In theory, you can paint your timber any colour you like, though we find the traditional preservative colours are the most popular. We recommend using timber preservatives rather than gloss paint – which is smelly, expensive and uses chemicals that our preservatives don’t. Our preservatives have been made specifically to enhance and protect particular products like decking, fencing and sheds. We offer an attractive range including natural greens, mellow golds, luxurious browns and reds, and also a clear preservative that enhances the natural beauty of our sustainable British wood. You can also buy our fence panels and other garden timbers ready-dipped in different finishes.

Before you decide on a colour you should decide on a style, take a look at our fence panels for some extra inspiration.

You don’t need to apply for planning permission to alter, maintain or improve an existing garden fence, as long as you don’t increase its height – for example, a standard panel is six feet high, though we also bespoke manufacture above this height. Sometimes you need planning permission from your local council to put up a brand new fence where there hasn’t been one before. The government’s Planning Portal has more information for England and Wales here and for Scotland here, but for specific advice you should speak to your local planning team.

To view our range of fence panels click here.

Preparing your fence for winter should be done sooner rather than later – the British weather can turn on a penny! Ensure the ground around your fencing is clear of unnecessary plant life or debris; this helps improve drainage, which in turn will help the ground stay drier and firmer in the coming months.

You should also check your fencing for damage so you can repair or replace damaged portions of your fencing to stop a small problem developing into something more expensive to fix – a rickety fence panel can cause a lot of damage if it start breaking away in strong winds. While the weather is still reasonably dry it’s also worth taking the time to look at the protection your fence preservative provides. A re-application isn’t costly and will ensuring your fencing has a sufficient barrier against moisture penetration for the next year.

Our range of preservatives can help protect your fencing and can be viewed here.

We’ve already looked at how to prepare your fence panels for winter but don’t forget to make sure your fence posts are in good condition too.

First make sure your fence posts are not severely cracked or damaged; if they are you may need to replace them to ensure your fence stays structurally sound.

Next check they are well rooted in the ground; if they move they will not support your panels and create extra stress on the timbers during stormy weather, and could pose a hazard to people if there is a drop on the other side. Add additional cement to bed them in more securely (see the above How To for more information).

To look at our range of fence posts click here.