Are you considering what is the best fencing for gardens? We look at the popular forms of garden fencing to help you choose the right fence for your garden.

There are so many factors and ideas that go into deciding what fence is best for your garden. Things to be considered are; the height, the width, the overall durability it can provide, how well it can prevent pets from straying. 

Can it provide privacy for you, and can it provide a windbreak for any plants or trees in or neighbouring your garden? The most important factors to consider are how much maintenance are you willing to put into your fence, as some wood materials used for decorative fencing require tending to more than others. 

Also, it would be helpful for you to look into the budget that you have acquired, analyse the average cost of the fences and then decipher, which is most suitable for your home. 

Are you planning a garden fence in Suffolk or the surrounding areas?

Call or get in contact with Suffolk Fencing Supplies for advice if you need assistance deciphering which is most suitable.

Why Have a Garden Fence?

Garden fences have several purposes. It is good to be explicitly clear why you may want or need a fence for your garden to enable you to pick the best one to serve these purposes. 

Popular Forms of Garden Fencing  

There are so many different forms of garden fencing and materials to choose from. To determine which you prefer. If you are disinterested in metal fencing, look at the top, most popular wood fencing and see if they fit your style types and budget.

Close-board / Featherboard Fencing

Close-board/Featherboard fencing is one of the most popular styles to go for, and you can find them in many gardens. It consists of verticle boards that are strong and overlap one another. It is a form of fencing that is of a medium budget. 

It is tidy and attractive and provides much privacy and good quality shelter for your plants that may be sensitive to sunlight. The height is around 6ft, a suitable height for most gardens to provide enough privacy and security for little ones. 

The material is durable and long-lasting; however, it can be expensive and require lots of maintenance, especially if you intend on painting it in several years to enhance your home.  

Larch-Lap Panel Fencing

Larch- Lap Panel fencing is similar to close-board; however, instead of vertical slats, you'll find they are horizontal with panels in between to separate. 

Similarly to close-board, their design consists of timber or concrete posts. Larch-lap is much cheaper and is excellent for privacy, and deters pets from escaping and intruders. However, this material is not as robust and durable as a close-board and needs much maintenance to upkeep its life. 

Timber Palisade / Picket Fencing

Timber Palisade fencing is more commonly known as a Picket fence. If your criteria value its aesthetics over practicality, this may be an excellent option for you. 

They are often smaller in height and design, so it doesn't provide much privacy, so if you are looking for height, this is not the fencing style. However, they come in wood and PVC and offer a delicate boundary for your house. 

This fencing can also be great for any ponds or swimming pools in your garden. It may not contain some pets, and depending on where the picketing is, dogs or other animals could jump over. It requires some maintenance to keep the timber protected. However, it is less prone to wind damage due to its small yet solid material.

Slatted Fence Panels

Slated fence panels provide for a chic, more modern appearance. It is ideal for height as many slatted fences are often very tall but are available in many sizes and styles. 

However, they have tiny slots between each panel, so this may not be the best option if privacy is an issue. Horizontal panels can add an illusion of your garden being more prolonged, and the slots let in a nice amount of sunlight to allow for a pretty Venetian look. 

Hit & Miss Fencing

Hit & Miss fences are often smooth horizontal or vertical slats or boards fixed to the front and back panels for a unique appearance. 

They are a great choice for those seeking a medium-range budget, and they offer excellent security and privacy due to the layers. The gaps let through the wind; however, not enough to be of great force or concern. 

They are of higher maintenance, as it may be difficult to reach through to the backs, and gaps can provide access for weeds or plants to grow through either side.   

Which Fencing is Right For Me?

What is the Longest-Lasting Type of Fencing? 

The longest-lasting and most durable is likely to be close-board or feathered fencing. The most solid types of fence are the feather edge, as it consists of concrete panels. 

The wood used and the close-board structure will last you several years with some minor maintenance. 

Do Gravel Boards Help a Fence Last Longer? 

Gravel boards protect the wood and create a barrier between the fence and the ground. Individual feathered slats must not connect to the ground, so we use the gravel board to prevent this. 

The gravel board allows the wood not to rot due to contact with the damp ground and mud for long periods. There are wood and concrete gravel boards; however, it is most durable whilst concrete may be more expensive. 

What is The Best Way to Fix Fence Posts?

When installing fence posts, it is vital to surround the wooden posts you have with concrete. Like a gravel board, this ensures the post isn't in direct contact with the soil, so it isn't prone to rotting. 

You can place bricks or stones underneath or around it if it helps. Ensure the surfaces have been smooth so that water doesn't gather and pool around the area.

Do you need to repair or replace a fence if panels blow down in the wind?

Depending on the severity of the damage and condition it is left in, wooden fences may need replacing or repairing. If your panels are wobbling, then they are quite easy to replace. 

If the posts are intact whilst the thing damaged was the fencing or slats, they are also replaceable. 

You can easily have old or dried up fences repaired, as they can break through nails or other factors and could knock down or over. If most of your fencing is damaged, it may be more cost-efficient to replace the whole fence.

Should a fence be treated with preservatives?

Fences are often pre-tanalised. It is a treatment where you place wooden and timber materials that you are using for fencing in a tank, and preservatives feed into the wood under high pressure. 

We recommend treating it several more times as the wood needs time to breathe and absorb the air and oils. Ensure any further treatment is oil-based for this reason. 

Are you looking for the best garden fencing? If you are considering garden fencing for your property within the Suffolk area, get in touch to ask about our fencing services. Find out more about our domestic fencing supplies.