Garden Fencing Blogs

AVS Fencing has launched an e-newsletter for customers who want to keep up to date with the latest news, offers and expert advice on a range of garden fencing, decking and railway sleepers. So now you don't have to remember to visit, we will bring our news to you.

Customers who have signed up to the e-newsletter can expect a fortnightly email from AVS Fencing Supplies.

As well as the great advice and company news, there will also be the opportunity to get exclusive discounts from AVS Fencing Supplies.

How do I subscribe?
It is simple really. All you need to do is enter your details into the box on the right hand side of our homepage. Hit the sign up button and you will be ready to start recieving updates from AVS Fencing.

So if you are interested in keeping up-to-date with the latest garden fencing, decking, railway sleepers and landscaping products, as well as receiving exclusive discounts. Sign up to the AVS E-Newsletter now.

At AVS Fencing Supplies, there is always something to suit your garden fencing needs. No matter what your budget, AVS has something for you!

If you are on a tight budget, Lap Panels are a great budget option with AVS Fencing offering good quality lap panels at low cost.

So what if you have a bit more money to spend? Our Closeboard Panels are an excellent choice for those mid-range budgets; Closeboard is stronger than Lap panels and well suited to more exposed areas.

Obviously, the more you spend, the better the end result, and although our Lap and Closeboard Panels are brilliant quality, they just don't compare to our Grange Elite Panel range. These are the premium Garden Fence Panel and are highly practical as well as looking great, so if you have a little bit extra to spend, we highly recommend our Grange Elite Panels to give your garden that finishing touch.

Can't make your mind up? Come in and visit AVS Fencing at any one of our 8 branches to check out our vast range of fence panels and really get a feel for what will look good in your garden!

Have you heard lately that AVS fencing offer an extensive range of garden fencing? No? Well...

With the spring slowly creeping up on us, now is the time to explore AVS fencing’s extensive range of garden fencing products which consist of garden fence panels, fence posts, decorative fence panels, security panels and many more.

Fence panel fences are what most people immediately think of when they think of garden fencing. A fence panel fence is constructed using fence panels and either timber fence posts or concrete fence posts set at approximately 6 feet apart, a fence panel fence tends to be the quickest fence to erect and requires perhaps the least experience as the garden fence panel is ready made there is a limited amount of construction work to do on site.

So if you have a garden project on the horizon and you need any garden fencing products come and view our fantastic online selection or come in to one of our 8 branches across the south east, offering outstanding customer service and free delivery.

AVS Fencing Supplies are proud to introduce our new St Melior Fence Panel!

We are stocking this exciting eye-catching item in two sizes: 1.8M x 1.8M and 1.8M x 1.05M.

This exciting addition to our Grange Fencing range means it now compliments our already fantastic St Melior Lattice which is already a classic Grange product, due to its high quality and affordable price.

A little bit about lattice design

Lattice design is prominent in Asia and can be made from wood, stone or metal. Lattice design can be used as window or room divider. Lattice design windows are good for letting a mixture of sunlight and cool air enter a room, and at the same time casting lovely intricate patterned shadows.

Lattice design can even be edible, in the form of pastry lattice design on the top of your tarts using strips of dough. You can even buy lattice pastry cutters.

If you can't afford to get to Asia to see some lovely lattice design. Then AVS Fencing will bring a little Asia to you in the form of our  St Melior Lattice. Now you can reduce your carbon footprint at the same time!

So what are you waiting for? View or buy this brand new addition to our Grange Fence panel range on either our easy to use website, over the phone, or in one of our eight branches who are already serving our huge customer base across the south east.

Did you know AVS Fencing Supplies are specialists in all kinds of fencing? As well as traditional garden fencing we are also specialists in Security Fencing, Livestock Fencing and Electric Garden Fencing, all available at affordable prices.

So if you are a farmer looking for livestock fencing, you can choose from our wide range which includes; Chestnut Post & Rail, Stock Fencing, Deer Fencing and Electric Fencing. Or maybe you are a customer who is looking for some wire mesh to protect your raised vegetable beds from Pests?

