Fences, Deck Boards and Railway Sleepers - Blog - AVS Fencing Supplies

It's time to review your Garden Fencing & Garden Landscaping

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 08:53:13 GMT

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.

AVS are your fencing experts

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:16:30 GMT

AVS Fencing are at your service with fencing expertise.

We have made even more improvements to our website and now we offer an ' expert' service to our customers. We have recently energised our efforts on the AVS website to include all the necessary tools you may need to erect your garden fencing, such as Lap Panel Fencing & Closeboard Fencing.

You will also be pleased to know that we have added more fencing tools for your convenience and we have also improved our ' search' box to you find what you want quickly and easily. Some of the new tools we have added are: Post Hole Diggers, Hammers, Shovels, Spirit Levels and a Chalk Line.

If you need any help on anything to do with any of our products, you can request a call back via our website.

AVS website goes gold

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:31:15 GMT

2010 has seen great improvements to the AVS Website, so if you haven' t visited us for a while, it' s worth a good look. Due to interest rates being so low, the investment experts say that gold is a good investment these days! And guess what? Some of the new products that have been added to the new improved AVS website are Gold Lap Panels and tools.

AVS also have a new postcode checker so you can find out if we deliver in your area. We also have excellent live monthly offers on a range of products which has resulted in a very positive start to 2010. In fact AVS are celebrating as we have had a 33% increase in visitor numbers and an increase of 172% in sales in January 2010 – even with the snow!

March is just round the corner, so it' s timeto start thinking of getting your garden fences in shape for summer. Visit the AVS website and have a good look at what we' ve got on offer.

Why size matters

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:02:06 GMT

Lots of people want a 6' high (1.80m) Fence and we all know that 6' fence panels are a best seller. However, what happens when you want to put a 6" (150mm) gravelboard underneath the fence panel to prevent it contacting the ground and rotting or holding back a little soil from a neighbouring garden?

The answer is that is the height will increase and you may not want a 6' 6" or 1.95m high fence as you will need a longer more expensive post. Another negative reason for a taller fence is that it will also have more wind resistance making it prone to expensive storm damage, plus it may overshadow your garden.

The good news is that AVS Fencing have increased their range of 5' 6" fence panels and associated accessories, including concrete slotted fence posts which are becoming even more popular because they are long lasting and also the panel can be changed easily by lifting out and slotting in a new one.

Also, our concrete gravelboard is even better than the timber gravelboard, and can also slot snugly under the fence panel keeping it off the ground and holding back a little loose soil at the same time.

Timber Fence posts stay warm in big freeze

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:23:00 GMT

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.

How is this 15 year guarantee possible?
Because AVS timber fence posts are kiln dried before treatment to reduce moisture content. This treatment combined with us selecting the right species of timber (British Pine - redwood, rather than whitewood), is the secret to our 15 year guarantee. We are proud of our new product as it is the first of its kind in the UK for this type of post and treatment process.

To find out more about our 15 year guarantee timber fence posts, call 01403 740200 or click here.

How do you ensure that non-concreted fence posts stay secure?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:08:58 GMT

In our previous blog tip, we advised you whether you needed to concrete your fence posts. If after reading that post, you decided not to get the concrete out, we suggest that you read the following to find out how you can ensure that your non-concreted fence posts stay secure.

First off, backfill the fence post hole with excavated soil;

You should have a good length of wood (or similar) to use as a rammer;

Ensure you dig the hole big enough to get the rammer all around, which will ensure the fence post gets right down to the bottom of the hole;

Fill the hole very slowly, and stop at frequent intervals to ram the soil down firmly;

Concentrate most on the bottom of the hole and the top of the hole;

Try and get as much soil as possible back into the hole.

There you go, simple. Even if the latest budget hasn' t been your ' Darling' and you can' t afford the concrete. Rest assured, you can still erect a firm, secure fence post!

Do I need to concrete my fence posts?

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 16:59:02 GMT

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.

Tips for building a deck base

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:22:42 GMT

Why are we talking about building a deck base in this awful British weather? Don' t ask me!

If your garden has not flooded, and you have a weekend spare, then why not prepare you garden for decking. You never know, you may be able to enjoy BBQ next spring. Or perhaps eat your Christmas dinner on the new decking area if you have a nice patio heater, like the Zeus which was recently pitched on Dragons Den.

