Custom & Decorative Fencing

Custom and decorative fencing elevates a property's exterior from merely enclosed to architecturally distinctive. Across Metro Vancouver, where home values are among the highest in Canada and curb appeal directly impacts property worth, a custom-designed fence serves as both a functional boundary and a design statement that complements the home's architecture and landscaping.

From the modernist homes of West Vancouver and the heritage properties of Shaughnessy to the contemporary infill builds of Mount Pleasant and the estate properties of South Surrey, custom fencing is designed to match the specific architectural vocabulary of each property rather than defaulting to standard off-the-shelf panels.

Horizontal slat fencing has become the defining fence style of contemporary West Coast architecture, and Metro Vancouver is at the centre of this design movement. Horizontal boards — typically clear Western Red Cedar, ipe (Brazilian hardwood), or composite lumber — are mounted with uniform gaps between slats, creating clean lines that echo the horizontal emphasis of modern home design.

The gap spacing can be adjusted from tight (quarter-inch gaps for near-total privacy) to open (one-inch gaps for partial screening with airflow and light), and mixing gap widths within a single fence creates visual rhythm and architectural interest.

Japanese-inspired fencing draws on traditional design principles — screens, lattice patterns, and natural materials arranged with deliberate asymmetry — and is particularly well-suited to Metro Vancouver's mature garden culture and the region's aesthetic connection to Pacific Rim design.

Mixed-material fencing combines two or more materials — wood and metal, concrete and wood, stone pillars with metal panels, glass and steel — to create fences that function as exterior architecture rather than simple barriers.

Corten (weathering) steel panels develop a rich rust-coloured patina that stabilizes and protects the steel, requiring no maintenance and complementing natural landscaping — a popular choice in Metro Vancouver where the warm orange-brown surface blends with the Pacific Northwest forest palette.

Custom gates — pedestrian, garden, and driveway — are often the focal point of a custom fence project, with designs ranging from minimalist pivot gates to elaborate arched entries with integrated lighting and motorized operators.

All custom fencing in Metro Vancouver must comply with municipal bylaws for height, setback, and in some cases design review in heritage or character areas. Materials must be selected for performance in Vancouver's wet climate — untreated mild steel will corrode rapidly, and wood species without natural rot resistance or preservative treatment will deteriorate within a few years. WorkSafeBC coverage should be confirmed for all contractors.

Custom and decorative fencing in Metro Vancouver typically costs $60 to $150 per linear foot installed, depending on the materials, design complexity, gate requirements, and whether structural elements like stone pillars or concrete foundations are included.