Whatever your Fencing requirement is, AVS has the solution. It seems that the only fencing that AVS doesn't deal with is fencing classes! As in the sport fencing. Fencing (the sport) provides a unique mix of physical, intellectual and emotional stimulation. Unlike many other sports it's very sociable and still carries notions of honour, chivalry and nobility. Many of history's most famous people have studied the art of fencing. A certain amount of dedication is required but apparently, it's worth it!

The sport sounds like it will give you as much emotional stimulation as AVS Fencing Supplies does! If you do need help with erecting your garden fences, we have expert help on hand. Click here to find out more ...

Either view our range online or visit one of our eight fully stocked branches, who will be ready to provide you with all the Fencing products, you will ever need!

It’s been an exciting year for AVS Fencing Supplies with fantastic developments to our website, the addition of new products and the introduction of our new branch at Harlow, Essex.

So what is your new years resolution? Well we know ours; we are going to release our new look www.sleeper-supplies.co.uk website, continue to develop our existing AVS Fencing website to make it even better and last but by no means least, open our new branch at Stansted covering West Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset Areas.

So with all these exciting developments to look forward to next year, AVS Fencing Supplies want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you again in 2011.

Now is the time when we look outside and think that winter has arrived! At least with cold weather, we are free from shark attacks around the UK coastline! However, the cold, blustery weather means it is a good idea to make sure all your Garden Fencing is in the best position to get through the blustery winter period.

If you feel that your garden fence needs repairing, AVS Fencing supplies offers a fantastic Garden Fencing repair range. This  includes our concrete repair spurs and repair brackets which are perfect for adding extra sturdiness to your garden fence!

So act now before it’s too late, by either visiting our website, calling us or popping into one of our seven branches and talking directly to one of our knowledgeable branch advisors, who will be more than happy to help.

When you shop with AVS Garden Supplies, you can be sure that your garden fences will be 'jaw' droppingly fantastic!

According to www.thisisnottingham.co.uk, Sue Thompson is a resident of Lark Hill Retirement Village, and she is quite right to feel proud of her award-winning winter garden in this year's East midlands neighbourhood category of Nottingham in Bloom.

Sue and a group of residents worked together to create this award-winning garden, which in turn helped to make the residential home a better place to live. Mrs Thompson explained “The gardens have helped break down barriers and were a conversation starter”.

What makes a winter garden special?

Any garden can be winter garden if it appears to stand out and look beautiful at a time when everything else in the winter landscape is dull, plain and brown is outstanding alone. If you want your property to be up there with the elite, in the height of winter as well as in summer, now is the time to get working on it.

So come and choose AVS Fencing Supplies who are proud specialist suppliers of Garden Fencing, Decking, Railway Sleepers and landscaping products all of high quality, at affordable prices!

Unfortunately, the time has come during the year when plants start to disappear, so according to Shropshire star it has become quite evident “that it is a good time to replace, repair or erect your garden fencing”.

AVS Fencing Supplies understand how hard it has become to choose the correct fence at an affordable price. Well this is where we come in as we have a broad range of Closeboard Fence Panels, Lap Fence Panels and Decorative Fence Panels which are available in different colours and sizes. With this endless stock range of garden fence panels, we are confident that we will stock the perfect fence panel for your garden.

So what are you waiting for? Come and see our fantastic promotions and extensive ranges of Garden Fence Panels, which are of high quality timber, all at an affordable price! Do it now before the weather gets really cold – apparently this winter is looking like it's going to be another cold one. If you are not sure what to do, and how to do it – we have a team of experts at hand who are ready to help you. Click here to find out more.

A new charity called Gardening Leave, has announced that they are going to help war veterans dig for victory by increasing their participation in more gardening activities. According to Anna Baker Cresswell, the charity’s chief executive: “It is a very simple concept. What the veterans get out of it is that they like to be together, they like to be outside, to have semi-structured activity in a safe, peaceful environment.”

