Practical, step-by-step advice to help you complete fencing and garden projects with confidence. This category covers tasks such as installing fence posts, fitting panels and trellis, building raised beds, laying turf, using railway sleepers and carrying out common repairs. Each guide explains the tools, materials and key steps in clear, straightforward language.
29 August 2026
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Quick answer: Measure the actual fence bay before ordering replacement Closeboard Fence Panels rather than relying on an assumed 6ft size. Current East Coast Fencing Closeboard panels are approxima..
29 August 2026
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Quick answer: Closeboard Fence Panels have two visibly different sides. The cleaner face shows the overlapping vertical feather edge boards, while the reverse exposes the horizontal backing rails t..
29 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes. A single damaged feather edge board can often be replaced in a Closeboard Fence Panel if the horizontal backing rails and surrounding boards are still sound. Current East Coast F..
29 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes, Closeboard Fence Panels can be reduced in width for a non-standard fence bay. East Coast Fencing's current panels are approximately 1830mm wide and use overlapping vertical feath..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Fan Trellis can start leaning, bowing or pulling away because the wall or fence fixings have loosened, the supporting surface has deteriorated, the timber has moved naturally or climb..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes, Fan Trellis can be fixed to a suitable wooden fence, but it should be attached to sound structural timber rather than relying on thin or loose fence boards alone. Current East Co..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose 900mm-wide Fan Trellis when wall space is limited or you are supporting one climber in a focused planting position. Choose 1.2m-wide Fan Trellis when the plant needs more room ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Fan Trellis should be fixed securely to a sound wall or suitable timber support before climbing plants are trained onto it. Leave enough clearance behind the trellis for stems, plant ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose Diamond Trellis when you need a broad rectangular panel for several plants, a garden divider, fence-top feature or larger wall area. Choose Fan Trellis when you are supporting ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Minor Diamond Trellis damage can sometimes be repaired if the outer frame remains sound and the problem is limited to one lattice strip, one intersection or a loose fixing. Replacemen..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Diamond Trellis can be installed between wooden posts to create an open garden screen, climbing-plant support or decorative boundary. Measure the actual panel before setting the posts..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes, Diamond Trellis can be cut to fit a non-standard space, but it is more awkward to shorten neatly than square trellis because the battens run diagonally. Cutting through a framed ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes, climbing roses can be trained on Diamond Trellis, but they need tying and guidance because they do not simply attach themselves securely to the lattice. The diagonal pattern prov..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Diamond Trellis and Traditional Trellis are both open timber lattice panels suited to climbing plants, decorative screening and garden zoning. Choose Diamond Trellis when the diagonal..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes. Privacy Square Trellis can be installed on a sloping garden, but rigid rectangular panels are normally kept level and stepped from post to post rather than tilted to follow the g..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Privacy Square Trellis can be installed between pressure-treated wooden posts to create a freestanding garden screen, patio divider or planted boundary. Measure the actual panel befor..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Privacy Square Trellis provides considerably more screening than open Traditional Trellis, but it is not completely private. East Coast Fencing's current panels use approximately 50mm..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes, Traditional Trellis can often be repaired if damage is limited to one or two lattice battens or loose fixing points and the surrounding frame remains sound. East Coast Fencing's ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Traditional Trellis is well suited to many climbing plants, but the mature weight of the plant matters more than how small it is when planted. East Coast Fencing's current Traditional..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Traditional Trellis is made from real timber, so small changes in shape and square spacing can occur as the wood gains and loses moisture. East Coast Fencing's current Traditional Squ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes. Traditional Trellis can form a freestanding garden screen when it is securely installed between suitable posts. East Coast Fencing's current Traditional Square Trellis is approxi..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose Traditional Trellis when climbing plants, light, airflow and an open garden feel are the priorities. Its current approximately 100mm square openings leave considerably more vis..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Horizontal Slatted Trellis and Double Slatted Fence Panels may look similar because both use horizontal timber lines, but they serve different purposes. Horizontal Slatted Trellis is ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Horizontal Slatted Trellis is made from real timber, so some movement as moisture levels change is normal. Individual slats can shrink, swell or move slightly, while a complete panel ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Horizontal Slatted Trellis can be installed between pressure-treated wooden posts to create a freestanding garden screen, patio divider or planted boundary. Set the posts to suit the ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose Horizontal Slatted Trellis when you want contemporary horizontal lines, filtered screening and a screen that still feels light and open. Choose Privacy Square Trellis when clos..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes, fence topper trellis can be used with concrete-post fencing, but the support arrangement needs more planning than it does with wooden posts. Slotted concrete posts are designed p..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes, timber fence topper trellis can usually be cut to fit a narrower fence bay, but it should not simply be sawn through and installed with loose lattice ends. Cutting normally remov..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: A 300mm fence topper is best when you mainly want a decorative finish, a small amount of extra height or light plant support. A 450mm topper creates a more noticeable upper section an..
