Best fence panels: Choose the right fence for your garden

Fencing is a surprisingly pricey investment that no homeowner looks forward to purchasing.

Yet proper fencing offers a transformative effect when it comes to premium landscaping, offering privacy as well as an opportunity to plant beautiful climbers such as roses, wisteria and more.

What are the best materials for fence panels?

• Pressure-treated timber: one of the most common fence materials, preferred for its long-lasting and rustic nature, pressure-treated timber can last decades when properly cared for. The process of pressure treatment involves sealing the timber in a vacuum and forcing preservatives which prevent rot and insect infestation into the wood.
• Wood: other popular woods used for fencing include aromatic cedar and striking redwood. While both require sealants to preserve the natural finish of the wood, cedar is often left to naturally weather over time due to the appealing grey hue that forms.
• Metal: aluminium fencing is a value-for-money option which is lightweight and resistant to rust. Steel is a heavy-duty option which may need to be coated in protective materials to prevent rust. Wrought iron is a classic, though high-maintenance and rust-prone, vintage-inspired option.
• Composite: relatively new to the scene and gaining popularity among garden landscapers, composite fencing is an eco-friendly and long-lasting option which is usually made from recycled wood fibres and plastic. It’s highly resistant to rot, warping and fading.
• Bamboo: highly sustainable and aesthetically pleasing, bamboo looks great in gardens though doesn’t provide fantastic privacy.

What’s the best way to ensure that fence panels last?

• Buy pre-treated fence panels: as mentioned earlier, pressure-treated timber is fantastic for ensuring your fence will go the distance, especially if you follow up with a weather-resistant wood stain or sealant.
• Treat and seal fence panels at home: even pressure-treated timber panels require some aftercare, so the best way to ensure standard fence panels last is by restaining and sealing them every couple of years. This might require the purchase of a small electric sander to make the work easier and quicker.

We’ve rounded-up the most stylish and durable fence panels on the market. Keep scrolling to transform your garden into a walled oasis.

Hudson Fence Panel

Luxury composite fencing specialist Charles & Ivy has an array of stylish, private and eco-friendly fence panel options for those looking to switch it up. Though available in a variety of faux stone finishes, our favourite is the all-American light stone, which evokes the feeling of a suburb somewhere in the Hamptons.

Customisable to suit the layout of your garden and the bones that you’re already working with, though each panel is pricey, it’s an investment into the future value of your home.

Buy now £321.20, Charles & Ivy

Wickes Dip Treated Overlap Fence Panel - 6 x 5ft

Straight-edged with an overlap slat design for complete privacy, this fence panel from Wickes has been crafted with additional vertical strengthening battens for added durability. Dip treatment means that preservatives have been applied to the outer layer of timber, so that each panel has a 10-year guarantee against rot and fungal decay alongside periodic retreatment.

Buy now £31.00, Wickes

Forest Garden Europa Kyoto Fence Panel 6' x 4'

Inspired by the delicate serenity of Japanese gardens, this fence panel design combines horizontal weaving with a slatted topper. The frame is made with sturdy mortise and tenon joints for added strength, while the timber itself has a smooth-plane finish. It’s also protected with a 15-year anti-rot guarantee and manufactured from FSC-certified timber from sustainable sources.

Buy now £304.98, Toolstation

Forest Garden Contemporary Double Slatted Fence Panel - 1800 x 1800mm - 6 x 6ft

Simple and sophisticated, this double-slatted fence panel by Forest Garden offers privacy while letting some light and air flow through. Suitable for boundary fencing, screening or partitioning, Forest Garden’s fences are always made with sustainably sourced timber and always carry a 15-year anti-rot guarantee.

Buy now £98.00, Wickes

Western Red Cedar SertiWOOD Battens-Screen Slats (21 Pack) 1.65m2 Contemporary Fence or Cedar Cladding

Red cedarwood is an undeniably stylish option for garden fencing, though requires a pricey investment. By purchasing slats and crafting panels yourself, you might just save some extra money in the long haul. Just remember, it’ll naturally weather and turn a silvery grey colour unless you treat and re-treat the wood every few years.

Buy now £155.40, Etsy

Forest Garden Grey Painted Contemporary Slatted Fence Panel Pack of 4 6ft x 6ft 1.8m x 1.8m

One way to prevent your wooden fence from weathering is by purchasing a pre-painted option with a cool-toned finish. Though definitely on the pricier side, this pack of four slatted fence panels will elevate your garden tenfold, making it feel more like a luxury retreat than ever before.

Buy now £1372.61, Travis Perkins

Super Lap Pressure Treated Fence Panel 6ft x 6ft (1.83m x 1.83m)

A standard, budget-friendly option which doesn’t compromise on style and durability, the Super Lap pressure-treated fence panel will go the distance if cared for correctly. It comes with a 15-year anti-rot guarantee, has vertical battens for added strength, and has been cut to have clean lines rather than wavey edges.

Buy now £41.39, Travis Perkins

Richard Burbidge Sunburst Traditional Pressure treated Green Wooden Decorative fence panel (W)1.13m (H)0.76m

Perfect for gardening enthusiasts on the hunt for something a little bit different, this Sunburst fence panel by Richard Burbidge can be stained to any colour and is ideal for providing a screen or dividing section.

Buy now £52.00, B&Q

Forest Pressure Treated Vertical Tongue & Groove Fence Panel 1.83m x 1.83m Pack of 3

Most fences on the market have horizontal slats, but we’re fans of these neat and tidy vertical beams. The tongue-in-groove design ensures garden-wide privacy and the timber has been pressure-treated to ensure it lasts.

Buy now £430.92, Jewson

Venetian Hit And Miss Fence Panels

Jacksons Fencing offers specialist services whether you’re in the market for a standard garden fence, decking and landscaping, security fencing or agricultural fencing. This lovely timber fence has been treated with Jakcure for a 25-year guarantee and is further equipped with stainless steel fixings for a longer life.

It allows light and air through while maintaining privacy and looks fantastic on both sides, so you’ll have no trouble convincing your neighbour to go ahead with the renovation should you need their permission.

Buy now £151.20, Jacksons Fencing

Verdict

For durable, sustainable fencing that is sure to go the distance, look no further than Charles & Ivy. If you’re in the market for value-for-money fence panels that come with a decent wood rot guarantee, our top pick is the Wickes Dip Treated Overlap Fence Panel.

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