On 18th Febrary 2022 a colossal storm swept across the UK. The guys who think up names for storms decided to name it Eunice which sounds to me more like a little old lady than a hurricane but I'm sure they have their reasons.
In the next couple of weeks we are expecting to be installing a lot of new fences and I'm sure a lot of people will be doing their own. The question is, what is the best kind of domestic fencing to install? Here I'll list a few suggestions and give my number 1 recommendation.
5. Larch Lap With Wooden Posts
This is a very popular choice because it is relatively easy to install, looks good when its new and compared with other kinds of fencing it is also the cheapest full panel option. It has downsides though, it isnt very strong as the panels are thin and made from cheap and flimsy wood, it is prone to rotting and the wooden posts will rot in the ground, getting the concrete footings out when replacing them can be difficult if you don't have access to a concrete breaker.
Pro's
Cheap
Simple installation
Looks good
Con's
Not very strong
Prone to rotting
4. Stock Fencing
Many homeowners don't consider stock fencing to be an option but as long as you get along with your neighbours then it can be an excellent option. It has an attractive rustic look and is the cheapest option available. When properly installed it is strong and long lasting. The posts are made from chestnut stakes driven into the ground, you'll need to drive the posts about 18 - 24 inches into the ground and to do that you'll need a post driver. You can use a hand held one which is a heavy stell tube closed at one end with large handles on the sides. It is hard work to use and you need to be fairly strong to use it properly. Alternatively mechanical ones can be bought or rented which make things easier. Chestnut is not prone to rotting and will last 30 years in normal conditions. Treated chestnut can be bought but it's much more expensive and doesn't actually significantly increase the lifespan of the posts. To install the wire mesh properly you'll need a strtching tool which can be bought for around £30. This will ensure that the fence is taught and looks good but using it is a bit of an art.
Pro's
Strong
Chestnut isn't prone to rotting
Looks good
Cheap
Con's
Installation is harder than it looks
3. Picket Fencing
This style of fencing has the appeal of looking very attractive and adds a degree of nostalgia to your property. Installation is simple, carried out in the same fashion as the larch lap I mentioned earlier.The panels are strong and because of the gaps between the uprights they are not prone to wind damage. It is relatively cheap to install and looks great painted. The wooden postwill rot quicker than the chestnut posts used in the stock fencing and will likely need replacing after around 10 years.
Pro's
Looks great
Easy to install
Windproof
Cheap
Con's
Post's can be prone to rotting
2. Arris Rail Feather Edge Fencing
This is a popular choice as it is very strong, secure and looks great. It's easy to install for anybody with a few basic DIY skills. It's a more expensive choice than theones listed above but it does provide excellent value for money. Posts will last around 10 years in normal conditions and although they will need replacing, often the main fence is fine and can be refitted to the new posts. This is a difficult job to get right but a hell of a lot cheaper than complete replacement.
Pro's
Looks great
Easy installation
Great value for money
Con's
Posts prone to rotting
Fiddly to replace posts
Not the cheapest
Our Number 1 Fencing Choice; Concrete Posts, Gravel Boards and Closeboard Panels
This is the gold standard domestic fencing. Installation is more involved than the other kinds and if you don't know what you're doing it's easy to mess up, but if properly installed it wil last pretty much forever and be as strong as you can hope for. It also looks great. It is a lot more expensive than other kinds but over the years it will pay for itself 5 times over. The concrete posts will never rot and are reinforced with steel and frost resistant. The concrete gravel boards will keep the wooden fencing off the ground so it stays dry and will not rot for as long as 30 years. When eventually the panels do need replacement, they can just be lifted out of their slots and new ones dropped in their place.
Pro's
Extremely long lasting
Rot resistant
Looks great
Con's
Difficult to install unless you know what you're doing
Relatively expensive compared to other options
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