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Design your fence
Design your fence online, DIY Plans, designs and price guides for Picket, Paling,
Horizontal Slat, feature walls and screens, pergolas, gazebos, huts, retaining walls and much more!
Fencing and gates can be constructed from many different materials including timber, brick, steel, iron, brushwood, glass, stone even natural planting or prefabricated materials. For some, fences are a matter of art and there are no limitations on the materials or styles that can be used.
Before choosing a design for your fence, you first need to determine your requirements. Fences are not only used as a boundary or divider, but are often designed with a special purpose. Some common requirements for fence design include:
Aesthetics - most commonly for front or courtyard fencing, decorative fencing can improve the look, or change the look of your home. Decorative fencing often takes advantage of a combination of different materials (such as brick piers and timber pickets), to form formal or traditional designs, often reflecting features already present in your home. A book is often judged by its cover, just as your home is judged by the first impression of a visitor. One of the best and quickest ways to add value and immediate appeal to your property is to construct a new decorative front fence and gate, maybe combined with an entrance arbor or pergola. See our online shop for more plans and ideas.
Privacy - privacy is a two way thing, and in most situations, is appreciated by both parties. If you have a concern regarding privacy first speak to your neighbours as you will most probably find they hold the same concerns. If you and your neighbour are in agreement, and no other properties are affected, in most cases you do not require further approvals before construction. The degree of privacy required will in some way affect the design and materials of the proposed privacy screen. For example, a solid screen could be made from solid material such as brick and stone, or a lightweight timber screen such as horizontal slat or lattice designs are usually constructed from timber.
Sound - todays most common cause of neighbourhood disputes stem from inappropriate sound, (noise). The most efficient material to reduce sound levels will depend upon the frequency of the sounds. A common misunderstanding is that the more solid the fence the more sound it will stop. Soundwaves vary in length, the higher the note the shorter the wavelength of that note, or, the lower the note, the longer the wavelength. To best way to reduce sound levels is by using a mixture of materials in the design allowing for the absorbtion and reflection of all of the soundwaves. A solid brick fence or similar will reflect high frquency sounds but transmits low frequency sounds. A brushwood, stacked timber or natural plant fence will absorb low frequency sounds.
Safety - such as pool fencing must be constructed in accordance with local council by-laws. Pool or safety fencing should be used not only around pools but around any significant risk, (such as cliffs, verandahs, external stairwells etc). The design of safety fencing should take into account these basic principles (in addition to local council requirements). They should be designed so that they are a minimum of 1.2 metres in height with out any horizontal foot holds. Vertical picket closely spaced or solid glass is most commonly used although any design that meets this standard could be used. Horizontal slats can be used as long as the spacing between the slats does not exceed 10mm. Care should be taken around salt water pools to protect steel fittings and surfaces from corrosion.
Security - one of the most common requirements of a fence is to add security. Security means piece of mind and when it comes to designing a fence for your property security should be considered. Basic security starts with the height and type of finish on the external side of the fence. Other measures including vertical spiked top pickets, lockable gates, electronic entrance security or intercoms should be considered at the design stage. Items such as lighting, intercoms, automatic door openers etc., should be included in the design to allow for required wiring or services.
Retaining - properly designed
retaining walls are used to retain changes in ground level. A fence alone is not strong enough to withhold more than a couple of inches of soil. For neighbouring properties where the ground levels are different heights, the ground must be retained by a retaining wall. Retaining walls can be constructed from timber, brick, stone, block, concrete or other similar materials. Retaining walls over 1 metre high, or walls that are to take excessive loads should be designed by a structural engineer.
After you have decided on your preferred design, consult your neighbours. Most disputes regarding fences arise from a lack of communication. Information on your rights and obligations can be found under the 'Dividing Fences Act, (NSW, QLD, VIC, ACT)'. Consult the local council regarding the proposed fencing material to check its suitability for the area. For example, Some Councils ban the use of brushwood fencing (for fire reasons), in areas backing onto the national parks. Other local councils may have restrictions on height and materials for front fences and gates.
Generally, boundary or dividing fences are allowed up to 1.8m high without approval. With front fences, a development application may have to be lodged for fencing exceeding one metre in height.
Design your fence by combining illustrations or photographs from our website. Plans for construction can be found in our online shop for those who like to do it themselves.
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