Closeboard fencing and gates

2013yearofthehouse

Looking at getting about 32m of 6ft closeboard fencing and had a few people round to quote (not received emails/letters with prices yet). Discussing with them has bought up a few questions (will ask them some directly, but some of the info and opinions they've given so far have been contradictory), so thought I'd ask here too.

Am I right in thinking arris rails are better than rectangular or chamfered ones? Should they be using 3 (for 6ft height)? Are mortise and tenon joints better than using brackets? I've been told different sizes for the gravel boards and featherboards, is there an ideal/min/max or is it not that important? Also, should they be using a centre stump? Should it have a capping rail and counter rail or is sometimes just a capping rail used?

What's the difference in having the featherboards running continuously and in front of the posts (with the posts shorter and "hidden"), and having them run in between slightly taller posts? Is one preferable over the other? I'm not sure if there's a different name for the methods, but hopefully what I've written makes sense!

One guy told me to make sure the posts are definitely concreted in (all have mentioned that 2ft underground is best) and that postcrete isn't used, but another guy said how great postcrete was, so i'm a bit confused on that - which is better?

Is class 4 treated timber the best to go for?
Are there different types of wood they can use or is it pretty much standard (pine?)? Should it be finished/stained in any way?

Should they be providing any sort of guarantee on the wood or the work?

The universal suggestion was that the gates be closeboard too (single side gates), but looking online there seems to be ones with a much better finish. Is tongue and groove better for a "smoother" finish? Are there more options in terms of type of wood for the gates? I've seen some lovely golden coloured ones which I prefer to the standard yellow-y looking ones (which I think would be made of the same material as the fence). None of the fencers seem to be keen in suggesting or discussiong options, they just do a standard gate "to match the fence". Not looking for anything overly expensive, just want to know what options there are.

Are there any other things I should be asking about?

I probably seem like I'm getting in to way too much detail, but if it's going to cost about £2000, I want it to last as long as posssible and not regret not picking something slighly different!

Thanks

ic

Personally I see postcrete as a consumer product, for people who only need to fasten a few posts. I'd expect a tradesman to have a mixer and be able to knock up concrete easily - and cheaply.

I'd recommend you consider a panel fence with concrete uprights. I had wooden posts on a small 3 foot fence, the posts rotted at the point they met the ground, and the whole fence snapped clean off when there was a storm. The 6 foot fence I had installed in the back garden has been standing eight years now, and is still as solid as the day it was installed.

As for the gate I guess it'll be a personal preference - I went for gates that matched the fence so they all blend together. I would have thought if you're looking at "yellowy" wood, it probably still needs treating. Any products used should be pressure treated. The panels in my fence were tanilised, and as yet haven't required any further treatment, they've simply greyed/silvered nicely.

2013yearofthehouse

Thanks for the reply. Got a few quotes through now (will post on the quote board) and got a couple if concrete post options for comparison, thanks.

Will have to ask more questions about the treatment then - weathering to silver/grey would be fine, I guess it's just hard to tell when all the fencers websites tend to (obviously because they've just finished!) show the wood "all new" and it doesn't stay that colour.

I think i'll ask more about different woods for the gates though. I've seen Iroko gates online and they are a lovely colour/finish - probably too expensive, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask!

cyclonebri1

Go with concreted in, (forget how they do it just watch how deep they go, and yes 2 feet is the min)

The fence will deteriorate from day 1, don't worry, takes years to rot, but, when it does the panels simply lift out with a few screws removed, and the new ones slot in.

More a benefit for future owners but the satisfaction of a job done correctly.