Get the Contemporary Fencing look on a budget

Updated 01/12/24
We all enjoy looking at amazing pictures of beautiful horizontal Red Cedar fencing. But for most of us the price of Cedar makes this dream hard to fulfill. So here’s five handy tips that will help you get the Contemporary fencing look without breaking the bank. Including buying fencing battens to saving money by tackling some of the work yourself and DIY slatted fencing tips, this guide will help you achieve your fencing dreams.

1)

Here are some DIY slatted fencing tips to help with your modern fencing dreams.

If you are handy with DIY then making your own contemporary fencing could save you a packet! Creating a slatted fence from using Cedar or Redwood battens takes time but is relatively simple to do. The process is very repetitive and will involves trimming the battens to equal size and using a nail gun to attach the battens to your posts. Don’t forget to add some vertical supports midway between the posts to keep the battens from twisting. The saving you will make by building your own slatted fencing could be considerable, but you need to factor in the time it takes to build.
If you need detailed info on how to build a slatted fence then contact us at the contemporary fencing team and we will be happy to assist.

2)

You may be asking yourself ‘what timber is slatted fencing made from?’

The ideal fencing battens to use for slatted fencing is Cedar, but sadly it’s also the most expensive! So finding a cheaper alternative is a great way to save some pennies. The most popular three types of timber used in slatted fencing are:-

a) Canadian Cedar – the ideal option – around £4.00 per metre for 44mm x 17mm Cedar battens
b) Siberian Larch – A beautiful timber that is around £2.60 per metre for battens – Note Due to the war in Russia Siberian Larch Battens are not currently available.
c) Redwood Treated softwood – tanalised wood is around £1.50 per metre for battens – This price is for a good Joinery grade timber and not roofing battens!

Please note prices change quickly and these prices were accurate when this article was written.

Its important to consider the timber grade when you are buying fencing battens. Ideally you want battens that are relatively knot free with a smooth planed surface. The best thickness for fence battens is 15mm – 20mm.

3)

Re using existing fence posts or cladding over an existing fence, (link to PDF manual) is a great way to save money.
If your existing posts are in good condition you can re-use them. Simply remove the old panels and use the posts to clad your battens on to. Not having to install new posts is a big saving. It’s also possible to clad Venetian fence panels over an existing fence. If you attach 3 horizontal boards to your posts along your fence. You can then attach your panels to these boards. Simply covering your old fence with slatted panels  without all the work of removing the old fence is a great saving!

4)

If you are having your fencing installed by a company then helping by removing the old fence panels and posts is often a great way to save some cash. Taking down your old fencing and digging out the posts can be a costly exercise so having this bit done ready for your fencers to start fitting can save a packet. If you live in an area where having a fire is not frowned on then burn your old fencing and cook some sausages at the same time!
Often parts of your old fence can be recycled and if the panels are in good condition you can advertise on a local Freecycle website so people will collect them from you saving you time and effort of disposing of them.

5)

Choosing to get your fencing done in the winter months can be a great way to keep costs down. When fencing companies are busy and materials are in short supply the prices tend to go up! The Spring and Summer months get very busy and lead times are normally months in advance. So save some money and avoid the queues by ordering in Winter when they are less busy. You will find it easier to negotiate a lower price when the fencing company is less busy! December and January are the best months to get a good deal or look out for The Black Friday deals at the end of November! The savings you make by buying in less busy seasons or during a sale mean that better quality options like Cedar battens are often more affordable.