Your fencing panels have to withstand a lot throughout the year, from the sweeping rain and hail in winter to the scorching temperatures of summer. No matter how carefully you look after them, at least some wear and tear is ultimately inevitable on your garden fence panels, so it’s probably no surprise that we’re so often asked “how can I make my fencing panels stronger?”
If it’s a question you’ve ever found yourself asking too, here are some of our top suggestions! Many are pretty simple, but trust us – they work.
Stay on top of minor repairs
We know how easy it is to put off those smaller repair jobs for weeks or months on end – we’ve all done it – but even small bits of damage can end up having a noticeable impact on the overall integrity of your fence, so it’s always worth getting them done as promptly as you can. Don’t forget that the more numerous the defects in your fence – and the more serious they are – the weaker it is overall.
Fixing a broken fence panel is obviously one of the most common types of repair job with garden fencing, while another involves replacing top caps. (Luckily, we supply replacement top caps right here at Welch Fencing.)
Take care to keep your fence clean
Weeds, dead leaves and other bits of garden debris may not seem terribly threatening on their own, but if they’re left to their own devices for long enough around the base of your fence for too long, they can eventually start to cause problems – especially if it’s wet. Cleaning them away helps to maintain effective drainage around your fence, keeping your posts and panels dry, and protecting them from the risk of rot.
It’s also a good idea to regularly top up your fencing panels with treatment or preservative, especially if they’ve been dip-treated. (As an extra bonus, it keeps them looking great too!)
The general advice is to do this once a year, but if you’ve chosen pressure treated wood, you’ll probably be glad to hear that you normally won’t have to do this until ten or even fifteen years after purchase.
Check your fence from pillar to post
No matter how structurally sound your garden fence panels themselves are, your fence is still vulnerable if the posts themselves are damaged or rotted. For that reason alone, it’s worth regularly checking them, especially if you’ve got timber fence posts. If you notice any serious rot starting to develop, or if you’d prefer to have extra peace of mind, it’s worth considering an upgrade to concrete fence posts instead.
Here at Welch Fencing we’re a trusted UK provider of concrete fence posts, and we even operate our own fleet to bring yours right to your door! (To find out more about this service, head over to our FAQs section.)
Consider a garden fence panel that’s more resistant to certain conditions
If you live in an area with frequent high winds, such as at altitude or on a coastline, it’s worth thinking about whether it’s worth a change from traditional Waney fencing boards. It’s true that they block more of the wind, but since they’re taking the brunt of it, that also means they’re more vulnerable to being blown over.
Instead, you might want to consider a change to a type of fencing panel with more ventilation, such as picket or pailing fencing panels. Since they allow more air to pass through, they’re able to withstand greater winds even in peak seasons like autumn and winter. Of course, the trade-off is that it might be a little windier in your garden, so the choice is ultimately up to you!
Whatever you decide to go for, rest assured we’ve got exactly what you need here at Welch Fencing. Make sure to check out our post on how to maintain your garden fence all year round, and if you need any replacement fencing boards, concrete posts or ancillaries, don’t hesitate to take a look round our site – we’re sure we’ll have what you’re looking for.
If not, or if you just need a bit of friendly guidance or advice, give us a call on 01772 336 476 and we’ll be happy to see how we can help!