28 August 2026
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38
Quick answer: A rebated concrete gravel board has a shaped profile rather than the more conventional section of a standard smooth or recessed board. East Coast Fencing currently supplies lightweigh..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Standard concrete gravel boards can hold back small amounts of loose surface soil, but they should not automatically be used as retaining walls. Wet soil creates continuous sideways p..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Smooth and recessed concrete gravel boards perform the same basic job of keeping timber fence panels away from damp ground. The main difference is appearance. Smooth boards have a pla..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Concrete fence posts can physically be cut with specialist equipment, but reinforced concrete fence posts should not normally be shortened on site. Current East Coast Fencing concrete..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Concrete fence posts usually lean because the post foundation or surrounding ground has moved, not because the concrete itself has bent. Common causes include inadequate foundations, ..
28 August 2026
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46
Quick answer: Concrete fence posts can crack because of impact, ground or foundation movement, excessive loading, poor handling or damage around the panel slots. A fine surface line does not automa..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes, pressure-treated wooden fence posts can be cut to length. If the post will be installed directly in the ground, keep the factory-treated ground-contact end intact where possible ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose a wooden fence post long enough for both the finished fence height above ground and the section needed below ground. A 1.8m post is generally suited to lower fencing, while 2.4..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Wooden fence posts can develop cracks and splits as the timber gains and loses moisture outdoors. Small surface checks are common in substantial sections of natural timber and do not ..
28 August 2026
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50
Quick answer: Wooden fence posts most often rot around ground level because this is where timber is repeatedly exposed to moisture, soil, air and changing weather conditions. Pressure treatment imp..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose a 6-inch concrete gravel board, approximately 150mm high, when you mainly want to keep a timber fence panel clear of damp ground without adding too much extra height. Choose a ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Fence panel clips and exterior screws can both be used to secure compatible fence panels to wooden posts. Clips create a defined fixing around the panel frame and can make future pane..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Feather edge boards can warp, twist or cup because timber naturally changes as its moisture content rises and falls. Small amounts of movement are normal outdoors. More noticeable dis..
28 August 2026
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52
Quick answer: 75 x 75mm wooden fence posts are generally suited to lighter fencing, picket panels, trellis and lower garden boundaries. A 100 x 100mm post provides a more substantial section and wi..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Gaps can appear in timber fence panels as individual boards lose moisture, move or distort outdoors, but not every gap means the panel has failed. Small changes between boards can be ..
28 August 2026
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42
Quick answer: Wooden gravel boards can rot when they remain damp for long periods, particularly where soil, wet leaves, grass, mulch or standing water stays against the timber. Pressure treatment i..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Concrete gravel boards can crack when they are unevenly supported, forced into incorrectly spaced posts, subjected to ground movement, hit by garden machinery or made to retain more s..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: In most slotted concrete-post fencing systems, the fence panel needs to be lifted out before a concrete gravel board can be replaced because the panel sits directly above the board in..
