Composite fences come in many different styles and all of them have their own benefits. Which one you choose will mostly depend on your own personal preferences. However, slatted fences have a number of advantages over the other styles.
There are also several different types of slatted fencing for you to choose from. So, you have a lot of flexibility in terms of the look you want to create in your garden.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the different types of slatted fencing. We’ll also draw some comparisons with other styles to get you up to speed on the many benefits of slatted composite fencing.
What Is Slatted Composite Fencing?
Slatted composite fencing panels are a contemporary design that is very popular amongst designers and homeowners alike. They’re also known as Venetian fence panels and they’re typically used to provide privacy for a garden and add a touch of style.
Slatted composite fencing panels are made with boards that are attached to a supporting frame with some space left in between each composite board. This provides some visibility through the boards and creates a sense of space.
You can choose to place the boards at equal spacing or they can be used to create an interesting pattern.
Slatted composite fencing boards can be placed horizontally or vertically to create composite fence panels. Both styles can add character to your garden and each orientation has its own benefits.
The boards in our composite fencing range come in small modules that are stacked horizontally on top of each other to reach the desired height.
Like our composite decking, they’re made from 95% recycled materials and are more eco-friendly than traditional wooden fencing panels.
Unlike traditional wooden fences, our composite fences are very low-maintenance and don’t need to be treated, sealed, or stained. The recycled plastics that are used to make them give them a natural resistance to moisture absorption and fading.
Vertical slatted composite fence panels
To create vertical composite fencing panels a rectangular frame is required. This means that vertical slats are not usually favoured for full boundary fences. They’re more commonly used for screening or partitioning areas of outdoor spaces.
They’re very effective when used to disguise areas of the garden that you’d like to keep hidden from view. This is because the vertical alignment of the slats on the composite fence panels shields the area from the eye.
They’re often used to shield bins or damaged garden walls. Vertical slatted composite fencing panels also make good windbreakers for patio areas or doorways that need extra protection from the wind.
Horizontal slatted composite fencing
Horizontal slatted composite fencing is more often used to create full boundary walls. The horizontal boards create linear lines around the edge of the garden which makes it appear larger and longer than it actually is. They do this by drawing the eye along the wall.
As opposed to a traditional wood fence, a horizontal slatted composite fence gives the garden a more modern look and they’re often used by garden designers to create a contemporary feel.
Our range of composite fencing boards comes in 5 contemporary colours. These are charcoal, graphite, walnut, spiced oak, and silver birch.
They combine the finish of natural wood fencing with the practicality that composite fencing is famous for. Whatever style you want to achieve in your outdoor space you’re sure to find a colour to suit you within our range.
Single Slatted Composite Fencing
Single-slatted composite fencing is the original design. It is known as single-slatted because the row of slats is only on one side of the fence. This means that the rear of the fence is not decorative.
The rear side of the fence has exposed fence posts and the front side has decorative slats.
This means that there are spaces left in between the slats which leads to increased visibility through the fence and reduced privacy. However, the spaces also allow more light into the garden and give a feeling of expansiveness.
If you’re not too concerned about privacy then single slats can be a great choice as they serve as a beautiful design feature. They are also great if you’re planning to create an extension to an existing brick wall.
Double Slatted Composite Fencing
Double-slatted composite fencing has boards on both sides of the fence and the boards overlap each other. This means that light and air can still pass through the boards but visibility is mostly obscured.
Double-slatted composite fencing is best for those who are looking for privacy in their outdoor space as the gaps between the boards are very small. The boards on the rear of the fence will also cover up the fence posts.
This means that both sides of the fence will be decorative. Due to this, double-slatted composite fencing is most beneficial for gardens where the rear of the fence will be viewed. For instance, if your boundary wall overlooks a neighbour’s garden or a road.
This is also useful if you’re planning to sell your home as it will increase the ‘curb appeal’ of your property.
Our composite fencing boards are designed to fit snugly together to block the view into your garden and maintain your privacy. They are also double-sided which means that they’re just as visually pleasing when viewed from the rear or front.
Slatted Fencing Vs Traditional Fence Panels
Traditional wood fencing is usually made of solid, vertical panels. Whilst this structure has some benefits slatted fencing has several advantages over it. So, let’s take a look at how the two compare to each other.
Maintenance & repair
One of the main benefits of composite fencing is that it’s very low maintenance and doesn’t get damaged easily. However, there may still be times when you will need to carry out some repairs.
If you have slatted composite fencing then this is very straightforward as you simply remove the damaged board and then replace it once it’s fixed.
If you have solid, vertical panels then these are much more difficult to repair. Rather than removing a single slat, you would either have to attempt to repair the damaged area or replace the entire panel.
This would be far more time-consuming and costly than simply repairing or replacing a single slat.
Durability & strength
A slatted composite fence is also more sturdy than a solid, vertical fence. This is because each individual slat or board is attached to the fence rail individually. This makes the structure more resilient and means that the fence will be more resistant to high winds.
As traditional solid fence panels are single, pre-built structures they are more prone to sustaining damage during extreme weather conditions. Once one section of the panel starts to give the rest usually follows.
Like composite decking, composite fencing is highly durable and long-lasting. On average, you can expect your composite fence to last for between 25 to 30 years.
Customisation
Slatted fencing gives you lots of different options in terms of the style and looks that you want to achieve. You can choose to have single slats, double slats, horizontal slats, or vertical slats. This means that your fence will be highly customisable.
You can also mix up the colours that you choose for your fence. You could have alternating slats in different colours to create a unique aesthetic in your garden.
As traditional panels are pre-built units they are much less customisable. If you’re using composite fencing then the whole panel will be coloured during the manufacturing process.
If you’re using wooden fencing then you will either have to stain or paint the panels to achieve the colour that you want.
Installation
Installing slatted composite fencing is very easy. Our composite fencing boards simply stack on top of each other and can fit in between existing concrete fence posts.
Or, you can order composite fence posts from our range and install a full composite fencing system.
Traditional fence panels are very heavy and are difficult to manoeuvre. This means that you will need help to install them and may even need to hire a professional contractor.
Installing composite fencing slats is something that you should be able to do on your own in a short space of time. This will save you money and a lot of hassle.
FAQs
Is composite fencing expensive?
Composite fencing is more expensive in terms of upfront costs than other fencing materials such as wood or vinyl. This is largely due to the fact that the manufacturing process is more labour intensive than these other materials.
However, as composite fencing requires such little maintenance you will save money over the course of its service life.
What is composite fencing made of?
Composite fencing is made from a mixture of reclaimed wood and recycled plastics. This combination of materials gives composite fencing amazing durability and longevity.
It also makes it more eco-friendly as trees aren’t felled to make it and less plastic goes to landfills.
Will my composite fence warp over time?
Like composite decking, composite fencing contracts and expands due to fluctuations in temperatures. It expands during high temperatures and contracts during low temperatures.
However, composite fencing is designed to withstand these changes in size and won’t warp as a result of this. This is another reason why composite fencing is so durable and lasts for so long.
Should I seal my composite fencing?
There is no need to seal your composite fencing as it’s naturally water-resistant and doesn’t rot. This doesn’t mean that you can’t seal it if you’d prefer to. Adding sealant can provide some extra protection to the fencing boards.
If you do want to seal your composite boards then it’s best to use lumber wax.
Explore Ecoscape’s Exciting Range Of Composite Fencing Today
If you’re ready to install your new composite fence then browse our amazing range of composite fencing products. All of our boards come with a 20-year warranty and are highly resistant to water, scratching and UV rays.
They’re also very eco-friendly and easy to install. So, take a look at our range and order your free sample or quote today.
