Putting up fence advice

Steve_xx

vaio wrote: »

Not too sure about that, my OH has a treasured photo of me mixing concrete to install wooden fence posts "assisted" by a toddler, that toddler is now 26 and the posts are still there.

They were nothing special, treated 3x3, maybe 4x4 from B&Q or similar. Never been re-treated and are now on their third set of infill panels

I was relating my own experience there. I'm sure some may last much longer, but 26 years without any rot is, I think, exceptional.

paddedjohn

modelreject wrote: »

there is some dispute as to where the boundaries lie though i haven't chatted about it as the house is up for sale and no one lives there at the moment. It's pretty easy to see where it should be as there is an invisible line from our driveway down to the back of the garden.

if you look carefully at the invisible line then you should see the remains of an invisible fence, give the invisible man a call and he should be able to repair it for you using the ancient fencing material scotch mist.

modelreject

Very funny about the invisible line You know what I mean.

With regards to the rotting posts the garden doe get water logged to one side. There's actually water sitting there this morning. I heard the when pouring concrete in the post should actually still stick through into the soil to stop water sitting in concrete and rotting the post. So in essence the concrete is just for stability?

Steve_xx

modelreject wrote: »

Very funny about the invisible line You know what I mean.

With regards to the rotting posts the garden doe get water logged to one side. There's actually water sitting there this morning. I heard the when pouring concrete in the post should actually still stick through into the soil to stop water sitting in concrete and rotting the post. So in essence the concrete is just for stability?

If you do as you suggest then the wooden posts will be sitting in a very wet environment. This is a recipe for rot. Water will saturate soil much easier than it will saturate concrete.

If the position of your proposed wooden fence is water-logged, then you are asking for trouble and your wooden posts will not last very long.

Also I would say that you would be very wise to estabish the actual boundary, with the agreement of your absent neighbour or by consulting you title deeds before you commence any work. Otherwise you may end up with an enormously costly legal bill if there is a disagreement of any kind.

Go for concrete or plastic posts in your environment, that way you will ensure longevity of your fence.

You seem to be determined to have have wooden posts despite much of the opinion offered here. Do so at your peril given the area you have described above.

modelreject

Okay. Concrete it is. You have won me over with common sense which I am lacking at the moment. Thanks all.

I am a bit of a perfectionist and I think most people will agree that the wood posts look much nicer. Be great to see some examples of great looking concrete posts and wooden fences if you have any.

ormus

if the concrete posts bother you so much, then paint them or grow some plants up em, to hide them.

Steve_xx

modelreject wrote: »

Okay. Concrete it is. You have won me over with common sense which I am lacking at the moment. Thanks all.

I am a bit of a perfectionist and I think most people will agree that the wood posts look much nicer. Be great to see some examples of great looking concrete posts and wooden fences if you have any.

You're making too much of the concrete posts. To be honest, you will barely notice them at all. There really isn't that much to see as the eye tends to focus on the panel. And, if it really bothers you then go for a wood effect plastic post.

sharkie

thought that the concrete posts blow due to water, if the temp goes below 0 degrees?

modelreject

So, I have now decided on concrete posts. I see that there are concrete slats under this fence, which I assume is to raise the wood above ground level to stop it rotting. What should be put underneath these to add support. Should I dig a trench and lay down some aggregate, level it out and lay the slats on top?

ic

I've just had a wooden fence I built replaced with concrete. My fence lasted only three years and the whole run was taken down in one go by a particularly bad storm last November. Each post snapped right at the base, level with the ground.

As for concrete posts blowing, thats a new one on me. I guess this might affect very cheap posts.

Personally I'd recommend getting someone in - concrete posts and base panels are heavy and I've seen too many wonky DIY fences. The guy I had do mine charged £66 per panel + £30 for a three foot high fence. Price included digging out the old posts, pointing up, etc and was for ready-treated closeboard panels. I think the parts alone from the same supplier were about £150 - so for about £80 he's delivered and installed them, all I had to do was keep the brews supplied.