5 Things to Know Before Buying Euro Style Fence Panels

Installing a fence in your garden might not feel like the most complex decision you've ever made, but there's a lot to consider when it comes to choosing how you want it to look and what functional properties you want to incorporate. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the six main fencing types and what you need to consider when looking at these different types of garden fencing. We'll also cover the different elements and considerations that you need to take into account when it comes to installing a new fence in your garden.

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Contents

Regardless of the type of fencing that you land on, there are a few things that you need to consider before you go out and buy.

Size

The first thing to consider when considering fencing types for your garden is the size. Of course, taller fences provide more privacy but it's worth considering whether they will also cast shadows and block sunlight during the earlier and later portions of the day when the sun is low.

Width
The standard width for traditional panels is 6ft or 183cm, whilst European-style panels typically measure 180cm across. If you're only replacing your fence panels and not your posts, then it's important you measure to ensure you get the right fit.

Height
Generally, fence panels come in 4 different heights: 3ft, 4ft, 5ft and 6ft. Most planning authorities require permits for fences that exceed 2 metres.

Even when buying standard-sized panels, it's important to conduct your own measurements, particularly when it comes to width.

Laws and safety

If your property borders a footpath or other public area, then you also have a duty of care towards people walking past. This means that it's particularly important that your fence is safe, sturdy, and doesn't pose any hazards. Often, homeowners are tempted to install theft deterrents such as barbed wire or smashed glass concrete, but if these pose a risk to innocent pedestrians, they won't be permitted. Check with your local planning authority if you're ever unsure.

Lastly, make sure that your fence panels come with a guarantee before making your purchase. This will ensure that you're protected against design and manufacturing defects.

Purpose

Think carefully about what specifically you want your fence to achieve: is its main purpose privacy? Or perhaps you want something more subtle that simply defines your garden boundary. This may sound obvious, but particularly if you're replacing an existing fence, you may never have considered the breadth of functions and benefits that different types of fences can achieve.

You should also consider what kind of weather your fence will need to withstand, as some fencing types offer minimal durability compared to others (if you need more advice on windproof fencing, we've got you covered). Bear these factors in mind as you consider the different fencing types that we go through here.

Whilst the different types of fences encompass an endless range, we're going to loosely group them into six main categories.

1. Vertical board fencing

Closeboard and featheredge fencing are the two main styles of vertical board fencing, which use overlapping vertical boards with supporting horizontal rails on the reverse side of the fence (typically between 2-3). This contributes to a robust fencing option that is equipped to withstand high winds and seasonal movements.

There are also more simple vertical board fences that don't use tapered panels. Vertical board fencing is a reliable option if you're looking for a clean and traditional appearance, with a strong, durable design. Better still, there are usually heavy-duty options available that give you that extra level of stability.

4. Slatted panel fencing

Slatted fencing is a style of modern fencing that uses horizontal slatted boards, spaced apart with visible gaps in between. There are many different ways that you can fit slatted fences, from the angle of your boards to the use of double slats to create a more solid design. Amongst these different styles, there are Venetian, Louvre and Hit & Miss panelling, which all provide privacy whilst still allowing for airflow.

Hit & Miss fencing is particularly good at wind resistance as the design allows wind to pass through with limited force against the panels. Generally, the more 'solid' your fencing, the more prone it is to wind damage, but Hit & Miss fence panels provide an excellent balance of privacy and resilience.

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Once you've chosen the right fencing panels for your job, there are a few other pieces of equipment that you'll need to consider to pull it all together.

Fence posts

Concrete fence posts can provide more stability and durability than wooden fence posts but they're not always as pleasant to look at and are incredibly heavy to handle. If you need something that requires minimal maintenance and can withstand any weather extreme, then concrete fence posts can be a reliable choice.

If however, you're fencing on concrete, then you'll need a fence post support such as a bolt-down shoe, which will allow you to secure your posts to the solid ground. It's worth bearing in mind that you won't need to account for the extra length needed for posts being pushed into lawns or soil.

Creating gaps in your gravel boards is a great way to support local wildlife, as it allows small animals such as hedgehogs to roam freely between gardens. You can frame these wildlife corridors with fixtures like our Hedgehog Highway.

Most gravel boards are either made from timber or concrete and typically come in a standard size of 150mm (though you can find varying heights). Much like fence posts, timber gravel boards offer a more traditional, cohesive appearance with your fence, whilst concrete gravel boards offer a stronger, lower maintenance alternative.

If you're working with uneven ground or a sloped property, installing a gravel board can help to hide any 'steps' that you need to create with your panels, and can make it easier to angle the bottom of your fence to fit the ground.

There are various modifications and accessories that you can invest in to improve the security and functionality of your gate, such as drop bolts (locks that anchor your gate to the ground), self-closing gate hinges and latching locks.

Whilst some materials and designs are inherently more durable than others, if you want to maintain the appearance and stability of your fence, you need to ensure that it's properly treated.

Paints and stains

When it comes to adding colour to your wooden fence, you generally have one of two options: paint or stain. With either, make sure that your fence is prepared beforehand, removing any hardware as well as sanding and cleaning your posts and panels to avoid paint and stain sticking to any unwanted particles.

You can achieve the boldest colours with wood paint, however, it can also be prone to cracking and may require regular touch-ups. If you are opting for wood paint, use a latex paint that's designed specifically for use on sheds and fences, and purchase a primer and sealant that have the same base as your paint (oil or water-based). You generally have a wider option of colours when it comes to wood paints than you do with wood stains.

Some modern fences are made with PVC vinyl, which generally can't be painted as it's a nonporous material meaning paint won't adhere to it properly.

Treatment

Whilst paints and stains help to provide protection for your fence, you also need to consider how your panels and posts have been pre-treated, as well as how you can protect them from post-rot where they meet the ground. Postsaver Post Rot Protection is a reliable way to protect your fence posts against ground-line rot and decay.

What is the best colour to paint a garden fence?

So there you have it - everything you need to know to get started with your garden fencing project. It can be tempting to cut corners to save time and money, but you want your fence to be around for as long as possible. If you know what you're doing and how to work with your chosen design and materials, then it doesn't have to be an expensive or cumbersome process.

There's a huge range of options to choose from when it comes to all the different fencing types. Take some time to consider which one will work best for your garden, and what other aspects you need to consider before you go ahead and install it.

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