Hi, I'm hoping some of you knowledgeable lot may be help me with a fencing dilemma.
I have footpath running along the rear of my property that is about 4th higher than the ground level of my property.There is currently a 4ft retaining wall with a 3ft high block wall on top, on top of that is a rickety excuse for a fence. There are also a few pillars/piers spaced about 6ft apart giving some rigidity. Unfortunately the whole thing needs replacing.
What I'm wanting to do is keep the retaining wall and use this as a base for a new fence. I also want to add some more pillars/piers along the whole length. So... i've got a few options as to how I could finish the fence but I'm unsure as to which is the best solution. My main concern is the cost - the whole thing is 45 ft long and I need 7 or 8 piers built so costs soon add up.
With the aid of a quick diagram I want to show my thoughts so far.
Options 1 to 4 (1 being the most expensive)
Option 1 - full height piers, 3ft brick wall with 3ft close board fence on top.
Option 2 - full height piers with full height close board fence.
Option 3 - full height piers with lighter weight panels.
Option 4 - 3/4 height piers with lighter weight panels and a filler panel.
I'm getting a builder to run up a quote for option 1 but with all the brickwork involved I think costs are going to spiral so will get him to price up just the piers. I'll be doing the non-brickwork myself.
My worry though is that the light weight panel might not be strong enough - could I strengthen them with horizontal timbers? Price wise these panels are going to be much, much cheaper than close board but will they last?
Anyone have any suggestions/ideas or any other method of doing this that i've missed?
Many thanks.
I have footpath running along the rear of my property that is about 4th higher than the ground level of my property.There is currently a 4ft retaining wall with a 3ft high block wall on top, on top of that is a rickety excuse for a fence. There are also a few pillars/piers spaced about 6ft apart giving some rigidity. Unfortunately the whole thing needs replacing.
What I'm wanting to do is keep the retaining wall and use this as a base for a new fence. I also want to add some more pillars/piers along the whole length. So... i've got a few options as to how I could finish the fence but I'm unsure as to which is the best solution. My main concern is the cost - the whole thing is 45 ft long and I need 7 or 8 piers built so costs soon add up.
With the aid of a quick diagram I want to show my thoughts so far.
Options 1 to 4 (1 being the most expensive)
Option 1 - full height piers, 3ft brick wall with 3ft close board fence on top.
Option 2 - full height piers with full height close board fence.
Option 3 - full height piers with lighter weight panels.
Option 4 - 3/4 height piers with lighter weight panels and a filler panel.
I'm getting a builder to run up a quote for option 1 but with all the brickwork involved I think costs are going to spiral so will get him to price up just the piers. I'll be doing the non-brickwork myself.
My worry though is that the light weight panel might not be strong enough - could I strengthen them with horizontal timbers? Price wise these panels are going to be much, much cheaper than close board but will they last?
Anyone have any suggestions/ideas or any other method of doing this that i've missed?
Many thanks.