Gardening: Fencing: The Basics.

The next few months I would like to look at fencing and all things boundary based.

This month we will look at some of the options available and the following months we will look at how to build a fence, if you feel brave enough to try your hand at building your own!

When you are looking to build a fence or replace your old fence there are a few factors you need to consider.

Is your old fence saveable?
Building a fence is an expensive option and the main reason a fence has given up the ghost is because the fence post has usually rotted at the base and is now wobbly. One option is to repair the post with a concrete repair spur. The job itself may take a while depending how easy it is to dig out the concrete securing the original post, but once this is cleared, it is fairly easy to put the repair spur against the post, bolt it together and cement in the repair spur. This is certainly a much cheaper option than a whole new panel and posts and should cost around twenty pounds in materials plus the time it takes to complete the operation.

If you do not like the idea of having two foot high concrete spurs attached to your old rotten fence posts and you fancy a whole new fence, then there are a few things to think about.

What sort of fence do you want?
There are three main types of fence: Panel or Closeboard fencing; Post and Rail fencing; or Wire fencing.

• Panel or Closeboard fencing are the most secure, flexible but most expensive type of fencing.

• Post and Rail (otherwise known as Sussex Fencing) is a fairly quick but insecure type of fence.

• Wire or stock fencing is a very effective way to keep your pets from escaping but does not offer much privacy. But it can be erected fairly cheaply and quickly.

If you decide to go for Panel fencing you have the further options of what type of panels to chose, the panels are six feet wide and vary from three feet to six feet high. The panels can be lap (the slats run horizontally) or closeboard (vertical slats) and the panels can be either dipped or pressure treated. The cheapest panel would be a dipped lap panel and this is likely to last the shortest length of time, but would be roughly half the price of a pressure treated closeboard panel.

A closeboard fence is a very solid and secure fence.
Similar to panel fencing, it can be erected from three to six feet high, a standard closeboard section is ten feet long and has a gravel board at the base with vertical slats (called Featheredges) all nailed to two or three horizontal pieces of wood called Arris Rails. The Arris Rails are usually morticed in to a 4” by 4” post. This Means that the whole structure is connected together and therefore ensures that the fence is very sturdy. Especially good for areas where high winds are an issue. The downside to this is that a closeboard fence will take twice as long to erect as a panel fence and will therefore be more expensive.

Whichever fence type you chose, your fencing contractor should be able to advise you on which is the best type for you and your budget.
Next month, how to build your own fence…..

Simon Zec - www.treedomsussex.co.uk

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