I would completely replace it with something that comes down over the parged brick so it looks like a tall fence from the ground and hides the grey. It doesn't have to be a solid wall. As it is, it's unattractive.

I dont think its unattractive. I kind of like it. I think, it should be redone and look as much like what you already have, as it can be. I would not replace it with vinyl though, although, I do agree, it should be replaced. Treated wood looks like a good option, and then you can eventually paint it similar to what it is now.

Wood picket fences with a good paint job doesn't need to be painted every few years. It's hard to repair rotted wood. You need to remove all the rot before you epoxy it and usually the rot is pretty deep by the time it's at that point. You may have only a repairable amount of rot in your posts.

If you just have the fence that's visible in the photo (as opposed to it continuing around your yard), I'd do wood. Vinyl is supposed to last forever, but I don't think it does. It's not uncommon for the brackets holding panels to posts to break and it's hard to rehang the panels once that happens. My neighbor did a new vinyl fence and a panel fell off within 4 years. There's lichen growing on the rest of it.

Wood fences generally last 25 years, according to the fencing contractor we spoke to about our 25 year old wood fence with lots of issues.

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I really appreciate it.

@millworkman: You mentioned that "they can be cut to that pattern easily enough," can you please elaborate this a little bit? Would I need to hire a carpenter to cut, say, the "1" x 4" x 3.5ft Primed Cedar Gothic Fence Picket" (available from HomeDepot.com) to match the existing pattern or?? How would you approach to do that?

@everyone: Is it possible to just replace the French Gothic (or spade style) from wood picket to vinyl (or PVC) pickets? Would that work? I suppose that there is no such spade style "PVC (or vinyl) pickets on the market, right?

Thanks again!

Bandsaw or a jig saw. Use one of the non rotted pieces as a template, trace out pattern and cut the new wood. Just get 1 x 4 (or whatever size is required) from the lumberyard. Or if the pattern available at HD is ok with you buy those and install them. Don't buy the HD stock ones and attempt to modify them.

That fence and gate is a terrible design. Looks like it was just slapped together with spare parts. There are better ways to assemble a solution. Buying ready built picket panels will be less expensive than have a carpenter custom cut pickets for your fence that looks as though in requires complete replacement.

Does your entry require a 6 foot tall barrier or is that a random height. What fits with your home. Here's a fence mounted on top of a solid wall that only adds about 2 feet to the height.

@BeverlyFLADeziner Wow thanks for the photos! They looks really pretty! I think those are PVC/vinyl fences, right?

@everyone: Just curious, I suppose that there is no stock picket from HD or online that's 2" wide, right? Also, would it be possible keep the wooden post but replace the individual pickets with 4" vinyl (or PVC) ones? I suppose that PVC pickets are not being sold by pieces, right? Thanks!

Not sure from the photos what type of material is used. I have found picket fence panels on Amazon. They have gates also

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDG3W2M8/ref=twister_B0CDGP89LQ?th=1

Amazon Picket Fencing

Amazon Fencing 2

I would not mix in PVC with wooden posts. They look very different from each other and imo, the pvc looks like the plastic it is. I would replace the whole fence or just the damaged parts.

I'm quite familiar with Abatron and epoxy wood repairs. Your project is not a good candidate. Time for replacements.

Agree that you need to replace and not repair your fence due to the extensive rot.

If you use cedar wood posts, some fence companies offer a PVC sheathing on the post bottom so the PVC (and not the wood) is in contact with the ground.

If you have an irritation system, be sure the heads are adjusted so the water spray does not hit the fence as that contributes to rot.

Wood posts sunk into a concrete hole will let rainwater seep in and rot the wood.

I would not rebuild the fence with wood unless you use a different method such as with metal brackets for the base.