There is no right or wrong way to build a deck base. The objective is to create a solid level timber structure to fit the decking boards too - simple! What really helps is that the decking base is not seen so it does not matter what it looks like!

Two tools that will help you to do the job properly are:

Landscaping screws will join timber easily and firm:
Joist Hangers to butt joint one timber rail to another (rails are sometimes known as joists).

Both tools are easy to use and fast to use.

Use timber posts concreted into the ground to hold the structure in place.

The decking design will depend on the space you have which is a result of how high above the ground the deck is to be. Where space allows use beams to support joists, for example, if your deck is 3.60m wide and you have created a framework supported with Timber Posts and have fixed in place your 3.60m joists, then set at 450mm centres without additional support. At 3.60m long these joists will be too flexible to support the deck in the centre.

This is where a another larger timber rail (sometimes called a beam), set this immediately under and at 90 degrees to you. Set joists at approx every 1.8m in mid position with posts to support the beam. Without too many additional posts you now have a firm deck structure which you may fix your decking Boards to.

Can anyone dig a fence post hole?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:29:06 GMT

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.

Are all timber Fence Posts the same Quality?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:49:57 GMT

Did you know that timber fence posts are only as good as the chemical treatment they have received? Please beware! There are some very poorly treated posts on the market although they may look alike – appearances can be deceptive.

What do AVS ensure for you? All our posts are kiln dried prior to treatment to accept the treatment deep into the post. We have launched a range of timber fence posts that have been through a brand new treatment process for longer life. We use carefully selected pine (redwood) posts which have been kiln dried (to around 28% moisture content). The posts are then treated with a special ACQ treatment process to give the fence posts virtually total protection from fungal decay and insect damage. All this means that your Garden fencing will be the envy of all your neighbours.

Here a are a few interesting facts about timber which we sourced from the UK Timber Frame Association.

Did you know that wood is effectively a carbon-neutral material (even if you allow for transport)?

Did you know that 77% of the energy used in the production of wood products comes from wood residues and recovered wood?

Did you know that concrete uses five times as much energy, and steel uses six times more energy to produce than timber?

The beauty of wood is that when it has reach the end of it' s life it can be easily recycled.

There you go, who thought that we ' would' help you with your pub quiz knowledge!

Top tips for wooden fencing

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:17:30 GMT

There are two main types of solid wooden fencing:

Which should I choose?

The pros and cons of fence panels:

Fence panels are not good on slopes because you will get gaps under the panels as panels need to be placed at 90% otherwise the posts will not vertical;
Fence panels are weaker and therefore not so good with our windy British weather;
The life expectancy of a fence panel is shorter for the above reasons;
You will have more holes to dig, as the posts are closer together;
The good news is that fence panels are easier to erect and also they are cheaper!

The pros and cons of Closeboard Fencing:

Closeboard fencing is a little slower to erect;
The initial cost of closeboard fencing is higher;
Closeboard fencing is ideal on sloping ground as you can stagger the fencing to fit the slope.
The design of closeboard fencing can be varied, which allows you to make certain sections stronger on exposed sites;
The lifetime expectancy of closeboard fencing is much longer;
Closeboard fencing is made of small parts which are assembled on site, therefore there are no heavy panels to lift.

Top tips
When replacing an existing fence, there is probably a short section somewhere along the fence line, alter the arrangement of this so that you do not have to dig up all the old concrete fence post foundations you can dig into fresh ground.

Erecting Fence panels
If the ground has a slight slope start at the top and work down. It makes stepping the panels i.e. adjusting to suit ground level a lot easier to get right.

Erecting Closeboard Fencing
Do this in 2 stages stage 1 Posts and rails stage 2 add the gravelboard and clad the fence with featheredge.

Talking of wood, Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones is expected to pay his ex-wife Jo £6.5 million after they were given a ' quick' divorce yesterday (November 11)! It' s lucky that AVS fencing is highly competitively priced – at least Ronnie can afford new fence panels :)

Picket Fence, Panel or Palisade Fencing?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:22:00 GMT

Unless you' re a celebrity wanting complete privacy in your garden – picket and palisade fencing are ideal because you can partially see through them and therefore, they make excellent decorative fencing.

