Thinking about adding structure, privacy, or a little architectural flourish to your garden? Trellis can do all three — and the UK has definite favourites. We’ve analysed a full 12 months of East Coast Fencing orders and converted everything into percentages only (we never publish raw volumes). The result is a clear, practical picture of which trellis styles people actually choose — and why — so you can specify with confidence.
From contemporary horizontal slatted trellis to classic diamond trellis and space-saving fan trellis, the shares below reflect real buying behaviour across the UK. We also highlight smart pairings — the right posts, panels and gravel boards — so your trellis not only looks the part but lasts.
Key Statistics at a Glance
- Horizontal Slatted Trellis: 37.8% of trellis purchases (most popular).
- Fence Topper Trellis: 35.6% (a close second).
- Traditional Trellis: 9.8%.
- Privacy Square Trellis: 8.8%.
- Diamond Trellis: 7.0%.
- Fan Trellis: 1.0%.
Put simply, nearly three quarters of all purchases go to modern styles — horizontal slatted and fence-topper trellis — with classic patterns making up the remaining quarter. If you’re aiming for a current, design-led look with adaptable privacy, you’ll be in good company.
How to Read the Numbers
We aggregate a full year of UK trellis orders and report each style as a percentage of total trellis purchases. This keeps your insight sharp without exposing any commercially sensitive volumes. When we say “Horizontal Slatted Trellis: 37.8%”, we mean that if you selected a trellis item from a recent order at random, there’s a little over a one-in-three chance it would be horizontal slatted — not that we’re revealing how many were sold.
What’s Winning — and Why
1) Horizontal Slatted Trellis (37.8%) — The Contemporary Front-runner
Horizontal slats deliver modern lines, controlled privacy and great airflow — ideal above closeboard or slatted fence runs, around terraces, and for zoning outdoor rooms. The clean rhythm pairs beautifully with contemporary planting schemes and architectural lighting.
- Best for: Modern gardens, terraces, screening plant backdrops.
- Pair with: wooden posts for warmth or concrete posts for minimal maintenance; add gravel boards to protect timber.
- Panels to match: decorative fence panels and single/double slatted panels for a unified look.
2) Fence Topper Trellis (35.6%) — The Big Practicality Play
A topper is the easiest way to add light, height and privacy to an existing fence line without rebuilding the whole boundary. It’s also a favourite for softening solid panels, encouraging climbers and meeting planning constraints where full-height solid fencing isn’t ideal.
- Best for: Adding height & light, refreshing existing runs, neighbour-friendly screening.
- Pair with: Any core panel from fence panels — especially closeboard and waney lap — plus panel capping for a tidy top line.
- Explore: fence topper trellis.
3) Traditional Trellis (9.8%) — Evergreen Charm
Traditional square trellis stays relevant for cottage gardens and spaces that lean heritage rather than high-modern. It’s a staple for kitchen gardens, bin stores and screening of heat pumps or oil tanks where breathability matters.
- Best for: Classic schemes, kitchen gardens, utility screening with airflow.
- Pair with: timber posts, garden gates and cohesive gate furniture.
- Explore: traditional trellis.
4) Privacy Square Trellis (8.8%) — Light, With Extra Cover
Privacy square keeps the regular, architectural look of a square lattice but tightens the spacing to raise screening. It’s popular along terraces and for first-floor outlooks where neighbours are close and you want both daylight and discretion.
- Best for: Semi-private seating areas, side returns, overlooked patios.
- Pair with: concrete gravel boards if longevity is the priority; wooden gravel boards for a fully timber aesthetic.
- Explore: privacy square trellis.
5) Diamond Trellis (7.0%) — Textured, Soft and Decorative
Diamond trellis introduces oblique lines that soften long boundaries and provide beautiful supports for roses and climbers. It’s a designer favourite for adding movement and texture without going fully open.
- Best for: Plant backdrops, boundary accents, cottage-meets-contemporary schemes.
- Pair with: decorative fence panels and matching gates.
- Explore: diamond trellis.
6) Fan Trellis (1.0%) — Compact and Clever
Fan trellis is a space-saver for narrow beds and pots, guiding climbers up and out without a bulky frame. While it’s the smallest share, it solves problems the bigger formats can’t, especially on balconies and tight side passages.
- Best for: Pots, balconies, tight beds, vertical accent planting.
- Explore: fan trellis.
Popularity Index vs an Even Split
If the market were perfectly even across six styles, each would hold about 16.7%. Reality tells a different story. Here’s a simple “Index” where 100 represents that even share. Values above 100 beat the average; below 100 trail it.
- Horizontal Slatted: ~227 (clear leader).
- Fence Topper: ~213 (strong second).
- Traditional: ~59.
- Privacy Square: ~53.
