Fences have to stand up to a lot. Constant rain, hot sun, drought and high winds – and that’s just the summer! As the mercury plummets and we head into the winter months, the chance of gales and storms rapidly increases.
Forest Garden, the UK’s largest manufacturer and distributor of wooden garden products, makes up to 55,000 fence panels every week – meaning ample replacements for any impacted by storm damage.
But fence damage – or the worst of it, anyway – can be avoided if you take some simple steps at this time of year.
Here, Jenny Davis, Head of Marketing for Forest Garden, shares tips for keeping fencing in the best condition this winter:
Check the posts
This is one of the most common causes for a fence not staying upright. Concrete posts which have become loose in the ground should be dug out and reset in fresh concrete. Timber posts which have rotted should either be replaced or can be repaired with steel repair spikes or concrete repair spurs.
Reinforce damaged panels
Replacement fence panel battens and caps are available to replace – and reinforce any panels that are damaged, but if damage is extensive the whole panel should be replaced. Remember, if the high winds hit, fences tend to act like sails in the wind. They can literally get carried away.
Check for rot
Rotting wood will compromise the integrity of your fence. Check for signs of rot before winter sets in.
Clear the surroundings
Make sure that trees and plants aren’t too close to your fence. In heavy winds, a heavy tree branch can be blown into your fence resulting in significant damage.
Forest Garden has a wide range of fence designs with a choice of style, construction, treatment, height, posts and accessories. The collection brings together the latest designs combined with innovations, from traditional to noise-reducing panels, to decorative screens and low-level fencing.
Forest Garden fencing carries either a 10 or 15-year anti-rot guarantee.
View the collection at forestgarden.co.uk