Fencing - any hints and tips?
Discussion
I have about 24 fence panels around the border of my back garden, each one is 6ft x 5ft. we've lived here for about 10 years and despite annual re-painting, they are all at the end of their useful lives.
One of them collapsed last week so I had to buy a replacement rom Wickes this one . One the plus side it was relatively cheap and delivery was fairly quick. However I have to say the quality was fairly disappointing (the panels feel like balsa wood and the battens feel like a strong gust of wind would snap them in half). In hindsight, I guess you get what you pay for. So my questions are as follows;
1. What should I look for when shopping for high quality fence panels?
2. can anybody recommend a decent supplier?
3. Do all fence panels need painting when they are delivered?
4. Are there any places locally (East Lancashire) that do custom made fence panels (is that even a thing)?
5. What things should i avoid?
Thanks in advance
One of them collapsed last week so I had to buy a replacement rom Wickes this one . One the plus side it was relatively cheap and delivery was fairly quick. However I have to say the quality was fairly disappointing (the panels feel like balsa wood and the battens feel like a strong gust of wind would snap them in half). In hindsight, I guess you get what you pay for. So my questions are as follows;
1. What should I look for when shopping for high quality fence panels?
2. can anybody recommend a decent supplier?
3. Do all fence panels need painting when they are delivered?
4. Are there any places locally (East Lancashire) that do custom made fence panels (is that even a thing)?
5. What things should i avoid?
Thanks in advance
We have replaced fences on 4 sides of our property and at a previous property.
For longevity go for concrete posts as the posts will outlast the fence and can be used again when the fence is re-built which we have done twice.
One type of concrete post is the type with holes which take an arris rail and the fence if then built up using feather edge.
If you use the concrete posts with the vertical slots then fence panels just slide in from the top and this can easily be repeated in 20 years when the original panels have deteriorated. Put a big concrete screw through the post and the panel to stop the fence panel from being lifted up and stolen.
Whatever you do you should make sure that the rails are on the inside and the good side of the fence faces out towards your neighbours. The fence is keeping your neighbours out so if the bad side faces out then intruders can use the structure to climb over the fence.
I really don't understand the fashion for building fences where the good side is on the inside.
For longevity go for concrete posts as the posts will outlast the fence and can be used again when the fence is re-built which we have done twice.
One type of concrete post is the type with holes which take an arris rail and the fence if then built up using feather edge.
If you use the concrete posts with the vertical slots then fence panels just slide in from the top and this can easily be repeated in 20 years when the original panels have deteriorated. Put a big concrete screw through the post and the panel to stop the fence panel from being lifted up and stolen.
Whatever you do you should make sure that the rails are on the inside and the good side of the fence faces out towards your neighbours. The fence is keeping your neighbours out so if the bad side faces out then intruders can use the structure to climb over the fence.
I really don't understand the fashion for building fences where the good side is on the inside.
I would try to find somewhere local that you can look at stuff.
Somewhere like this with a decent range to suit all budgets.
https://www.earlswoodglc.co.uk/fence-panels.html?u...
The last panels we had were KDM which are pretty good.
Jacksons have a good reputation.
Some suppliers will spray the panel at an additional cost.
Somewhere like this with a decent range to suit all budgets.
https://www.earlswoodglc.co.uk/fence-panels.html?u...
The last panels we had were KDM which are pretty good.
Jacksons have a good reputation.
Some suppliers will spray the panel at an additional cost.
Las time i replaced fencing was a while ago, but i used the stuff from Jacksons:
https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/
Great quality, though not the cheapest.
https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/
Great quality, though not the cheapest.
The concrete posts and the gravel boards are all fine, and they have slats where the boards just slide in and out (so fortunately manageable even with my limited DIY skills). 
I don't think they provide a lot of security given that they can be lifted in/out? In fact I'm pretty sure our window cleaner removes one when he goes around the back to clean the windows.
I don't think they provide a lot of security given that they can be lifted in/out? In fact I'm pretty sure our window cleaner removes one when he goes around the back to clean the windows.
darreni said:
Las time i replaced fencing was a while ago, but i used the stuff from Jacksons:
https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/
Great quality, though not the cheapest.
They do look good but they don't seem to do the horizontal overlap style that I like?https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/
Great quality, though not the cheapest.
Huzzah said:
I would try to find somewhere local that you can look at stuff.
Somewhere like this with a decent range to suit all budgets.
https://www.earlswoodglc.co.uk/fence-panels.html?u...
The last panels we had were KDM which are pretty good.
