In choosing fence materials, wood fence panels are more favored by people for three reasons: it looks more natural than plastic or metal fences, it is easily repaired, and it can protect against the elements for a cheaper price.
Wood panels are made from among several types of wood, with each having many styles. The panels may either be untreated or chemically composite decking boards treated to resist weathering and insects. But even when treated, wood fence panels are not as durable as aluminum or vinyl.
Cedar, spruce, pine and cypress are common materials used to make wood fence panels. Once they are made, they are usually cut in 8-foot long sections. However, they can easily be made shorter if needed. The panels can be pre-styled in several ways – dog-eared, Gothic top, lattice, split-rail, among others.
Wood fences are usually pre-made, but may also be assembled on site. The panels may be joined in one of three ways – privacy, picket or post and rail. Privacy fences are about 6 feet tall or higher, and the panels are arranged adjacent to each other. Picket fences are shorter, about 4 feet tall, with the panels spaced apart. Post and rail fences are also short, and have 2-4 horizontal beams (the rails), with the posts at regular intervals.
Wood panels
Wood panels may be treated to make them last longer. Using a combination of pressure and preservatives, wood can be treated to better resist termites and fungi. Among the wood varieties, spruce and pine readily accepts treatment, while cedar does not normally need any treatment.
Wood fence panels are more suitable for suburban or countryside areas. In choosing a wood panel, one needs to consider the cost of wood and the overall design. Cedar is more expensive but also more durable, while pine is among the cheapest. A post-and-rail fence requires the least wood and is one of the cheapest designs, while privacy fences are the most expensive.
The Garden Fence Panel
The typical garden fence panel can have many uses far beyond its usual purpose. Many panels can be used indoors as well and make wonderful decorations. A picket type panel, usually between 4 and 6 feet in length, can make an ideal child’s headboard with a few adjustments and creative painting.
These small, white picket panels can also be applied to a child’s bedroom walls as a means of creating a forest or garden scene for an easy and decorative display, instantly giving your child’s room a wonderful and unique decoration style that is sure to be a topic of conversation whenever you have guests over to your home.
In the garage, the smaller garden panel can also be applied to walls as a means of protection from typical garage wear and usage. Light and small and generally 4 feet in height, small panels can be applied easily with nails to the drywall in one afternoon and are ideal for guarding against stains and damage from car doors, tools and machinery.
Garden fence panels
Of course, garden fence panels are also wonderful when used in the lawn. But even there, these handy panels can be applied in many numerous and creative ways to solve several common garden problems.
Better and more durable than a tarp, garden panels make wonderful shelters for various plants and areas where shade is needed or preferred. composite fencing panels While plastic, muslin or fabric tarps can offer shelter, they are not as sustainable as fencing nor do they remain placed properly against the elements. Placing a fence panel over an area where shade is desired, offers both function as well as an interesting garden decor.
Fence panels also offer a hearty and stable trellis for many vines where the usual trellis design may not be sufficient. Vines which can grow heavy during their growth season can sometimes break or bend the typical wood slat, metal or PVC type trellis designs. A privacy panel, typically 6 by 8 feet would hold a larger plant vine for many years to come.
Stakes can be nailed to the support boards on the back of the panel and placed in the ground using cement, clay or gravel as a support feature at the base. Since garden fence panels tend to have little room between each board, for climbing vines, it’s best to apply hooks throughout the front of the panel to help train the vine as it grows. If treated prior to staking and planting, this creative and interesting panel will support any plant for as long as is needed.
