In recent years, outdoor spaces have taken on greater prominence in residential design. Here, John Abernethie, Managing Director at Birkdale outlines the modern fencing options that can provide the right balance between aesthetics and durability when compared to traditional timber solutions.
Good design when it comes to gardens and outdoor spaces has never been so important. Clients view gardens as an extension of their home; helping to maximise the living space and have a positive impact on their wellbeing. Traditionally used purely to create boundaries, offer privacy, and provide security, the evolution of the fencing design options available on the market means that they can now be used to help establish a stylish and interesting dynamic to an outdoor environment.
For example, fencing can be used to compartmentalise outdoor spaces, allocating areas for flower beds or traditional fruit and vegetable patches. Low rise fencing can be a practical choice to create ‘chill out’ areas and dedicated zones for hosting or barbequing, whilst full height fencing can hide unsightly but necessary aspects of an outdoor space, such as bin stores and heat pumps, for a more aesthetically pleasing finish.
As such, the careful selection of the overall fencing solution is crucial as it can have a significant impact on the visual design of the space.
Fence posts
Previously, there were limited options available in terms of fencing materials. Concrete and timber were the standard choice for posts alongside timber panelling. Whilst timber is considered aesthetically pleasing, it is less likely to withstand harsh weather conditions, as it is susceptible to rot and typically has a lifespan of only 5 to 10 years.
On the other hand, concrete posts are durable, but less visually appealing and have many other drawbacks. For example, concrete’s weight makes installation more challenging and expensive. Plus, from an environmental perspective, concrete is less desirable due to its carbon footprint during production.
As clients become more sustainably conscious, they are now more inclined to request recycled materials over virgin ones. Whilst timber is normally preferred in these circumstances as it is a natural product, specifying materials such as steel and aluminium may be a better solution, as they can be recycled at end of life and remain hardwearing throughout use.
Alternatively, galvanised steel ticks all the right boxes. Available in a range of powder coated colours, galvanised steel fence posts can provide a sleek, modern aesthetic and can add a smart finish to traditional timber panelled fencing. With colour options ranging from Anthracite Grey to Black, Olive Grey and Sepia Brown, the posts can complement concrete, metal and wood finishes and match other exterior features such as windows and guttering. Galvanised steel posts are also approximately 80% lighter than concrete alternatives making them safer and easier to install whilst offering a strong, durable and environmentally friendly alternative to concrete and timber.
Fence panels
While timber panels are the most commonly used in the UK, alternative materials can provide a cleaner and more modern aesthetic as well as increased durability.
Composite panels, for example, are available in a wide range of attractive colours and finishes. Using a single colour can create a background that allows other garden elements to stand out. Furthermore, when used innovatively, composite panels can create a completely new aesthetic to a client’s garden. Mixing or alternating panels with different colours can also help to create an eye-catching feature.
Composite panels are light and have low maintenance requirements thanks to long-term resistance to UV, damp, mould or insects. However, when looking at composite solutions it is important to do your homework into the supplier and its product, as not all composite panels offer the same level of quality, which could affect their performance against extreme weather.
Aluminium is another fence panel solution that provides a more durable and aesthetically pleasing alternative to timber. Birkdale’s DuraPost® SLEEK aluminium fence panels are available in two high quality design options – the SLEEK Privacy panel and the SLEEK Screen panel. Highly durable and low maintenance, the panels are extruded from 6063 aluminium and powder coated in Sahara Black as standard to ensure longevity of finish. For added peace of mind they also provide a CLASS A fire rating.
The impact of outdoor spaces on our sense of wellbeing will only ever grow in importance, and the latest fencing solutions provide a wealth of design freedom that can help to establish or enhance an exterior design. It is also good to know that with modern systems – you can specify products that perform for the long-term and are easy for contractors and landscapers to install; all whilst having minimal impact on the environment.