WOODEN FENCING
Wooden fence panels are a popular choice, thanks to their relatively low cost, ease of installation, and wide variety of styles.
Solid wooden fence panels don’t have any gaps between the wood slats, so they’re ideal for creating privacy. You can soften the overall look by choosing a solid panel that has a trellis or lattice section at the top.
Decorative fence panels have gaps between the wood slats, which allows light and air to pass through. They tend to be used as garden dividers or to screen off a particular area, and are a great way to frame a specific plant. Trellis fence panels and slatted venetian-style screens are both popular examples of decorative fencing.
Wooden fence panels are available in softwood or hardwood. Hardwood is tougher and therefore better at withstanding wear and tear, but it’s the more expensive option. Softwood is less pricey, and as such it’s the most popular type of wood used in fence panels.
Whichever type of wood or style you go for, wooden fence panels need regular maintenance to preserve them and keep them looking good. If you’re really tight on time you may want to consider an alternative material. The flip side of this need for maintenance is that you can use a coloured preserver or wood stain to really make a statement and complement your planting scheme. For example, we’re about to install a slatted screen on our patio, and I’m going to paint it charcoal grey which will be a fab backdrop for some zingy green grasses.
METAL FENCING
If you want to go really low-maintenance, metal fence panels are a good option. They’re usually made from galvanised steel, and need nothing more than a wash down every now and then. Metal fence panels are very robust too, so if your garden is in an exposed spot they’ll offer good wind protection.
WOVEN FENCING
Woven fencing has been around for thousands of years, but it’s enjoying a bit of a rebirth in garden design these days. Woven fence panels are traditionally made using hazel, but you can also find woven bamboo panels which create a smoother, more polished finish. This type of fence panel create a very textured, natural look, and as such can suit more traditional garden styles; I think it looks fantastic in a cottage garden setting.
CHAIN LINK FENCING
It’s not the most beautiful option for your garden, but if you need to maximise light and security, chain link fencing will do the job. Chain link fencing is usually coated in PVC and supplied on a roll, it’s really tough, and very low-maintenance. It’s a good option if you need to contain ball sports in a particular part of the garden!
