A garden fence can mean a lot of different things to lots of different people. To some it is simply there to mark the boundaries of a garden, a barrier between their garden and the outside world, for others, it is a chance to get creative.
In this article, we will be looking at the different types of garden fencing options, garden fence ideas UK, ideas and inspiration for your own garden and what kind of fence makes the best garden fence.
Looking for a quick answer? Check out our drop-down menu below!
- Do You Need To Put A Fence Around Your Garden?
- Different Types Of Garden Fencing Options
- Garden Fence Ideas UK
- Is It Legal To Have An Electric Fence In Your Garden?
- Paint Your Fence: How To Give Your Fence A Makeover
- What Is The Best Garden Fence?
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Do You Need To Put A Fence Around Your Garden?
Before we look at the different kinds of garden fences, we will first look at whether or not you even need a garden fence. According to UK laws, there is no legal need to have a fence. Whilst they are useful to help make your garden feel more secure, there is no law against not having a garden fence.
Do You Need To Put A Fence Around Your Garden?
There are many different types of garden fencing options out there. You may think that a garden fence has to be your typical picket fence or perhaps a cedar wood fence, but this is not the case. A garden fence can be as bold and as colourful as you want and can be a chance to further elevate your garden.
When it comes to garden fences, the world is your oyster. You can go as reserved or as bold as you wish to.
Some of the bolder fencing options include:
- Gabion Fences
- Tyre Fences
- Driftwood Fences
- Bamboo Fences
- Pallet Fences
Whereas some of the more traditional fencing options include:
- Natural Wooden Fence
- Trellis Fence
- Wire Fence
- Picket Fence
There are hundreds of different ways you can model, style and dress up your garden fence. Consider it a chance to really express yourself.
Garden Fence Ideas UK
Now we have looked at some of the different types of garden fencing options that are available, we have compiled a list of some of our favourite garden fence ideas UK for you to be inspired by.
Natural Wooden Fence
We are starting off our list of garden fence ideas UK with the classic wooden fence. Whilst it might seem like a middle-of-the-road choice, there is a lot to be said for the humble garden fence. With a natural garden fence, your options of what you can do with it are seemingly endless.
With a natural wooden fence, you are able to paint it whatever colour you want, grow flowers through it, and decorate it with planters and baskets whilst also maintaining protection and privacy from unwanted guests.
If you decide to head down the DIY route, it is important to make sure you have suitable wood. Timber wood is a great choice for a natural wooden fence however Cedar Wood is the most popular. Cedar wood is strong and weather resistant, as well as gives your fence a glistening tint.
Bamboo Fence
A bamboo fence is a great way to bring a sense of peace and tranquillity to your garden. The distinctive aesthetic of the bamboo can transform any outdoor space, no matter the location, into a tropical beach hut vibe. The defined, glossy wood is perfect for covering problem areas in your garden, such as an eyesore in the form of a concrete garden wall.
Another plus to a bamboo fence is that it is incredibly decorative. Bamboo comes in a range of colours meaning it is easy to match up with your house and garden. It is also incredibly durable meaning that it holds up in both sun and rain with minimal maintenance necessary. However, if there is a storm forecast it is a good idea to air on the side of caution and take it down to avoid any damage being done to it.
Natural Plant Hedge
If you are looking for more budget-friendly and DIY-based fencing options, then the natural plant hedge has got you covered. It is the attractive and organic solution that will also shroud your garden in privacy. You can mark your beautiful boundaries in earthy style. The beauty of a natural plant hedge is that there are so many options that you can go for. You could plant a row of bamboo shoots or perhaps a Thuja conifer hedge. The garden design options that a natural plant hedge brings are endless.
Gabion Fence
A less commonly seen type of fencing option is a gabion fence. Whilst it may sound like a mythical creature of some sort, a gabion is a mesh cage that you can fill with anything from stones, rocks, logs or artefacts from the attic. A gabion fence is a chance to really express yourself whilst also maintaining a high level of privacy. A huge advantage to a gabion fence is that they are suitable for most gardens and depending on what you fill them with require almost no maintenance.
Trellis Fence
A trellis design is a name given to a wooden fence that is designed to have an interwoven, lattice look. They are perfect for supporting climbing plants and for hanging up solar lights, signs or any other gardening items that you own. A lattice design fence is also ideal for zoning your garden and you can build them as high as 6’6” without planning permission.
Another advantage to a trellis fence is that they come in a wide range of colours, styles and sizes and can be fitted to walls with ease.
Woven Fence
A woven fence is a fun and stylish take on the traditional natural wooden fence. As the name would suggest it is made up of wooden slats being woven in and out of each other to give the fence a rustic, bumpy look.
If you can find that your garden feel too enclosed, a woven garden fence may be the right way forward for you. They work particularly well in smaller or shaded gardens as the woven panels allow light through and help the garden to feel far more open.
Tyre Fence
A slightly more out there option, a tyre fence is a bold look for your garden. All you need to do to assemble your own is to collect a few recycled tyres over the year and stack them to your desired height. The plus point to a tyre fence is that you can personalise it, making it totally unique to you.
You can paint the tyres as well as leaving spaces between the tyres to plant mini flower beds or vegetable gardens.
Picket Fence
A white picket fence is a classic garden fence choice. As seen on tv and film sets, a front garden picket fence seems to set the scene of middle-class life. A picket fence is a versatile design that is available in a wide range of colours and sizes. They can make a garden feel much more open and are both easy to install and cost-effective.
Mesh Fence
A slightly more marmite fencing option mesh fencing is a very divisive choice. A mesh metal fence, whilst looking quite unassuming, can be a great way to keep an eye on what is happening both in and around your garden whilst also being durable and very low maintenance.