- Diamond: ~42.
- Fan: ~6.
Ratios That Help You Decide
- Horizontal Slatted vs Fan: roughly 37 : 1 — a sign of how strongly modern, linear designs resonate today.
- Fence Topper vs Traditional: about 3.6 : 1 — toppers are the go-to for adding light and height without a full rebuild.
- Horizontal Slatted vs Diamond: about 5.4 : 1 — contemporary lines are comfortably ahead of decorative diagonals.
- Fence Topper vs Privacy Square: around 4.0 : 1 — toppers dominate upgrade and refresh projects.
Design Takeaways for 2025 Gardens
- Modern privacy wins: Horizontal slatted + toppers account for roughly 73% combined. Homeowners want height, airflow and a clean silhouette.
- Classic still matters: Traditional, diamond and privacy square together hold about 27% — plenty of projects still prefer warmth and texture.
- Micro-solutions have a role: Fan trellis may be just 1%, but it’s invaluable where space is at a premium.
Pairing Your Trellis with the Right System
Great trellis is only as reliable as the structure around it. Choose components that match your exposure, soil and aesthetic:
- Posts: For low-maintenance, use concrete fence posts; for a warmer look and easy trimming, choose wooden fence posts.
- Plinth: Always specify gravel boards — concrete for longevity, wooden for a consistent timber line.
- Core panels: Start with the basics in fence panels — closeboard for privacy or decorative panels for light and texture — then add toppers for height where needed.
- Open the line correctly: Match with suitable garden gates and robust gate furniture for consistent sightlines and operation.
Quick Reference: Shares, Strengths & Best Uses
| Trellis Type | Share of Purchases | Popularity Rank | What It’s Great For | Recommended Pairings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal Slatted | 37.8% | 1st | Modern lines, airflow, semi-privacy | Decorative Panels, Wooden Posts |
| Fence Topper | 35.6% | 2nd | Adding height & light to existing fences | Closeboard Panels, Panel Capping |
| Traditional | 9.8% | 3rd | Classic kitchen gardens, utility screening | Wooden Posts, Garden Gates |
| Privacy Square | 8.8% | 4th | Extra screening with daylight | Concrete Gravel Boards, Wooden Gravel Boards |
| Diamond | 7.0% | 5th | Textural accents, climbers, softer boundaries | Decorative Panels, Garden Gates |
| Fan | 1.0% | 6th | Small beds & pots, vertical accent planting | Wooden Posts, Gate Furniture |
Specification Notes That Extend Service Life
- Keep timber off the ground: Use gravel boards to separate trellis and panels from splashback and damp soil.
- Choose posts for the plot: concrete posts for damp or exposed gardens; wooden posts for easy cutting on slopes and a consistent timber look.
- Mind the fixings: Use quality screws & fixings; seal any fresh timber cuts before setting.
- Plan heights early: Many customers achieve privacy with a solid panel + trellis topper, keeping light in while meeting neighbourly expectations.
- Align with gates: Finish the line with matching garden gates for consistent rhythm and sightlines.
Design Guidance by Outcome (Not Just by Popularity)
Privacy First
Go for a solid base (e.g., closeboard panels) plus a trellis topper. This combination explains the strong topper share: it’s the fastest, neatest way to elevate privacy while keeping daylight.
Daylight & Airflow
Choose horizontal slatted trellis for modern lines and cooling breezes around decks and dining spaces.
Classic Character
Blend traditional trellis or diamond trellis with cottage planting — climbers, roses, espalier — to create depth and movement along long boundaries.
Micro-Spaces
Use fan trellis to turn tight corners and pots into vertical features without heavy frameworks.
Installation Tips That Pay Off
- String the line: Straight lines and consistent post centres are your most visible quality markers.
- Control ground contact: Keep mulch and soil below the gravel board to reduce rot risk and staining.
- Prepare for wind: Where exposure is high, specify sturdy posts and reliable fixings; consider concrete posts for longevity.
- Finish well: Add panel capping to shed water and unify the top line across panels and trellis sections.
From Data to Decision
The UK’s trellis choices in the last year are clear: horizontal slatted and fence topper styles dominate, together accounting for roughly three quarters of purchases. That tells us homeowners want a blend of height, light and clean design. Classic patterns — traditional, privacy square, and diamond — still matter whenever softness, texture or heritage styling is the brief, while fan trellis remains the elegant answer for tiny spaces.
Ready to explore? Start with our full trellis panels range, then dive into the styles that match your project: horizontal slatted, fence topper, traditional, privacy square, diamond and compact fan trellis. If you’d like help turning site conditions (exposure, heights, slopes) into a precise shopping list, our team is happy to advise — and point you to the right posts, panels and finishing touches for a garden structure that lasts.