What are the best wood types slatted fencing and cladding. Redwood, Cedar, and Larch are all good options we recommend and install regularly.
A good size is 40mm x 40mm as this will allow great support whilst also being a bit more discreet. We recommend using slat lengths that are around 10 – 20cm shorter than the posts. Hold the timber tight against the slats and attach it to the post using a few 60mm screws.
Ipe wood is a popular choice for a horizontal fence if you use hardwood; a less expensive option is cedar for a softwood alternative. Once you get the posts properly set about six feet apart, it's just a matter of face-nailing the fence boards in even, level rows.
Hardwoods like Ipe and Mangaris are gorgeous when applied horizontally because the natural grain that runs the length of the planks creates a high-end look. Softwoods like pine, Douglas fir, redwood, and cedar are also great fencing choices.
Slatted fences can use wood planks or pickets of the same width or varying widths. Or slat fences can use other types of slat materials like composite planks, painted metal slats, galvanized metal slats, or aluminum.
To create a uniform gap within proportion, an 18-20mm space is recommended between boards.
The most common types of wood used for fencing are pine, cedar, redwood, cypress, and spruce. Before making any purchases, you have many things to consider like climate (weathering and the posts coming in contact with the soil), the scope of your project, the budget, the type of fence, and what you can afford.
Best Practice
Strength is important because a garden gate moves. As for wood choice, your best bet is a rot-resistant species (cedar, redwood, teak, mahogany).
For example, vertical fences are usually made from cheaper wood and are sold in pre-made packs while horizontal fences are usually taller and must be installed on-site. While many other factors are at play, it's safe to say a horizontal fence will cost you more.
Pickets or In-Fill Boards
©Austex Fence and Deck. As we mentioned above, people usually associate fences with pickets. Also commonly referred to as slats or boards, pickets are available in a variety of sizes and thickness levels. They are also available in multiple top styles like dog ear, flat top, and horizontal.
Bending a screw will often lead to breakage. As most fences are stationary, this may not appear to be an issue. However, fences do endure bending and twisting forces when the wind blows on a panel, when a heavy gate swings open, or when children climb over it. Nails do a much better job of bending without breaking.
The most commonly used wood types for fences are spruce, cedar and pine, so the longevity of your fence naturally depends on the type of wood it's made from. Cedar may last for 15-30 years, spruce may last for 4-7 years and pine may last for 5-12 years.
If you prefer things a bit more private, using double-slatted fence panels might be a better option. Thanks to the overlap with which the panels are mounted, you will still have airflow as well as light coming through your fence, but visibility is much more restricted with this version.
Gap: Small gaps between horizontal boards are standard for horizontal fences and impact the final appearance of the fence. Generally, we will use gaps between ¼” and 1”. If you want no gaps between boards, we would recommend using a tongue and groove board.
There are three common dimensions that get that 1 inch thick designation: 1/2", 5/8", and 3/4". We recommend going with the 5/8" or 3/4" option to avoid everything we mentioned above. Any company quoting an unbeatable price is likely selling you the thinnest pickets possible.
Deciding between vertical and horizontal wood slat walls can be a difficult task. On the one hand, vertical wood slat walls create a more modern look that can add interest to a room. On the other hand, horizontal wood slat walls provide a more traditional look and can be easy to install.
In most applications, a wooden fence should be mounted at least two inches off the ground. Your posts and rot boards (if you want to mount them) should be the only fence components that come into contact with the ground. Wood pickets are never meant to touch it.
Double Slatted fencing
Double-slatted designs feature slats on both sides of the fence, allowing for greater privacy. However, this does make them more challenging to paint and maintain.
For example, if your vertical short fence will be 100 lineal feet long and your boards are 6 inches wide with no gaps, this means that you'll need two boards per foot = 200 boards. Examine the length of each plank in relation to the height of your fence.
Most fences will be secured effectively using galvanised nails, but for coastal areas, stainless steel is recommended.
Slatted Fence Panel or Privacy Screen (Fully Installed) – Allow for $630 – $690 per square metre fully installed, depending on the colour you choose for the aluminium slats. You should also add an extra $70 for each fence post you require. Allow $150 if concrete is required to fix fence posts into the ground.
Building your own fence can potentially save you money, but it also depends on several factors. If you have experience in construction and have access to tools, it can be a cost-effective option. However, if you need to purchase tools and materials, it may end up being more expensive than hiring a professional.