Best fencing for coastal areas

Choosing the best fencing for a coastal area is important as not every fence panel will suit being in an area prone to high winds.

Fence panels and high winds

Wind is a big threat to coastal fencing and homes. When looking at different fence panels you should consider which panel will work with the wind and not against it.

Wind can put stress on the fence panel itself and in particular the fence posts. Without deep and secure foundations, the fence will fail within a short amount of time.

Which fence panels are best for coastal areas

Semi-solid fence panels that allow wind to pass through are the best type of fencing for coasts. Instead of fighting against the wind, the fence panel will not put up as much resistance, and can filter through, causing less stress on the panel and posts. Designs like Hit and Miss are ideal fencing options as they offer privacy to your home, and due to their design of alternating boards attached to the front and back of the fence panel, it leaves gaps for the wind to pass through.

Venetian fence panels are great for screening and to keep the coastal views flowing. Made using 45mm rails with 15mm cap between each rail, wind can easily pass through, and clear views beyond your garden are unhindered.

For a continuous slatted design with no posts to interrupt the design, Metro is the ultimate coastal fence. This modern fence panels are a great option when privacy is not a concern, like Venetian

Opting for a traditional picket fence is another option that will put up very little in terms of resistance for the wind, and provide a simple solution to line the boundary of the property.

Which fence posts should I use in coastal areas?

The size and installation of your fence posts will determine how strong your fence is. For coastal areas, fence posts need to be installed deeper into the ground to give a solid foundation to the fence.

We recommend using heavy duty posts in coastal areas. As the name suggests, these posts are designed for heavy duty purposes such as taller heights, heavy panels, and challenging ground or weather conditions. The posts are thicker than standard slotted posts and available in longer lengths, enabling them to take more strain.

Fence posts should always be designed and treated to withstand the test of time. There is no point installing a large deep fence post if it rots after a few years, always look for a product that has a long guarantee. Also, look at the design of the fence to make sure water doesn’t puddle anywhere, an example of this is any horizontal rails. They should be angled so no surface is flat and able to hold water.

How deep should you install fence posts in coastal areas?

We usually recommend fence posts should be installed 600mm deep. In windy or marshy conditions, we recommend installing fence posts deeper to provide additional support.

Stainless steel fixings in coastal areas

As you may know salt is very corrosive. It can be damaging to fixings and timber if not properly protected. Fixings should be stainless steel as that offers the best layer of protection and will last longer in salty conditions.

Best protection for timber fencing

How the timber is treated, and the length of the guarantee will also be an indictor as to how long the fencing will last. Longer guarantees will offer more protection against the coastal weather. Always opt for pressure treated timber as preservative is forced into the centre of the wood, giving it an all-round layer of protection.

Stay away from concrete

Not only will your fence panels rattle in the coastal winds as there is no way to secure the fence panel to the post, but high winds could cause the fence panels to be blown out of the posts. With nothing securing the panel to the post, the slight gap underneath the fence panel could direct the wind under and therefore put pressure on the fence panel lifting it out of the posts itself, causing considerable damage to the surrounding areas and leaving your property unsecure.

An alternative to concrete posts, are metal posts. We manufacture Mi-T garden fence posts a ‘T’ shaped post that it suitable for use with any other a framed fence panel. Mi-T posts are just a strong as concrete and are a much more sustainable option.