Category: Fence Panels

• What is the main purpose of the fence?
• Does it need to provide privacy?
• Keep pets from straying?
• Provide a windbreak and shelter for plants?
• How much maintenance are you willing to do? Some types of fences and materials are likely to last longer than others.
• What’s your budget?

Let’s look into the different types of fence panels….

Close Board/Feather Board

Close-board fences, also called featherboard, are strong and solid, constructed with overlapping vertical feather-edge wooden boards. This type of fencing is commonly used in back gardens – it’s a medium budget option, neat and attractive, offering good privacy and providing some shelter from wind and frost to delicate shrubs. Close Board Fencing is typically 6ft (1.8m) tall, but it’s available in various heights. Keep in mind, however, that many local authorities have height restrictions on boundary fencing so please check with your local authority.

Pros

• Ideal for most gardens
• Robust and long-lasting
• Its height (usually 6ft) provides some security
• Provides privacy
• Deters intruders
• Good for pet-owners
• Offers shade and shelter for tender plants and shrubs

Cons

• Can be expensive for a large garden
• Its closed-up boards can be buffeted by strong winds, though it’s stronger than a larch lap fence panel
• Maintenance required

Pros

• Suitable for most gardens
• Cheaper than close-board fencing
• Provides privacy
• Deters intruders
• Ideal for homes with pets

Cons

• Not as robust or long-lasting as close board fencing
• Maintenance required to prolong the life of the timber
• Functional, but less attractive than other styles

Timber Palisade/Picket Fencing

If you want a look that’s traditional and decorative, you might consider timber palisade fencing, most notably known as picket fencing. Picket fences are mostly seen in front gardens, where they give a home traditional kerb appeal, but if you’re a sociable type that likes to chat over the fence with neighbours, a picket fence in the rear garden would look lovely, too.Although wood is the conventional material, picket fencing can also be made from PVC for a lower maintenance option. There are a few disadvantages to using PVC however: temperature change can make it brittle, prone to mould and it can be more expensive than wood.This style of fencing is traditionally quite low. With its spacing between the timbers, it’s less prone to wind damage, but it doesn’t offer much protection to tender plants, either.

Pros

• A good option for front gardens
• Ideal to protect ponds or swimming pools
• Provides a good boundary marker
• Traditional, attractive looks
• Lets light through / doesn’t block your view
• Less prone to wind damage

Cons

• Doesn’t provide privacy
• Doesn’t provide much security
• Would not contain some dogs
• Some maintenance required to protect timber
• Won’t provide much protection for plants

Slatted Fence Panels

Slatted Fence Panels give a more sleek, more contemporary look to your outside space, very ideal if privacy is not an issue for you. They can make great dividers for different sections of your garden. The effect of sunlight slanting through the gaps is particularly attractive.

Pros

• Available in a range of heights and styles
• Sleek, modern appearance
• Horizontal slats can make your garden appear longer
• Gaps between slats allow wind through, reducing resistance and improving longevity

Cons

• Don’t offer complete privacy on a boundary
• Can let weeds grow through

• Can be more costly

Additional considerations for your garden fence

Which Fence Posts

If you’ve got some idea now which type of fence panel wold suit your garden, there’s one more major consideration – what type of fence post is best?There are three main options:

• Timber
• Concrete
• Galvanised steel (Durapost)

Timber posts are a cheaper option if you’re on a tight budget, but they do rot if not well maintained and may eventually start to lean or even be blown over in heavy winds. By contrast, concrete posts are more likely to last in the long term, especially against strong gusts of wind. They need less maintenance than wooden posts .Concrete posts incur a higher up-front cost than timber posts, but their longevity makes them a better investment. You’ll still need to change the fence panels from time to time, but concrete posts won’t need to be replaced as often.Galvanised steel posts (we install a great system called Durapost) are lighter and stronger than concrete, but twice as quick to install. They don’t warp, crack or rot, and they can withstand winds up to 110mph. They’re compatible with almost any type of fence.