PVC/Vinyl fence panels

flogen

The (cheap, thin) wooden fence panels at the end of my garden are giving me a bit of a headache and I'm looking at options to replace them.

Because there's overgrowth and junk on other side, I know swapping them out for another set of wooden panels will just be me kicking the can down the road for a few years, so I'm considering PVC/Vinyl panels instead.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of places where you can buy the panels on their own, which I could then slot into the concrete pillars that are already there.

Having looked online, I've come across a few places that fit them from scratch but I was kind of hoping to find a DIY shop that just sells the panels as they are.

Anyone know of a place to look? Or has anyone made a similar swap?

Alun

I know nothing about plastic fence panels, but in our garden we have pressure treated "hit and miss" fence panels set between the ubiquitous H shaped concrete posts that have been there since the house was built in 1995. They're still as good as the day they were put in, except that they've weathered to a uniform silver/grey colour and have had no additional treatment whatsoever. They've lasted 20 years so far and I can see no reason why they won't last a good bit longer yet.

flogen

Alun wrote: »

I know nothing about plastic fence panels, but in our garden we have pressure treated "hit and miss" fence panels set between the ubiquitous H shaped concrete posts that have been there since the house was built in 1995. They're still as good as the day they were put in, except that they've weathered to a uniform silver/grey colour and have had no additional treatment whatsoever. They've lasted 20 years so far and I can see no reason why they won't last a good bit longer yet.

Thanks, might look into something like that.

We're only in the house so have no idea how long the current ones have been there - they're thin, though, so were probably the cheap-and-cheerful option.

I know good wooden panels can last a long time, but what's putting me off is the fact that there's ivy and thorn bushes growing over from the neighbours to our rear - as well as plenty of dirt and crap piled up against the panels which is putting pressure on them.

If I can be sure that better wooden panels won't be buckling or breaking up from that in a year's time then I'm happy to go down that route instead!

wait4me

Would you consider replacing the wooden panels with precast concrete inserts? (More expensive I know but will last past your lifetime!) When I bought my current house, the wooden panels kept popping in the wind and breaking. Replaced each panel with inserts like the one in the photo, they slot into the H fence uprights and happy ever since. Suggestion photo

Alun

We have a neighbour who has what she euphemistically calls a compost heap piled against one of the panels between our houses right at the back. In reality it's just where she dumps all her garden waste and then ignores it and does nothing witgh it, so the panel there is starting to bulge a bit.

If you have a similar situation, wait4me's suggestion of concrete panels could be a good idea. You can get textured "stone effect" panels as well that are bit more attractive if they're on view.

flogen

wait4me wrote: »

Would you consider replacing the wooden panels with precast concrete inserts? (More expensive I know but will last past your lifetime!) When I bought my current house, the wooden panels kept popping in the wind and breaking. Replaced each panel with inserts like the one in the photo, they slot into the H fence uprights and happy ever since. Suggestion photo

Would definitely consider them - even if they did cost a bit more upfront... I had considered putting a wall in instead but want to avoid the hassle of pulling out what's there and rebuilding... this would be a good way of doing that!

Alun wrote: »

We have a neighbour who has what she euphemistically calls a compost heap piled against one of the panels between our houses right at the back. In reality it's just where she dumps all her garden waste and then ignores it and does nothing witgh it, so the panel there is starting to bulge a bit.

If you have a similar situation, wait4me's suggestion of concrete panels could be a good idea. You can get textured "stone effect" panels as well that are bit more attractive if they're on view.

Yeah, that's pretty much what's happening here. The smaller of the 3 in particular seems to have a lot of earth behind it and is bulging - has popped out a few times in the strong winds (while a second one is starting to strain a bit too).

Steve

wait4me wrote: »

Would you consider replacing the wooden panels with precast concrete inserts? (More expensive I know but will last past your lifetime!) When I bought my current house, the wooden panels kept popping in the wind and breaking. Replaced each panel with inserts like the one in the photo, they slot into the H fence uprights and happy ever since. Suggestion photo

Where did you get them? rough idea on cost?

I'd love to replace my wooden ones with these.

I was in America and saw a lovely version of these that were precast but looked like red brick wall.. been looking here ever since.

Alun

Just Google "precast concrete fencing panels" which gives plenty of hits here in Ireland including ones that do brick effects.

E.g. http://shedworldwexford.com/new/index.php?page=dswalling&quality=high

wait4me

Steve wrote: »

Where did you get them? rough idea on cost?

Sorry - its a long time ago (actually 22 years) since I put them in so I haven't a clue where I got them from. But they have stayed in position since and needless to say, I'm happy with them.

notharrypotter

Just a question.

If say the uprights were slightly out of true (leaning slightly) is there any danger that over time the weight could accelerate this?

Our garden is at least 60 cm above neighbor and its leaning into their side.

wait4me

notharrypotter wrote: »

Just a question.

If say the uprights were slightly out of true (leaning slightly) is there any danger that over time the weight could accelerate this?

Our garden is at least 60 cm above neighbor and its leaning into their side.

Probably... but somebody else may have a view. The concrete panels are very heavy, especially when you have to raise them above the height of the H uprights to get them in the grooves. Definitely need to have your Weetabix that day.:eek: