Suggestions for new fence?

[Roger465]

You said crumbling.

Do you mean rot? What part?

I'll have to go out and have a better look when it's light again, but I think mostly the tops of some of the planks have fallen away - but last time I looked, I think the wood felt soft and crumbly in places. If you're thinking is it repairable, hhmmm, maybe I should inspect it better... but certainly the paint is flaking off everywhere, so if I set out to replace some timbers, and paint everything else, I think it would be a hell of a job to scrape all the old paint off - let's see - 25 x 2 x 5 = 250 strips of wood

 

[JohnD]

The end grain facing upward will always suffer rain penetration. A capping piece would help enormously.

Fence stain is not paint and does not need to be scraped off. You can blast off algae, moss and loose material with a pressure washer.

 

[Roger465]

The end grain facing upward will always suffer rain penetration. A capping piece would help enormously.

Fence stain is not paint and does not need to be scraped off. You can blast off algae, moss and loose material with a pressure washer.

Thanks for that - I *think* the wood has actually been painted, but I'll have a proper look tomorrow... when you say "capping piece", do you mean this sort of thing?

 

[JohnD]

That looks ideal.

I think I've seen some with a groove in the bottom, so water drips off.

Fence stain leaves a water-repellent waxy film. Once the gloss has weathered off it can be cleaned snd recoated. No sanding or scraping needed.

 

[aveatry]

Thanks for that - I *think* the wood has actually been painted, but I'll have a proper look tomorrow... when you say "capping piece", do you mean this sort of thing?

View attachment 328293

to fix it you will need a batten on the top edge of the fence.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

How does one maintain the finish on a hit-and-miss fence? I assumed you'd have to use a sprayer to get in the gaps but this could end up being really messy.

 

[JohnD]

Big floppy paintbrush

I think your gaps are narrower than necessary. They only have to block line of sight.

 

[JohnD]

BTW

As for capping

As you have two rows of uprights

If you position them level

You could put one board across both

It will be a much stronger fixing, and look better, and give good rain protection

Cats will like it

I use decking boards for lots of garden work.

 

[Roger465]

Thanks for all the helpful comments and suggestions

Having examined the different sections a bit more closely now, the timbers attaching at least a couple of them to the brickwork have rotted, so I think those entire sections would have to be replaced anyway... probably end up having to do the lot.

Depends on how much the wood is likely to cost me!