What is the point of a garden fence?
Garden fences are valuable for both practical and aesthetic reasons. A garden fence can help protect your garden and home from
- Animals - particularly curious neighbourhood dogs, or kangaroos in rural areas
- People - especially if vandalism or theft is a concern
- Weather – particularly strong winds that might damage vulnerable plants
Garden fences can be greatly customized to your situation. For instance, many people find gardening certain plants difficult as possums or birds will savage their plants before they can finish growing. Specific garden fences can help with that.
In Australia, you can invest in a type of fence that is difficult for possums to climb such as takeaway fencing or even anti-possum spikes. There is also specific netting that you can string from fence to fence to protect your garden from birds while still allowing in the necessary sunlight to let your plants grow.
Can you DIY a garden fence?
Absolutely! Garden fences are one of the best projects to DIY, because the risk is so low. The most common types of fencing – such as timber and wire – is an easy DIY project that you can undertake with little experience.
If you have a more specific look in mind for your garden fence, it may be a good idea to contact a contractor instead. Brick, stone and metal can be difficult to work with, so these are not the best material choices for DIY garden fencing projects.
If you really care about the appearance of your fence, DIY is probably not for you – fences made by inexperienced hands will rarely turn out to be aesthetic masterpieces. However, if you need a fence for purely practical reasons (such as keeping pests out or keeping pets in) by all means, DIY.
What are the benefits of installing a garden fence?
Garden fences provide numerous advantages. Choose your material and design wisely, because this will influence which advantage the fence gives your home over others. Different types of garden fences can provide:
- Privacy
- Shelter
- Decoration
- Protection
- Definition
What is the cost of installing a garden fence?
On average, the cost of installing a garden fence in Australia is between $2,500-$3,500. This includes the fencing services i.e. the installation of the fence by a private contractor. If you are DIY-ing, the cost will be as low as the price of materials.
Common variants which influence the cost of a garden fence include
- Size of the area to be fenced
- Type and availability of material
- Difficulty of installation process
- Complexity of the fence design
Do you need a permit to install a garden fence?
In general, Australia does not have strict laws on garden fencing. However, if your proposed fence is taller than 2.1 metres you will most likely need a permit. This varies from state to state.
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State
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General fence height permit threshold (m)
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New South Wales
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>1.8
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Queensland
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>1.8
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Victoria
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>2
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Northern Territory
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>1
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South Australia
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>2.1
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Western Australia
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>1.8
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Tasmania
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>1.2
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Note: not all of these heights require permits (although many will). This is a guideline to standard garden fence heights.
Fence garden ideas: 10 garden fencing ideas and images to inspire your garden bed fence
10. Black Wood
Material: Painted timber
Where it works: One of the most favoured contemporary garden fence designs, a black fence creates privacy best utilized in the front garden. Black wooden panels are not difficult to come by and this is a fairly cheap option. There are many different techniques to choose from with a timber fence, though a standard horizontal layout is the most common.
09. Possum spikes
Material: Wire and pickets
Where it works: While it may not look like the fanciest fence in the world, a little bit of excess bent wire over the top of a fence will go a long way in preventing possums from eating your plants. This is a good idea to protect a small garden, vegetable garden or herb garden from being eaten. Decoration ideas to make this fence more beautiful include growing hanging vines or plants over it, or having it as a small fence to protect certain plants inside a wider garden enclosure.
08. Easy iron fence
Material: Iron
Where it works: a simple fence like this is another way to separate and protect your plants from wildlife or other damage. It is best suited for a low garden. This is an easy DIY job as well and a fence like the one above can be installed within an afternoon. In fact, you can purchase this exact fence or others like it here from Bunnings.
07. Chicken friendly
Material: Wire and wood
Where it works: This is a great idea to make a practical fence beautiful. The wooden fence gives this garden its rustic homely aesthetic, while the chicken wire is an almost-invisible addition which makes the fence practical as well. Perfect for expanding a chicken coop.
06. Rough & simple
Material: Natural wood
Where it works: A natural wooden fence has an air of simplicity that lends perfectly to rural and rustic life. It Is best suited for a backyard, away from views of neighbours and/or roads. The inconsistencies in wood length and straightness is part of its charm as an unrefined yet beautiful thing.
05. Metal
Material: aluminium, iron or steel
Where it works: Metal fences are a great idea for privacy and in high-density areas. They also make excellent dog barriers – whether you want to keep your dog in or other dogs out. Metal fences are perfect for the front and back of your home and will help to shelter your garden for decades to come.
04. Classic garden fence
Material: Brick
Where it works: Brick garden fencing is an affordable and timeless classic. It provides a cheerful appearance and is well suited to outdoors. Brick can even be used as a raised garden bed along fences which already exist, adding an extra layer to the garden.
03. Living Fence
Material: Bamboo
Where it works: Fences and privacy screens made from living plants are becoming more popular as an environmentally friendly fencing alternative. Bamboo is one of the best materials for this as it grows so reliably and is extremely durable.
02. Horizontal screening barriers
Material: Anything – timber, bamboo, metal, brick etc.
Where it works: One of the best fencing options for people living in urban or suburban areas is to install a privacy fence which will screen the garden from the eyes of passers-by. You can do this with just about any material provided you leave cracks in between each plank/unit so that the fence does not block too much light and feel too closed off. Read more about privacy fences here.
01. Raw and rustic
Material: Natural timber
Where it works: a large rustic fence like this one is a beautiful fence that will work well in open spaces surrounded by nature. It has a charming bulkiness that would be at home in a rural or remote setting. This type of fence speaks to unrefined happiness and the pleasures of a simple life.
