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Garden Fencing - Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to setting a boundary for your property or replacing an old rotten fence, then you want to make sure you've considered all the options. The cost of replacing an average garden fence is not cheap by any stretch. But, if you're looking for a cost-effective long-term solution that will stand the test of time, then we've got just the product for you, plus some top tips and helpful advice from our experts to get you started.
Garden with Fence & Flowers
The average cost of replacing a garden fence is between £700-£1000 including labour, materials and waste disposal. Our research is based on eight 2-meter-long panels and supporting posts but could be higher if your garden is larger than average. It pays to do a good job and prevent any unnecessary long-term costs. Read on to see how we can help.

Can I Buy A Low-Cost Garden Fence? What Are The Pros & Cons?

You can easily buy low-cost garden fencing, but you could find yourself replacing your fence in a matter of years. As a general rule, cheap fencing doesn't last. Why is this? Low-cost fencing can be made from poor quality timber which is more likely to rot away quickly in the ground causing you headaches and unwanted costs.

Spending more on a quality fence will pay dividends in the future. Not only do you cancel out any future costs, but you could also save all that unnecessary time and hassle of replacing the fence.

Take a look at Postsaver long-life fencing products, our Pro-sleeves could transform the lifespan of your fence and save you a great deal of money.

I Need Some Inspiration, Do You Have Any Garden Fence Ideas?

  • Consider what style of fencing you want
  • Think about where you’re fencing
  • Make sure to treat your fence before installation
Fencing is no longer only a necessity, it is now a stylish addition that can transform your garden renovations. It serves as a boundary marker which adds to the privacy and allows your plants and borders to really stand out. Choosing the right fence comes down to personal taste and what is most suitable for your garden type. Read on to find out how to choose a fence best suited to you and what to consider before
acting. 

Firstly, think about your wants and needs when choosing your fence, do you want complete privacy? What height fencing do you need? Will you want to grow plants up and around the fencing? Consider the location, are you fencing a front garden or back garden? Often a lower fence is better suited to a front garden, lower panels or picket fencing gives a welcoming feel to your home. In the back garden, you may want to increase your privacy. We suggest using taller solid panels to conceal your view from onlookers. 

Types of fencing include picket, feather board, close board, panel fencing, trellis topped and many more. The choice is endless. It is also essential to find out about the materials used to make the fence. If you're opting for a wooden fence, check to see if the materials have been treated to prevent rot. When using wooden posts, it is a great idea to protect the post at the ground line. With wood rot being a fence killer, try Postsaver Pro-sleeves, a simple but easy to apply protection against ground rot. When using wood above ground, consider wood stains; these are fantastic for increasing the lifespan of the fence and giving you reinforced protection against the elements.

How To Build a Fence

Below we outline the key things to consider when taking on a fence replacement job yourself. Carrying out the work takes time, planning and preparation, but is easily achievable. Remember, always consult your neighbour before putting up a new fence. It is arguably the number one cause of neighbourly disputes! 

The first step is to remove the old fence. Once removed, it is vital to clear the ground for the new fence and gravel boards. Do this by removing any vegetation or overgrown plants and then level the soil. Remember to dig out any rotten or old posts; This will make digging any new holes much more straightforward. 

Next, measure up to see where your supporting posts will be positioned. If you are using panel fencing, these will be the posts positioned between each panel giving a secure fixing point. These must remain strong and rot free to ensure a long-life fence. A great tip is to use a piece of string and two weights to get a perfectly straight line. Using a fencing spade, dig out the holes to the required depth. A fencing spade is a great way to ensure a neat hole which makes setting your post much more manageable, more on this shortly. Additionally, you could use a hole auger, a great way to loosen the soil ready for digging or post driving. Check out our range of tools to help with your project. 

Once your holes are dug, place your post in the hole and check the height. If you're satisfied, remove the post and apply a Postsaver Pro-sleeve at the ground line section. Once correct, set the post in place using a post level to ensure the post is perfectly square and upright. 

The next stage is to fill in the hole surrounding the post. This can be done by backfilling with the existing soil. However, to ensure the post is set firmly in place and to prevent any movement over time, try using a post fixing product such as Postsaver Pro-set. The next stage is to join your sections of fence together. If you're using panel fencing, you will need some fence clips to secure your panels to the posts. Secure these with the relevant size screws. Now that your panels and posts are in place finish the base of the fence with gravel boarding. This is an excellent way to tidy up any gaps and to ensure optimum safety for pets. Continue these steps for the remainder of your fence and then stand back and admire your work.
Pro-Tip - Cut a small hole in your gravel boards to allow animals such as a hedgehog to pass freely between gardens. This is a great way to encourage helpful wildlife in your garden, and keep the snails and slugs off your vegetable patch
A hedgehog hole to help hedgehogs roam freely between gardens

If I'd Like My Fence Fitted, How Do I Find a Fencing Contractor I Can Trust?

There are thousands of fencing contractors out there. Many of which will, without doubt, complete fantastic work. However, it's always important to do your research to make sure you are getting the best value for money.
  • Make sure to get a number of quotes
  • Ask to see photos of previous work
  • Always ask for quality materials
The first step is to get several quotes from different contractors. This is a great way to see if the prices are far too high, or suspiciously low. As a general rule, if the price is too low, the work probably won't be up to standard. We highly recommend asking to view photos of the contractors previous work, this is a simple and easy way to grasp the quality of their work. Check their website as well to see if they have any genuine testimonials. These simple steps will give you the peace of mind that you're in safe hands. 

