If you’re choosing between green and brown fence panels, you’re not alone. Colour has a big impact on how a boundary looks day to day, how it sits against planting, and how “new” it feels after a few seasons. To help you decide, we’ve analysed the last 12 months of East Coast Fencing order data and converted it into percentages (to keep commercially sensitive figures private). We’ve looked only at fence panels where the product name states Pressure Treated Green or Pressure Treated Brown.
The headline is clear: pressure treated brown fence panels account for 64.71% of purchases, with pressure treated green fence panels at 35.29%. That makes brown about 1.83x as popular as green over the past year. Below, we’ll explain what that usually means in real gardens, and how to build a longer-lasting fence system with the right fence posts and gravel boards.
Key Statistics at a Glance
- Brown (Pressure Treated): 64.71% of purchases.
- Green (Pressure Treated): 35.29% of purchases.
- Brown is roughly 1.83x as popular as green in the last 12 months.
Quick Reference Table: What Each Colour Is Best For
| Colour | Share of Purchases | How It Looks in the Garden | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown (Pressure Treated) | 64.71% | Warmer, more “finished” look, blends with bark, decking and patios | Most garden boundaries, especially where you want a softer backdrop |
| Green (Pressure Treated) | 35.29% | Crisper, more “fresh timber” look, works well with heavy planting | Planting-led gardens, quick replacements, boundaries you plan to stain later |
How to Read the Numbers (and Why We Publish Percentages Only)
These percentages come from a full 12-month window of completed orders. We report the split as percentages so the insight is useful without publishing raw volumes. When we say “64.71% brown”, we mean that nearly two out of every three pressure treated colour-specified fence panel purchases were brown over the period we analysed.
Why Brown Leads (64.71%)
Brown’s popularity usually comes down to how it sits in the average UK garden. It reads as warm and intentional next to patios, decking, sleepers and bark borders. It also tends to hide everyday marks a little better, which matters on long runs where you’ll inevitably get splashback, lawn clippings and the odd scuff from a wheelbarrow.
Brown is often chosen when customers want the fence to feel “finished” straight away. If you’re replacing a tired run and you want an instant uplift without committing to staining, brown pressure treated panels are a common pick.
Why Green Still Takes Over a Third (35.29%)
Green pressure treated panels remain popular for gardens that are very planting-led. The greener tone can sit nicely behind shrubs and climbers, and many people like the “fresh timber” feel when a fence has just gone in. Green is also a sensible choice if you already know you’ll stain or paint later, because you’re treating the initial colour as a starting point rather than the final look.
It’s also worth saying that colour is not purely decorative. A fence that looks right for your garden is one you’re less likely to replace early. Choosing the colour you actually want can be the difference between “that’ll do” and something you’re happy with for years.
One Thing That Matters More Than Colour: Base Protection
Whichever colour you choose, most fence panels fail from the bottom edge first. That’s why we always recommend thinking in systems. Protect the base with gravel boards to reduce splashback and keep the timber out of wet soil. Pair with solid fence posts, and set them properly using suitable cement products. These choices do more for service life than colour ever will.
Choosing Brown vs Green by Project Outcome
If you want a warmer, more “finished” look that blends with most patios and landscaping, brown is the popular choice for a reason. If your garden is planting-heavy, you prefer a fresher timber look, or you plan to stain later, green is a smart option. Either way, start with the right fence panels, then build the job properly with suitable posts and gravel boards so the fence stays straight and smart for longer.
