Jacksons Fencing, and my 'twist'

ChilliBob

Guys, 
Has anyone on here used, or have any experience of Jacksons fencing? Seems like really nice sfuff that's a step up from sfuff from B&Q, Wickes etc. But with a price jump for sure, so, it's gotta be worth it.

Reviews suggests that it's decent, and long lasting so should work out good value.. 

Now my intention, and I have checked with Jacksons, is to put these posts into existing concrete posts. 

Doing a 4ft would be okay - panels marginally above poses by like 10cm. An alternative is using their posts as extensions, sitting on top of my concrete ones to give us 5ft. A bit like on here:https://thecarpentersdaughter.co.uk/gardening/fence-post-extensions-diy/

But using actual jack posts as they are called, so matching look and a nice colour.

This is their website, https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/family/tongue-and-groove-effect

Thoughts much appreciated! 

tacpot12

No experience of those panels, but they look very smart. Are you happy the reviews are from real customers? 

It's a pity that your current posts are too short to use 4ft panels. I think having the panels sit 10cm above the top of the  posts will look odd, and using 5ft panels with post extensions will also not look as good as you would want, having spent the extra to get the Jackson panels.

Have you noted the advice in the FAQs that the slots in your existing concrete posts need to be a minimum of 54mm wide? 

If your existing concrete posts are suitable, I think I would give them a call and ask whether it is feasible to cut their panels down by 10cm, and if not, what the cost of custom panels that are exactly the height you want. Seeing as how it would use less timber, the cost difference might not be that great. 

The other thing to consider is whether you will have a gravel board under the fence panel. Based on previous experience I would never fit an expensive fence panel (or even a cheap one) so that it rests on the ground. I would always use some sort of gravel board; either a sacrificial wooden one, or a concrete on. (Best thing I ever did in my rental properties was to fit concrete fence posts and gravel boards. I would also highly recommend a narrow mowing strip made with slabs or paviours if you have a lawn that goes right upto the gravel boards.) 

If you were to fit wooden gravel boards, these could be cut to size much more easily, and I would guess it would save money. You could by their 0.91m high panels and cut the gravel boards to give you the exact height you want. 

Of course, none of that works if you really want 5ft high fencing. If you want the taller fencing, you will either need to install taller posts, or accept the look of the post extensions, but you might also consider whether some sort of timber covers could be fitted to posts and post extensions hide them. If these covers could be stained with the same treatment that is used on the Jackson boards, this would help them blend in. Again a call to Jackson should confirm if they have any treatment the could sell you for this - I couldn't see any on their site. 
   

ChilliBob

Thanks Tacpot, to answer your questions:

1. Yeah, I feel they are from real customers, which is good.
2. Yeah, it's a bit of an odd one - looking around I can see in most cases people have excess concrete post showing - which in my view looks pretty brutalist and dull!.. Now having more over the top (just a little) may be okay. I do have a new plan though.. more on that below!...
3. Yep, existing posts seem to have an opening of around 59mm so should be fine. 
4. Yeah, we could do that, however, the goal is to increase the height too - 3ft fence panel between neighbours is far too low for our liking - yeah, we like them and all, and they us (I think!) but we feel a bit more privacy is in order! (Along with replacing a knackered fence)
5. We do have gravel boards yep, just spotted one is wonky though which is a bit of a pain! - I guess I may be able to lower it, or raise it to make it level, or worst case use some shims or something somehow.

Timber covers...... So, Jacksons sell this: https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/fence-posts/capping-rail  which is treated with their jacktreat stuff or whatever its called. 

Posts are 100mm square, so 120mm will cover them from the front, could attach to the posts with... hmm, rawl plugs, screws and some filler? - Take the lazy approach and use something like CT1 - supposed to be able to use under water lol!)

I figure this would improve the appearance, and allow us, if we wanted, to even use 5 ft panels. To be more secure I could use a jackpost, cut about 20cms off it, put above the existing post, then put the rail over the concrete posts.  

So, I think it's workable!.... Just need to iron our the wrinkles in the plan, decide what to go for and go from there. Tempted to visit their HQ, they have a showroom, about an hour away. 

Thanks for your detail reply mate, much appreciated.

This is what we're dealing with (patio not shown, 3x 5fts in, tbh, practically mint condition!)


Just had our patio done and a path, hence why the grass is *such* a state. That's also a wip! 

Eldi_Dos

If you are wanting to soften the appearance of the concrete posts you could brush a mixture of natural yoghurt and milk on them, this provides a food source for things to grow on the surface of the concrete and make it appear more aged.

ChilliBob

Eldi_Dos said:

If you are wanting to soften the appearance of the concrete posts you could brush a mixture of natural yoghurt and milk on them, this provides a food source for things to grow on the surface of the concrete and make it appear more aged.

Thanks, that's an interesting idea. I think really we want the finished look of the Jacksons panels and posts, alas, we already have posts and having just finished a patio and boarder etc replacing them is the last thing we want. Both from a cost and mess perspective! 

Sarahspangles

Jackson’s have been around a very long time, I worked for a local authority in the 90s and we were using a catalogue then that must have been ten years old, with an up to date price list.  They seem to have expanded into the domestic market now but were a trusted supplier for amenity/agricultural fencing, if rather unexciting.  Hopefully they haven’t reduced their standards since.

Chickereeeee

I had my side fence built with Jackson tongue and groove effect panels, and Jackson wooden posts. Very pleased with the end results and comments/compliments from neighbours. It was only two years ago, so no idea about the longevity, but OK so far.

I have used various spare bits for exterior wood needs around the garden, and they seem protected right through, as advertised, and quite weighty..

MikeJXE

First class panels that could be spoiled by second class posts

If I could afford the panels I would also have the posts or clad the existing to suit 

tacpot12

Those capping rails look ideal to cover the posts if you extend them. I know concrete posts can be difficult to drill, and while the CT1 route requires a degree of trust in it, it will be much easier. If the covers ever fall off, I would expect the CT1 could be removed easily and you can revert to screws and plugs. 

ChilliBob

I think what I'll do is... 

Order the 4ft panels- sitting in current posts they will be around 15cm above the post.

This will already look better, for sure, but, to further increase looks... 

Order a jackpost, which I can cut down to 15cm chunks, cut out the inside a bit to make it sit on the concrete. Use a top rail for clad both this post (done with screws perhaps) and the concrete.. Which I reckon Ct1 could deal with.

It won't be as perfect as a full from fresh Jacksons install, but I think it's the closest I can get, and I think it'll look better than both what we have now and better still with cladded posts. Hopefully!

I was in two minds whether to go for the featherboord, or the t&g, I was leaning towards the t&g... I think you guys have tipped me over the edge!

Just need a proper measure up now and then wait 5 weeks!

I think I'll go for flat t&g - the arched is a special order, 7weeks wait, and will cost £800 more :0

ChilliBob

MikeJXE said:

First class panels that could be spoiled by second class posts

If I could afford the panels I would also have the posts or clad the existing to suit 

Yeah I know what you mean, like a really decent suit and a knackered pair of safety shoes or something!.. Its a work in progress! See above.