So which fencing should you choose for your garden?

Here' s the main differences between picket fence panels and palisade fencing:

Wooden palisade fencing and picket fence panels look identical – both fences allow vision through and they are often used as a decorative boundary when full privacy is not required. Plus both fences are available with flat, pointed or rounded tops.

The main difference is that palisade fencing is sold in pieces and is constructed on site, where as picket fence panels are sold as as panels. AVS palisade fencing and AVS picket fence panels are both guaranteed for 25 years.

AVS sell ready made panels and separate components that need assembly on site. Separate components do cost slightly more but will produce a longer lasting and slightly studier fence.

Are concrete fence posts a good choice?

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:09:11 GMT

Your home boundary needs to be defined to create privacy, improve security and to help shelter your garden from some of the elements. Garden fencing from AVS comes in a great selection of ready-made fence panels and timber and concrete posts.

Ready-made fence panels are a great addition to the DIY enthusiasts, however it takes more than sticking up a few posts and screwing a few panels! If you want your fence to last, as well as look good, it is a good idea to use concrete fence posts because they are much longer lasting than Timber posts.

All AVS fencing panels will fit into the slotted posts. Slotted concrete fence posts are great because if a fence panel gets damaged, you can lift it out and replace it with a new one without any hand tools!

Timber posts still have a 15 year life, and are visually more attractive. However, it is best to extend their life by concreting the timber posts! Who knows what weather we will have in the UK this Winter.

Building a raised bed with railway sleepers

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:22:36 GMT

AVS Fencing Supplies are a huge supplier of railway sleepers for garden and landscaping projects. This means you can have great confidence in the product with competitive prices and rapid delivery. Railway sleepers supplied included are both new and recycled in hardwood and treated softwood and are creosote-free.

The advantages of raised beds are:

You can add soil which is suitable for herbs, vegetables or plants you want to grow.
They save you back strain because you don' t have to bend down so far!
They need less watering than containers.

The disadvantage of raised beds is:

You have to design and build them.

We can help to take care of that for you. Here are a few important points to bear in mind:

Remember that raised beds are for the long term, so choose their site carefully. Do your plants want a sunny or shady position?
Don' t make your raised bed wider than you can comfortably reach.
A height of 30 - 60 cm deep is sufficient for most small and medium sized plants.

How to make a wooden raised bed out of AVS railway sleepers.

What you will need:

Four railway sleepers;
eight tree stakes;
saw and hammer

Lay out the railway sleepers on edge in their final positions. Ensure that the best edge uppermost.
Hammer the two tree stakes into the ground, about 4cm from each corner, to hold the corners together.
Cut off ensuring the top of the stakes are flush with the railway sleepers. If you are making the bed on a paved surface use coach bolts to hold the sleepers together.
Fill your brand new sleeper raised bed with a suitable soil or compost. Top tip: If you want to grow herbs, then mix the top soil with grit.

Hitting the Decks - Autumn Decking Ofers

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:29:50 GMT

Autumn may almost be here, but decking is still a popular purchase. We bring to you a great offer. Our 3.6m decking has been reduced from £10.56 to £7.13.

AVS decking is tough and durable, just like Eddie Izzard it seems. If you didn' t know this, Eddie Izzard celebrated completing 43 marathons in 52 days! Wow. Eddie raised over £200,000 for Sports Relief. Eddie said to the Guardian newspaper "I feel really good. My legs hurt, my body hurts, I' m very tired. I lost my toenails, had blisters and stuff, but to finish – it' s kind of like science fiction in a way."

Eddie obviously needs to sooth away his aches with the help of a nice glass of something sitting in a lovely decked garden. Therefore, he would be pleased to hear that AVS deckboard is a quality reversible decking board made using more slowly grown imported timber of a 5th grade Scandinavian Redwood quality, for better reliabilty. It is smooth on one side and reeded on the other. The decking is a robust with a healthy thickness of approx 34mm unlike some cheaper decking which is only 28mm thickness. AVS decking helps create a sturdy deck without spending a fortune on timber for the base. Our timber is slow-grown so it is close grained and therefore has less chance of splitting and cracking in the sunshine and rain.

AVS decking is produced in species classified as Redwood meaning it accepts the timber treatment well for greater durability. AVS decking board is produced in the UK specifically for AVS to our own specifciation and design.

