• Fences provide glimpses into their owners' personalities, so choose carefully.beach fence image by Elly from Fotolia.com
  
  Fences provide security and privacy, but they also define your space. The kind of fencing you use for your yard will depend on the specific needs you have but should also take into account the kind of personality you want to project. White picket fences project a feeling of nostalgia and small-town simplicity, whereas a tall wooden fence signals a desire for privacy.
  
  

Chain Link

• Dogs can dig under a chain link fence and escape the yard.fence image by Betty Oesterling from Fotolia.com
  
  Chain link fences provide durability and require less maintenance than wooden fences. They are effective at keeping little kids and pets inside the yard unless the pet is a digger. The more level your yard, the easier it is to put up a chain link fence yourself. Small slopes can be dealt with relatively easily, but you may need to spend time smoothing out your fence path if you have a particularly uneven yard.
  
  

Post and Rail

• Post and rail fencing is very appropriate for a Western motif.fence image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
  
  Post and rail fencing gives your yard a rustic, old-fashioned feel but provides little protection or security against someone or something getting in or out of your property. You can lower your overall cost for fencing in a large area if you choose post and rail fencing because so little material is used compared to other types, such as chain link and wood panel.
  
  

Wrought Iron

• Wrought iron is an alternative to chain link, but more expensive.and overgrown garden and wrought iron railings image by Stephen Gibson from Fotolia.com
  
  Wrought-iron fences are an option for those who want an open-view fence but also want a boundary more decorative than chain link. The price of getting the view and a fancier fence will be roughly double that of using chain link. You can lower the cost by using hollow bars rather than solid bars. Another problem with choosing wrought iron is that it is difficult to work with by yourself because some welding may be required to construct the fence.
  
  

Picket Fence

• The traditional picket fence projects nostalgia.house with picket fence image by Michael Shake from Fotolia.com
  
  Picket fences instantly add an element of charm to a house, especially if painted white. The traditional height of a picket fence is from 36 to 48 inches, according to "The Complete Outdoor Builder." One of the keys to making a picket fence is consistent spacing. Because gaps show between the slats in traditional picket fences, take the time to make sure that these gaps are precisely spaced.
  
  

Panel Fencing

• Panel fencing provides a good option for the person looking to build a fence without professional help. Prefab panels are readily available and remove much of the work of installing a wooden fence. Check the individual panels before you get them home, because quality can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and from panel to panel.
  
  

Brick and Cedar

• A brick and cedar fence is a major undertaking that pays off with a final product that offers privacy and an elegant attractiveness. Building this fence yourself requires a firm grasp of carpentry and masonry, as the fence is constructed of brick pillars with cedar stringers attached between them, on which the cedar fencing is placed. Arching the top of the cedar siding adds another aesthetically-pleasing touch.