Fencing Battens

[bobski1]

Currently pricing up to do a 3x2.5m wall with fencing battens and trying to weigh up the costs. I do like the look of cedar and larch but it seems to be double/triple the cost of using green treated roof battens which I can get for around £120.

Unsure if the extra cost is going to be worth it or if staining the roof battens would be just as good? Anybody done this and have any experience?

[RGG]

bobski1 said:

Currently pricing up to do a 3x2.5m wall with fencing battens and trying to weigh up the costs. I do like the look of cedar and larch but it seems to be double/triple the cost of using green treated roof battens which I can get for around £120.

Unsure if the extra cost is going to be worth it or if staining the roof battens would be just as good? Anybody done this and have any experience?

They'll be more wastage with the roofing battens because of knots and imperfections but overall they will be financially more attractive.

I would use the roofing battens.

[fourstardan]

Just put a filter on when you do the instagram post 😂

[PhilboSE]

I did a ~30m run using roofing battens and it looked fine (IMO). I didn’t even bother to sand them. Just be careful you get “natural” treated ones not green or red!

There are some pictures in this thread

[KTMsm]

There have been threads on this in the past as I've posted pictures of a previous project.

Depends if you're happy with the rustic look or if you want the more polished look which costs far more

This was one I did - still looks good 7 years later

Edited by KTMsm on Tuesday 8th April 07:58

[bobski1]

PhilboSE said:

I did a ~30m run using roofing battens and it looked fine (IMO). I didn’t even bother to sand them. Just be careful you get “natural” treated ones not green or red!

There are some pictures in this thread

Very much leaning that way too, did you apply any finish to them before installing?

KTMsm said:

There have been threads on this in the past as I've posted pictures of a previous project.

Depends if you're happy with the rustic look or if you want the more polished look which costs far more

This was one I did - still looks good 7 years later

Edited by KTMsm on Tuesday 8th April 07:58

Happy to just have something which doesn't look as terrible as the wall as it currently is!

[PhilboSE]

bobski1 said:

PhilboSE said:

I did a ~30m run using roofing battens and it looked fine (IMO). I didn’t even bother to sand them. Just be careful you get “natural” treated ones not green or red!

There are some pictures in this thread

Very much leaning that way too, did you apply any finish to them before installing?

No, just bunged them up in the same state they were delivered. Within a year the vibrant treated colour mellowed right down to a normal pale yellow yay grey. Haven’t touched them in 5 years.

[bobski1]

what kind of gap did you leave between the slats when joining them end to end?

Planning on having around 15mm gap between them vertically, varies between 10-25mm from the various videos/guides online

[PhilboSE]

Whatever works for you, and is repeatable. My fence borders woodland so privacy not an issue. I used the width of a batten on edge as a separator, just because I had them to hand…

[bobski1]

Making progress slowly but surely getting around 30mins a night at the moment. Got the 3x2 up with the damp proof and the battens to go on next. Once done I would like to give them a coat to help maintain the colour and finish. My initial go to was Osmo 420 but have also got some Barrentine wood preserver or yacht varnish. Leaning more towards the preserver rather than the varnish but its in quite a shaded area and think the varnish might bring the wood more to life, any recommendations?

[Chumley.mouse]

I use the barratine clear preservative, good stuff , not to runny when applying.

I also used their summer tan preservative on this fence. , been done about 3 years now and not had to redo it yet.


I like their products

[KTMsm]

I wouldn't consider using varnish anywhere, ever

It always cracks and is a PITA to re coat

Oil !