10 questions to ask before buying willow fencing

5 June

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Willow fences are a wonderful addition to any outdoor space, offering many benefits. If you’re considering adding willow fencing to your garden, here are ten useful questions to ask before buying.

1. Will I need planning permission?

In the UK, you only need planning permission to erect a fence if:

• Your fence exceeds 2 metres (6.56ft) in height.
• Your fence will be adjacent to a vehicle highway and exceeds 1 metre in height.
• Your property is a listed building or in a conservation area.

You may still need to check who owns the boundary and who is responsible for maintaining it, but there is nothing to stop you erecting a fence on your side of the boundary.

2. What is the difference between framed and ribbon edged willow fence panels?

Framed

Framed willow fencing panels are a more contemporary take on the traditional hurdle. Their framed look makes them a great choice for modern properties or more formal gardens with clean lines. Framed panels can also be purchased with trellis for a different look.

Ribbon edged

Ribbon edged willow fencing follows traditional patterns used for hurdle fencing to contain animals. It offers a more organic aesthetic, particularly suited to period or country style properties, or rural cottage gardens.

3. What size fence panels are available?

Our framed willow fencing can be made-to-measure. We also hold stock of standard sizes (also available with a trellis top – add 1 ft onto the below measurements for their size):

• 6ft wide by 6ft high (1.83 metres)
• 6ft wide by 5ft high (1.52 metres)
• 6ft wide by 4ft high (1.22 metres)
• 6ft wide by 3ft high (0.91 metres)
• 6ft wide by 2ft high (0.61 metres)

The woven section defines the height, with vertical stakes on the ribbon fencing adding an extra 6 inches at the top and bottom- these are for decorative purposes and can be trimmed if required.

All measurements are approximate and, owing to the nature of this handcrafted product, may vary.

Due to its natural construction, slight variations in colour, weave, and width may occur.

Our ribbon fencing is also available made-to-measure, ideal for a bespoke willow fencing project. It also comes in the same standard sizes we offer for framed panels (excluding 2ft high).

4. How easy is willow fencing to install?

All our willow fencing is incredibly straightforward to install. For our framed willow fence panels, you will need fence posts (wooden or concrete) driven securely into the ground. The willow fence panels can either be mounted in-between these posts or in front of them.

Our ribbon edged panels can be mounted in the same way, or placed onto a framework. See the pictures below for some examples.

Framed fence mounted between concrete posts

Framed fence with trellis mounted in front of fence posts

Ribbon edged fence placed onto a framework

5. How easy is willow fencing to maintain?

If you’re concerned about how to preserve willow fencing, don’t worry – it’s very easy to maintain. Brushing your fence panels at regular intervals with a stiff brush will remove any debris and cobwebs, refreshing the fence and keeping it looking spick and span.

The best way to ensure the longevity of your willow fence is to apply a treatment. This treatment should be a mixture of boiled linseed oil and turpentine. Apply it to every fence panel up to twice a year to prolong their lifespan.

Our Fence Panel Protector packs contain everything you need treat up to four of our standard 6ft x 6ft fence panels.

6. How much wind protection / privacy do willow fences offer?

Willow fences are a natural windbreak, able to withstand even high winds and remain stable. The design and construction of the panel withstands the wind because the weave allows some of it to pass through.

Willow fences provide plenty of privacy and comfort; their natural aesthetic adds a welcome rustic touch to any outdoor sanctuary. They can also be used to zone areas of your garden, or hide things you’d rather not see – like bins and septic tanks.

7. How long do willow fence panels last?

If properly maintained, a willow fence should last five to seven years – depending on its location. Direct sunlight or exposure to wet environments will cause the willow to degrade more quickly.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Highway Fencing.

Regular maintenance with Fence Panel Protector will help prolong the life of your fence panels.

8. How do I work out how much willow fencing I should buy?

Plan out and measure exactly where you want to put your willow fence. Be sure to account for any trees or other garden features that could affect where your fencing boundary will go. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding sizes. We are more than happy to assist you with your selection.

Mark the locations for all your fence posts and measure out the entire fencing boundary – now you’ll know how much willow fencing you need to buy. If it transpires that you need unusual sizes of fencing, at Musgrove Willows we supply bespoke willow fencing, offering alternative made-to-measure panels to accommodate all fencing projects.

Please note bespoke made-to-measure fencing can not be returned or refunded (please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more details.) 

It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure they order the correct size and quantity of panels prior to delivery.

