Released On 16th May 2024
Finding The Right Garden Fencing For You
If you’re like many British people, you probably have a love/hate relationship with your fence. You love them because they are a simple way to give your garden some privacy and security, and they mark the boundaries of your property quite nicely. But you also hate them because they are often ugly, expensive and the same as everyone else’s. This might lead you to think that choosing a garden fence is a simple, straightforward task, with only a few options for you to choose from.
But the truth is that if you use the right fencing company, choosing your fence is a very personal experience. Using a professional means you can customise every aspect of your fence, from the positioning to the panelling, the size and even the type of post you use, which allows you to create the right garden fencing for you.
Types Of Garden Fences
While you might think that there is only really one kind of garden fence (straight wood-panelled and dull), there are actually a number of different styles of garden fence you can choose from. The most popular options include:
Pickett: The ‘American Dream’ fence – wooden boards placed vertically with even spacing, attached to horizontal rails, usually used in front gardens. Traditionally they will be painted white, but they also look great in wood, or other colours.
Slatted: Ideally suited to screening off areas for privacy. A very modern style, slatted fence panels are made up of horizontal boards, attached to vertical rails. You can get thick, close slats for privacy purposes, or you can opt for thinner, more spaced-out slats to stylishly partition your garden without fully obscuring any views.
Lap: Lap fencing is made using a wooden framework, with wooden slats slotted horizontally to create a panel without any gaps.
Weave Fencing: A very decorative style of fencing commonly used to mark boundaries, rather than obscure views. They are usually made of willow or hazel, and woven closely together.
Feather Edge Fencing: Otherwise known as close board fencing, this is a robust horizontal type of fencing that is great for sturdiness and extra security. It’s made from tapered boards secured vertically to form a solid fence. Feather edge fencing is either sold in individual boards or as panels that are already constructed.
And many more besides. Just chat with your fencing company to find out which type of garden fence suits you.
Types Of Garden Fence Posts
Just like fence panels, the fence posts used to keep fencing in place also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common options are:
Concrete: Long-lasting, secure and robust. Doesn’t look the best, but it can be painted to blend in with your fence.
Hardwood Timber: Usually made of materials like oak, which makes it strong and secure while still looking natural. These types of fence posts can usually last around 10 years.
Softwood Timber: Requires a little extra care as it needs to be pressure treated before installation, and you need to apply a preservative to the ends (particularly the one being placed in the soil). This kind of fence post can generally last between 10 and 20 years, depending on how well you take care of it.
Your fencing company should be able to advise you on the best type of fence post for your chosen panelling and your garden, and how the different choices will affect the finished look.
What Size Fencing Should You Choose?
When you’re choosing the type of fence you want for your garden, size matters. You need to take into account the impact of light and wind on your garden, and choose fence panels that will work well in that environment. For example, if you know you tend to get strong winds, then you might want to opt for slatted fence panels to allow for those gusts without breaking or creating too much resistance. If you have a garden that’s full of trees and leafy greenery, then you might not want tall fencing that will reduce the light even more. It’s also worth remembering that in the UK you do need planning permission for any fencing over 2m high, so if you want that ultra-tall fencing, you may need to do some extra legwork to get it.
Should I Use A Fencing Company?
Technically, nothing’s stopping you from installing your brand-new garden fence yourself. All of the materials are readily available, so if you’re willing to put in the work, it can be done. But often it’s not worth it for a number of reasons, including:
Cost: You might think doing it yourself would be the cheaper option, but 9 times out of 10 it will actually end up costing you more. The equipment you need to properly embed fence posts and install fencing isn’t cheap, and you may only end up using it once. You will also be paying consumer prices on all the materials, which adds up. Professional fencing companies will already have this equipment on hand, and will be able to access trade discounts on materials that will make them the more cost-effective option.
Quality: Installing a fence might seem straightforward, but in reality, it’s anything but simple. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, and if you’ve never done it before then you might end up with a fence that’s wobbly, wonky, or won’t stand up to even the slightest breeze. Hiring a professional fencing company means you will avoid all of those costly mistakes and end up with a high-quality fence installation.
Advice: Professional fencing companies install fences all day long, and probably have done for a number of years. That means they understand all the ins and outs of fencing, and can give you sound advice on the best materials, style and placement of your fence. This means you will have options that suit your project better, and will be installed correctly.
Speed: Installing your own fence is not a quick job. For more people, it could take a couple of full weekends work to get all of it installed and finished – which could mean you have a month without any real time off. But if you choose a professional fencing company, your brand-new fence could be installed in as little as one day, giving you the privacy you want right away, without sacrificing your precious time off!
At CMA Garden Design, we are a professional landscaping company with years of experience installing fences of all shapes and sizes to suit our client’s vision. Our experts can help you in any aspects of fencing, from replacing a single panel that’s damaged or blown away with the wind, to installing a full new fencing solution to bring some new life to your garden. If you would like to find out more, just get in touch with the team today for your free consultation.
