’re looking to build your fence but having trouble choosing between, say, a picket fence and a privacy fence. Before making a choice, it’s important to consider factors like the weather conditions in your area and the fence materials that best suit your needs. To that end, let us say that we feel you. Our clients flock to us whenever they can’t decide on what kind of new fence to get, let alone whether or not they want their privacy to be respected.

Well, that’s what this blog post is for. Here’s a close look at the difference between picket and privacy fences, as well as which of the two is ideal for your needs.

Key Differences in Design and Purpose

Surprisingly, these two designs have been around for thousands of years. The first fences were rudimentary but with the same purpose as fences today – to keep everything people need in and keep everything they don’t want out.

These were mainly open fencing styles made from wood and other light materials. Often associated with the American dream, picket fencing typically features vertical boards attached to horizontal rails, allowing for an open, charming look. Today, modern picket fence styles are often attached to sturdy fence posts and fence boards that provide greater stability while maintaining their traditional appeal.

Meanwhile, privacy fences were reserved for the rich and famous at the time, not only for maximum protection but also to prevent passersby from peering into their estates from a distance. These were more like walls than fences, as they were mainly made out of brick and stone.

Despite having more options in this day and age, fences are still designed as open or fully enclosed. That said, a third fence style now exists, a middle ground between the two. Here’s a summary of the designs relative to the options GFences offers.

Open

Semi-open

Privacy

Picket

Tubular Steel

Wire

Aluminium Slat

Timber

Brushwood

COLORBOND®

White picket fences aren’t designed to thwart intruders, but people in the old days weren’t much concerned with such a scenario. During colonial times, settlers were more concerned with securing as much land as quickly as possible. Pickets were easy to make and erect, not to mention simple enough to tell people this was their land. Nowadays, various picket fence styles are available, each offering a unique aesthetic appeal, but all serve the same purpose of defining property lines.

On the other hand, properties enclosed in privacy fences are easy enough to understand the message their owners are sending. They wish for their privacy to be respected, but that also means they can’t see what’s going on unless they step outside or go to higher ground. Nevertheless, it’s an acceptable trade-off for many.

Picket Fences vs. Privacy Fences: A Comparison

	Picket Fence	Privacy Fence
Wind Resistance	Open fence design allows wind to pass through between the pickets unimpeded	Designed and rated for use under extreme winds such as cyclones
Water Resistance	Only when coated with an all-weather sealant	Varies by material
UV Resistance	Only when coated with an all-weather sealant	Varies by material
Fire Resistance	Treated to reduce the likelihood of ignition, but strong fires are still a risk	Varies by material
Impact Resistance	Not made to take major hits	Varies by material
Noise Reduction	Not made to dampen noise	Only brush fences have this
Coastal Use	Some resistance to salty air depending on the timber but generally not advisable	Varies by material
Outdoor Space Safety	Good at keeping kids and large pets within the yard; small pets may still escape	Excellent even at keeping small pets within the yard
Aesthetic Appeal	Gives the property a look akin to colonial-era homes	Varies by material
Cost	Requires fewer materials to produce, making it more cost-friendly	Needs more fencing materials to fill every linear metre, adding to the overall cost
Fence Installation	Easy to install, with some even performing DIY work thanks to its lightweight	DIY is possible but usually done by professionals due to the heavy parts
Security	Not guaranteed due to its open design and, to some extent, short fence height	Guaranteed due to its lack of exploitable gaps and its height
Repair	Damaged individual pickets can be replaced, which can save time and money	Entire sections need to be swapped out, requiring a lot of time and money
Maintenance	Regular fence maintenance is necessary to deal with signs of rotting	Varies by material
Design Versatility	Ideal as a primary fence but only at the front, as well as for access fencing	Ideal for all-around fencing, both front and back yards, and for access fencing
Permit Requirement	Not as often, provided the wood fence project meets council or shire regulations	Most likely, as fence height is an important factor in ensuring complete privacy
Sustainability	Timber is sustainable if it’s sourced from responsible sources like tree farms	Varies by material

Keep in mind that the position of your fence line and the specific area you wish to enclose may also influence your decision, especially if certain fence styles are more suited to different terrain. To further enhance fence longevity, ensuring proper installation of fence posts and choosing high-quality materials can make a significant difference, regardless of the type of fence you choose.

Conclusion

There’s no direct answer as to which of the two is the better fencing option. In the end, it all comes down to personal tastes. If privacy and security aren’t much of a concern and you want to maximise curb appeal, a classic white picket fence will be a reasonable choice. Otherwise, a privacy fence is the ideal option.