Flat lots are the exception in much of San Diego County. When the ground slopes, a fence has two ways to follow it: stepping or racking.
A stepped fence keeps each panel level and drops it down at each post, like a staircase. It looks crisp and works with almost any material, including vinyl privacy panels. The catch is the triangular gap that forms under each panel on steeper grades, which can matter if you have small dogs.
A racked fence tilts each panel so the rails run parallel to the ground. There's no gap at the bottom, and the line flows with the land. Chain link, aluminum, and many wood styles rack well; most vinyl privacy panels don't.
On mixed terrain, we often combine both: racking through the gentle sections and stepping where the grade gets steep. During the estimate we'll walk the line with you and show you exactly how it will look.