Advice on timber for garden fence

Salvia001

Hi everyone,

My trellis-style garden fence is on its last legs, so I am going to get a new one installed. I've never done this before, and I was hoping that forum members would have some tips?

I'm planning to replace the broken-down fence with another trellis-style one as the existing one works well to maximise light and space in our fairly small garden. But I want the fence to be as robust and hard-wearing as possible. Does anyone have any recommendations on what kind of wood would be best for the panels? And on how the wood should be treated? I have spent hours trawling the internet but all the advice seems to be contradictory...

Also - this is probably a vain hope, but I was hoping that if I have the work done towards the end of winter, I can minimise the damage done to existing plants. My past experience of builders + plants does not give me confidence. Does anyone have any tips on how to minimise damage to existing flowerbeds while having a fence replaced?

Thank you!

 

vic14

I cant help with the choice of wood to go for. But i can tell you that we recently replaced our fence ourselves ( not an easy task). With the best will in the world some of my plants got damaged still. So personally if i were to do it again i would try to lift them to keep them out of harms way. Or if your neighbours havent got many plants you could ask them if your builders could dig the post holes from thier side. We had to do this for some of ours as we have some mature shubs that we couldnt get around. Im sure you will get some sound advice about it from others on here aswell. Hope my little bit helped

pansyface

The standard 6' x 4' (for example) trellis panels are all made from treated softwood and are all much of a muchness when it comes to durability, though they do vary a lot in price.

As far as workmen's big feet are concerned, there is little you can do to stop them wrecking your flowerbeds. I have never met a workman yet who can tell a rose from a rosebay willowherb. When we had our house painted my OH told the painters to keep off the plants or I would put strychnine in their teas but it made no difference.

If you can do the work yourself, do it. At least if things are damaged (which they will be) you only have yourself to shout at.

Salvia001

Thank you so much - that's really helpful. I will follow vic14's advice and just lift any plants that I want to save - they've probably got a better chance of surviving than if the builders trample on them.

Pansyface I sympathise - I lost an entire lavender hedge to one lot of over-enthusiastic scaffolders, I'm glad it wasn't just me failing to make effective enough threats!

Dovefromabove

I am so lucky - my builder and his men are into gardening and wildlife (as well as fishing and football ) and have completely re-fenced my garden, built a terrace and then painted the fences, (and made me a wildlife pond) and done no damage to my plants    If you live in Norfolk or North Suffolk I can recommend them

Perki

You could make a trellis with roof battens if you wish, the wood normally pressure treated and it be stronger than one you could probably buy, its just an idea

otnorot but just call me Bill

Have you considered composite wood,it cost more than lumber but their long life and low-maintenance requirements could make them more economical in the long run.

Salino

Dove - you're very lucky....

Amber Gibson

Watch this video and get proper solution. Click: http://www.wickes.co.uk/gardenfencevideo