Choosing a fence isn’t just about marking your property line. The style you choose affects privacy, curb appeal, maintenance, wind flow, and how your entire backyard looks.
For homeowners in London, Ontario, some of the most popular options include vertical privacy fences, board-on-board fences, horizontal fences, shadowbox fences, lattice-top fences, vinyl fencing, aluminum fencing, and chain link.
So which one should you choose?
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular fence styles in 2026 and where each one works best.
Most Popular Fence Styles in London Ontario
| Fence Style | Privacy | Maintenance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical Wood Privacy | High | Medium | Backyards, pets, privacy |
| Board-on-Board | Very High | Medium | Maximum privacy |
| Horizontal Wood | High | Medium | Modern homes |
| Shadowbox | Medium-High | Medium | Shared fence lines |
| Lattice-Top | High | Medium | Decorative backyards |
| Vinyl Privacy | Very High | Low | Low-maintenance properties |
| Aluminum | Low | Very Low | Pools, gardens, open yards |
| Chain Link | Low | Very Low | Budget and utility |
1. Traditional Vertical Privacy Fence
The traditional vertical wood privacy fence is one of the most common fence styles in London.
Boards run vertically between horizontal rails, creating a simple and clean backyard boundary. It works with almost any style of home and can be built using pressure-treated lumber or cedar.
Best for:
- Backyard privacy
- Families with children
- Dog owners
- Separating neighbouring properties
- Homeowners looking for a traditional appearance
Pressure-treated wood is usually the more affordable choice, while cedar provides a more premium natural appearance.
2. Board-on-Board Privacy Fence
If privacy is your main priority, board-on-board is one of the best fence styles you can choose.
Instead of placing every board in a single flat row, the boards overlap. This helps prevent the obvious sightlines that can develop between boards and creates a more substantial privacy barrier.
Advantages:
- Excellent privacy
- Attractive finished appearance
- Helps minimize visible gaps
- Strong, substantial look
- Works well with decorative caps and trim
The downside is cost. Because the design uses more material than a basic privacy fence, board-on-board fencing will generally cost more to build.
For homeowners who care more about privacy and appearance than getting the absolute lowest price, it can be worth the upgrade.
3. Horizontal Wood Fence
Horizontal fencing has become an extremely popular choice for newer and renovated homes.
Instead of running vertically, the fence boards run horizontally between posts. Those long lines create a clean, modern appearance that works especially well with contemporary decks, concrete patios, pools, and landscaped backyards.
Why homeowners choose horizontal fencing:
- Modern appearance
- Creates long, clean visual lines
- Works extremely well with modern landscaping
- Can be built using cedar or other suitable fencing lumber
- Looks great with black posts and hardware
One thing to consider is the grade of your yard. Horizontal fencing can require more planning on properties with significant slopes because changes in elevation are more noticeable against the straight horizontal boards.
4. Shadowbox Fence
A shadowbox fence uses alternating boards on opposite sides of the fence rails.
From straight ahead, it provides substantial screening. From an angle, openings between the alternating boards allow more airflow and partial visibility.
This makes shadowbox fencing a good middle ground between an open fence and a completely solid privacy fence.
Best for:
- Shared property lines
- Homeowners who want both sides to look finished
- Backyards where complete privacy isn’t necessary
- Properties where some airflow is desirable
Shadowbox fencing can also feel less visually enclosed than a completely solid wall of boards.
5. Lattice-Top Privacy Fence
A lattice-top fence combines a solid privacy fence with a decorative section along the top.
The lower portion blocks most sightlines while the lattice lets additional light through and gives the fence a more decorative appearance.
Lattice-top fencing works particularly well around:
- Patios
- Decks
- Gardens
- Outdoor dining areas
- Traditional homes
It generally requires more material and labour than a very basic privacy fence, but the finished result can make a backyard feel considerably more polished.
6. Cap-and-Trim Wood Fence
A cap-and-trim fence takes a standard wood privacy fence and gives it a more finished, custom appearance.
A horizontal cap runs across the top of the fence, while additional trim can create clean framed sections between the posts.
It’s a relatively simple design change, but visually it can make a major difference.
Why choose cap-and-trim?
- Cleaner finished appearance
- Works with cedar or pressure-treated wood
- Complements decks and landscaping
- Makes a standard privacy fence look more custom
- Creates consistent lines across the property
For homeowners already investing in a deck, patio, pergola, or larger backyard renovation, cap-and-trim fencing is worth considering.
7. Vinyl Privacy Fence
Vinyl is a completely different option from traditional wood.
Instead of dealing with staining and sealing lumber over the years, vinyl fencing requires relatively little ongoing maintenance. Privacy panels are available in traditional colours as well as newer wood-inspired finishes.
Modern systems can also combine vinyl boards with black aluminum posts for a more contemporary appearance.
Image source: Aluminum Extrusions & Accessories
Advantages of vinyl fencing:
- Very low maintenance
- No staining required
- Doesn’t rot like wood
- Consistent appearance
- Excellent privacy options
- Easy to clean
The biggest disadvantage is generally the upfront cost compared with a basic pressure-treated wood fence.