So if anyone out there who knows Eddie, point him over here so we can assist him with some ultimate R & R.

Fencing makes good security for your House

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 17:11:42 GMT

Recently, my step-mother' s brand new limited edition Mini-Cooper got stolen from their driveway whilst they are sleeping. If they had installed 6' high timber fencing with good quality gate bolts, they would still have their pride and joy.

The UK planning law says that you need permission for a fence over 2m tall and for 1m tall adjacent to a highway. Normally no notice is normally taken of a trellis added to the top of a 6' fence, so you are most probably safe to do this too.

Tall fences also add privacy and security for children, pets as well as your property.

Building a Railway Sleeper retaining wall

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 15:28:10 GMT

Did you know why sleepers are called sleepers? Are you ready for this? Well ... according to Wiki Answers - when sleepers were added below the railway lines, the trains ran more smoothly and people fell asleep on their journeys.

One would normally build a railway sleeper retaining wall in your garden to support soil when they need to achieve a rapid change in ground levels usually created by forming a level area for a lawn or building.

The height of your railway sleeper retaining wall will be determined by difference in ground levels.

Most people only need to retain up to 600mm of soil so this is an easy task, which often creates an interesting and attractive feature in the garden.

The method you choose for construction will be influenced by the height.

Sleepers laid horizontally
Sleepers can be either stood on edge, which needs fewer sleepers but will need some additional supports or laid flat which is great for raised beds and lower height walls needing less additional support often just landscaping screws to join the railway sleepers.

Sleepers placed vertically
Great for medium height walls of about 1 metre high using hardwood sleepers

Joining Sleepers
Landscaping screws are great for joining sleepers together they are screwed in without needing pre-drilling and hold sleepers very firmly.

Drainage
It is advisable to place shingle behind the railway sleepers, particularly for taller structures. This can aid the life span of the sleeper and assist drainage, ensuring any water drains to the bottom and doesn’t run out between sleepers. Use a membrane on the back of the sleepers if the shingle is likely to spill through any gaps left between the sleepers.

Health & Safety
Sleepers are heavy and care should be taken when handling. Second-hand sleepers are treated with creosote so skin contact should be avoided. Taller structures may collapse if not constructed properly so if in any doubt consult a qualified engineer.

Will my fence survive the winter?

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:59:04 GMT

The Met Office have not yet predicted the UK weather for autumn/winter 2009, but even if they did – would we believe them after the barbeque summer we were meant to have? The main threat to your fence is the winter storms which normally begin with gales in October - remember 1997? The taller and more exposed your fence is – the more at risk of damage your fence is.

What can happen to my fence? Normally one of three things ... Your fence posts can break usually at ground level this normally affects timber fence posts or become loose in the ground and sometimes the fence panel can be damaged.

To answer the question, we recommend walking the fence line whilst doing the following:

First, look for signs of rot at the bottom of the fence posts and try wobbling the fence post backwards and forwards. Beware! Some posts may break, but at least you will not get a sudden surprise on a cold wet winters morning. This will also detect posts that are loose in the ground.
Inspect the Fence Panels for signs of rot of damage or if you have closeboard fencing, check the ends of the rails join firmly with the post specially the top rail.

For further information on fencing, please call our sales team on: 01403 740200.

Why is Ready Mix Post Mix so popular?

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:22:40 GMT

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!

Met Posts – Love 'em or hate them!

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:03:06 GMT

Met Post is the leading brand of metal fence post bases. The most common style used is a spike which is the type we discuss here. The purpose of these fencing accessories is to secure your timber fence post into the ground without having to dig a hole or using concrete to backfill it. Sounds great doesn’t it, so what are the pro’s and con’s?

Pro’s

Met Posts are easy to install. They are simply bashed into the ground with a large hammer.
There is no fence post hole to dig

Con’s

If the ground is to hard or stony, the Met posts are hard to bash in straight and you would possibly need to dig out any obstructions
If the ground is too soft they give insufficient support to the fence post. Similarly on exposed sites they may not hold the fence post firmly in the ground. Therefore you would need the longer spike.

AVS now stock a direct alternative to the met post called the fencemate. So if you have a new fence to erect, visit our website by clicking here. Don' t forget, we also sell a great range of decking, railway sleepers, gates, mesh wire, ironmongery fixings, and fencing aggregates.

