The Berlin Wall fell in November 1989. One of the world's infamous fences, it prevented free travel between East Berlin and West Berlin. And with an average height of about 12 feet, it provided the ultimate in privacy.

Few fences rival the Berlin Wall; however, a fence traditionally has been an important component of land and home ownership by establishing a boundary or creating privacy. A fence is an excellent means of keeping uninvited guests—human or otherwise—out and preventing children and pets from straying.

Besides acting as a boundary, a fence can accent landscaping and highlight the architecture of a home or building. A picket is one popular fence style that accomplishes this nicely. Although a picket fence doesn't offer the ultimate in privacy or security, it is a means of keeping small children and pets contained. And a picket fence is unrivaled when it comes to beauty and charm. Though not a match for every style of architecture, a picket fence is a classic style that will fit in well in many settings.

What is it about a picket fence that makes it such a popular choice and the subject of countless paintings? Such a fence, in itself, is a work of art. In contrast to solid-board fencing, the open design of a picket fence can showcase landscaping, yet still provide a defined boundary. Most picket fences are 36 inches to 48 inches tall and are constructed using a traditional four by four post and two by four rail fence frame, adorned with neatly spaced pickets. The pickets usually are one by three or one by four boards that are attached to the outside face of the rails. The tops of the pickets often are cut into fancy shapes and styles. Where a fence post typically will end at the top rail, a picket fence post often will extend beyond the top of the fence—crowned with a decorative finial.

A picket fence can be as simple or as elaborate as your imagination and budget will allow. Although lumber yards and home centers stock precut pickets, armed with a bit of patience and the right tools, you can design and fabricate custom pickets that will be the envy of your neighborhood. A hand saw or circular saw will work well for simple picket styles such as angle, spear, round, point, flat or provincial. Fancier styles such as spade, crown, ball, crown-and- ball, or your own special design, will require a saber saw. Turning out a decorative finial can be a bit more challenging than customizing pickets. Fortunately, most lumber yards and home centers carry a variety of sizes and styles.

Picket fences traditionally have been constructed of wood, and painted white. While wood has been the primary material resource for construction, not all picket fences are or need to be white. If the quality of the wood is good, pickets can be painted or stained. Interesting variations exist where the pickets and frame are wood and the posts are columns of brick. This can be striking providing it is in keeping with the architecture of your home.

Though the beauty of a picket fence can be appealing, the periodic painting or staining that it will require can be anything but. Enter the new kid on the block—vinyl picket fencing. Not only are the pickets vinyl, the framing (posts, rails and finials) are vinyl as well. The obvious advantage to vinyl is that it never needs to be painted or stained. Vinyl, however, is not maintenance-free. With prolonged exposure to the elements—especially the sun—vinyl will oxidize over time, resulting in a dull or chalked finish. This condition can be prevented if the vinyl is regularly washed with a solution of warm water and powdered laundry detergent. With the significant recent growth in vinyl building materials (decking, siding, fencing, windows, etc.), some cleaning manufacturers such as Spray Nine have created cleaning products designed specifically to clean and preserve vinyl. One of us has a vinyl fence that has been in place for five years, and it looks as good now as the day it was installed. Vinyl is not designed to be painted. Be certain of your color choice because there's no changing it once it's in place.

If privacy and security are what you seek, a picket fence isn't for you. If, on the other hand, you are looking for an attractive and charming means of keeping your toddlers and small pets enclosed, a picket fence will fill the bill.