They say an Englishman’s home is his castle, and we are certainly very protective of our own little area of the world.  Perhaps that is why fences and trellis panels are so prevalent in our gardens to set up demarcation lines with neighbouring properties (remember than all your posts and fencing must lie in your garden), and for privacy and security.  However, increasing numbers of modern housing estates have stipulations that front gardens must be open plan in design – with no fences.

Although an instant impact may be achieved with a fence or trellis, they can’t be erected and then forgotten about.  Maintenance is required to prevent rot.

There are two main types styles of fence: solid or open.  Solid fences usually comprise of wooden panels (mainly pine or larch) that have interwoven or overlapping slats of wood attached to frames.  These panels are available in a range of sizes and may or may not have spaces between the slats.  You need to bear this in mind when making a choice, as panels with no gaps between the slats create greater resistance to the wind and are therefore more likely to be blown down in high winds.  If your garden is in a particularly exposed windy site, I would opt for something that offers more tolerance of the wind.  Another popular type of solid fence is panels of bamboo lashed together.  These fences are inexpensive, afford great privacy and shield some wind, but their longevity is limited.

Open fences include picket (vertical boards fixed to horizontal rails) most often seen in suburban front gardens.  Post and rail fences are inexpensive and strong, with two or more horizontal rails fixed between posts, but aren’t the most attractive fences unless covered by shrubs and trees.  Perhaps the most expensive option is railings which are usually made from cast or wrought iron.

A trellis can be used as a design feature on their own, a boundary marker or a support for fledgling plants and flowers.  They come in many shapes and sizes (and colours too!) and are quite inexpensive but can give dramatic effects.  Trellises are also good at concealing ugly buildings or outhouses.