Fencing colour, what’s it all about?

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 17:22:09 GMT

What does the colour of your fence say about you? It says that you care about your wallet and the planet, as well as your fashion sense. Remember the good old days of Ground Force? We can' t promise you Charlie Dimmock, Tommy Walsh or Alan Titchmarsh! However, we can promise that if you go for a coloured treated fence, you will save money as the fence will last for years longer.

Our fences are dipped (immersed) in treatment producing 2 colours. Brown now most popular – gold less popular now – although fashions do change! Our third treatment option is pressure treating. The side effect of this is an attractive natural light brown wood colour. Very now ...

Closeboard fencing, also known as feather edge fencing) is available in two options: brown or green – both are created as part of the pressure treatment process. Brown is a dark brown and
green is actually a light beige brown with (at times) a slight greenish twinge from the copper used in our special treatment.

Fence posts also come in the same treaments and finishes as closeboard fencing.

TOP TIP: Use Green colour if you want to re-treat or paint a different colour.

Be kind to your fence and the planet – USE GRAVELBOARD!

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:40:43 GMT

You don' t have to join The Green Party to help planet earth. You can simply use gravelboard when you are erecting your garden fence! Why? Because then your fences will last longer, and you will be saving lots of trees, as well as saving yourself heaps of money and backbreaking work in the future.

What are Gravelboards?

Gravelboards fit under a fence at ground level. They can be timber gravel boards which are used withTimber Posts or Concrete Gravelboards used with slotted concrete fence posts. These are normally 6”/150mm or 12” / 300mm high.

Whats the purpose of Gravelboards?

Gravelboards keep expensive timber fence panels or fence pales ends off of the damp ground thus protecting from rotting. Timber gravelboards are cheap and easy to replace so can in a way be sacrificed.
Gravelboards are essential for fencing on sloping ground. Fence panels have to be stepped which can leave a gap at ground level – a gravel board can help as one end can be buried into the ground meaning the other end will fill the gap.
Concrete gravelboards (the type used for fence panels and with concrete fence posts), can be used to hold back soil if ground levels on each side of fence different. For example, between your garden and your neighbours garden.

Remember to allow for longer posts to accommodate – sometimes you can use lower panels so the fence does not become too tall. Like Fence Panels, gravelboard is normally fixed between posts rather than on the front face, therefore, wood blocks called cleats are normally used to aid fixing with nails.

Gravelboards can be used anywhere there is garden fencing, not forgetting, commercial sites like factories .

House prices rising! Fix those fences in time for your house sale!

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:56:40 GMT

According to rightmove.co.uk, who represent 90% of the UK housing market, house prices are set to increase towards the end of 2009. So now is the time to start finishing those jobs you' ve been putting off for ages, such as fixing fence panels. The good news is that we have four easy ways to help you fix and improve your garden fencing.

Fixing fence panels is easy, here are four simple methods:

• Nail through the side framing batten into post – use galvanised nails to avoid rust stains – size 65 or 75mm long nail front and back separately using 3-4 nails on each face

• Use Panel Fixing Clips – use 3 clips per side for a 6’ 1.8m high fence panel

• Use Slotted Concrete Fence Posts – no fixings are needed as these are H-shape posts, therefore the panel is located in slot. The advantages of this are that the posts last for years and panels can be lifted out and replaced in minutes

• Always use Decking screws for all fencing panels and trellis, particularly when using our Grange Elite Range of fence panel. The AVS range of Carpenter Mate Decking Screws fix easily with a battery screwdriver without slipping as they have a special square socketed head (driver bit provided) and are coated for maximum corrosion protection. They self-drill through timber without splitting.

AVS Top Tip

Why not use Lap Panels for your garden fencing? They are not only cost effective, they are attractive too.

AVS supply lap panels in 4 different sizes, each Lap Panel is 6 foot wide with heights that vary between 3, 4, 5 and 6 feet (these are 915, 1220, 1525 and 1830mm respectively).
As well as variations in size, a range of colours are on offer, these being either a light beige (our pressure treated lap panels), orange-brown or darker brown.(our dipped panels).
It is important to remember when buying a panel that posts come in only 2 colours, light brown (known as green) or dark brown. This type of fencing is simple to erect making it an excellent choice for your garden fencing.

Beginners guide to Decking

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:42:18 GMT

You are thinking of building a garden decking this summer and are not quite sure where to start. Simple start here with a guide that will help you through the maize that decking. There is nothing easier so read on. What is a garden deck in its simplest form? A garden deck is a platform covered in timber which can be either at low level, near the ground or high level, raised from the ground. There are no real rules about what you can and cannot do with decking as long as the space is firm and strong to support the deck boards then you will have successful decking.

You certainly don’t need to be a master carpenter to create a great garden deck, create the base for the deck out of timber fence posts and timber joists. Typically the fence posts can be 100x100 in size or slightly larger if the deck is raised off the ground by more than a couple of feet. Timber joists typically 150x47mm and 100x47mm can then be used to form a level framework on which to lay the deck boards. The timber support posts are normally connected with a beam and the timber joists can be fixed to the beam using joist hangers, other timber connections between the timber joists can be done using landscape screws, our carpenters mate range of landscape screws are ideal for this.

The look and feel of the finished deck will be influenced by the type of deck board you choose, two main types of decking boards are available from AVS hardwood and softwood treated. The softwood treated decking boards are available in grooved, reeded and smooth options. The best method to fix the decking boards down onto the timber joists is to use AVS Fencing decking screws which avoid splitting the timber and normally avoid the need for pre-drilling, unlike nails can be removed if the boards need to be lifted for any reason.

I believe building a timber decking is a job that most people who are fairly practical can easily do and will make a great addition to your garden. All of the decking materials are available from AVS Fencing for building your garden decking, the first step to your garden decking would, I suggest be sketching out a plan of the size of decking you want. Mark it out in the area you have allocated for it then you can check ground levels and get a feel for what this would look like when it is completed within your garden.

On a final safety note if your decking is going to be raised off the ground you will also need to consider balustrading or timber hand railing to prevent people falling from your deck.

Which is the strongest fence panel?

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:54:49 GMT

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.

RHS Flower Show 2009

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:00:29 GMT

AVS Fencing Supplies are pleased to be offering our support to a stand at this years RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (July 7-12).

The Tudor Rose Garden has been created by local garden designer Chris Burns. Chris an MS sufferer, has created this ' senses' garden with less abled people in mind and the stand (D40) will be used to promote three different charities - the MS Society, the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) and the NBCS (National Blind Children’s Society).

The stand itself has been cleverly designed so that it will look like a Tudor rose from above and the display itself uses different techniques so that everyone can enjoy it:

The plants have been specially grown and chosen for their qualities of promoting the senses with scent, texture and sound.
All the labelling is in Braille and has been printed by the RNIB, so even those without sight can experience the plants and read about them.
Special non-slip paint has been used on the walkways and the raised beds show how disabled people can more easily tend plants that are higher off the ground.

AVS Fencing Supplies have been pleased to provide decking and timber posts for use on the display and we are sure the finished result will look fantastic.

For anyone intending to visit the show this year please ensure you pop over to stand D40 to lend your support and experience this great display.

The Best ways to secure your fence posts

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:18:00 GMT

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.

How to erect a picket fence

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 16:32:26 GMT

Today I am going to talk about erecting a garden picket fence using the easy to erect ready assembled panels of wooden fencing. AVS Fencing also sell a type of loose picket fencing it is listed under palisade fencing in the on line shop.

How much fencing is required?
Measure your fence lines and divide by 1.80m, this will tell you approximately how many panels of picket fencing you will require. Panels can be shortened very easily by cutting if needed.

The Fence Posts
I would recommend erecting the picket fence on 75x75mm AVS Fencing 15 year Guaranteed treated fence posts with 900mm high picket fencing use a 2.4m long post cut into two and for the 1200mm high fencing use a 1.8m long post. When cutting the post make sure that the cut end is situated upper most and not buried in the ground and be sure to treat the tops of the posts with end coat this way you will maintain the AVS Fencing 15 year guarantee on the fence post and the posts will give you a good long life.

When building the picket fence the posts are set behind the panels, the panels are butted up and nailed or screwed to the front face of the post, I found that carpenters mate decking screws were an ideal product to fix the picket fencing panels to the fence posts allow 8 screws per panel.

