Fences can serve many purposes and can be made from a variety of materials. In addition to securing the boundaries of your property, fences also provide security from unwanted intruders. Obviously, taller, solid fences are best for providing security and styles without gaps are best for keeping pets in and traffic noise out.
Some styles of fences can also be used as wind and sound barriers. High lapped panel fences are especially good at blocking noise, as are solid brick or cement fences. Tall picket fences, louvres and basket weave styles are a good choice for blocking winds, as they stop strong and powerful gusts but still allow some air flow. Planting a row of bushes or trees with thick foliage alongside your fence can add to the level of noise and wind protection provided by your fence.
While tall and solid fences provide the best privacy they can also inhibit the once traditional chats with the neighbours. Smaller fences can help to increase this level of community interaction.Also consider any views from your garden or patios that may be blocked by your fence.
Timber is the most common material used in fencing, due mainly to its versatility and affordability. Softwoods such as cedar, redwood and treated pine are best for fence posts as they are more resistant to rot than other timbers.Timber is available in different grades, which vary according to their quality and appearance. Some timber grades have a 'good' side and a 'bad' side which make it cheaper and can be used for fencing where the appearance does not matter so much on one side of the fence, but is important for the other.
If using a timber fence for sound insulation, palings can be attached on both sides of the rails.Timber fences come in a range of styles including include picket, louvre, panel and lapped paling. They can be treated, painted, stained or left to age naturally, depending on the desired look and colour. The life of the timber can be increased by treatment against rot, insects, termites, and the elements.Recycled timber is a great option for your fence. It helps save the environment as well as your bank balance; and gives your fence character. If using new timber, try to buy from suppliers who harvest from sustainable plantations.
The frame
To ensure your decking is going to be structurally sound you should pay special attention to the frame. If the decking is being built on an existing patio it should be built of sawn treated timber approximatly 50 mm by 100mm. Before building the frame you should decide which way the final decking boards are going to run and build the main joists of the frame in the opposite direction. The frame can either be built directly on to a patio or can be built using small brick pillars to increase the height. If brick pillar's are preferred then you should use a pillar every 1.25 metres along every second joist. The more pllars you use the better as too little can cause springiness to the decking. Before putting the frame in place it is a good idea to cover the base with a ground sheeting material to stop any weeds from growing underneath the decking. Using screws rather than nails is the best way to ensure maximum strength to the decking, and will help to ensure a longer life.
Before you start to build the frame you should work out the finished level and build the decking so that the frame has a slight fall about 1 in 100, which means for every metre the frame travels the change in level, will be 1 cm. The fall should be away from any buildings.
Once the basic frame has been constructed it should be strengthened with cross members to add additional strength.
The finished surface
The key is to keep the wood in as long a lengths as possible. When laying the surface you need to screw it to the frame. This is best achieved by marking out the lines you wish the srews to go and pre drilling the holes, finaly using an electric screw driver to secure the decking boards.Nailing the boards to the frame is a waste of time because the boards will twist pulling the nails out.
A good tip is to use a small spacing bar to make sure the space between each board is the same. This space should be between 2 and 5 mm. Once the decking is finished we recommend you use a good quality wood preservative or stain to ensure the wood is protected from the elements of the british weather.
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