9. How long will it take my fence panels to arrive?

Our willow fence panels are usually made to order, handwoven onsite using willow grown right here at our Somerset farm.

Delivery times fluctuate according to demand (spring and summer are particularly busy times); our fences usually take between 2 to 12 weeks to be delivered. Our team will keep you updated on delivery times, so you’ll know exactly when your beautiful willow fence panels will arrive.

10. I have other questions, where can I get help?

Fencing Quality: How Can You Tell a Good Fence from a Shoddy One?

It can be a lot of fun visiting fencing showrooms and shopping around for the right solution for your home. But what should you look out for when testing out the fencing samples in the showrooms? And what are the right questions to ask the salesperson?

There can be vast differences in the level of product quality that fencing companies are capable of providing. So, it is important to know what to look out for.

We’ve put together some top tips for you to follow – which should help enable you to identify quality products from shoddy materials and workmanship.

Materials

In order to get a fence that will stand the test of time, you’ll want to make sure that the product is made from high-quality materials and components.

Steel and aluminium are both great options for low-maintenance, durable fencing, but it’s important to know the difference between the two, as well as the difference in quality that you can come across.

Aluminium

• Aluminium is a relatively inexpensive fencing material when compared to steel, so the price of the fencing should reflect that when compared to similar steel options.
•  It is also a relatively lightweight metal. So, if security is a high priority for you in your fencing, make sure the fencing contractor uses high-quality aluminium, with thick slats or tubes. At Fencemakers, the Australian aluminium we use is significantly thicker than the imported aluminium used by many other contractors. Be sure to feel, tap, lift and swing the fencing samples. The aluminium should feel strong and should not be flimsy or easily pliable.

Steel

• Steel should feel much heavier and sturdier than even the highest quality aluminium.
• While steel is an extremely robust and durable metal, low-quality and un-treated steel can rust over time. This is especially the case in wet and humid weather conditions. So, ask if the steel has been pre-galvanised to make it rust-proof.
• Ask too whether the steel used in the fencing is Australian or it is imported. Imported steel tends not to be pre-galvanised. Furthermore, the seam of the steel is usually at the edge of the tubing. This means splitting can occur after exposure to the elements.

Colour / Paint

Most people don’t opt for the silver look of aluminium and steel – they want their fencing to complement their home. If this is the case for you, ask about how the fence is coloured. Is it painted, coated in vinyl, or powder coated?

Powder coating is the best option to go for here, as it is the most durable solution. The colour is treated onto the metal using a five-step process that binds the colour to the metal. As well as giving the metal an extra layer of protection and durability, it also means that the colour will not chip or peel off – which isn’t the case with paint or vinyl coating.

Welding Quality

The quality of the welds at the joining points of the fence is one of the most important factors you will need to consider. This determines the strength and durability of the fence. And you don’t want the welds to start coming apart over time.

When viewing the samples provided by the vendors in the showroom, remember to examine the welds. Here are a few things to look out for:

• Any imperfections, such as bubbling, cracking and metal beading that does not look uniform in size and shape. While it is virtually impossible to create a weld that is perfectly uniform, it should look clean and neat with no gross imperfections.
• Pay particular attention to any areas where oxygen could get into the interior of the weld, as this can lead to oxidation, which can make the weld brittle.
• As you examine each sample, push and pull on the joints to ensure that they feel tough and sturdy. There shouldn’t be any give at the welded joints, as this is a sign of a weak or improper weld.
• Another very important question when it comes to steel fencing is to ask what steel is used in the welds. Even if you’ve covered this question when asking about the steel used in the slats or tubing, ask about the welds specifically. Many fencing suppliers scrimp on quality and use mild steel for the welds. This effectively means the structural part of the fencing is not rust-proof. In turn, this could lead to you having to fork out for fixes and replacements sooner than you thought! So, make sure the welds are made of a high-quality stainless-steel which is rust-proof.

Screws, Hinges & Other Fixtures

Similar to establishing the quality of the welds, ask about the screws, hinges and bolts they use. Are these stainless too? If not they will rust quickly and need to be replaced after a season or two in the rain and/or humidity in Perth!

Fencemakers Offers High-Quality Fencing Installations

Here at Fencemakers, we pride ourselves on creating aluminium and steel fences and gates that are of the highest quality in Perth and Western Australia. We are committed to excellence in every fence and gate we create, and we offer a fifteen-year workmanship warranty on any fence or gate we install.

Want more information on Railway Fencing? Feel free to contact us.