Fence first or patio tiles?

bpk101

Having a new tiled patio laid and new garden fencing installed on our mid-terrace house.

The concrete hardstanding is ready for tiling but I don't know whether to get the tiling done first and the fence (plus posts) after, or the other way round.

Builder - who is looking after the patio tiling - says get tiles done first so fence posts can be bolted on top in metal post housings. Fence people say get the fence in first so builder can tile round the posts.

Any thoughts?

Ps: if it makes a difference we're having contemporary western red cedar slatted fencing and 90x90 concrete look tiles for the patio. We're after a clean, contemporary finish.

Cheers

TheCyclingProgrammer

I’d normally say get fencing sorted first. I don’t understand why the builder is suggesting bolting posts to the patio - why not set the posts in the ground?

Apodemus

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

I’d normally say get fencing sorted first. I don’t understand why the builder is suggesting bolting posts to the patio - why not set the posts in the ground?

I’d guess that it is only natural that the builder prioritises his job and the fencer his! For the builder, having clear space to work and no awkward fitting makes his approach best. For the fencer, the same arguments hold true. A fencer will always want to set his posts in the ground, while a builder will be happier constructing things above ground onto a concrete foundation. It’s just the nature of the beast!

Apodemus

bpk101 wrote: »

The concrete hardstanding is ready for tiling...

Sounds, though as if the decision to bolt the fence posts on top of the concrete slab has already been made, so it is up to you, which option you think will look cleaner.

For me, if it has to be bolted, then I think it might look better with the tiling done first, but that is just a matter of taste and views would differ.

Tom99

Do you have to use the metal housing whichever you choose? I would have thought it might be difficult to drill a bolt hole right on the border which will also be at the edge of a tile.

moneyistooshorttomention

Personally I wouldnt want to risk my tiles inadvertently cracking as the builder wants to bolt them on afterwards and I think it wouldnt look good to have them bolted on anyway.

I'd ignore the builder - it sounds like he's just being selfish and just get the job done the way that will suit him personally best.

Davesnave

Tiling around the fixing bolts won't be possible, so the tiler would have to infill with mortar if the post support is put in first.

Either way, it might look a bit of a dogs's dinner!

If it were me, I'd stick the posts in the ground at the edge of the patio and then extend it if it were somehow crucial to have the fence inside that edge.

Wassa123

I'd get the fence in first, then you'd know the fence posts go deep in the ground and would be more stable than bolting it on.

Normally the patio goes up to the fencing and stops. Occasionally they may fill in a small channel of gravel rather than lay slabs around the post.

bpk101

Thanks, have decided to fence first and tile after as advised.