How to Guide
Fencing Buying Guide
Fences are the easiest and cheapest way to create a boundary within an outdoor space. We have a wide range of fencing so whether you are securing your outdoor space for security, children, pets, or creating a zone within your garden, we will have something for you.
We protect the wood against insect, decay, and rot using:
Vacuum pressure treatment- The preservative is pressurised into the timber under a high-pressure environment. This treatment provides a longer lasting finish and protection compared with dip treating.
Close board/feather edge panel – The most popular panel, with overlapping vertical featheredge boards to provide a structural and secure panel. Commonly used for boundary screening to provide your garden with privacy and security. This type of panel is easy to repair with only replacing certain boards rather than the whole panel.
Open Trellis fencing – With a variety of different shapes and sizes – Diamond, Square, fan or arched shaped it’s a great fence if you’re looking for a border which can also aid and support the growth of plants.
We suggest pairing the trellis with strong plants like roses, Wisteria floribunda, climbing Hydrangea or Ivy allowing for structure and style in your garden.
Picket / Pale Fencing – It is a great way to give your garden a solid boundary but also allows the perfect balance of sunshine and air flow. With a choice of rounded or pointed tops, easy to install- all you need is a solid fence posts spaced evenly apart then simply screw the picket fence to the post.
How to paint a Fence/Gate/Door with Wood Paint
List of Equipment that is required
1. Exterior Wood Primer
2. Exterior paint
3. Garden ties (optional)
4. Sandpaper
5. Paint Brush
6. Plastic Sheet
7. Mask
8. White Spirit
9. Protective suit/old clothing
Step 1
Look at the weather forecast – you need at least 24 hours of dry weather to allow the paint to fully dry. You must try to paint the fence when the weather conditions are above 5 degrees as the cold air can prevent it drying. You also do not want it to hot as the heat can dry the paint out to quickly and will not soak into the wood correctly.
Step 2
Remove or cover with plastic sheets any plants/vegetation to allow space to work. If there are any plants still touching the panel or gate remove them, cut them back or pin them back with a plant tie.
Step 3
Prepare the wood by removing any old nails or screws. Sand down any splintered or rough areas to ensure they are smooth as possible to improve the overall finish.
Step 4
Add a layer of primer onto the wood, this will give the wood a base layer providing a better finish and reduce the amount of paint the wood will use on the final coat.
Step 5
Choose what method you are going to use to paint the wood
1. Paint brush – get a large brush and follow the direction of the grain to give you a better and smoother finish. Ensure that you apply a good quantity onto the timber but not too much that it leave drip marks.
2. Pump/power sprayers – if you are going to use a sprayer make sure that the paint you are using is compatible in the sprayer type. Try and avoid spraying on a windy day as paint can be blown onto unwanted areas.
Step 6
Clean the paint brush as soon as you have finished as it will preserve them for future use. Clean them with white spirit for an easier cleaning process.
Decking Buying Guide
There is a variety of decking ex 125mm x 25mm lengths available from Timberlink which include:
2.4m, 3.0m, 3.6m , 4.2m, 4.8m, 5.4m
If you are investing in improving your garden to allow social and quiet space, you want to ensure it stays looking fresh for as long as possible. You need to be willing to do the following tasks which will help decide if decking is the right choice for your garden.
- Provide a well-drained base for your decking to be placed upon
- Removed debris such as leaves and branches off the surface of the decking. In addition to removing debris and weeds from the gaps to ensure rainwater can easily drain away. Not causing water to lie which will accelerate damaged and stained boards.
- Try not to put BBQ’s on the decking as the heat can damage the boards
- Items such as plant pots, benches or furniture can cause strains on the decking, so move them regularly.
- Clean the decking at least twice a year
- Wooden decking will require oiling or straining every few years to prevent water damage.
Not only do you require the decking itself, you will also need to think about purchasing the below:
- Joist - This will create a suitable base underneath the decking boards and provide a “subframe” for the decking to lie on. Decking joists are used to provide stability and improve resistance from slipping. Follow the link to see the Joists available at timberlink- Joists
- Decking risers- These ensure that the ground underneath the joists are level and at the correct height.
- Balustrades and Spindles - These are used to create a secure rail around the decking, to add a safety barrier to reduce falling in addition to adding a touch of decoration to your outdoor space.
- Steps- Allowing access to the Decking, which is a key accessory for those with children, raised decking or pets. The steps can also be attached to most type of decking with ease.
Calculating Post and Rail Fence Requirements
Example – The fence you wish to create is 20m long and you want it to have 3 rails high
Below is how to calculator the number of Rails and Posts required for this example
Rails – (3.6m x 87mm x 38mm)
20m / 3.6m = 5.55m
5.55m x 3 rails = 16.66 Rails Required
Posts
For posts every 6 feet = 1.83m
20m / 1.83m = 10.928 +1 =12 Posts
*Note 1 Post must be added for the end Post