Boundaries are something to consider in every garden and the solution in almost every garden is fencing. Brick walls are lovely but can work out quite expensive, especially in a back garden where it’s likely to be quite long. A green alternative is a hedge but these take a long time to grow and don’t form a solid boundary making them unappealing to many people. Fences are nearly always the winning choice but then there are still lots more decisions to make. Here are some ideas on how to pick the right fence for you.

Jacksons Tongue and Groove Fencing with Trellis installed by us in Alexandra Palace

TIMBER FENCE POSTS

Many people choose to use concrete posts these days as they think they’re better value for money and last much longer. Although they do last longer than timber posts as they will never rot there are many reasons why we choose to stay clear of them.

Why do we prefer timber?

AESTHETICS We think timber posts simply look better. Concrete posts are quite ugly and stand out next to timber fencing as well as other elements of the garden.
ENVIRONMENTAL We try to minimise our concrete use as much as possible as its production is so carbon intensive. We do use concrete to set the posts in place as this is the surest way to make sure the fence is solid but prefer to leave the concrete use at that.
SUSTAINABLE We ensure all the timber we use is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council who promote responsible management of the world’s forests. Timber is one of the most sustainable materials available as its growth takes in carbon and it is truly renewable.
VERSATILE Timber posts are also more versatile. You can screw into them which means if you wanted to attach a trellis at a later date or fix plant climbing wires to them then you are able to do so. Concrete posts don’t offer this flexibility.

However, if you already have a fence in place that uses concrete posts then we would never recommend removing them unless they’re falling apart. Concrete posts do last a long time and nothing is more sustainable than something you already own. Panels can be replaced to renew a fence while leaving the posts in place, they could even be painted to refresh it.

GRAVEL BOARDS

Gravel boards are a plank of timber that sits in the soil and provides a level base for a panel to rest on. Some fence panels market themselves as not requiring a gravel board and are often placed directly into the soil. We have never found this to be true as any timber in contact with the soil will always eventually begin to rot. This is why we always use gravel boards as you can replace a gravel board at minimal expense compared to replacing the whole panel.

Gravel boards are very important for dealing with slopes, either along the length of the fence or from garden to garden. Gravel boards can be buried more on one side, as long as the top of the board is above the height of the soil the panel can sit level on top.

Like posts many people opt for concrete gravel boards, these are often used in combination. Again they do last longer but are very unsightly and form a harsh background behind planting. Gravel boards are fairly easy to replace and timber ones aren’t costly so we always prefer to stick to timber.

TRADITIONAL FENCING

Traditional timber fencing uses arris rails fixed to posts (often with a bracket) to which feather edge boards are nailed to. This style of fencing has the advantage of being quite cheap in terms of materials although it does take longer to construct as it all has to be built on site. It can also be quite easy to repair and replace as you can easily find matching materials to patch a hole. Traditionally the posts are installed at 2.4m or even 3m apart which does put a strain on the posts as it is a lot of weight over the span.

PANELS

Modern day fencing is usually constructed using panels, often slotted posts to eliminate the gap between the post and the panel. There is a huge range available which gives you the chance to pick the style you like. We usually use Jacksons Fencing who have a huge range of good quality fence panels to suit every style and need.

Jacksons Venetian Panel Fencing installed by us in Crouch End

BESPOKE SLATTED FENCING

There has been a trend in recent years of bespoke slatted fencing. This style allows for a seamless finish in a range of materials. They can be built to any height and the gaps between the slats made at any size for the level of privacy you prefer.

Pressure treated softwood slatted fence installed by us in Crouch End

WHO GETS THE GOOD SIDE?

Usually each house will be responsible for one fence in the garden, either the left or the right. Traditionally the “good side” is always given to the neighbour so whoever installs the posts puts them on their own side and the boards are fixed on the other side. This means that whoever owns the fence has the posts and arris rails in their garden so they can be accessed if any work is required. This is less important with panel fences as both sides usually look good (some even look exactly the same on both sides) but bespoke slatted fences look very different on the other side.

However, these days this tradition seems to be becoming a thing of the past. People often end up paying for a fence that doesn’t belong to them due to uncooperative neighbours and in these cases they don’t want their neighbours having the good side. Or people want a matching fence all the way around their garden so always put the posts on the outside. It’s important to think about which way you want to install it, making sure your neighbours will be happy with the way it looks on their side too and ensure that if anything goes wrong in the future you will be able to access the posts for essential maintenance.

TREATMENT

A lot of cheap fencing comes dip treated which gives it a brown or orange colour. This type of treatment only sits on the surface of the wood and really requires regular painting to maintain the protection. We prefer to use pressure treated timber as this penetrates deep into the wood. It also retains more of a natural colour and won’t require any ongoing treatment.

HEIGHT

Most of the fences we install are 1.8m high which is a 1.65m panel plus the 0.15m gravel board. We think this is a good height that provide privacy without being imposing. Planning regulations will only allow a fence to go up to 2m without needing planning permission so this is the highest we ever go and above this it would feel very tall. Some people prefer shorter fences to keep a communal feel and some areas of London have maintained traditional lower heights in keeping with the original walls including some parts of Islington. It’s important to think about how the height will also affect your neighbours as a taller fence may cast additional shade.

TRELLIS

Trellis can be a great option to add extra height to a fence without making it feel too imposing. Trellis is also a great structure to which to train plants. There are plenty of options in shapes and sizes depending on how much privacy you want. It’s also a good option for windy areas as trellis will allow wind to pass through therefore taking the stress off the panels.

We always think it’s best to add the trellis when the fence is built as this way you can use long posts to hold both panel and trellis. However, you can add trellis on to an existing fence by extending the posts.

Jacksons Featherboard Fence with Trellis installed by us in Crouch End

How to Choose the Right Fence for You