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Installing or replacing a fence on your property can be extremely simple. However, if you fail to follow the best practices, then it can be a difficult project. As if that wasn’t enough, it can also mean that the finished product is unstable or vulnerable to rot, mould or even simple breakage.
For most situations, you won’t really need an expert to install your fencing for you. So long as you understand the project, have the right tools and follow these great tips, you should have absolutely no problem installing your fence panels to create a truly distinct fence for your property.
So long as you understand these 10 essential things about your fence panels, you should have no problems creating a high-quality fence for your home.
1. What Kind Of Fence Do You Want? – Before you get started on the project, you need to make sure that you understand your reasons for putting the new fence up in the first place. If you’re looking for something completely utilitarian, such as keeping your pets in your back garden, then a simple wire fence will probably be enough.
However, if you’re looking to block noise from your neighbours as well as add privacy and protection from the elements, you are going to want something a lot sturdier, such as wooden fence panels.
2. What Limitations Are There? – There are many laws related to garden fencing, particularly if it backs out onto a main road. For example, if your garden rests on a corner you cannot block the vision of drivers approaching the corner/intersection from any direction.
Similarly, there are height restrictions on most kinds of fencing, and it is rare that you will be able to have fencing which goes above 2 metres (6 and a half feet).
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Think Green – Landscaping can often be just as effective as fencing, and the two can work together in many situations. For example, if you prefer a natural look over fence panels, you can enhance your borders with trellises which then allow you to grow climbing plants across your fence.
4. Make Sure It’s Your Fence To Change – This might sound like an obvious one, but a lot of people share a single fence with their neighbour. If the posts are on your side, then the chances are it is yours to change.
5. Make Sure That You’re A Good Neighbour – If you’re enlarging your fence panels, at least do your neighbours the courtesy of letting them know before you start work. They probably aren’t going to have any objections, but if you ask for their approval before work starts, you’re more likely to have a positive reaction.
What’s more, if you get approval from your neighbours, they are much more likely to let you temporarily step into their garden when installing the new fence. Installation is much easier if you have access to both sides.
6. Consider Your Climate – You might not really think about it, as much of the UK has pretty much the same climate, but the temperature of the air can affect the quality of your fencing. In warm and damp climates, for example, wood is more likely to become susceptible to water damage. In colder climates, it is easier for your fence panels to snap so your posts need to be installed much deeper into the ground.
7. Sink Posts Straight And Deep – The two most important parts of a great fence are the posts and the fence panels. Your posts need to be at least two-feet into the ground, and a good guide to go by is ensure that at least 1/3rd of the post is underground. This will not only prevent the wood from snapping in the cold, but it can drastically reduce the effect that any kind of weather will have on your fencing.
8. Have You Planned Entrance And Exit? – You’d be surprised how many people neglect to effectively plan for their rear gateway; at least until they are halfway through the project. Measure your proposed gateway and make sure that this space is clearly marked. The last thing you want to do is find that one of your fence panels cuts into your entryway.
9. Have Your Considered Maintenance? – Maintaining a fence can be quite a large commitment. Wooden fence panels in particular will need staining and sealing on an annual basis, and even then they may well rot over time. Alternatively, vinyl and wire fencing is fairly low maintenance but doesn’t offer the same aesthetic or practical benefits.
10. Always Let Your Fence Panels Set Before Your Seal – Once you’ve installed the fence, it is important that you give it chance to settle and dry out before your apply any treatments or finishes. If you don’t, your chosen treatments will not be fully absorbed, resulting in wasted energy and money. Treating the fence in the right way can add years to the service life of your fencing.
Here at Challenge Fencing, we are able to provide a wide range of fence panels and fencing materials for all kinds of properties. As well as more traditional wooden designs, we are also able to provide practical wire fencing and a full variety of garden design and landscaping features.
To find the perfect garden and fencing materials, don’t hesitate to shop with Challenge Fencing online or get in touch with your local branch today.
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