Good fences cut clean lines through tangled boundaries, shepherd privacy and adorn homes with designer touches.

When choosing fencing, consider the age and style of your home. While ornamental metal and wood fences match most homes, vinyl and composite fences often look nice with new construction, some experts say. Also factor in the purposes of the fence: privacy, protection, beauty, functionality, even noise reduction.

And don't forget cost.

"People set low-budget marks for fencing," said Lea Bailes, president of Guier Fence in Blue Springs, Mo. "Often their budget is one-third of what's realistic."

Even do-it-yourself fencing requires careful attention to math, said Amy Funk, an interior designer who built her own fence in her Prairie Village, Kan., yard.

"Weigh the costs and get the best impact for the money," Funk said.

ARTISAN

Custom fences allow homeowners to match lamp posts, gates and outdoor lighting. They also can be made to match the slope of the yard.

Homeowners seeking artistic fences or an outdoor scheme often use metal or wood materials.

In high-end forged iron or silicon bronze fences, each joint is welded to a post for a strong structure, said Steve Austin of Austin Ironworks. Maintenance is minimal because of the hand-made processes and epoxy paint, but the cost can be prohibitive.

There's no need to rule out custom touches, however. Funk, inspired by a trip to Portland, crafted cedar fencing with horizontal slats. She likes the "zen-like" mood it sets in her backyard.

Funk can remove individual planks when they weather; if there's wood rot, it's an easy fix. She cleans her fence yearly and seals it every two years.

WOOD

Traditional, prefabricated wood fencing can be cost-efficient, especially if you install it yourself. Avoid cedar posts because they rot quickly (cedar panels are fine). Split-rail or round-rail fences (common in rural areas) can add a decorative twist to a garden.

The lifetime of wood fences is only 10 to 15 years, and maintenance is high: Keep the wood clean, and plan to seal it every two or three years. You can extend the treatment time by using a stain with pigment.

Remove mold or moss with a power washer. If it re-grows, the wood needs to be cleaned — probably with a professional product — and resealed. To save time, apply products with a sprayer.

Contemporary bamboo fences are becoming more popular and are touted as an environmentally friendly option.

VINYL AND COMPOSITE

Far from "cheap plastic fences," vinyl fencing is considerably costlier than prefabricated wood and most ornamental irons because of its low maintenance and long (sometimes lifetime) warranty, Bailes said. A bonus: Vinyl can deflect noise.

Color choices in vinyl have expanded recently into neutral colors, and some include a variegated texture, too.

Some vinyl fencing can crack in severe freezing weather or warp in the summer, so evaluate the product and warranty carefully. Maintenance is fairly simple, though — water alone or with a mild cleaner takes care of mold, Bailes said. Commercial products can prevent mold from re-forming.