Last Updated on February 15, 2022 by Real Men Sow
It can be difficult to choose the right fence style and type. Each has its own advantages depending on its intended use. This page will help you make informed decisions about the type of fence you want and need.
Fencing and panels are chosen from three types: solid fencing, semi-solid and decorative fencing, and garden trellis. Each element has been divided into separate parts to break down the content.
Best Fencing Types
Solid Fence Panels
Solid fence panels offer privacy and security. A solid fence panel has no gaps between the slats and pales to create a strong timber screen. To ensure that they can support the additional pales’ weight and concealment, solid fence panels should be constructed with good quality timber and strong construction.
The Featherboard Fence
Featherboard is also known as Closeboard and Feather Edge fencing. It is a solid fence panel that can be used in gardens across the UK. Featherboard is the most popular type of fence. However, there are more modern styles that provide just as much privacy. Featherboard is timeless and provides a strong protective barrier. It can be installed up to 1.83m high with a 150mm gravel board (6ft), which will ensure privacy and protection against intruders.
What’s Featherborard Fence Made From
Featherboard fencing is constructed using sawn timber pales. These pales run from the top of the fence to the bottom. The rails attach to a horizontal timber post, which is dug into the ground. Alternatively, the rails and pales are joined together to form a panel that is attached to the posts. These pales are tapered so that they overlap and do not leave any gaps. This is why we call it a solid fence panel.
What’s The Specialty of Featherboard Fence
The Featherboard comes handcrafted in traditional fencing style and that means that the panels are made from pales, rails, and posts and can be assembled by the installer individually. You can also choose from Level Top, Concave, or Convex Featherboard panels. This allows you to customize the style and ease in installation. You can attach the panels to either standard square or slotted fence posts. Finally, you can finish them with 150mm gravel boards.
Best Fencing Types
Decorative Or Semi-Solid Panels (Decorative Types Of Fence Panels)
Decorative fencing panels can be used to make a statement, or help frame your garden and create an inviting environment. Venetian panels are often copied from horizontal slats made of timber. There are small gaps between each slat. The panel’s height determines how strong the rails will be and they are held in place by a sturdy support frame that holds each slat in its proper position.
Decorative panels are used in a wide variety of installations, from contemporary homes to entries by garden designers in competitions. They have been adopted both by garden designers for their clients as well as many garden enthusiasts who use them in fencing in urban gardens.
Venetian, Louvre, Metro
Venetian, Louvre, and Metro fence panels are semi-solid panels that can be used in a variety of ways. The gaps between the slats let light through and allow for air to flow through. They are great for garden designs that allow semi-visible screens to create sections or personas within the garden.
Hit & Miss
Hit & Miss is another panel design from the semi-solid group. This panel has an open design, but wider slats that alternate from the front and back. These panels give the appearance of a solid panel. The gaps between the slats are not obvious unless you look closely at them. Unlike other designs, the panel’s construction obscures the view to provide privacy.
Hit and Miss panels have been increasingly popular in recent years due to the fact that some customers prefer the extra width of the timber slats. They can be used with a variety of other garden elements, such as climbing roses or smart urban gardens.
How To Explore Trellis Fencing
Trellis can be used as a garden screen panel on top of a fence. It is important to choose a quality handcrafted trellis fence made using high-quality materials. If not, warping or weakening panels can quickly become a problem.
When inspecting timber battens for any type of trellis, ensure that they are thick and strong. Strong battens will be used by high-end suppliers or manufacturers of good quality, planed, pressure-treated timber.
What To Watch Out For Trellis Fence
A weak trellis made of battens that are thinner than the recommended size (12mmx25mm) often breaks down quickly when exposed to wind and extreme weather conditions. Also, ensure that the fixings holding the trellis battens together with stainless steel or galvanized are of high quality so that they don’t rust. These vital components can corrode and reduce their lifespan. We highly recommend that you use them.
There are many styles of trellis available and the visibility through the panel will vary depending on how large the squares or diamond holes made by the battens. Our handmade Lattice Trellis has 38mm square holes and smaller squares provide privacy.
How To Make Trellis Fence Visible?
For greater visibility, square and diamond trellis are more visible. While all trellis can be used to grow climbing plants, it is important that you select high-quality workmanship over cheap panels. This is because they are able to support the plant’s weight as it grows. After a year, it can be frustrating to discover your plantation is gone.
Trellis fencing can be used to divide the garden and create feature walls that allow sunlight through. While most suppliers provide Square, Lattice, and Diamond trellis options as standard, there are many handmade artisan designs, such as our Tartan or Tartan trellis.
