With the longer days and a little more sunshine, many of us will be spending more time outdoors and getting our gardens ready for the summer. If you are thinking of building a new fence or replacing one that has seen better days, there are few things to take into consideration before you start. Keep reading for some great advice.
Are you replacing an old fence or building a new one in a new part of your outdoor space? You’ll need to ensure that you aren’t placing your fence over the boundary of your land and encroaching into your neighbour’s garden. You’ll also need to make sure that your fence does not cover or cross over any important access points such as sewers, guttering or drainage.
You may not have thought about it before but there are a whole range of different fence types. You’ll need to consider the purpose of your fence too. Is it to create a secure space for the children to play, or to keep the dog contained? Are you looking to create privacy and reduce noise? Or are you looking to create a decorative boundary? Once you know the purpose of your fence you can choose the type. You could install lap panels across your gardens, picket panels across the front of your house, decorative panels, or maybe something more unique.
Something else to take into account is the weather, which could impact the fence you choose. Heavy duty timber fences are robust and versatile but different techniques can increase the ability to withstand the elements. Specialist fence systems such as DuraPost can be paired with most fencing types and it offers stability, durability and versatility that requires zero maintenance.
If the purpose of your fence is for privacy, you’ll need to make sure it faces the right way. The finished side of the fence should face your neighbour’s side. Any rails and support posts should be on the inside facing your property. This is good standard practice and your neighbours will thank you for your attention to detail.
Gravel boards are often added underneath the bottom of the fence to protect it from rotting and water damage. Acting as a small foundation, gravel boards lift your fence off the ground enabling it to be sturdier and more durable during bad weather.
When building your fence you may need to factor in any entrances, especially if it completely encompasses your garden boundary. If you want a gate, you’ll need to leave a gap big enough to suit your requirements and the purpose such as rear garden access, taking the bins out, garden equipment or even for a vehicle.
Like most timber structures, fences will need protection too. You can purchase tanalised timber that has already been pressure treated and will last for a long time. In addition, you may like to consider using a fence oil or varnish that will add extra protection from the sun and rain. Painting is another option that will offer a little more durability and with a great choice of colours now available, can be matched to any theme or colour scheme you may have.
At KPT Timber we stock a great choice of timber, fence panels and a range of products from the DuraPost fence system so that you can build a strong and reliable fence that will last you for many years. We are proud to offer high quality products at competitive prices.
Sources:
https://www.harrowfencing.com/news/things-to-know-before-installing-a-new-fence/
https://www.lawsons.co.uk/blog/fencing/things-to-consider-when-building-a-new-fence
