Just as important as understanding your options for fence pickets and posts is understanding the empty space between the pickets and under the panels.
Having any empty space in and around a fence might seem counterintuitive since the idea of a fence is to provide safety and security for a property’s outdoor areas. The empty space that is important to note with aluminum fencing isn’t the kind that would create an environment that lacks security. Instead, the empty space is a necessity between pickets and underneath the fence panels, creating a good sightline while the area remains secure.
What to consider when ordering
When ordering panels for a DIY aluminum fence project, you will need to know how much space you want to have between the individual pickets. This comes with a few considerations.
The first thing you’ll want to think about is the sightline. If you are hoping to keep prying eyes off of your property, the less space between pickets, the better. You may even want to consider privacy panels as an option for added security and privacy.
The width between pickets is also necessary to consider if you have animals or small children on the premises. Small dogs, depending on their size, may be able to squeeze through the empty space between the pickets and escape the yard. Similarly, wild animals in the neighborhood may be able to squeeze their way right into your yard. To keep everyone in the household safe, you might want to consider getting less space between pickets or even ordering puppy panels that add an extra picket on the lower half of the fence.
Options for empty space
As you can see, there are a few options for the amount of space between pickets. There are several reasons a property might require this specificity, and it is really up to the property owner to determine what works best for all people, animals and buildings on the property.
There is another area of empty space to keep in mind and to fully understand before ordering your DIY aluminum fence panels. This is the space below the fencing panels themselves. This is usually a standard amount of space, but it may depend on the type of aluminum fencing panel you choose.
It is also important to keep in mind any slopes or hills on your property that you plan to install a fence on. Fence pickets will remain parallel to each other and vertical, even on slopes. You can then choose to have panels in a step formation, leaving more space under one part. Alternatively, you can choose to have the same amount of space below every picket. Keep this image in mind when measuring out and designing your fence.
Speaking of design, having empty space to work with in your fence can often be a great addition when styling your outdoor spaces. When strategically placed, landscaping such as shrubbery and certain flowers can really make a yard pop from both sides of the fence.
Being able to order fencing panels exactly as you need them helps you have an outdoor area that looks good while being safe, secure and practical. Utilizing privacy panels or puppy panels can add an extra element that works well with different landscaping and outdoor furniture choices. If you need less space between pickets in one area to hide an unsightly section of the yard, you can customize your fence to address it. The sky is really the limit when choosing your fence style, size and even the empty spaces.