Each passing month, the therapeutic benefits of being in the garden are becoming clearer and clearer. AVS Fencing Supplies want to encourage more people to take advantage of these therapeutic benefits by offering products and services to help you get the most out of your own garden experience. With the spending cuts announced by George Osborne this week, we could all do with a dose of theraputic therapy in our gardens!

Our products vary from railway sleepers, garden fencing and landscaping materials which can all be used to enhance your garden experience and add that spectacular feature to get the most out of your outside living space. Our green-fingered team at AVS Fencing Supplies are confident that you won’t be disappointed and you can start enjoying like others, the therapeutic benefits of being in your garden!  

Did you know we at AVS Fencing Supplies have a branch in Peterborough? Well if you didn’t, you do now and you should also know we are able to offer Free Delivery over the whole of Cambridgeshire (subject to a minimum order value). The following towns and cities are amongst those we deliver to in Cambridgeshire; Corby, Kettering, Cambridge, Peterborough, Stamford, March, Chatteris, Ely, Newmarket, St Ives, Spalding, Bourne, Histon, Long Sutton, Hobeach, Oakham, Ramsey, Kimbolton, St Neots, Brampton, Soham, Helpston, Sawtry, Witcham, Wisbech, Godmanchester, Stilton, Ferstanton, Rutland, Uppingham, Grantham, Rushden, Cottenham, Boston, Sleaford, Leicester, Raunds, Biggleswade, Ramsey, Potton, Sandy, Sawtry, Warboys, Soham, Thrapston and many more.  

With our own fleet of vehicles to undertake your delivery, you can be confident in our fantastic delivery service whether it may be Fence Panels, Railway Sleepers or Decking and Landscaping materials, you can be confident you are in safe hands!

Additionally with our other branches located across the south east of England, it means we can also deliver to areas including; Sussex, Kent, London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Hampshire and Cambridgeshire.

So what are you waiting for? Either come and visit one of our seven fully stocked branches, call our sales team or visit our informative and easy to use website to view our special promotions and fantastic product ranges, with that added extra of piece of mind that delivery is free on orders over £120.

So act now and get your Garden fencing materials, Decking and Railway Sleepers delivered for free! 

Gardeners who wish to keep pests away from into their gardens and outdoor areas should consider embarking on a garden fencing project.

It has been suggested by Richard Poffenbauh, who writes for the Mansfield News Journal that wild animals are one of the main culprits for spoiling your prized crop of vegetables and your flower beds.

To overcome this problem, Richard advised purchasing Garden Fencing, which can either be electric fencing to keep the pests out with an intermittent shock, or traditional garden fencing, such as Lap Panels which can be used as a barrier.

Does your garden fall victim to wild animal behaviour?

Well if it does, now’s the time to buy garden fencing from AVS Fencing Supplies, as we have a fantastic range of Garden Fencing products including; Timber Fencing, Metal Fencing and Electric Fencing! If you've already got a garden fence – remember to protect it against our wild weather! We have a range of stains and creosotes to make sure your fencing is tough enough to stand up to anything!

With all the UK's wild weather and wild animals – it's lucky AVS Fencing is only a click away. So don’t wait, take a look at our range of fences and start geting that garden fence erected now!

Unfortunately, the World Cup ended rather abruptly for England. Don't worry though, the good news is that now is a perfect time for you to spend some of that extra spare time outside enjoying your garden. What a perfect way for you to take your mind off the tragic footy.

If your Garden Fencing or garden decking is starting to look untidy and you want to change this before the winter months, you should try AVS Fencing Supplies as your low cost specialist supplier of Garden Fencing Panels, Decking Materials and Railway Sleepers. On the subject of sleepers – how many of you nearly fell asleep watching England playing?

Don't forget that we offer competitive products including lap fence panels, trellis and new softwood sleepers to name a few. 