To cut or not to cut?
If the panels are taken without cutting and are butted together it leaves just the right amount of room for one individual pailing to be fixed over the top of the joint in front of the post while AVS Fencing don’t currently sell matching additional loose fence pailings, you may well have some available from cutting down a panel or choose to purchase an extra panel. However if this is not the case don’t worry because the fencing works just as well when the ends of the picket fence panels rails are trimmed back by approximately 35mm each. This will ensure that the spacings between the panels are just right.

How far out of the ground will the posts be?
It is recommended that you allow 50mm between the ground and the underside of the picket fence panel and is also recommended you stop the post well short of the top of the panel in fact just above the top rail this will mean that for a 900 high picket fencing panel the posts are approximately 800mm above the ground.

The steps to erect a picket fence
Decide if you will be using the picket fencing panels at full length or trimmed back.
Lay the panels on the ground adjacent to the fence line to establish the positions for the posts.
Set up a string line if required to get the fencing straight.
Dig the post holes, concrete the first post into the ground using Post Mix
Fix the picket fencing panel to that first post, support the panel with a block of timber under to get the panel level and concrete in the next post in the right position for the panel and proceed along the fence line fixing one panel at a time.

Picket Fencing Gates
A matching gate for your picket fence can be purchased from the AVS Fencing on line shop the picket fence gate kit comes complete with all the necessary hinges, latch and gate stop, it is recommended that you use a 100mm gate post. The gate post is unlike the fence posts to the full height of the fence so for a 900 high picket fence use a 1.5metre long 100x100 post. The adjacent picket fencing panels will fix to the front face of the gate post and the gate will fix to the rear face of the gate post. Don’t forget to fit the gate stop timber batten to prevent damage to the gate latch.

Getting Your Garden Ready For Summer!

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:15:17 GMT

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.

New & Improved Homepage Launched!

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 14:06:21 GMT

AVS Fencing Supplies are pleased to announce the launch of our new and improved homepage. This has been designed with you the customer in mind and aims to provide you with a streamlined process when buying your fencing & landscaping products online. Whether you are looking for fencing, decking, railway sleepers or gates our homepage will lead you to exactly what you want.

In addition you now have new and improved access to special online deals in our frequently updated Web Offers Section. These are updated constantly and offer great savings to you on products such as Lap Panels, Featheredge, Railway Sleepers, Concrete Posts & Aggregates.

Finally to ensure you don’t miss out on this seasons must have products, we have launched our ' Top 10 buys of the month' . Here you can see what fencing & landscaping related products our other customers are buying, in order to gain some inspiration and help towards your purchasing decisions.

We hope you like our new website and look forward to doing business with you soon.

Panel Fencing – Part 1

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:55:00 GMT

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 - An Introduction

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:50:26 GMT

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.

Security Fencing – What are your options?

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:45:04 GMT

We are one of the top suppliers of high security fencing for commercial premises. Our extremely high level of technical capability, combined with our unrivalled commitment to customer service ensures that the highest possible levels of customer satisfaction are met.

Our experience means that we can help you decide which option is best for you when securing your site.

Palisade Fencing

Palisade fencing is one of the biggest sellers when it comes to securing a site. Although not always the cheapest option, it is designed to be strong and provides excellent protection against climbing and cut through. The effects of petty damage and vandalism on steel palisade are minimal which in the long term can reduce future maintenance costs.

Depending on the requirements of your site AVS can offer two types of pale profiles. W Pale comes in three thicknesses with 2.0mm being most commonly used for commercial security. Thickness can be increased to 3.0mm which we would use for high security sites such as MOD or Railways. D section pales are also something that we can offer, thickness usually starts at 3.0mm but if you require a lesser thickness we would be able to help. We can offer heights up to 3M for added security.

After selecting your pale profile, you have to decide which type of tops you would like, below are a list of your options.

· Triple Pointed - Normal Security Fence Option.
· Rounded - Suitable for amenity areas.
· Rounded & Notched - Suitable for amenity areas.
· Square - Suitable for amenity areas.
· Pointed - Used less frequently.

Posts

Posts are available with complete with lose fishplates. With choice of either concreted in, or base plated for bolting down. Depending on the level of security you require, the posts can also be vertically extended to take barbed or razor wire.

