How To Think About
Fencing and Gates
They’re part of your home’s first line of defense against fire and other weather, and they affect your insurability.
The right design can protect your property, keep nature out, and still look beautiful.
This guide was built in partnership with AIA. Fact-checked by licensed professionals and building experts. Consult a builder or architect for specifics to your situation.WHERE TO
Start
Each material conjures different things - Make sure whatever you choose makes sense with the house and landscaping. But the most important question is: What do you want your outdoor space to feel like?
Mediterranean? (Stucco or stone)
Western? (Steel)
Farmhouse? (Pickets)
Do you want total privacy? Do you prefer to see the street? Do you want it to feel like a fortress?
Start with what you like the best and work your budget back from there.
Keep a
Fire-safe
buffer
Fire doesn’t just burn; it melts, warps, and jumps. That’s why the first five feet from your home (the “non-combustible zone”) is critical.
What to use:
Metal (steel, iron, or aluminum): Non-combustible, strong, and timeless.
Cost: This is likely $20/SF AKA a 6' tall fence is $120 per Linear ft, or less if you DIY with tube steel and mesh.
DIY tip: You can weld or bolt panels together with basic tools then paint with high-heat enamel to prevent rust.
Masonry (concrete block, stone, or stucco walls): Totally fireproof and long-lasting.
Cost: About $120+ per linear foot if done by a mason, but you can reduce costs by using affordable cement blocks and skim-coating it yourself. There are many tutorials for this online, just be sure to do it to code!
Fiber-cement boards or panels: Looks like wood, resists fire.
Cost: This is likely $15/SF installed as well AKA a 6' tall wall is $90/Linear ft
Hot tip: Mount on metal posts instead of wood to keep them IBHS compliant.
Something to know: These tend to be a little delicate (aka easy to kick through), but so is a standard wood plank fence.
Skip wood, vinyl, and plastic composites. They ignite, melt, or become embers themselves.
RESILIENT DESIGN
CHOICES
Keep fences 5+ feet away from the house, or at least make that first stretch non-combustible.
Use metal posts near your home, even if you transition to wood farther out.
Avoid gaps or hollow sections where embers collect; gravel or DG at the base helps too.
Powder-coated mesh is cheaper than custom slats and still looks high-end.
DIY Tip: You can mix materials: Concrete or stucco pillars with metal panels in between look custom but cost half as much as all masonry.
tough and affordable CHOICES
Your gates can be both tough and affordable. Let’s look at the different gate options.
Manual gates:
Go for a steel frame with mesh or perforated metal infill.
Add spring hinges so they self-close (good for fire safety and pets).
Automatic gates on a budget:
Solar gate openers are your friend. They run about $300–$600 on Amazon or Home Depot and don’t require trenching for power.
Brands to look for: Ghost Controls (swing), Mighty Mule (slide), or CO-Z (budget).
Add a keypad or Wi-Fi controller so you can open it from your phone.
TIP:
If you ever want to upgrade later, run a metal conduit under your driveway now, even if you don’t hook it up yet. It’ll save thousands down the line.
Fire-safe
doesn’t have to feel industrial
Mix materials: Stone pillars with metal panels feel warm and balanced.
Keep air flowing: Solid fences block breezes and trap heat; slatted or mesh designs are safer and look modern.
Color matters: Darker matte finishes (charcoal, bronze, weathered steel) hide soot and blend into the landscape.
Soft lighting: Downlights along the fence line look beautiful, improve visibility, and don’t attract bugs or glare.
THE BOTTOM
LINE
You don’t have to spend a fortune to build something strong, safe, and beautiful.
Focus on non-combustible materials, smart design choices, and low-voltage or solar tech.
You’ll end up with a fence that protects your home and looks like it belongs in a design magazine, all without burning through your budget.