28 August 2026
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52
Quick answer: A garden gate usually sags because something in the supporting system has moved or loosened. Common causes include a leaning hinge post, loose or undersized hinges, weak fixings, fail..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Waney Lap Fence Panels can often be repaired when damage is limited to one or two overlapping boards or a local fixing problem. Replacement becomes more sensible when several boards a..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Closeboard Fence Panels become substantially heavier as height and rail support increase. Current East Coast Fencing listed weights range from about 15kg for a 6ft x 2ft Standard pane..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Double Slatted Fence Panels are made from natural timber, so some movement as moisture levels change is normal. A slightly uneven batten or small surface check does not necessarily me..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Minor damage to Omega Lattice Fence Panels can sometimes be repaired, but the location of the damage matters. A loose lower slat may be repairable if the surrounding 45 x 45mm frame r..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Minor damage to Hit & Miss Fence Panels can sometimes be repaired, but the frame matters more than one damaged slat. If a single board is loose or locally damaged while the 45 x 45mm ..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: East Coast Fencing manufactures its Picket Fence Panels in-house using 13 timber pales, each 75mm wide, fixed across two 75 x 32mm horizontal backrails. The pales are spaced approxima..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Good Decorative Fence Panels depend on more than appearance. Check the outer frame, timber section sizes, slat arrangement, spacing, pressure treatment, overall panel depth and how ac..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: Waney Lap Fence Panels are made from thin sawn waney-edge boards laid horizontally with approximately 25-40mm of overlap, then held together by timber supports on both faces. East Coa..
28 August 2026
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Quick answer: The strength of Closeboard Fence Panels comes from the complete construction, not simply from how thick or heavy the finished panel feels. Look at the feather edge boards, how much th..
27 August 2026
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49
Quick answer: Hit & Miss Fence Panels are particularly useful for dividing a garden because they create clear separation without the heavy appearance of a completely solid screen. Their alternating..
27 August 2026
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Quick answer: Double Slatted Fence Panels work particularly well around patios, seating areas and garden rooms because their horizontal design provides useful screening without creating the complet..
27 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose Picket Fence Panels when you want the quickest and simplest way to create a regular low boundary. The pales are already spaced and fixed to supporting rails, so installation ma..
27 August 2026
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Quick answer: Yes, Waney Lap Fence Panels are a practical choice for garden privacy because their overlapping horizontal boards create a largely solid timber screen. Taller 5ft, 5ft 6in and 6ft pan..
27 August 2026
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49
Quick answer: Yes, Closeboard Fence Panels can be installed on sloping ground, but rigid panels should normally remain square and level rather than being twisted to follow the gradient. The usual s..
27 August 2026
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48
Quick answer: Picket Fence Panels are particularly well suited to front gardens, paths and driveway boundaries because their spaced vertical pales clearly mark the edge of a property without creati..
27 August 2026
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35
Quick answer: Omega Lattice Fence Panels are particularly well suited to patios and seating areas because they combine a screened lower section with a lighter, curved lattice top. The lower part pr..
27 August 2026
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39
Quick answer: There is no single lifespan that applies to every Double Slatted Fence Panel. How long they remain in good condition depends on timber treatment, installation, moisture exposure, post..
27 August 2026
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54
Quick answer: Hit & Miss Fence Panels are a good choice when both sides of a boundary will be visible because their boards alternate between the two faces of the panel. This gives each side a finis..
27 August 2026
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Quick answer: Waney Lap Fence Panels can be installed with either wooden posts or compatible slotted concrete posts. Measure the actual panels and every fence bay before setting posts, keep the pan..
23 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose a fence topper when you already have a sound fence and only want extra screening, decoration or support for climbing plants above it. Choose full trellis panels when you want a..
23 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose Double Slatted Fence Panels if privacy and a clean contemporary appearance are your main priorities. Choose Hit & Miss Fence Panels if you want a modern horizontal design with ..
23 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose Closeboard Fence Panels if your priority is a solid, traditional boundary with strong privacy and a straightforward appearance. Choose Decorative Fence Panels if appearance, li..
23 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose 2ft Picket Fence Panels for low decorative boundaries and garden divisions, 3ft panels for a versatile front garden fence that provides clear separation without feeling enclose..
23 August 2026
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Quick answer: Round Top Picket Fence Panels create a softer, more traditional appearance, while Point Top Picket Fence Panels have a sharper and slightly more formal look. Both are suitable for fro..
23 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose Closeboard fence panels if you want a more substantial traditional privacy fence with overlapping vertical boards. Choose Waney Lap if you prefer the familiar horizontal overla..