Their "waney edge stuff seems to be what I'm looking for. oddly it looks cheaper than the Wickes stuff and also better quality?Somewhere like this with a decent range to suit all budgets.
https://www.earlswoodglc.co.uk/fence-panels.html?u...
The last panels we had were KDM which are pretty good.
We had a massive garden at our last place, something like 30 panels needed doing down each side. Was expensive
I purchased a post hole digger
Used post Crete stuff
Slotted concrete posts
Then 2ft of the gravel boards at the bottom. Logic being that it was2ft less of stuff to rot away.
The slotted posts meant we could lift the panels out and lay them down if storms were coming (we were in an exposed position)
If using postcrete start gathering up random stones and broken bricks, you can chuck it in the mix so to speak to save a few quid here and the
We have since moved and have that omega lattice stuff. It’s very expensive but it has the benefit of allowing wind through so should stand up better over the years
But my main tip is slotted posts, makes future damage a breeze
I purchased a post hole digger
Used post Crete stuff
Slotted concrete posts
Then 2ft of the gravel boards at the bottom. Logic being that it was2ft less of stuff to rot away.
The slotted posts meant we could lift the panels out and lay them down if storms were coming (we were in an exposed position)
If using postcrete start gathering up random stones and broken bricks, you can chuck it in the mix so to speak to save a few quid here and the
We have since moved and have that omega lattice stuff. It’s very expensive but it has the benefit of allowing wind through so should stand up better over the years
But my main tip is slotted posts, makes future damage a breeze
Countdown said:
I don't think they provide a lot of security given that they can be lifted in/out? In fact I'm pretty sure our window cleaner removes one when he goes around the back to clean the windows.
The slotted concrete posts have pre-drilled holes going right through and a good sized concrete screw into the panel through the post and into the next panel will lock the panel so that it cant be lifted. Countdown said:
Huzzah said:
I would try to find somewhere local that you can look at stuff.
Somewhere like this with a decent range to suit all budgets.
https://www.earlswoodglc.co.uk/fence-panels.html?u...
The last panels we had were KDM which are pretty good.
Their "waney edge stuff seems to be what I'm looking for. oddly it looks cheaper than the Wickes stuff and also better quality?Somewhere like this with a decent range to suit all budgets.
https://www.earlswoodglc.co.uk/fence-panels.html?u...
The last panels we had were KDM which are pretty good.
Actual said:
Whatever you do you should make sure that the rails are on the inside and the good side of the fence faces out towards your neighbours. The fence is keeping your neighbours out so if the bad side faces out then intruders can use the structure to climb over the fence.
Ours are double sided. I asked not to be told how much they cost but apparently they're hand made - it was part of reinstatment of the garden after we'd had our extension done, and neighbours had been good as goldHuzzah said:
Countdown said:
Huzzah said:
I would try to find somewhere local that you can look at stuff.
Somewhere like this with a decent range to suit all budgets.
https://www.earlswoodglc.co.uk/fence-panels.html?u...
The last panels we had were KDM which are pretty good.
Their "waney edge stuff seems to be what I'm looking for. oddly it looks cheaper than the Wickes stuff and also better quality?Somewhere like this with a decent range to suit all budgets.
https://www.earlswoodglc.co.uk/fence-panels.html?u...
The last panels we had were KDM which are pretty good.
Countdown said:
Happy to pay more for good quality but I like the look of the overlap design.
This sort of thing? https://www.forestgarden.co.uk/product/6ft-x-5ft-1...I've never had their fencing panels but have had pergolas and the such like from Forest (albeit a few years ago now) and was surprised at the quality.
ETA: they're pressure treated so wouldn't need painting unless you wanted to.
Edited by LooneyTunes on Sunday 2nd November 17:17
LooneyTunes said:
This sort of thing? https://www.forestgarden.co.uk/product/6ft-x-5ft-1...
I've never had their fencing panels but have had pergolas and the such like from Forest (albeit a few years ago now) and was surprised at the quality.
ETA: they're pressure treated so wouldn't need painting unless you wanted to.
That looks spot on - thanks I've never had their fencing panels but have had pergolas and the such like from Forest (albeit a few years ago now) and was surprised at the quality.
ETA: they're pressure treated so wouldn't need painting unless you wanted to.
Edited by LooneyTunes on Sunday 2nd November 17:17
You really need to look at the panels to gauge quality. THe quality is in the size of all the timber that makes it. Most of the panels we have replaced were made by a local supplier. They are heavy but are great quality. We have recently put some of the double sided offset panels that let the wind through. Again local manufacturer, not cheap but should last for ages.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff