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How to Choose the Best Fence for Your Garden

How to Choose the Best Fence for Your Garden

There are so many factors to consider when choosing the right fencing for your garden, from the use of your outdoor space to the style you like. Here's all you need to know. 

What type of fencing should I choose for my back garden?

In your back garden, fencing should offer both security and privacy while complementing your plants and features such as your outdoor furniture. The two types of classic fencing that we see most are Closeboard and lap panel. Both have their benefits, and one of these will be suitable for most landscaping projects.

Closeboard Fence Panels

Closeboard fencing is crafted from vertical feather edge wooden boards, attached close together (hence the name) and strengthened with horizontal wooden rails at the back. They offer a high level of privacy. Closeboard fencing is built to withstand strong winds so if you're erecting a fence in an exposed area, or your previous fence took a battering from storms over winter, this could be the best choice for you. Our feather edge quality fencing is available in pressure-treated green or brown finish, is protected against timber rot and built to last for years to come.

Lap panel fence panel

Lap fence panels are constructed from horizontal boards and make a lighter weight garden fence. They have a slightly softer appearance than Closeboard, but still provide that all-important privacy for you and your family to enjoy your outside space. If your back garden is in a relatively sheltered position, this is a good choice for you. It's also worth looking at these fencing styles...

Trellis top fence panel

Decorative fencing allows plenty of light into your garden while still screening it off in style. Elegant trellis or lattice panels are perfect for creating a green boundary in your garden, a wall display or dividing up your garden space into zones. Lattice topped panels bring a countryside look to your garden with soft natural wood providing a secure barrier while the decorative trellis design at the top lets the sunshine in. 

If you fancy a more natural fencing hurdles add a rustic touch to the garden. They do a great job at disguising unsightly features like bins or drawing attention to areas that you want to show off such as decking and vegetable beds. What’s more, the small gaps in between the weave on hurdles keep them standing up-right even in the highest winds.  Hazel hurdles are constructed using strips of real hazel that are either fully formed or split.  Other natural fence options include bamboo screens, which are ideal for making attractive borders when coupled with existing fencing.

The right fence posts are essential for stable garden fencing, so it's important to use the right product for the job. Choose from our range of high-quality standard timber fence posts, which are great for panels, or our large timber posts, which are suitable for gates. AVS offer a workshop service in 8 of our ten branches, where we can top and cut posts to your requirements so you just need to tell us what you want your post to look like. Concrete posts are ideal to support your fencing if your garden has sloping or uneven ground.

A good-quality fence can be protected by adding a  gravel board  to the bottom of the fence panels. These stop the fence panel making contact with the ground, which will reduce future maintenance costs – simply replace the gravel board when it gets worn out rather than the entire fence panel. Use a concrete gravel board with concrete posts.

What type of fencing is best for the front garden?  Where rear garden fencing is usually about privacy as much as security, for the front garden the aim is to keep security concerns in mind while choosing a fence to complement the street view of your house. Remember that your home needs kerb appeal: choosing the right fence can give your home - and you - a real lift.

Round top picket fence

Picket fencing lends a homely, welcoming feel to any front garden. Painted white or cream it has a nostalgic charm that suits most type of property from quaint cottages to suburban sanctuaries. By the sea, it gives a real New England vibe. 

Post & rail fencing is attractive in any front garden, while still being strong enough to enclose longer stretches of property. It also makes nice fencing for a small to mid-sized yard or garden, allowing open views of the area.

Treat your fences right Remember that most fences need to be treated once in place. There are plenty of timber preservatives and treatments available to keep your fencing protected in all weathers so ask our experts what your new fence needs. Garden fences can also be adapted to suit the design of your property and garden with just a few quick fixes: paint your fence in trendy, muted colours, something brighter or keep it simple with a clear varnish. The choice is yours.

We know wood AVS has 25 years' experience in high-quality fencing. Our wood is either dip treated or pressure treated. Dip treated wood is often a darker brown and will need to be treated regularly to extend its life. Pressure treated wood forces preservatives right through to the middle of the timber, guarding against insects and fungal decay and create longer-lasting timber. However, periodic treating is still recommended.

Help & Advice If you need to know more about fencing, 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.