However, homeowners planning to stay in their property for many years may prefer having less ongoing maintenance.
8. Aluminum & Hybrid Fencing
Not every backyard needs a traditional solid wood fence.
Aluminum is commonly used for open-style fencing, but it can also be combined with wood or vinyl boards to create modern privacy fence systems.
Black aluminum works especially well in modern backyards because the narrow dark posts create a clean frame without drawing too much attention away from the landscaping.
Best for:
- Modern backyards
- Pool areas
- Gardens
- Contemporary homes
- Homeowners who want lower-maintenance materials
- Combining privacy panels with a modern frame
Traditional open aluminum fencing is also a good option when you need a physical boundary but don’t want to block the view.
9. Chain Link Fence
Chain link isn’t usually chosen for maximum curb appeal, but it’s difficult to beat when price and practicality are the main priorities.
It creates a durable physical boundary while keeping the property open and visible.
Chain link works particularly well for:
- Dogs
- Large properties
- Side yards
- Rental properties
- Commercial properties
- Budget-conscious projects
Black-coated chain link can provide a cleaner, less industrial appearance than traditional galvanized fencing.
Which Fence Gives You the Most Privacy?
If privacy is your main concern, solid fence designs are usually the place to start.
| Fence Style | Privacy Rating |
|---|---|
| Board-on-Board | Excellent |
| Vinyl Privacy | Excellent |
| Solid Vertical Wood | Excellent |
| Horizontal Privacy | Excellent |
| Lattice-Top Privacy | Very Good |
| Shadowbox | Good |
| Open Aluminum | Low |
| Chain Link | Low |
For neighbouring backyards, board-on-board, solid vertical wood, horizontal privacy, and vinyl privacy fencing are some of the strongest choices.
Which Fence Looks the Most Modern?
For a modern home, horizontal fencing is difficult to beat.
Horizontal wood boards combined with black posts can create a much more contemporary appearance than a traditional vertical fence.
Modern privacy fencing pairs especially well with:
- Composite decks
- Pergolas
- Modern patios
- Black railings
- Concrete landscaping
- Outdoor kitchens
- Modern garden beds
If you want the same horizontal styling without the maintenance associated with wood, wood-look vinyl or composite-style privacy systems are another option.
Wood vs Vinyl vs Aluminum
Each material has different strengths.
| Feature | Wood | Vinyl | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Excellent | Excellent | Low on open styles |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low | Very Low |
| Customization | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate |
| Traditional Look | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Modern Options | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Natural Appearance | Excellent | Moderate | Low |
| Open Sightlines | Limited | Limited | Excellent |
There isn’t one material that’s best for every property.
The right choice depends on whether your priorities are privacy, appearance, maintenance, budget, or keeping your backyard feeling open.
What Fence Style Is Best for a Small Backyard?
For smaller London backyards, think about how enclosed you want the property to feel.
A clean vertical privacy fence in a natural wood tone is a classic option, while horizontal boards create long lines that can complement narrow or contemporary yards.
Decorative lattice along the top can also allow additional light into the yard while maintaining privacy lower down.
Another option is mixing materials instead of surrounding the entire backyard with one heavy-looking design.
What Fence Style Is Best for Dogs?
For many dog owners, a solid wood or vinyl privacy fence is a practical choice.
A full privacy fence creates a secure physical boundary while also limiting your dog’s view of people, dogs, and activity on the other side.
Important considerations include:
- Fence height
- Gaps underneath the fence
- Gate latches
- Gate post strength
- Spacing between boards
- Areas where a dog could dig underneath
For smaller dogs especially, changes in yard elevation can create surprisingly large openings underneath an otherwise secure fence.
Choosing a Fence That Matches Your Home
Your fence should feel like part of the property rather than something that was added as an afterthought.
For a traditional brick home, vertical cedar, pressure-treated wood, cap-and-trim, or lattice-top fencing can work well.
For a newer modern home, horizontal wood, wood-look vinyl, or black aluminum can complement the architecture.
And if you’ve already installed a deck, pergola, patio, or outdoor kitchen, consider carrying some of those same colours and materials into the fence design.
Image source: Aluminum Extrusions & Accessories
Final Word
There are far more fence styles available today than the basic wood panels many homeowners picture when they think about fencing.
For maximum privacy, board-on-board, solid wood, horizontal privacy, and vinyl fencing are all strong options.
For a modern backyard, horizontal fencing provides a clean contemporary look. For properties where you want to maintain an open view, aluminum can be a great choice. And when budget and practicality matter most, pressure-treated wood and chain link remain popular options.
The best fence ultimately depends on your property, budget, maintenance preferences, and what you want your backyard to feel like.
If you’re planning a new fence installation in London, Ontario, compare a few different styles before making the final decision. A properly built fence can last for many years, so choosing the right design now can make a major difference in how your backyard looks and functions.