fencing gaps

[eltawater]

Afternoon all,
I had some new fencing fitted last weekend, and alarmingly large gaps have appeared between the slats. I'm a bit worried about these so I'm hoping the collective PH wisdom can advise me accordingly.

Is this:

a) Normal and to be expected

b) Not normal, and as a result of poor workmanship

c) Not normal, and as a result of poor materials

Thanks in advance

[Simpo Two]

They all do that sir. Poorly seasoned wood drying/warping in the sun.

If it bugs you I suppose you could put intermediate battens on each side and screw them together.

[Gingerbread Man]

Cheap as you can buy panels. Feather edged fence panels are a much better off the shelf 6'x6' panel.

When I used to landscape, it was quite often that you'd have to basicly rebuild the panel where they'd be shoddily put together.

[98elise]

To be expected, paper thin cheap panels (same as my fence )

When fully dried they might be flatter.

[philmots]

That's one reason I hate fence pannels like that... (my garden has them) but i've not got round to changing them, yet.

I'll put new fencing up myself, Posts in, rails across then screw fetheredge lats across the rails. Probably quicker and looks neater, plus the gaps between posts don't have to be perfect.

[Gingerbread Man]

philmots said:

That's one reason I hate fence pannels like that... (my garden has them) but i've not got round to changing them, yet.

I'll put new fencing up myself, Posts in, rails across then screw fetheredge lats across the rails. Probably quicker and looks neater, plus the gaps between posts don't have to be perfect.

Screw? Nail surely?

[Simpo Two]

Gingerbread Man said:

Screw? Nail surely?

Mmm, it's called a trampoline!

[eltawater]

Thank you all for your advice, it's very helpful and much appreciaed.

I'm paying around 200 pounds for the following work:
Remove old 15ft wide, 6ft tall fence
Cut back bushes and vegetation
Fit 3x fence posts
Fit 2.3x fence panels

I've noticed that the fence panel frames are screwed directly into the fence posts, three on each side. Is this direct method of fixing perfectly acceptable, or am I expecting too much by wanting them to be fixed using metal brackets?

[DocJock]

The metal clips are held by screws, so no more secure.

[spike ST500]

no harm screwing them directly to the post, metal brackets just an alternative method.

[Gingerbread Man]

We'd always screw them into the posts as shown.

If anything,you could get some decent panels and swap them over by removing 6 screws if they fall apart in a short while.

[dave_s13]

Screwing is better. You don't have to pay for brackets, just as strong and you dont see any brackets.

That sort of fence panel always develops gaps like that. They all do that sir. Nowt to worry about.

[eltawater]

Thank you all for putting my mind at rest

[Simpo Two]

Concrete posts would have been a more durable choice though.

[dickymint]

Simpo Two said:

Concrete posts would have been a more durable choice though.

And look just as stty!

[Laurel Green]

Concrete can be painted to match and does not rot.

[dickymint]

Laurel Green said:

Concrete can be painted to match and does not rot.

May as well build a block wall and render it.

[Laurel Green]

dickymint said:

May as well build a block wall and render it.

Then employ a Tromploi artist to make it look like a nice fence.

[Mr GrimNasty]

Laurel Green said:

dickymint said:

May as well build a block wall and render it.

Then employ a Tromploi artist to make it look like a nice fence.

[Laurel Green]

^^^^