All of these products are offered at low prices and are available with the added benefit of being able to be brought online! AVS Fencing Suppliers give England something to be proud of – perfect gardens!

 
 

 

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.

With the football World Cup about to get underway and patriotism running high, now is a great time to bring your friends and family together and show support for your country! With the sun also shining, what better way to do this than to organise a weekend BBQ and watch the big match in the comfort of your own home. To add a little extra magic to the day, you could also install a garden deck before the big game.

Garden decks are a great place to relax and congregate with your friends and with AVS Fencing Supplies currently offering a great deal on Winchester decking, you could create this space for a fraction of the usual price. You can also buy online for extra convenience!

Waiter, there's volcanic ash in my soup. I know, it's a no-fly zone! Oh dear, we couldn't resist a joke, especially as the worst is now over.

Back to our wonderful fencing supplies. This month we want to tell you about a new trend. AVS Fencing Supplies have seen the popularity soar of our Grange Elite Decorative Fence Panels in Spring.
 
Grange fencing panels offer a great visual finish to your Garden and are a popular Garden Fencing addition, which has been shown by strong demand in March and April.
 
If you want to stand out from your neighbours and have a unique fence line then this is the product to buy.
 
Choose between the St Michel, Eyecatcher, Lunair and Cyprien Fence Panels! Our Grange range come in one colour – light green pressure treated. You will be pleased to know that they don't come in 'ash'!
 
PS Don't forget to purchase your fence posts and post fix when you place your order.

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!

Our brand new Harlow branch is an exciting development for AVS Fencing Supplies and we will increase our products and delivery coverage to customers in Essex, North London and Hertfordshire areas.
 
Customers looking to purchase fence panels, fence posts, decking materials, railway sleepers or garden gates now have a great new supplier covering their area and as always we will be offering quality value products at competitive prices.

So what are you waiting for? You probably know that the Harlow Leisurezone launch has been delayed by a month or so, so why not get yourself down to AVS in Harlow for landscape materials and give your garden a makeover? Before long, you will have a leisure area all to yourself!

Freefone AVS in Harlow on 0800 804 7590.

With the worst of the snow and wind gone now is an ideal time to review your Garden Fencing and Garden Landscaping and either carry out repairs or plan improvements.

While you are tidying your perennials and starting to air the greenhouse, it is also a great opportunity to make sure all your fence panels are fully supported and all your fence posts are safe. Spring is a great time to start planning how you can improve your garden in time for spring and summer period, so when the air heats up, you can enjoy looking at the fruits of your labour.

You may want to include new and improved fencing line, so why not take a look at our new fence panels such as Lap Panels, Closeboard Panels or Grange Elite Fence Panels. It is also a good time to start creating new landscaping features such as new flower beds, which can be created with railway sleepers.

Frozen Britain will soon thaw and it won't be long until Spring is here. Now is the time to look at upgrading your garden fencing. Good news! AVS have just launched a brand new timber fence post with a lifespan guarantee of at least 15 years.

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.

Luckily we are discussing fence posts, and not the Royal Mail's post or this blog would never of got written!

Back to fence posts, anyone can dig a fence post hole. It is easy but like most tasks you need the right tools.

Contractors use a long handled graft because it has the weight and the length to get into hard compacted soil, so that you do not need to kneel down. The next best thing to do (if you only have a few holes) is to use a garden border spade – the small ones with a blade approx 5-6" wide.

What does a good fence post hole look like?
It is about (2' 6" ) 750mm deep and about 250mm (10") square with straight sides. The size of a fence post will change slightly depending on post size.

How do I get the soil out?
If the hole is big enough (be careful not to make it too big), you will be able to get the soil out with the spade. If you have a lot of holes to dig. it is even easier with a double handled post hole digger, this is what contractors use.

What if the ground is stony or has concrete in it?
The answer is to use a 5' long crowbar or a power tool with a breaker attachment.

