Fence Panels Blogs

The installation of fencing and landscaping products is not a 100% exact science and as such customers all have different requirements. AVS Fencing Supplies realise this and we therefore, offer a workshop service on a range of products including the making of gates & trellis, as well as the morticing and topping of fence posts.

Our workshop service has had fantastic feedback and is offered for a small cost, with a slight extension of normal delivery times as we put the products through our on site workshops.  For more information please call us to discuss your individual needs 0800 288 8324.

It's official! House prices are still rising according to the latest monthly survey from the Nationwide building society.

Therefore, you may think that now is a good time to sell your house. And this means that you should present your home in its best possible light, because you only get one chance to make a first impression. Don't forget that the outside of your house is as important as the inside – it's all about kerb appeal!

How is your front garden looking? Is your palisade fencing looking a little worse for wear? Or perhaps your front garden gate?

If your back garden is looking untidy, why not make it look slick by installing some of our low cost fence panels and trellis. Remember you have to spend money to make money!

With the Easter weekend fast approaching now a is a great time to start planning the improvements that you can make to your garden over this extended weekend!
 
Does your garden fencing need an update or is it time to replace your old garden gate with a new one?
 
Or are you feeling really adventurous? Perhaps its time to introduce some raised garden beds for your plants or perhaps its time for a new decking area to help you relax through the summer?
 
What ever project you have mind now is a great time to purchase your materials from AVS Fencing Supplies.  We offer a massive product range of fence panels, fence posts, gates, decking boards and railway sleepers and what's more we currently have some fabulous special offers on concrete fence posts and Canterbury decking.
 
Please feel free to browse our website to find out more!

Happy Easter from AVS Fencing!

Do you want to have garden fencing that make the neighbours go green with envy? It is essential to concrete certain types of fence posts into the ground. With others it is a complete waste of time and money. How do you know which are which? Follow these simple rules to ensure your fence panels stand loud and proud throughout the tough British weather.

Rules

• If the fence is solid, you need to concrete the posts to withstand wind pressure.
• Concrete your fence if it is a picket or palisade fence.
• If the fence is chainlink concrete the end and corner posts to support against the tension of the wire.
• If the post supports a gate concrete it.
• If the ground is soft concrete it.
• If the post is made of concrete, concrete it.
• If the post hole fills with water when dug,use a dry concrete mix.
• If the fence is a livestock fence of post and rail no need to concrete.
• If the fence is a livestock fence of stock mesh no need to concrete.
• If the fence posts are round normally no need to concrete.
• If the post is an intermediate post for a mesh or strained wire fence, there is normally no need to concrete it.
• If the fence is a low level trellis fence, it is advisable to concrete it.

If the rules above dictate that you should concrete your fence posts, then click here to log onto the AVS website where you can find all the necessary tools.

With so many fence panels to choose from how do I know which is the strongest fence panel to buy, with so many to choose from with on line shopping. If we ignore decorative panels like the continental and grange elite range the choice of fence panels basically comes down to two, Closeboard fence panels and Lap panels. You can easily tell the difference the closeboard fence panel is constructed from timbers running vertically and the lap panel has horizontal timber slats.

So to answer the question the strongest garden fence panels are the closeboard variety but don’t stop reading because there’s much more than just a fence panel to making a strong fence we should to consider the fixings, the height, how the post is fixed and in what location you are using the fence in.

Let’s just examine the closeboard fence panel for a minute and look at what we mean when we say this is a stronger type of fencing panel. It has strength in two ways the closeboard panel will stand stronger winds than the lap panel before the fence panel blows out between the posts. It is also constructed from heavier weight timber featheredge boards which means that if the fence panel is subjected stress via either a dog or vandals holes are less likely to appear. It is important to fix your fence panel securely to the post. It doesn’t really matter how you fix it, some people use clips and others use nails. If you choose to use met clips you should have a minimum of 6 per fence panel and if you choose to nail through the batten and into the post you should have 4 nails on one side of the batten and 3 nails on the other a total of 7 nails on each side 14 overall.

If your fence panels are in a reasonably exposed location or a windy location and you want to reduce the wind effects on them consider a reduced height panel with a trellis sat above, you can mix any height of trellis with a fence panel instead of a 6ft high panel you could consider a 5ft high panel with 1ft trellis above still giving you a 6ft high fence or even a 4ft fence with a 2ft trellis above. Trellis will reduce the wind resistance of the fence and allow the wind to blow through the trellis and reduce the pressure on the fencing panels.

