Picket & Decorative Fencing

Few things suit a Christchurch villa or bungalow like a crisp picket fence. Redcliffs, Sumner and Mt Pleasant are full of character homes whose street appeal leans heavily on the front fence — and a well-proportioned picket with a matching gate lifts the whole property.

Pickets work with the Port Hills wind rather than against it. The gaps between pickets let gusts pass through, which means far less wind load than a solid paling wall of the same height. That matters on exposed corners and ridge sections where a solid fence would cop the full force of a nor'wester.

Proportions decide whether a picket fence looks right. Picket width, spacing, height and the shape of the tops — pointed, rounded or gothic — should match the era of the house. A tall chunky picket overwhelms a cottage; a low fine picket looks lost in front of a villa. Gates should mirror the fence exactly, hung on solid posts so they swing true and latch first time.

Finish is half the job. Pickets take paint beautifully, and white remains the classic for a reason, but darker stains are increasingly popular and hide Canterbury dust well. Whatever the colour, timber needs sealing on all faces before fixing — end grain drinks water, and unsealed ends are where rot starts.

Decorative options go beyond the standard picket. Scalloped tops that dip between posts, lattice or trellis panels above a low wall, and simple post caps all add character without adding much cost. For corner sites or narrow frontages, a lower height with a strong top rail keeps sightlines open while still defining the boundary clearly.

Common questions

Find us

Port Hills Fencing is based in Redcliffs and works across Christchurch and Canterbury. Find the business listing and directions on the contact page.

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