Fencing
Pallisade/Picket Fencing
Palisade fencing is a popular choice for front and back gardens. The pales are spaced closely enough to stop small animals squeezing through the gaps, but still allow visibility through the fence. The bonus of using palisade fencing is that there are garden gates available to match so you can create a seamless and attractive border to your home. This type of fencing is also frequently used as wings to entrance gates.
18” (457mm)
2’ (609mm)
3’ (915mm)
4’ (1219mm)
5’ (1524mm)
6’ (1830mm)
Close Board Fencing/Panels
An extremely strong, high quality fence providing total screening with complete privacy. The fence is formed from vertical feather edge boards, each partially overlapped and fixed to horizontal supporting wooden rails. This type of fencing is attractive in both urban and rural environments. Properly maintain it will have a long life expectancy of at least 15 years.
2’ (609mm)
3’ (915mm)
4’ (1219mm)
5’ (1524mm)
6’ (1830mm)
Waney-Lap Panel Fencing
This is the most popular traditional flat top fence panel. It is very functional and can be used in any location, offering complete privacy screening. Waney lap panels are constructed from horizontal over-lapping slat and framed with battens and come complete with a capping rail.
2’ (609mm)
3’ (915mm)
4’ (1219mm)
5’ (1524mm)
6’ (1830mm)
Trellis
This is the most popular traditional flat top fence panel. It is very functional and can be used in any location, offering complete privacy screening. Waney lap panels are constructed from horizontal over-lapping slat and framed with battens and come complete with a capping rail.
2’ (609mm)
3’ (915mm)
4’ (1219mm)
5’ (1524mm)
6’ (1830mm)
Points to consider when choosing a fence
For total protection from prying eyes, you need high peep-proof fences. However, these tend to be more expensive so to minimise cost you may find you don’t need them around the entire garden and instead, consider limiting them to specific areas – near a patio, for example. Alternatively choose a fence that, though not in itself peep-proof, can be made so with the addition of masking hedges and climbing plants.
A fence must be able to withstand accidental knocks. As you might expect, the more robust the construction, the more it is likely to cost. As far as wind resistance is concerned much depends on how exposed the site is but, in general, the higher and more peep-proof the fence, the more vulnerable it is likely to be.
Fences facing the street need to be stronger than other boundary fences, while those within the garden are less at risk from accidental knocks.
Timber fences, whatever you buy, must be treated with preservative. Components that come into contact with the ground need to be pressure impregnated. It is also well worth paying for sound construction as such fences are less likely to disintegrate if neglected for a few years.
Obviously personal preference is as important a factor in the final choice as finding something to suit the garden`s style, but remember, it is not always necessary to spend a lot.
In practice, cost is closely linked to the decisions you make regarding the first four considerations, so make sure that the fence you buy matches your needs closely.
