Choosing the right fence is never easy; there is always much to consider. And if you have decided to put up a fence around your ranch house, we bet a few options come to mind.

A ranch house is a single-story home with an open layout. Most of the time, these houses are wider than deep, and their roofs have a lower pitch. You've probably seen them around the neighborhoods where you live. First-time homebuyers often choose them. 

The first and most popular fence choice for ranchers is the classic white picket fence of the 1950s. However, many want fences that can provide a timeless and modern look for their ranchers. In this article, we share some ideas you will love for your rancher's fence installation in Mission Viejo.

Chain Link Fences

A chain link fence is strong, durable, and practically maintenance-free. It's cheap to buy and easy to set up, so it's a popular choice when you need to cover a lot of ground. 

We consider it "green" because you can recycle the materials. But the problem with chain link is that it looks utilitarian and is not very private. However, there are ways to get around this, such as getting vinyl-coated styles in basic colors and making them into a lattice for plants to grow. 

Alternatively, let your imagination run wild with chain link fence decoration ideas. More than that, chain link fences are good for keeping pets in (or out) of your yard. When they're high, they also make you feel safer. You can make your chain links private by weaving polyethylene or vinyl strips into the links, but it's otherwise just functional.

Wood Fences

A wood fence is the classic American representation, and they are still popular because you can have them in any style, size, or height. It may be the cheapest to buy and install. But it requires ongoing upkeep (such as fresh stain or paint every 2–3 years), which you must always include in your budget. 

Wood is a green and long-lasting material you can put up and fix yourself. If you want a wood fence, consider using cedar or redwood. This is because fences made of cedar or redwood are more resistant to rot and insects. Also, pressure-treated wood lasts longer than untreated wood.

Rancher Wood Fence Styles

If you're looking for something that will achieve that contemporary look for your ranch home, then these wood fence styles will help:

Split Rail Fence

A split rail fence is pretty much rustic. It has vertical posts connected by horizontal rails. The split rail fence is made entirely of wood. The posts, rails, and joints where they connect all have a very rough-hewn look. 

Split rail fences look like real old fences and are one of the least expensive fences you can put up. Suppose you want to use this fence to keep animals in, whether the family dog or animals in the barn; you'll need to finish it with wire. A split-rail fence should last between 15 and 20 years before getting a replacement. But after 8 to 10 years, the rails will likely have rotted and need a replacement.

Slip Board Fence

With one key difference, a slip board fence is similar to a split rail fence. The rails of a split-rail fence are rough-cut, but the rails of a slip-board fence are smoother and better cut. Even though they look more modern, they are still farm-style fences. 

Again, you can expect this option to be fairly inexpensive. With the added wire, this type of fence is often in use for larger homes and estates that need to fence in a large area. As you might expect from a wooden ranch-style fence, a slipboard fence gets better looking as time goes on. But after 10 years of ownership, some of the posts will start to rot and need to get replaced. Again, after 15 to 20 years in the weather, this wooden fence will need to be completely replaced.

Wrought-Iron Fences

Modern steel wrought iron fences are long-lasting, aesthetically beautiful, and sturdy. But the widely spaced pickets mean they don't offer much in the way of seclusion. If keeping a tiny dog in the yard is a concern, you may want to look elsewhere, as some fences with this style also have a gap above the ground. 

Getting a fence with a rail near the ground at the bottom is best if you have dogs. Dogs that dig will appreciate a system like this as a boundary. Some fences combine steel pickets with wood slats to create a hybrid wood and steel fence. This hybrid provides even more privacy than either material alone.

Vinyl Fences

Vinyl fencing is commonly known as plastic fencing. It became popular because it requires almost little upkeep beyond the occasional rinse with a hose. It can look like almost any other type of fencing and comes in many different styles and colors. 

Because of its high cost, vinyl is often combined with cheaper materials when covering a broad area. DIY-ers might be able to handle some of the installations, but pros should handle the more complex parts. Vinyl's hollow nature makes it susceptible to breaking or cracking under much-applied pressure. Of course, this is something to keep in mind if you have large, active dogs or rowdy children enjoying sports in the yard.

Key Take-Away

Ranch-style homes, as a rule, have modest profiles, so we recommend that any exterior features complement that. A rancher's front yard would benefit most from a modest, visible fence of around three to four feet in height. 

However, after a century of construction and adaptation, there is a great deal of variation to the ranch house. And the recommendation to keep it low to the ground may not apply to all ranch homes. So opt for visibility for your front yard and good privacy for your back yard. 

Many houses, not just ranchers, have a short chain link fence in the front yard and a tall wooden privacy fence in the rear. Numerous fencing choices exist that meet these requirements. PVC and vinyl, which come in various heights, can offer the look of a white picket fence to the front yard of a contemporary ranch home.

That said, we hope you had a lovely read. If you have interests in replacing your old fence, read our article on tips for tearing down an old fence.