23 August 2026
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Quick answer: Standard Closeboard fence panels are a strong general-purpose choice for most garden boundaries, while Ultra Heavy Duty Closeboard panels are better suited where you want a more subst..
14 August 2026
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East Coast Fencing sold more than 50,000 fence panels between 1 January and 31 July 2026, representing around 1,500 tonnes of product. Closeboard was the dominant choice, with standard and Ultra He..
14 August 2026
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Quick answer: If the fence belongs to your neighbour, you should get their permission before painting, staining or treating the side facing your garden. Being able to see or access one face of a fe..
13 August 2026
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Quick answer: The main parts of a typical garden fence are the posts, fence panels or individual boards, gravel boards and fixings. Traditional closeboard fencing also uses horizontal rails and ove..
13 August 2026
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Quick answer: A straightforward domestic fence can often be installed in one to three days by an experienced team, but there is no reliable time based on fence length alone. Removing old posts, dig..
13 August 2026
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255
Quick answer: In many UK gardens, trellis can be fitted above a fence, but you should calculate the height of the complete boundary rather than treating the trellis separately. In England and Wales..
13 August 2026
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Quick answer: Feather edge and closeboard are closely related, but they are not technically identical terms. Feather edge describes the tapered vertical timber boards used to create the face of the..
13 August 2026
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Quick answer: Concrete gravel boards are usually the better choice if durability, resistance to ground-level moisture and low maintenance are your priorities. Wooden gravel boards are lighter, easi..
10 August 2026
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Quick answer: Your neighbour can generally cut branches or roots from your hedge that grow across the boundary into their property, but they should only cut back as far as the legal boundary. They ..
10 August 2026
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Quick answer: Your neighbour may be able to build very close to, or in some cases right up to, the legal boundary on their own land, but that does not automatically give them the right to use, remo..
10 August 2026
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124
Quick answer: You will often be able to replace an existing garden fence without applying for planning permission, particularly when the replacement stays at the same height and position. In Englan..
10 August 2026
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Quick answer: If the fence belongs to you, your neighbour should not normally remove, dismantle, move or materially alter it without your permission. The difficult part is often proving who owns th..
10 August 2026
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Quick answer: Choose a fence if you want immediate privacy, a clearly defined boundary, predictable dimensions and relatively little space taken from the garden. Choose a hedge if you prefer a natu..
10 August 2026
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160
Quick answer: Measure each straight section of the fence separately, record every corner, gate and change in ground level, then plan the fence around the actual dimensions of the panels, posts and ..
6 August 2026
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Quick answer: A professionally supplied and installed garden fence in the UK commonly costs around £85 to £180 per metre. A straightforward timber panel fence may sit near the lower end, while deco..
6 August 2026
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134
Quick answer: A good-quality garden fence combines well-constructed panels with correctly sized posts, adequate foundations, suitable gravel boards and durable exterior fixings. Look beyond timber ..
6 August 2026
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Quick answer: Ask a fencing contractor for a detailed written quote covering the panels, post sizes, gravel boards, foundations, fixings, gates, waste removal and VAT. Confirm how they assess the g..
6 August 2026
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134
Quick answer: Inspect every side of the garden rather than judging the fence from the patio. Check whether posts move, timber is soft at ground level, concrete is cracked, panels are loose, gravel ..
5 August 2026
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Quick answer: Start by confirming the boundary, finished fence height and location of buried services. Choose a complete compatible system of panels, posts, gravel boards, foundations and fixings. ..
5 August 2026
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172
Quick answer: A successful garden fence starts with the right panel, post and gravel-board combination. Closeboard panels suit strong privacy fencing, waney lap panels offer a practical traditional..
5 August 2026
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252
Quick answer: There is no general 7-year boundary rule in England and Wales. A fence does not automatically become the legal boundary because it has remained in one position for seven years. A long..
5 August 2026
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Quick answer: If the fence belongs to your neighbour, do not attach planters, trellis, lights, screening, hooks, mirrors, plants or decorations without their permission. The face visible from your ..
31 July 2026
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Quick answer: Stop fence panels rotting at the bottom by keeping the timber away from direct soil contact, fitting gravel boards and clearing leaves, grass and damp debris from the fence line. Use ..