A typical garden fence will do several jobs; not only will it keep intruders away from your property, but it can also serve as a valuable decorative feature, helping to complete the look of your garden after a landscaping job. Indeed, installing a garden fence will usually deserve at least as much consideration as choosing garden furniture or a coat of paint for your bedroom.

There are a variety of options available for choosing a garden fence. Wood is a popular choice, though there are alternatives which can offer more security, style or value for your property. Depending on your choice, you may even want to install the garden fence yourself. However, this is not a job that you should take lightly; remember, a poorly installed garden fence will not only end up looking unsightly, but it could also compromise the security of your home!

In order to avoid this problem, your best option will usually be to have your garden fence installed by a professional landscaper, builder or carpenter. As well as taking you through the options for your garden fence, they will also be able to have it installed to a high quality (complete with insurance coverage, just in case!)

With that in mind, let’s take a look at what you need to know about installing a garden fence.

How to install a garden fence

  1. Property lines – Your first step should be to make doubly sure exactly where the boundaries of your property are. There is no shortage of cases involving homeowners who installed a garden fence, only to find that it was just a smidge over the property line, resulting in them having to tear it all down and start again. If you do not have a copy of your title deed, you can pick one up from the Land Registry
  2. Garden fence style – The next stage will be to consider the purpose of your fencing. If you are particularly worried about security, you may want to consider installing higher fencing, or even additional features to help keep thieves out. In a safe area, on the other hand, you may want to focus more on style, in which case you should consider the look you have chosen for the rest of your garden. Do you prefer a modern, traditional, urban or rustic style? A landscaper or landscape designer should be able to run you through each of your options, depending on your tastes and budget
  3. Garden fence posts – Most homeowners will choose either wood or concrete for their fence posts, with the latter option providing greater strength and longevity with less upkeep. Another option is metal, which will be easier to install than concrete
  4. Garden fence panels – After you have chosen a material for your fencing, you will need to decide on how many panels you want. The amount of choice you have here will obviously depend on the material. Typical wooden fence panels will be around 6ft wide, so spend some time measuring out your garden to give yourself an idea of how many you will require
  5. Clear the area – Obviously, you will need a clear area for your fencing to be installed. However, we are not just talking about clearing away any rubbish or plants; piping or electrical cables could also cause problems for your tradesmen. If you are unsure, check with your local council

With the amount of choice available for garden fencing, we would not be able to provide exact instructions in a single article! Our best advice is to spend as much time as possible choosing your ideal garden fencing. You will find no shortage of options online, though it will still be worth speaking to a professional. Not only will they be able to find options within your style and budget but they should also be able to provide accurate quotes for the work itself.