Fencing outside the box!

People want to put up fences for all sorts of reasons – whatever your client’s reason may be, these simple steps will help you take the final result to new heights!

As with any project, it’s important you consider your client’s budget when building a fence. However, with a bit of extra design and planning work, a standard rail and paling fence can be made to look stylish and even add value to your client’s property without breaking their bank. Consider the following next time you’re tasked with erecting a fence:

Capping rails
These not only help make fences look good, they have the added advantage of reducing paling movement. Generally they cost just $4 to $5 more per metre than standard rails.

Vary the height of palings
Cutting palings so that they form a curve is a simple way to make a fence stand out.

Trellis tops
A perennial favourite of homeowners is the trellis top. The top panels can be purchased ready-made, so installation is easy.

Alternating palings
Alternating the paling on each side of the fence not only creates a great look, it is also a good way to keep your client’s neighbour happy by giving them a good-looking finish too.

Horizontal palings
Using horizontal palings is another way to make a fence look different. It should be noted that horizontal palings also make fences easier to climb, so they should not be used when the purpose is to close off an area or where there is potential for people to injure themselves.

Different colours or materials
Using different coloured stains to create a contrast effect is a cost-effective and simple way to make a fence stand out. You can also use two different types of materials to achieve the same effect.

Planting your fence
It’s worth checking with your client whether or not they want to plant anything near the fence once it’s completed. If they do, it can be easily achieved by simply allowing enough room for the plants; or, build the fence around existing plants.

Painting
If your client wants their fence painted, it’s possible to buy pre-primed palings that can reduce time and cost.