Have you had enough of the neighbours’ dog treating your lovely lawn like its playground? Of passers-by casting a curious eye at your brunch on the patio? Then it is decided: you need a wooden fence panel to enclose your garden! It is attractive, practical, and there are plenty of decorative options. So no more prying eyes and no more soil dug up by Fido: reclaim your well-deserved haven of peace, sheltered behind your fence panel.
What is a wooden fence panel?
Originally, a fence panel was built for defensive purposes. Of course, your slightly too-nosy neighbour is less dangerous than an army of Romans attacking a Gaulish village, but your privacy is no less worth protecting. And while sharpened stakes planted side by side have given way to boards that are more or less tightly fitted, the principle remains the same: to protect you.
Why install a wooden fence panel?
This fence panel protects you, then. But from what?
- From intruders, by marking out your property. It is difficult to climb over a wooden fence panel more than 2 metres high without being spotted. It also serves as a clear boundary, so passers-by do not mistake your lawn for a public space.
- From views and prying eyes. Depending on how it is filled, a fence panel can act as a privacy screen. And it works both ways! Neighbours and passers-by can no longer see what is happening at your home, and you look at your fence panel rather than a car park, the neighbours, the bin area…
- From sun and wind. Here again, the height and style of fence panel you choose will affect the level of protection it provides, but it allows you to place plants in the shade or enjoy an outdoor meal without too much wind.
At the same time, your wooden fence panel adds a decorative touch to your garden. Simple and left natural, it blends harmoniously with the surrounding greenery. But it can also be used as a support for plants, art objects, a birdhouse… or be painted in the colours of your choice. Let your imagination run free!
Which wooden fence panel is right for me?
To choose the fence panel that will enclose your garden, there are three points to define and adapt to your needs for privacy, the climate, the need for protection from the sun, the overall look of your garden…
- Its height. Would you like a fence panel that is one metre high, mainly to mark the boundary of your plot and add a decorative touch? Or a taller one, to protect your privacy from prying eyes?
- Its wood species. You can choose from many wood species, more or less suited to the climate of the region where you live. You can also take a slight shortcut by choosing a composite wood fence panel, to ensure the colour does not change over time.
- Its style. There are four main styles of fence panels. Classic, with boards installed vertically; louvre, to let light through and draw the eye into the distance; lattice, with boards arranged to form diamonds that climbing plants like to cling to; woven, using more flexible wooden rods to stand out from the classic wooden fence panel.
The pros and cons of a wooden fence panel
Like any choice of material or décor, a wooden fence panel has strengths, but also a few limitations.
- The advantages of a wooden fence panel
The benefits you think of first are the reasons you choose to install one, as explained earlier in this article: the fence panel marks out your property, protects you from intruders, sun and wind, and adds natural, timeless decoration. It is also easy to install, helps keep a consistent look with the woodwork of your garage door, windows, etc., and remains within a reasonable budget, depending on the wood species chosen.
- The limitations of a wooden fence panel
The first drawback is often maintenance, which is more time-consuming than with an aluminium fence or PVC, and wood will change over time. Your fence panel will never be exactly the same as it was on day one. Although a wooden fence panel is affordable, you may find cheaper options with an all-PVC installation.
Also worth reading: Garden landscaping: how to choose your fence panel?
What are the alternatives to a wooden fence panel?
You like the idea of a wooden fence panel, but something is holding you back? There are alternative solutions for your garden. The simplest? Install a rigid mesh fence and slide wooden slats into it. This way, the wood look is preserved (with real wood slats, composite, or even wood-effect PVC) for easier installation and a solid, durable fence panel built to stand the test of time.
You can also play with materials and colours… by adding an artificial hedge to break up the visual monotony.
If you are considering a wooden fence panel only for its privacy-screen effect, keep in mind that there are many other ways to hide an unattractive wall, the view of the car park, or the neighbours’ garden (reed screens, hedges, fabric screens, aluminium, PVC…).
Pro tips
Maintain your fence panel so it ages well
Because yes: a wooden fence panel moves and changes! Some types of wood withstand bad weather better than others, which is why it is important to choose carefully. But even the most durable wood will gradually change colour over time, tending towards grey.
When you buy wood for your fence panel, make sure it is treated, ideally with a Class 4 autoclave treatment, or Class 3 depending on the region where you live. This helps ensure better durability.
If you choose to manage your fence panel from A to Z yourself, strip the wood and then waterproof it to protect it from frost. Be careful, however, to choose microporous products so the wood can continue to breathe.
Next step: wage war on insects and fungi! They might find your wooden fence panel to their liking and weaken it little by little. And nothing stops you from installing an “insect hotel” to protect biodiversity in your garden, outside your wooden fence.
Final step: varnish or stain to protect the wood against sun, rain, snow…
Key takeaway: always adapt your treatment to the wood species.
Rules to know when installing a wooden fence panel
You have the right to mark out your land. However, there are still a few rules to follow, such as the height of your fence panel or its positioning. For example, it must not under any circumstances encroach on your neighbour’s land or on public land. As for height, regulations vary depending on the municipality, the number of inhabitants, historic areas, etc. To avoid mistakes, check with your property manager if you are in a co-ownership, or directly with the planning department at your town hall.
At under 2 m high, you may not be fully protected from overlooking. Do not exceed 2.6 m without the town hall’s approval. A works authorisation or building permit is rare for a wooden fence panel, but it is wiser to confirm with your local town hall to avoid any dispute.
Good to know: when assembling your fence panel, remember to leave the necessary space for installing a garden gate!
To find out more, feel free to contact us! We will be happy to advise you and help you find the wooden fence panel that suits you.
Now you know everything! It is up to you to choose the wood species, the fence panel shape, its height, its colour, any visual breaks with an artificial hedge… In short: choose the wooden fence panel that suits you. It is up to you!
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Experte clôture, portail et aménagement extérieur depuis 2019.
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