Having considered your fencing panels next consider the fencing posts, if your timber fencing posts are not securely fixed into the ground and they move around the wind this will weaken the fence because of the movement which will be present in the fence. AVS recommend a fencing post for a 6ft high fence panel should be inserted between 2ft and 2ft. 6ins into the ground. The most secure method of fixing a fence post is to place concrete or use post mix a rapid hardening ready mix cement which comes dry in the bag and you pour into the fence post hole and add water, a very easy way to fix a fence post. Once the post mix has gone off the post will be completely rigid. Overall the aim is to try and stop the fence post moving at all in the ground.

Met post fence post spikes are another option for fixing your fence these are in our opinion only suitable where the ground conditions are favourably and where your fence is not subject to much wind.

Finally are there any locations which are not suitable for fence panels? In our view very exposed locations are best fenced with closeboard fencing which is assembled on site rather than using ready made fence panels, it is generally constructed using larger post sections and strong horizontal rails which can be increased where there is a risk of frequent high winds.

The Best ways to secure your fence posts

In this post we look at ways to secure your fence posts amongst the areas that we will look at are using post mix, met posts, concrete and soil back fill so that next time you are choosing fence panels and want to understand the different methods of fixing the fence post in connection with the erection of your garden fence panel you will be able to make an expert choice.

Post Mix
Post mix comes in a polythene bag and is a ready mixed concrete product made with rapid hardening cement which is poured dry straight from the bag into the post hole to surround the post, water is then added to the top of the post hole and is then absorbed into the post mix allowing the concrete to cure supporting your fence post. It is a product which is growing in popularity as a method of securing fence posts particularly timber fence posts for garden fences.

Best bits - post mix is easy to use and works well it is an inexpensive product.
Worst bits - few.

Met Posts
Met post is a trade name for a popular range of post spikes and bolt down post shoes where a fence post is being erected into normal soil ground a spiked met post is chosen. The met post spike is hammered into the ground using a simple and cheap met post installation tool and once the met post is installed the fence post is inserted into the top of the metal met post fence post spike. The most popular met post grips the post using met posts wedge grip system there is another similar met post post spike product, system 2 which uses 2 nuts and bolts to clamp the to the bottom of the timber post.

Best bits - no hole digging is needed with met post.
Worst bits - met posts may not hold the fence post fully secure in wet windy locations.

Concrete for Fence Posts
This is the most traditional method of holding fence posts firmly into the soil and has been used for many years the fence post hole is dug and the fence post inserted into the hole and surrounded by concrete. Concrete is a mix of sand, shingle and cement normally the sand and the shingle is pre mixed and purchased as a product called ballast. AVS sell ballast in 40kg bags and cement in 25kg bags, the product can then be mixed together on a mixing board or in a wheel burrow by hand using a shovel or in a cement mixer a little water is added to the concrete before it is added to the fence pole hole. The concrete used in erecting fence posts is made to a firm consistency.

Best bits - concrete is cheap to purchase.
Worst bits - ballast and cement needs to be mixed together before use.

Soil backfill for fence posts
What we mean by this is that once the fence post hole has been excavated the arisings that have been dug out of the fence post hole are refilled around the fence post, this needs to be done gradually and the practice is to tamp and firm the soil in stages as the hole is back filled around the fence post. A piece of timber that will fit between the fence post and the edge of the fence post hole is ideal to ram and firm the soil into position, for this method to work the soil must be rammed home really hard this way it will support the fence post firmly.

Best bits – cheapest method for fence post installation.
Worst bits – only suitable for fences without wind resistance such as post and rail fencing not suitable for fence panels.

So in summary you can see there are 4 ways to secure your garden fencing fence post and we have looked at post mix, met posts, concrete for fence posts and soil back fill for fence posts, From he Best bits and Worst bits you will be able to choose the most suitable method for the installation of your own garden fence panels and fence posts.

With the weather starting to improve and summer fast approaching, now is a great time to review your garden and sort out any fencing or landscaping projects that you have in mind.

Here at AVS Fencing Supplies we realise that summer never seems long enough, so when it does finally arrive you want to be able to sit back and enjoy it, without worrying about the state of your garden.

To help you create your perfect garden for summer, AVS Fencing Supplies offer a range of great products for sale via our Website & local branches. We offer core products including fence panels, timber fence posts, concrete fence posts, feather edge boards, gravel boards, chestnut paling, as well as a range of landscaping products including new & second hand railway sleepers & multi profile deck boards.

With such a great range of quality garden fencing & landscape products at competitive prices, we are sure that AVS Fencing Supplies can help you find exactly what you need no matter what job you have in mind.

