I just bought a house and the existing post and rail fence is about 30 years old and needs replacing. The old fence has a wavy, S-shaped pattern instead of being straight all the way around. I'm really curious if this was a design choice or if it was just poorly placed. I'm thinking about putting in a straight fence that forms a perfect rectangle, but I wonder if there's any reason someone might have chosen the S pattern besides simply liking the look of it.
2 Answers
It sounds like they might have had a couple of reasons for that S-shaped design. For one, maybe they just liked how it looked! But there's also a possibility they thought it would handle wind better. An S shape can be more stable than a straight line, especially in windy areas because it distributes pressure differently. If your fence is in a location with heavy winds, this could have been a practical choice, but if not, it was probably just an aesthetic preference.
It’s definitely possible they just preferred the look! If you're not in a windy area and noticed they didn't use cement for the posts, that S pattern might not have served a strong purpose. If it were me, I'd lean toward making a straight fence, especially if it will complement the rest of your yard. Straight lines can also make your space feel more organized.