The question of how to build a fence can be quite overwhelming for some. This blog will hopefully prepare you for your journey of choosing and constructing your fence. Although it is not compulsory, we like to think that these are some good nuggets of advice which we have picked up over the years.
The first thing to consider, even before you choose what material you want, is to measure. Precisely measuring the areas in which you are going to fence is essential, we have had countless customers who have estimated and have been slightly short and had to buy more or have had to cut materials down because they’re too big. If you measure correctly, it will save you time and money so is essential advice.
The next step is to decide on the purpose of the fence. Whether it is for privacy and security around your property, creating a boundary within your property or any other reason. Having a clear need in your mind will help you to make sure that you choose the right material, style, and size to ensure that your fence fulfils its purpose. There is nothing worse than spending money on a panel you really like but it doesn’t quite do the job and you’re left feeling unsatisfied and potentially having to spend more.
Once you have your priorities and styles in mind there is another key piece of information to consider. When buying the materials for your fence it is essential to get high-quality materials. Primarily, quality materials will last and look their best for longer than cheaper materials. You may look at the choice and think that the cheaper materials will be fine and do the job but paying for the better quality is the financially superior option in the long run. Better quality materials will use better wood and better treatments which means they are guaranteed to last, some up to 15 years. In comparison, cheaper materials may save you money short term but if you have to replace them it is going to cost you more than buying better materials in the first place. To hammer this point home, you must remember that your fence is going to be out in the elements for 365 days a year and therefore having quality products is a must.
When you're fitting a fence post you should be digging your holes around a third of the depth of the post. For 6ft and 8ft fence posts, this means that you should be digging between 2ft and 3ft deep. This depth will give your fence the stability it needs to withstand the elements unless they are very extreme. Once you have the hole dug you will need postcrete which is easy to use and only needs to be mixed with water. We recommend that you use between 1 and a half and 2 bags per post. Some places may suggest one bag per post, but we believe that 1 and a half and 2 will give you added stability in stormy conditions. Another tip is to use a post level, this handy tool is great for ensuring a post is straight which will make constructing the rest of the fence considerably easier.
The final piece of advice is more optional than the rest. We believe that it is best to stand back and observe whether your fence needs any finishing touches. Specifically, we think that there are very few fences which can’t be improved with the addition of caps and/or finials. The inclusion of them on top of your fence is a simple yet effective way of elevating your fence. Our range includes plastic, metal and wooden options all of which can be combined with wooden fences to create a great finishing touch to your perfectly constructed fence. In particular, we like the wooden acorn finials or the plastic ball finial and cap. If you want to have a bigger addition to your fence, then the answer is trellis toppers. These stylish toppers can add extra height to fence panels, as well as add a stylish finish to the garden. The beauty of trellis toppers is that they come in a range of shapes, sizes and trellis styles so there is a great opportunity to add your perfect finishing touch.
The best way to summarise the post is to say that the best way to approach constructing a fence is to be very methodical and prepared, rushing in is only going to cost you time and money in the long run.
We hope this blog post was helpful and that you have all the information you might need to construct your fence. If you have further questions or need any more advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch at info@fencingessentials.co.uk or call us on 01980 669900.