Whether you need to repair a dilapidated fence, want to build a brand new garden fence, create your dream decking area or install some raised flower beds using railway sleepers, we can supply you with what you need.

Search our website now to find the garden fencing or landscaping products that you require and then buy online quickly & securely to get your garden project under way.

What is a Panel Fence

A pre-made timber panel, of differing styles and qualities, that are fixed between two posts.

Types of Panel

Panels are available in 3 different colours, a light beige (pressure treated), gold (orange/brown) and dark brown which are dipped. Check stocks for the range at your branch.

The styles can be broken down into:

Lap Panels - A waney edged board, overlapped and fixed horizontally within a batten frame, described as fully framed – meaning they have timber around the outside edge. They also have vertical battens fixed across the face and back of the panel to strengthen the laps.

Close board Panels - A feather edge board, overlapped and fixed vertically on a heavier duty batten formation. Stronger than the lap panel, but not as strong as true closeboarding.

'The above are sold in 6ft widths, starting at 3ft high in 1ft increments, up to 6ft high.'

Continental Panels - A decorative panel, with different designs of infill and tops, with a limited range of heights.

'The above are sold in 1.8m widths and varying heights, these are all in the light beige colour only, fully pressure treated.'

Posts

All panels can either be put on timber posts or concrete slotted posts; it is purely the customer’s personal choice.

On softwood timber posts the options would be: 75 x 75mm 100 x 75mm 100 x 100mm

The panels would be fitted to these via met clips, a U shape bracket, or nails/screws fixed through the side batten, pre drilling is advised. The timber posts can either be concreted into the ground or met posts could be used. If they are being concreted in, the post should go into the ground a minimum of 600mm; if met posts are being used the post will be shorter.

The concrete post has a slot that runs down the complete length of the post, which allows the panel to slot into the post. This is fine on installation, but remember that if a panel needs replacing later on, the panel has to be lifted above the posts and slotted down, e.g. a 6ft high panel would need lifting 6ft in the air to replace.

The options available for slotted posts are: Intermediates Ends Corners

The corners and ends are not handed as the slot is central to the post.

The panels are not actually fixed to the concrete so just sit in the slot; this does mean that they can move around if the panel is thinner than the slot.

Wall Fixing

If the fence is adjoining any walls then a wall plate can be used, either a 100x 47mm or a 75 x 47mm, which is bolted to the wall using suitable fixings, such as thunderbolts, hammer fixings or coach screws; then the panel fixed to this.

Post Tops

The tops of the posts can be left flat, machined or a post cap with or without a finial can be fitted. The finials are commonly acorns or balls, but others are available, these are fitted via a double threaded screw.

Sloping Ground

Remember that if the ground is sloping with the fence line, longer posts will be required to allow for the extra height caused by the panel sitting off the ground. As the panel should always sit level and should never be buried at the high side.

Gravel Boards

These are not only used for their ability to increase the height of the fence, but they are also used to prevent the panel from coming into contact with the ground; thus helping prolong the life of the panel.

They can also be used to fill the gaps beneath panels caused by steeping and inconsistencies in the ground level.

Timber Gravel Boards

Timber gravel boards are fixed to the timber post using cleats, which means it is unnecessary to use any fixings between the panels and gravel boards. Remember that if continental panels are used, then the standard 6ft gravel board is going to be too long and must be cut prior to installation.

Concrete Gravel Boards

In the instance of concrete gravel boards they can be used to retain light soil, as they are stronger and will not rot like timber; these slot into the concrete post. They are available in both 150mm and 300mm high. If these boards are used with continental panels, fillets would need to be used to increase the width of the panel.

Cutting Panels

As most gardens will not be exactly divisible by the panel width, it may be necessary to cut a panel to fit. It is easily achievable on lap and close board panels, but not so with continental panels, as the framing is jointed in the corners.

To cut a lap panel down, the battens are removed from one end of the panel and fixed into a similar position at the required width; so the cutting of horizontal battens is required. Once fitted the excess laps can be cut off.

Installing Panelled Fence Using Concrete

If concreting in, set the first post and measure out for your second hole and excavate. Once at the desired depth, fix the panel in place and fix the second post to it, checking for level and line. Once happy with the position concrete the second post in and then carry on the process until the fence is complete. Remember depending on the method of concreting used, it may be necessary to put temporary props on the fence to allow the concrete to set.

Note: If the fence is on a slope it is easier to start at the top of the slope, to ensure you get the height of the posts correct.

Help & Advice

For further help & advice please feel free to phone our fencing specialists at your local branch. They will be happy to answer your questions & provide you with a free quote for your materials.