Panel Type Fencing

Firstly, decide the size and design of panel type fencing that suits your garden and your needs.

You could choose concrete post, gravel board and timber panel, or all timber depending on your budget and desired look.

Clarify your boundary responsibilities by checking your title deeds – you can get a copy from the Land Registry. ‘T marks’ on the plan point in the direction of the owner who has to maintain the boundary.

Choosing your posts

Concrete posts ensure a strong fence, but they need work to put up and are quite heavy.

Wooden posts are easier to handle but there’s a slightly higher risk that they’ll rot which lowers if you use pressure treated timber.

Either way, check your fence complies with planning rules – ring your local council for advice if unsure. You need planning permission for fences over 2m high.

Calculate the post lengths

 Decide on the height of your fence so you can work out the length of the posts to install.

Remember, if you’re setting posts in concrete, you’ll need 8ft (2.4m) posts for a 6ft (1.83m) fence because 2ft (0.6m) will be set in concrete.

Use 4in x 4in posts for fences of 5ft and over and 3in x 3in posts for anything under 5ft. (However, as the larger posts tend to stay straighter and warp less, you might consider installing the 4in x 4in either way.)

Calculate the number of panels

 Fence panels are nearly always 6ft or 1.83m long. Panel screens (which are 1.8m) are the exception, so if they are to be installed over concrete gravels boards then add-on strips are nailed to either side of the panels to take the length up to 6ft.

So, measure the length of the area being fenced and divide the length by the width of the panel – for a 36ft fence, 36ft ÷ 6ft = 6 panels.

You’ll need the same number of gravel boards to place at the bottom of each panel and remember to add one more fence post to the number of panels needed so you have enough posts to support both ends of the fence.

Preparing for the job

Clear the area of all vegetation or old fencing and make sure you have a clear route for fetching materials to the new fence line as heavy concrete posts and gravel boards can be dangerous.

Erecting the fence

Make holes for the posts at least 3 times as wide as the post itself. So, a 4in post should have a hole at least 12in wide and 2 feet deep.

Dig the holes following the string line and install the first post using either a pre-batched post mix or C15 concrete at a semi-dry consistency.

Finish the concrete just above ground level and trowel it smooth with fall running away from the base of the post. For concrete posts and gravel boards the concrete for the hole should just touch the base of the gravel board to present it from dropping.

Use a spirit level to get the post vertical then install gravel boards and panels in a level position and fixed to the post (for timber posts) or slotted in (for concrete).

For timber posts, pack up the gravel board panel and keep it at least 50mm clear of the ground to prevent rotting of the board/panel and prevent pulling the newly set post from a vertical position.

For concrete posts and gravel boards, once they’re in position, the timber panel can be placed on the gravel board and pushed home into the slot of the concrete post and the concrete gravel boards can be touching the ground.

Position the next post to the correct height and proximity to the string line prior then concrete into position. Repeat this process until the fence is completed.

DO NOT BUILD A FENCE INSTALLING POSTS AND FENCE PANELS SEPARATELY. BUILD AS YOU GO.

Fencing on a slope

To build a fence on a slope area, still keep the panels horizontal. Fill the angled gap under each panel by cutting a gravel board to fit it or building a low retaining wall directly under the fence. This will make your fence look ‘natural’ and level, especially if it runs alongside your house, garage or an outbuilding.

Remember to allow for longer posts to accommodate the drop between the fence post and make sure each post is of equal height or stands above its adjoining panel at a set gap so that they match.