Advice On New Front Wood Fence.

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mattwnz

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#3192019 7-Feb-2024 17:02

Blurtie:

Here's a leftfield suggestion - Have you thought about putting some form of reflective film on your glass/windows? Not sure what it costs, but seems like a possible solution to your problem of wanting privacy in your living room..

They can be pretty ugly from the outside. I have also seem people install those internal shutters where you can angle them for privacy..

steve181

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#3192054 7-Feb-2024 18:11

mattwnz:

Why don't you attached self supporting trellis frames to the existing structure?.

The cheapest option could be to double side your existing fence and put some extensions on the posts, and potentially you could hide the post extensions depending on how you do it. You could close up the exisitng gaps as well. Not sure why they are spaced so far apart.

I've thought about tinkering with the existing fence but I feel like the end result would achieve the goal of privacy but at the expense of it looking cheap & tacky.

The fence is just one of several outdoor projects I have planned. I am also getting an aggregate concrete pathway put around the side of my house (to replace bark & stepping stones) & all new soft landscaping.

I purchased the house when it was 1 year old & the previous owners really cheaped out with the exterior.

mattwnz

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#3192056 7-Feb-2024 18:17

steve181:

I purchased the house when it was 1 year old & the previous owners really cheaped out with the exterior.

That is often the case. I am doing the same thing in terms of redoing fencing and paths on a new build.

SATTV

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#3192059 7-Feb-2024 18:26

One of our old neighbours did a fence in dressed shiplap and it looked stunning.

Knowing what I know now, I will never use a 100x100 wooden post, I would use steel or LVL.

Most wood used in fences is too green and will warp and twist especially with dark stain or paint.

You could look at compisit, I think biform does fences, you will never have to stain it, it wont warp or twist.

If you are planning to stay a few years do it properly.

If you are in Auckland I can not recommend Fencemate highly enough. https://fencemate.co.nz/services/fences/ Their work they have done for us in the past ( gates ) has been exceptional and mm perfect.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

mattwnz

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#3192070 7-Feb-2024 18:38

SATTV:

Knowing what I know now, I will never use a 100x100 wooden post, I would use steel or LVL.

You can sometimes account for this when building and having good strong connections. But yes some bending and twisting has to be expected and you often have to force the timber straight then connect it. You can also get kiln dried which can help when building things like gates.

neb

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#3193003 9-Feb-2024 19:40

Another option is an approximately wood-look aluminium fence, which I am now an instant expert on from having watched this Scott Brown video. Just adding another option there if it doesn't have to be wood.

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itxtme

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#3193063 9-Feb-2024 22:52

neb: Another option is an approximately wood-look aluminium fence, which I am now an instant expert on from having watched this Scott Brown video. Just adding another option there if it doesn't have to be wood.

Had to go watch it after that comment. Its a really good option, and colours they have looked good. Plus the added bonus of low maintenance and it looking good from both sides, which the one OP was showing clearly wont as they used a timber pailing to hide the horizontal joins. I fear how much it would cost though!

neb

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#3193065 9-Feb-2024 22:57

itxtme:
I fear how much it would cost though!

Good point, and their web site https://www.belairefencing.co.nz/ isn't very forthcoming. Scott mentioned he got "a great discount" but he still had to pay for some of it so it must be at least somewhat affordable.

Handle9

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#3193080 10-Feb-2024 00:27

Jase2985:

1.6m is an odd height, as fence pails typically come as 1200, 1500 and 1800mm.

why dont you just put 1800 fence pails over the outside of the existing fence, and trim it down to height, then stain it?

I just did a little vomit in my mouth.

Do the job properly or don't do it.

mattwnz

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#3193083 10-Feb-2024 00:37

Handle9:

Jase2985:

1.6m is an odd height, as fence pails typically come as 1200, 1500 and 1800mm.

why dont you just put 1800 fence pails over the outside of the existing fence, and trim it down to height, then stain it?

I just did a little vomit in my mouth.

Do the job properly or don't do it.

That reminds me of our fence which was supposedly built by a proper fencing company when the developers subdivided the land. However the fencers installed the rails around the wrong way. So in cross-section of the rail, the x value of the rail is double that of the y value, when it should be the other way around. So the horizontal rails have little strength to carry he load of the palings. So all the railings have sagged over time with the weight of the palings. So the fence waves up and down between the posts. I see the same error around town as well, so guessing they have built a lot of fences. So even getting it done professionally by a fencer is no guarantee that you will get good job, or any better than a DIYer can do it themselves.

mattwnz

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#3193084 10-Feb-2024 00:40

itxtme:

neb: Another option is an approximately wood-look aluminium fence, which I am now an instant expert on from having watched this Scott Brown video. Just adding another option there if it doesn't have to be wood.

Had to go watch it after that comment. Its a really good option, and colours they have looked good. Plus the added bonus of low maintenance and it looking good from both sides, which the one OP was showing clearly wont as they used a timber pailing to hide the horizontal joins. I fear how much it would cost though!

Personally I still like the look of timber fences, and they can last a very long time, even 30+ years if built well. I do wonder how long some of these PVC fences form example will last. The problem is that many aren't built well. So many that get built even have the palings in ground contact to absorb moisture and rot and warp. Then some builders will use rubbish quality timber full of knots to save a bit of money on the build.

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Jase2985

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#3193092 10-Feb-2024 07:05

mattwnz:

Personally I still like the look of timber fences, and they can last a very long time, even 30+ years if built well. I do wonder how long some of these PVC fences form example will last. The problem is that many aren't built well.

Its aluminium.....

tweake

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#3193133 10-Feb-2024 10:25

first thing is to check with council as to what the rules are.

for good urban appeal fences should be open as possible. tall solid fences turn streets into ghettos, so some councils do have rules to avoid that happening. as mentioned tall solid fences make it easier from crimes and generally attracts bad people as they can hide from view.

nova

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#3194348 12-Feb-2024 14:41

We built a fence out of garapa. Quite pleased with it, doesn't bleed as much as kwila and was a similar price. It was $15.95 / meter inc GST for 140mm wide planks (from one stop deck shop) so a bit more than pine, but if you are paying someone labour to build it then it might be worth it. On the basis that if you are going to spend upwards of $2K in labour, an extra $1K in materials is possibly worth it to get something that lasts longer. If you are using garapa you need to use 316 stainless steel, lower grades of stainless steel react with the acid in the wood and leave black stains.

Jase2985

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#3194362 12-Feb-2024 15:19

Based on my fence the pails using garapa would be about 4x that of pine for the same coverage.

The pails were about 1/3 the total cost of the fence without labour.

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