Shutter Fence
A shutter fence is another quirky fencing option for your garden. Similarly, to a trellis fence and a natural wood fence, you can grow plants off them, decorate them with solar lights, and signs and they also give your garden a homely feel. Another plus point is that they are easy to paint and personalise.
Driftwood Fence
A driftwood fence can give any home a rustic, beachy feel for a very pocket-friendly price. With a driftwood fence, you have the freedom to space your posts as far apart or as close together as you want, giving you control over how much privacy your garden gets.
Stainless Steel Fence
Whilst a wire fence can sound like quite an intimidating choice and can make you feel as though you are hiding away from the rest of the world, stainless steel fencing is a very popular choice. With fence panel coming in lots of shapes and sizes, it gives you the choice of exactly how much of your garden you wish to show off as well as offering a modern alternative to a classic garden fence.
Pallet Fence
Pallet fencing is a budget-friendly type of garden fencing option. The fence design brings both a rustic and modern feel to the garden and is easy to install.
The advantage of a pallet fence is that they are easy to source and paint and are an increasingly popular garden fencing option.
Is It Legal To Have An Electric Fence In Your Garden?
One of the more extreme types of garden fencing that we have not yet discussed is an electric fence. If you take a walk through the countryside, you are bound to have seen the familiar signs warning of an electric fence ahead. But are they legal in residential areas?
In short, it is completely legal to install an electric fence in your garden. However, if you are living in a residential area, there are still rules you will have to adhere to. If you do decide to install an electric fence, you will need to keep in mind the following:
- If you wish to install your electric fence near a roadway or a residential area where it will come into contact with the general public then you must have multiple signs placed at eye level warning of its presence.
- Any connecting leads or wires from your fence should not cross above power or communication lines.
- You must first perform a risk assessment before you install an electric fence. You must consider if there are any alternatives.
- It’s important that you choose high-quality products and parts and ensure that you have your fence properly installed. Whilst very few problems occur with modern electric fencing, poor installation can cause a heap of problems for homeowners.
- If you have razored or barbed wire should not be electrified by an energiser.
- You must make sure that animals or people will not be at risk of becoming entangled in the fencing.
- Your energiser earth electrode should not go at least a metre into the ground and make sure that any connected leads that run underground should be contained in insulated tubing.
- You should not place earth stakes in any ground that contains lots of stones and rubble (for example near building foundations) or near a tree. Dry soil will also affect the conductivity and effectiveness of your fence.
- You must ensure that your energiser and earth stake are at least 10 metres from any other power supply. Earth stakes must also be buried at least 10 metres away from any communication lines, main earth systems, and water pipes.
Paint Your Fence: How To Give Your Fence A Makeover
If you are happy with the fence that you have, but you are still fancying a change, there are plenty of other ways that you can give your fence a makeover.
One of the best garden fence ideas is to paint your fence. It is a great way to breathe new life into a tired fence and is cheaper than buying a new one. As paint comes in a wide variety of colours, it gives you the freedom to get creative and maybe try a colour you would not usually choose. Another advantage of using paint to give your garden a makeover is that if you don’t like it, you can simply paint over it.
If you have trellis panels and want your garden to have a more earthy feel by decorating your fence with hanging plants, lights, and other garden accessories. Growing plants through your it is another way to create a green, decorative fence.
Can I Install A Fence Myself?
You can install your garden fence yourself, but as with any DIY decision, there are pros and cons that come with it. You will need to factor in the type of fence you wish to install, the size of your garden, and how much expertise you have with building fences.
Pros Of Installing A Fence Yourself
- The biggest advantage of installing a fence yourself is the cost element. You will cut down costs by installing a fence yourself as you will not have to pay for extra labour.
- You will also get a lot more control over exactly what your fence will look like, right down to where it goes, what colour and style it is, and materials. The only limitations will come from local regulations.
Cons Of Installing A Fence Yourself
- You will have to take time out of your day to install the fence. That can be a con as after a long day at work, knowing that you have a DIY project to go home to can be a less than happy thought.
- Another downside is that installing a fence yourself will take longer than if you hired someone to do this. This is because usually, you will have two or so people working to install a fence, whereas if it is just you, the process will take more time.
- You will also have to do a considerate amount of research beforehand and make sure that you have the correct building equipment and permissions depending on the type of fence you are planning on building.
- Another downside to installing a fence yourself is that if something goes wrong, the fault will be laid directly at your feet.
How Tall Should My Fence Be?
In the UK, the standard rule is that the fence in your back garden should be at a height of 2 meteres maximum. The fence at your front garden should be at a 1 metre maximum.
What Is The Best Garden Fence?
There is no singular best garden fence. What is the best garden fence for one person, may be totally unsuitable for the other person. A bamboo fence, for example, is great if you live in a calmer area, but if you are by the sea and often frequented by strong winds, then it is probably a less suitable choice for you.
The best garden fence is completely down to the individual. The key to finding the ideal fencing option for you is to weigh up how much space you have in your garden, what your budget is, and what you want the style of fence to be. Are you looking for something more rustic, like a driftwood fence? Or do you want the extra privacy that a natural plant fence would bring?
Whatever it is that you are after, your ideal garden fence is out there. We hope that our list of garden fence ideas UK has given you the inspiration to transform your garden today.
This covers everything you need to know about the different types of garden fencing options and garden fence ideas UK. If you have any questions, queries or insight into the subject, please feel free to get in touch!
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Alexandra is a junior content producer who enjoys writing articles and finding out more about the property market. Read more about Alexandra here.
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