Seven fencing ideas you may not have considered

Key overview: Fencing ideas you may not have considered and why they’re worth it

• Glass or panel pool fencing: Keeps the pool area visible.
• PVC fencing: Looks like timber, minimal maintenance.
• Matching fence and gates: Gives a consistent look and feel.
• Temporary fencing: A must-have for securing job sites.
• Aluminium screening security fencing: Allows privacy while also looking good.
• Glass fencing and balustrading: Popular for uninterrupted views.
• Boundary fencing: PVC can work as well as traditional Colorbond fencing.

Fences with a twist

As a home’s initial impression, something to set the style or even the first line of security, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to fencing ideas. “The biggest challenge is how to get that ‘Instagram-pretty’ look while still ticking the boxes of security, keeping it low maintenance and at a reasonable price point,” Troy Lovett, Love It Landscaping’s garden design expert, says.

“But with the options in aluminium, PVC, composite and more, and new techniques of installing, it can be done – and it can be a world away from what everyone thinks is possible,” the Victoria-based landscaper adds.

So, what’s fresh in the fencing world? Bunnings Landscape Specialist Josh Rayner highlights seven fencing ideas you may not have considered.

1. View-friendly pool fencing

As a legal requirement, pool fencing has long been something home owners put up with rather than make the most of. That’s changed, Josh says, with glass and other view-friendly options – including steel or aluminium panels – perfect to keep things safe, but make sure you can still see what’s happening in the water. “People spend so much money on a pool, why would they want it to be cut off from the rest of the house and yard visually?” Josh says.

2. PVC fencing

“There have been huge improvements in PVC fencing that mean, unless you’re looking closely, you wouldn’t pick that it’s not timber,” Josh says. “But the difference in durability and maintenance is incredible.”

From picket fencing to solid, pedestrian and sliding vehicle gates and more, PVC is the perfect choice for a builder or homeowner who wants a modular installation process and a product that requires no painting and only minimal maintenance. “If it needs cleaning, you can just hose it down,” Josh says.

3. Gates that match the fencing

“Steel, timber, PVC, glass … whichever fencing option you’re considering, there’s now complementing gates,” Josh says. And, as with the fencing, the material and intended purpose can be specifically chosen for each site, Josh explains. “You can have automatic or manual gates. You can have whatever material. We really can match pretty much anything.”

The best plan is to decide on the fencing material and match it to gates at the same time, with the Bunnings fencing brochure showcasing all options. “There are more options now than ever before,” Josh says.

4. Temporary fencing

Something a tradie will have much more need for than their clients is temporary fencing. It can mean the difference between finishing your job on time and profitably, or delaying while you restock missing tools and supplies.

“We stock temporary fencing in bulk through every single Bunnings store and, for the price and quality, our trade customers love it,” says Josh. “It’s perfect to secure a jobsite and it’s all 100 per cent reusable … they really are one of the most useful things you can have.”

Tip: Did you know you can loan equipment and tools, including temporary fencing, through our Hire Shop?

5. Security fencing

Whether you’re screening the view or building a barrier to entry, one of the oldest and most important jobs of any fence is security. But that doesn’t mean it can’t look good, too. Split rail and slat screen fences are just two examples that help keep prying eyes, pets and people out, with a stylish façade.

“Aluminium screening is becoming popular with fencing customers because it provides privacy and is great for security, but has a nice contemporary look to it as well,” Josh says.

6. Glass fencing and balustrading

“Glass is definitely picking up in popularity because it allows you to have a barrier without interrupting views,” Josh says. “Say, for example, you have a second-storey deck and you install glass balustrading with a nice powder-coated steel run, you’ll get to see the view instead of blocking it out completely.”

And that applies at ground level, too. “It’s a great way to borrow landscape and make the most of whatever view there is.”

7. Boundary fencing

“For a lot of builders or renovators, the first choice for a boundary fence is traditional timber or steel, something like Colorbond fencing,” Josh says. “And while that’s often exactly what’s needed, there are other options.”

Once again, a good idea is to look at the new PVC products, he says, especially if someone is wanting a new look on an existing property. “A house owner who wants to upgrade or renovate should definitely look at PVC options.”

8. Timber fencing

Customers love the look and feel of timber fencing, and it’s not going out of fashion any time soon.

The range of timber palings for building a timber fence or replacing older palings ranges from 1.5m, 1.8m, 2.1m and 2.4m in length with 100x15mm and 150x12mm thicknesses.

Making our lives easier, morticed posts are designed to keep the fence stable and upright by feeding the rail through the centre of the upright post, and these are available through Bunnings.

“Our size specific rails are designed for use with our mortice posts,” Josh says. “The capping and surrounds give a timber fence a complete and finished look.”

What are no-dig fences?

“Something useful that people often don’t know about are the ‘no-dig’ fences, like our Peak range,” Josh says.

“These are perfect if you need to section off an area while you’re working to keep animals or people – especially kids – away from an area being worked on. And they’re also perfect for camping! You just put a stake in, connect the fencing and you have a secure area wherever you are.”

The bottom line, he says, is if your client has a need, talk to the Landscape Specialists team and they’ll help to find a solution. “Bring us the dimensions and we have an online service that will map out what’s needed, as well as quantities, and provide the Bunnings codes,” he says. “It’s simple to quote up from that.”

Now your client’s fencing is sorted …

But what about irrigation? Check out our article on the top 10 irrigation tips you need to know.