Once you have decided on a contractor, make sure to discuss with them the longevity of the products they are going to use. We recommend opting for treated timber. To reinforce your fence, ask your fencing contractor to use Postsaver Pro- sleeves to guarantee prevention against ground rot. Ground-line decay is the number one cause of fence failure, but fortunately, it can be prevented.

Will My Fence Be Safe For My Children and Animals?

Garden security is essential to consider when choosing your fence. It might be that you're looking to prevent your pets from escaping or making sure your children can play safely in the garden. This is essential to consider if you live near a busy road.
  • Plan ahead to prevent long-term costs
  • Keep your children and animals safe in your garden
Keep Animals and children safe in your garden with a sturdy fence
To ensure fencing stays firm and secure for years to come, you need to look after it. If you're looking to install a new fence, think about the potential problems that you might face in the future. Untreated wood can rot, eventually leading to fence failure and your garden becoming unsafe for children and animals. We recommend applying Postsaver Pro-sleeves to any part of the fence in the ground, including support posts. By preventing ground line decay, your fence will be safe for many more years. Pro-sleeves also have a 20-year post replacement guarantee. 

Consider staining your fence for added protection. A simple fence stain gives defence against harsh weather in the winter months and enhances the look of your fence. As a precaution keep children and animals clear of the fence while you are staining it. Once dried, however, the garden will be safe to enjoy. Always check for any manufacturers warnings to confirm this. 

We recommend planning ahead to keep your garden safe, and to save you money. Do it once and do it right.
What Can I Do To Be More Environmentally Friendly?
A great way to be more environmentally friendly is by using wooden fence products. These help you to minimise your environmental impact. Suppose you're looking to be environmentally friendly. In that case, you will welcome the fact that wooden posts actually absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during their lifespan as trees. You could use alternatives such as concrete or steel, but these are far more damaging to the environment, not to mention there's the added cost. If a wooden fence is installed with the right protection, it will stand firm for years to come.

Pro Tips From Our Experts

Homeowners Fencing Guide - Pro-Tips - Use Fencing Spade
Use The Correct Equipment
Using the proper tools ensures a quality job. Tools such as a fencing spade or auger make light work of digging holes.
Homeowners Fencing Guide - Pro-Tips Use Postsaver Pro-Sleeves
Protect Against Rot
Ground-line decay is the leading cause of fence failure, fortunately, with Postsaver Pro-sleeves it is entirely preventable.
Homeowners Fencing Guide - Pro-Tips
Do It Once, Do It Right
Remember, cheap fences don't last! Spending a little extra is more cost-effective in the long run.
Homeowners Fencing Guide - Pro-Tips
Maintain Your Fence
If you have gone for a timber option, re-stain your fence annually. Do this in early autumn to protect against the winter weather.

Find Out More About Our Products

Postsaver Pro-Sleeved Post - Cross Section
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Why Are Postsaver Pro-Sleeves Worth Considering?

You could protect your investment in a new fence with a simple, low-cost solution. From just £1.22 a sleeve, you can guard your fence against premature post-failure.
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How Does The Postsaver Pro-Sleeve Work?

To apply our product, simply heat with a blow torch or hot air gun to shrink the sleeve to the surface of the wood. Alternatively, you can buy pre-sleeved posts or ask a fencing contractor to use Pro-Sleeves on your new wooden posts.

The Pro-Sleeve creates a dual-layer total barrier that seals your posts against all causes of decay while simultaneously locking in wood preservatives. It features a U.V. stabilised outer film and an inner bituminous liner.
Postsaver Dual-Layer Rot Prevention Technology
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Pro-Set Easy Post Installation Foam

If you're looking to install posts yourself then our Pro-set rigid post fixing foam is a great alternative to post concrete. At 97% lighter than concrete, the tough resin foam sets in just 90 minutes.
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Postsaver Pro-Sleeves Fitting Options

Apply Sleeves Yourself
Postsaver Sleeve Showing Guarantee
Postsaver Pro-Sleeves are quickly and easily applied to wooden fence posts with a blowtorch or hot air gun
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Buy Pre-Sleeved Posts
Postsaver Sleeved Post
Save time and hassle by purchasing pre-sleeved Postsaver fence posts. Available in many sizes to suit all jobs.
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Ask A Fencing Contractor
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Save stress and hard work by asking your local fencing contractor to use Pro-Sleeves on your new fence posts.
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Postsaver manufactures and supplies guaranteed post rot protection that is proven to extend the life of wooden fence and gate posts. With millions of Pro-Wrap and Pro-Sleeve post protectors supplied to date, our patented rot protection is independently tested and proven in volume use since 1994.
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North America (Trade Inquiries)
*When applied to posts that meet the requirements of BS8417:2012 - UC4 (Use Class 4). See guarantee for details
**Based on not having to replace your fence in 10 years time due to post failure.


Postsaver uses long term independent test data on the effectiveness of barrier sleeves and wraps to reach all the conclusions given on this website (test data available on request). Based on this data, Postsaver believes longer life, maintenance of strength over time, improved safety and reliability, extended inspection periods and reduced maintenance requirements are reasonable claims. This is subject to Postsaver products being correctly applied as per our instructions and used on correctly preservative treated (for long term in-ground use - use class 4 or higher) wooden fence posts that are free of decay at the time of rot protection application. The claims made, real or implied are not warranties. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate and satisfy themselves that the performance of the product meets their specific safety, reliability, extended inspection, repair and any other performance or cost-benefit criteria before using Postsaver rot protectors
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