FENCING

Treated fence panels are ideal options for your garden because they protect for many years against rot. A dip-treated finish will last against rot for around a decade and will need retreating to maintain a fresh and looked after appearance.

A garden fence is a usually overlooked part of the garden that can bring an edge to your outside area. Spruce up a raised element of your garden with some inspiration and ideas.

• You can paint your wood panel fencing to suit a theme you want to carry throughout your garden, matching it to your outdoor furniture or plants and flowers.
• You could even make a statement with a two-tone panel, having the top portion of your fence one colour and the rest a lighter or darker shade.
• Attach a trellis to your fence to grow some climbing plants - this can help in covering bare areas and build height to your landscape
• Fix a garden mirror to help create the illusion of a larger garden and to add light to darker, more shaded areas.

To clean your fence, all you need is a bucket of warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush. Clean your fence panels in circular motions and pour fresh water over them to remove excess. Focus on removing spots of green algae as this can significantly improve its appearance.

To remove stubborn marks of dirt, you can use a pressure washer to quickly cut through the dirt and leave your fencing looking as good as new.

If you live in a particularly windy area and have had experience with your panelled fencing being blown over before, it might be a good idea to install fence panels with gaps to allow the wind to pass through. Alternatively, a concrete mix will help it stay sturdy and hold firmly in place against the elements.