Advice needed for Fence Panel and Post

[ksher]

After a breezy morning



Those panels and posts were only fitted 5 years ago. I am now considering putting concrete posts (8ft tall: £13.20 each). Does anyone have concrete posts rather than timber posts in the garden. Are concrete posts really much stronger against storm/wind? Materials will cost £200 (6 panels and 6 posts - 3 panels still standing on the right are not going to last very long), plus unknown labour? Will concrete posts cost more to fit (but I can't think any difference from timber one)?

Also, is it a general rule that left fences are the liability of the house owner? I checked my title deed today, it states if boundary with no "T", both parties should share evenly the cost of repair/maintenance. When I went to my neighbour about replacing the broken fences 5 years ago, he said it is my responsibility. I am not going to pay the full cost again this time, if the deed clearly says we should both share the cost. :x Any thoughts?

 

[Beancounter1980]

Nightmare mate.

I had two full sides blow down on my old house. The guys who lived there previously didn't exactly put any sturdy panels up tbh. I think panels full stop are worthless. You are better in investing a much more stronger fencing system. I'm talking thick concrete bollards and proper thick wooden structure pieces.

Nothing like those above!

I feel your pain mate...sodding wind!!!!!!!!!

 

[gannet]

we have concrete posts one side (the side we responsible for) and wooden ones the other (the side we aren't)... the non concrete side was replaced last year and has already blown down twice - corners cut by installed but we had nothing to do with it...

concrete side is still holding firm...

as to sides it really is down to the deeds and individual parts... fence we are responsible for is the right hand side of our garden.

 

[Angus McCoatup]

Commiserations Ksher - a common scene around some parts of England I'd imagine.

I had concrete posts put in over 10 years ago and they are great - still as solid as a rock and seem to look as good as new. Big problem with wooden ones is they eventually rot at ground level and break at that point when exposd to strong winds. Concrete ones don't, so they should last for ages. Even if it costs a bit more for concrete, it's well worth it in my opinion.

What will still happen is that older fence panels will break along the horizontal strengthening bars when subjected to a strong wind. But with concrete posts, it's then just a simple question of buying a new panel (£15 or so) and slotting it in to the posts. Putting gravel boards at the bottom can help because it means the lower horizontal strenthening bar of the fence panel is lifted clear of the ground and will therefore not rot / lose strength as quickly.

Sorry, no idea about the liability. I've always worked on the basis it comes down to common decency to share the costs, but maybe I've been lucky with my neighbours. An alternative way of looking at it might be to find the nearest house to you with a side fence that runs alongside the pavement and, on the basis that no one should end up having to look after both sides, work up from there until you get to your house.

 

[lacroupade]

Those posts look as if they've snapped off, so probably nasty in the first place and have rotted quickly.

You could always call his bluff.....but the problem is theres no compulsion on him - the reality is that you're not legally obliged to have a fence in the first place, even when one existed previously; all this maintenance of boundries stuff is superfluous in that sense. But you could try just telling him that since the deeds say what they do, you'll wait until he decides to chip in?

But frankly its not worth pissing people off for the sake of 200 quid.

If you get the right materials in the first place - decent quality posts and panels, it will last a lot longer. Concrete posts should be OK and will save having to dig out the base ever again.

Oh and this time, since the arse isn't paying, have the nice side of the fence facing you!

or last resort, plant leylandii LMAO!

 

[pvr]

Sorry - but that fence looks poor quality. Featherboard like that never lasts.

 

[Broaders]

Sorry to see your fence looking worse for wear. The losts further up the garden look goosed as well.

Concrete posts are the way forward.

Get quality panels from a timber merchant or specialist fencing provider. In my experience they are much better quality than those sold in the DIY stores and not normally any more expensive.

You should get 15 years from a well put up quality fence, even in the UK winds.

Good luck!

 

[ksher]

I paid over £400 for people supplying and fitting 4 panels and posts 5 years ago. The panels were not that bad, only the posts were not strong enough.

 

[pvr]

Hmm, I just paid over £200 per panel, but those are the solid wood ones and not featherboard. To be honest paying £100 a panel - you get what you pay for ...

 

[ksher]

The problem is the posts. They are 75mm x 75mm wooden posts. The posts rotted and broke. I think the solution is concrete posts. I don't spend time in garden, not even in summer. I just feel unsecured if people can easily get in my territory.

 

[Rudd]

you can still use timber posts, larger size or doubled up in very windy areas. get some that have been treated/soaked in oils etc. then make some nice deep holes to put them in and wrap them in an additional vapour barrier before setting them in concrete.

i dont like the look of concrete ones to be honest, after a while they look dirty and a bit ''shameless estate'' IMO

edit: as others have said, a bit of investment in a better quality fence all round would be a much better solution long term

 

[pvr]

Good fences make good neighbours 8)

 

[Rudd]

so does topless sunbathing

 

[srhutch]

The problem is the posts. They are 75mm x 75mm wooden posts. The posts rotted and broke. I think the solution is concrete posts. I don't spend time in garden, not even in summer. I just feel unsecured if people can easily get in my territory.

Do what a cat does, that will keep them off your territory.