Gates

Gates are also made to suit individual requirements and with our team of dedicated experts, we will be with you every step of the way to ensure your specification is met.

Specification

Whatever your choice all palisade items are made to BS 1722 pt 12. and galvanised to BS 729. With a range of powder coating options, this will come with a ten year performance guarantee.

Mesh Fencing Systems

Mesh fencing can be a very affordable security fencing option, depending on the type of mesh you decide to buy. Our most cost effective type is V guard. This a rigid panel with integrated profile beams all supplied with correct fittings. Panels will normally come with 2.52M post centres at varying heights, however should you require wider post centres for lighter duty work these are available at 3.02M centres with a choice of 2.0M and 2.4M height panels. These offer excellent value for money and are available in a range of colours to suit your needs.

Another popular choice in mesh panels is Twin Guard fencing. This type of fence has two 8mm horizontal wires sandwiching the verticals and offers a very strong and rigid panel. Excellent for use around schools and commercial sites, it provides excellent visibility and again is available in a wide range of colours.

If you have a site that requires maximum security, AVS would recommend 358 mesh, this is most likely to be seen around prisons and Ministry of Defence sites. Heights are available up to 5M and the gauge of the mesh provides excellent anti climb protection and it can have multiple additional features to aid security. It also works hand in hand with CCTV due to its excellent see through visibility.

As with palisade, mesh gates are also tailored to suit any requirements you may have and all are available in a range of powder coated colours

Summary

Whatever your security requirements, AVS’s dedicated security team will be able to guide you through the choices and help ensure your job runs as smoothly as possible. Call us now on 0800 019 1579.

Post & Rail Fencing

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:28:50 GMT

Post & Rail is a generic term used to describe any fencing system comprising of solid timber post & rails and has three main variations comprising of Cleft, Half-Round & Square Cut.

The system combines a robust and traditional design, with good vision through the fence and also has the added benefit of being able to be used as an attractive option as a livestock barrier.

Points to Consider:

When deciding upon the style and type of Post & Rail Fencing system you wish to install, you should consider the following areas:

Will the fence be suitable for the job required?
How quickly do you want to erect the fence?
What' s Your Budget?
Your Personal Preference (What look do you prefer?)

Additionally if the fence is to be erected to contain stock, then consideration should be given to the number of rails required. This is naturally determined by the size of the stock animal that is to be contained. I.e. For smaller animals more rails per bay of fence are required, unless you intend to add livestock netting to the fence.

Your Options:

Chestnut Cleft –

Cleft is one of AVS' s most popular sellers and the timber we supply is usually sourced and cut locally in Kent or Sussex coppice. This means the timber re-grows for future harvesting and hence is a sustainable and environmentally friendly system.

This variation has many advantages for users. Firstly the manufacturing process of the rail means that it retains a face with bark initially intact and this helps to add to this systems rustic appeal. Secondly this system offers a versatile solution as there is an option to swap the cleft posts with softwood or oak posts, depending on available budget & preference. Finally when the fence is erected the rail can be slotted into a morticed hole within the post, which gives even greater strength to the fence system.

Square Cut Post and Rail –

This refers to any type of post and rail whose rails are sawn along their length creating a rectangular rail. This system is normally cheaper than Cleft and has a cleaner appearance preferred by some.

When the fence is erected the rails are normally nailed to intermediate posts, which are set at 1.8M centres. This is combined with a staggering of the rails joints, to ensure that the fences weight is distributed evenly.

With this variation of fence system it is also possible to have the posts pre-pointed so that they can be driven into the ground during erection. This helps speed the erection process and is a great benefit when undertaking large jobs.

Half Round Post and Rail –

Very similar to the square cut above except that the rails are half round and the posts are either round or half round. Round posts are used when erecting the fence mechanically and also give more strength. Either Peeled and treated (which fluctuate in girth from end to end) or Machine rounded (uniform in section) can be used according to taste and budget. Morticing is not usually an option so rails are nailed into position. Overall this type of system offers a very attractive fence at a modest budget.

Summary

This article should act as a useful starter guide when deciding upon a suitable post & rail fence system for your premises. However before you begin we would recommend you speak to one of AVS’s knowledgeable advisers, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with a free quote.

Panel Fencing – Part 2

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:22:39 GMT

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.