Top Tip:
How to dig out an old concrete fence post base:
Dig a hole in the soft soil immediately to one side of the concrete base to the full depth required. Once you have done this spit the concrete with a bar or breaker and lift the big chunks out. Don't make the same mistake a lot of people do, which is trying to break the concrete straight way. You will be rewarded by little chips of concrete and it will turn out to be a real marathon job.

Whether your fencing is for domestic or commerical purposes, most fence posts require concreting into the ground to prevent the wind loosening the fence post. Ready mix post mix is dry ready mix concrete in a bag. It is really easy to use, just tip it in the hole around the fence post and add water – job done simple as that! No messing around and no need to premix in the wheelbarrow or on a board.

What’s more the post mix is made from rapid hardening cement that goes off faster than conventional concrete meaning your fence is very soon safe and can’t be damaged by the wind during erection.

What is the other option? Buy ballast (a mix of pebbles and sand) and to mix this up firstly with cement powder and secondly with water to produce concrete which is added wet to the fence post hole.

Interesting Fact: Did you know that the Romans invented concrete, which when fused with their engineering expertise, allowed for the creation of villas, temples, towns, baths, walls, roads – the list is endless. So next time you think about Ready Mix Post Mixing your fence post – the Vatican City isn't that far away!

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.

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.

Close Board fencing remains the most cost effective way to build a solid boundary that will stand the test of time. Close board can also be incorrectly described as ship lap or feather board fencing, but essentially these descriptions refer to the same type of construction.

Due to the versatile nature of the product it is important to bare in mind what size fence you would like to erect and whether you will require planning permission. Generally you can erect a fence of up to 1.95M high without planning permission, except where your fence is adjacent to a public highway. In this instance the fence can only be up to 1M high, before planning permission is required. (We recommend you seek advice from your local council before commencing work)

Whether you are using cant rails, arris rails, timber or concrete posts the basic erection process remains the same.

Installation

Close board fencing is a simple construction of posts, rails, gravel boards and featheredge. Posts should be a minimum of 100x100mm (4 x 4) section and concreted into the ground at a depth of approx 760mm (for taller fence variations) and the distance between the post centres should ideally not exceed 3.0M (10Ft). Rails are then fixed horizontally across the face of the posts; usually two rails are needed on 1.2M (4Ft) high featheredge and below, with three rails used on higher boundaries.

It is recommended but not essential to fit a gravel board at ground level between the posts. This serves to keep the featheredge from making contact with the ground, which will reduce future maintenance costs, because it is cheaper and easier to replace one gravel board rather than a large quantity of featheredge. The featheredge is then fitted vertically on to the front of the rails with a minimum of 25mm (1 inch) overlap.

Tip: To increase the life span of this fence you can erect it using concrete posts and gravel boards. Due to the long life expectancy of these products future costs of replacing the timber components will be considerably lower, because only the rails and featheredge will need replacing.

Versatility & Benefits

Because this particular style of fencing is constructed with individual pieces it is very versatile and offers many benefits.
1. Close board is ideal for constructing a fence on sloping ground because gravel boards and rails can be fixed at an angle and then the featheredge can follow this level as required
2. Close board has the benefit of being easy to repair. Should any featheredge start to show the ravishes of time, it is a quick and inexpensive process to replace the boards
3. All materials that go into making this type of perimeter fencing are pressure treated, so that the longevity of the timber is at an absolute maximum
4. If constructed correctly it is strong and long lasting
5. Close board is commonly found in both green and brown as standard, making it far more versatile than most boundary options
6. Close board can be used to make a fence of virtually any height
7. Close board is suitable for front and back gardens, as well as commercial use

Maintenance

Timber is a living product and given enough time it will degrade. To get the best possible life span from the product it is recommend that the timber is treated every 2 – 3 years. This is best undertaken with a solvent based treatment during the summer months, so that it can soak into the dry wood.

Help & Advice

If you are interested in erecting close board fencing at your property, please get in touch with your local branch. Our specialists will be happy to offer help and advice and can provide you with a free quote for supply of all relevant materials.

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.