Erecting Garden Fence Panels

Stage 1- erect the first fence post and concrete into the ground.

Stage 2- excavate the next hole, erect the fence panel onto the fence post that is already in position, insert the second fence post into the previously dug hole and nail the fence panel to it. Check to see that the fence panel is level and you have the desired projection of fence post above the panel. Now add concrete or Post Mix into that second hole.

Repeat the process until the garden fence is complete. Make sure that the fence is temporarily propped up for 24 hours until the concrete is set.

Lap Panels and Closeboard Fence Panels

The most common fixing method is to nail the panel directly onto the fence posts using either 65mm or 75mm nails. These must be applied on both sides of the fence panels i.e. front and back, and care must be taken to avoid splitting the battens. Another method is to use the special panel clips sold on this website, between two and four are fixed to each side of the fence post prior to erecting the fence panel.

Grange Elite Panel Range

The timber framing for these fence panels is machined from one piece of timber. Therefore, it is not necessary to fix each side separately, however the shape of the frame makes nailing harder. Garden decking screws are good for fixing these.

The severity of the slope and the application of the garden fence will dictate whether or not having to step each fence panel to suit the ground contours is a problem. If it is, consider using closeboard fencing which can more closely hug the contours of the ground without stepping. Remember, where fence panels are used on sloping ground a triangular shape gap will occur under the fence which small animals may pass through.

Gravel boards may be fitted below fence panels and are ideal for helping reduce the gaps under fence panels when being used on sloping ground. Gravel boards are much harder to use where metposts are used for the erection of the fence posts.

Lap Panels and Closeboard Fence Panels

75 x 75mm timber posts are the most common size purchased for use with fence panels, purchasing of larger size posts can work out to be an excellent investment as you are almost guaranteed to extend the life of the garden fence. When using 1.83m high fence panels the larger fence posts are almost a necessity.

Grange Elite Panel Range

100 x 100mm Fence Posts would normally be used with this product range.

Separate trellis panels are normally produced to sit on top of Lap and closeboard fence panels to give a combination of a solid garden fence with trellis above.

Post tops may be chamfered, 2-way or 4-way weathered or have a postcap fitted. Post caps are also available for use with a range of Acorns and Ball finials, these can be used to give the fence posts a very professional look. It is normal to leave the fence post protruding approximately 50mm
above the top of the fence panel.

Where fences butt against masonry walls, it is normal practice to fix a timber wall plate against the masonry. For fence panels this is normally 75 x 50mm timber. Remember to allow sufficient length for the projection above the fence panel to match in with the fence posts. A 1.8m long wall plate is not sufficiently long enough for a high fence panel because of the projection above the fence. A wall plate may be fixed dependant on length using two or three No 10 x 100mm frame fixings.

Lap Panels

To cut a lap panel is a very simple job which should take approximately 10 minutes. For those not familiar with the process the procedure is as follows:- Lay the fence panel on the ground and mark the width required on to one side of the panel at the top and bottom. Prise off the existing batten at the end of the panel then cut back the top and bottom batten and nail into position the recovered batten from the end of the panel. Carefully turn the fence panel over ensuring this newly positioned batten does not come adrift. Cut the top and bottom batten on the reverse side of the panel and install the rear batten which would have been recovered from the existing end of the panel. Now ensuring that both the battens are in line with each another, they can be nailed together. It is now time to saw off the unwanted section of the fence panel. Additional nails are usually required 40mm x 2.36mm being suitable.

Grange Elite Panel Range

Cutting of these Fence panels involves far more work and should be avoided if at all possible.

Timber posts used for corners and ends have no special characteristics and are the same as all the other fence posts.

Concrete fence posts of the slotted variety, which are designed for use with fence panels and trellis, are available as either intermediate posts, corner posts or end posts. An intermediate post may be used as an end post but if it is in full view it makes a much tidier job to use a properly designed end post. Concrete slotted corner posts are of a larger section than the ends and intermediates at 125 x 125mm in size.

An alternative to traditional ballast and cement is post mix, this is a ready mixed concrete which hardens rapidly to quickly support the newly installed fence posts.