Wood fence panels: types of wood and prices
Wood fence panels are still one of the most popular types of garden fences. They’re very decorative, require less maintenance than a green fence and offer lots of privacy. There are a number of types of wood, sizes and ways of anchoring from which you can choose. In this article you can find more info on that.
Suitable types of wood and their prices
When buying wood fence panels, you can usually choose between 3 big types of wood: impregnated wood, European hardwood, and tropical hardwood.
Impregnated wood
Impregnated fence panels are made from European softwood (spruce or pine). The impregnating of wood is a special treatment in the fight against mould and insects. You can easily recognise it at its greenish shine, caused by the impregnating agent. Impregnated wood is quite durable and not that expensive. Impregnated fence panels can turn grey after a while, if they have not been properly treated. This type of garden fence lasts around 10 or 15 years.
You can treat impregnated wood with a sort of transparant oil, but you can also stain it with a good exterior stain. This treatment is not necessary, but it’s a good way to make sure your wood stays beautiful and more protected against all weather conditions. Make sure to take into account that freshly impregnated wood needs some time completely ‘sweat’. That’s why oiling or staining is best done after a few months.
Price: starting around £17 per meter (VAT and placement excl.)
Garden fence panels in tropical hardwood
Hardwood garden fences are made of tropical hardwoods like yellow balau and red iron wood. They are reddish brown that turn grey after a few years, unless they’re treated with oil. This way the wood keeps its colour quite nicely. Hardwood fence panels (and posts) are naturally protected against water and nearly insensitive to mould and vermin (woodworm, termite). They can last 20 to 35 years, depending on the quality. Hardwood is twice to three times as expensive as impregnated wood, but it makes up for that in durability.
Price: starting around £60 per meter (VAT and placement excl.)
European hardwood: chestnut and oak
If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly garden fence in wood, you might take a look at fence panels in European hardwood. Examples are chestnut, oak and beech. European hardwood garden fence panels last around 15 to 25 years and are exceptionally sturdy. They can also be treated with stain or varnish to strengthen its durability even more.
Price: starting around £40 per meter (VAT and placement excl.)
Prices for placing wood fence panels
Depending on the chosen type of wood, size and quality, one pays between £17 and 217 per meter. For the placement itself, allow for £8-18 per meter. Wondering about the price for your project? Use our online quotation service and request free quotes, advice and offers from our experts, and this completely free of engagement. Click for more information.
Common measurements
Wood fence panels are most commonly found with the following measurements:
Standard size: 6 x 6 ft
Privacy fence panels: 6.4 x 6 ft and 6.5 x 6 ft
Half fence panels: 3 x 6 ft
Ways of anchoring wood fence panels
Wood fence panels are often anchored with concrete or wood posts. Nowadays there’s a rising popularity of concrete fence posts, as they are very durable and environment-friendly (no need to cut down trees).
Anchoring with wood fence posts
Wooden poles are often put into the ground with metal post holders. These post holders are filled with stabilised sand or minute concrete for strength. The post holder sticks out just above ground level, so the wood poles can’t get wet. Hardwood poles are way more durable than impregnated poles, but cost almost twice to three times as much.
Anchoring with concrete posts
Concrete posts are very strong and can never rot. They come in a standard grey colour, but are also available in the colours ‘charcoal’ and ‘brown’. The top of the posts can have a semicircular, square or pointy finish. The wood fence panels are attached to the concrete posts with clamps. At the bottom you put a partly buried, concrete slab. That way your fence won’t get into contact with water. Concrete posts are more expensive than (hard)wood posts.
Do I need a permit for my garden fence?
When you’re planning on placing this (or any) kind of fence, make sure you always check with your local authority whether or not you need a permit. That way you can anticipate extra costs or even fines.
