For the materials by themselves, the price of composite fencing starts at £9 per linear foot as a minimum investment whilst better quality composite fencing from retailers like luxuryscreens.co.uk can set you back at £15 per linear metre. You should be prepared to pay up to £43 per linear foot on the top end of the price spectrum. The cost of erecting a fence is influenced in part by aspects such as the height of the fence, its design, and the materials used. Contrast the cost of an ornately designed privacy fence made by a premium brand that is 7 feet high and has a top trellis with the cost of an inferior composite fence made by an off-brand that is only 4 feet high. The second barrier comes with a significantly greater price tag.
Installation Costs
The cost of labour to install composite fencing can range from £2 to £6 per linear foot. The location of the work site, accessibility issues, and terrain type are all factors that influence the cost of labour. Installations undertaken in difficult terrains, such as on severely uneven or steeply sloped land, will result in greater labour costs per linear foot due to the increased complexity of the method and the additional time necessary.
Costs by Type
There are many different types of fencing, each of which requires a different quantity of resources due to their varying heights and the materials out of which they are constructed.
Picket Fencing
Picket fencing is typically less expensive than other types of fencing, with prices ranging between £11 and £15 per linear foot, including installation. The cost of the fence is included in this price range. A height of four feet is usually regarded as the maximum permitted for picket fencing. When compared to other types of composite fencing, this one has a lower material density per linear foot due to its design, which consists of individual pickets spaced a few inches apart.
Privacy Fencing
When installation costs are considered, the total cost of erecting a privacy fence made of ordinary board panels ranges from £22 to £34 per linear foot. This option, which falls somewhere in the middle of the pricing range, provides more privacy than the others because it is higher and employs massive panels that butt up against one another. Because it has a larger surface area than picket fencing, each panel contains more materials, resulting in a greater cost per linear foot. This is the reason for the greater pricing.
Premium Fencing
When the installation is included, the cost of a composite premium fence can range from £28 to £45 per linear foot. The panels that make up a premium fence are usually highly intricate and elegant, and they are made of pricey composite materials. In addition to its other traits, these fences will typically include additional embellishments in the form of top-mounted trellises. The added weight of the panels and posts, as well as the premium base materials and additional features, all contribute to this kind of fencing’s higher cost per linear foot. Furthermore, the increased weight of the panels and posts complicates installation.
Cost Factors
The price of a composite fence can be impacted by several factors in addition to the type of fencing that is purchased. Some of these factors include the height of the fence, the additional features that are included, the inclusion of a gate, and the type of frame that is used.
Height
The height of the fence will determine the amount of material that is required for each panel as well as the amount that is required for each linear foot. For instance, the quantity of material necessary for the building of a picket or split-rail fence with a height of three feet is much less than the quantity of material necessary for the construction of a solid panel privacy fence with a height of seven feet. The price will be higher if there is a greater volume of material utilised per linear foot.
The increased height also results in an increase in weight, which, in turn, defines the type, size, and strength of the necessary posts. In addition, the height can be increased to accommodate the additional weight. In addition, the amount of labour required to correctly install the panels and posts grows in direct proportion to the size and weight of the components being installed.
Extra Features
Additional features, such as a customised top rail, ornamental post caps, one-of-a-kind slat designs, textured or wood-look finishes, and elegant cutout portions along the tops of the panels, can quickly drive up the total cost of your project. These features can be found along the tops of the panels. Before you decide to move forward with the project, you should discuss the potential additional features and costs with a fence contractor in your region. This should be done before you commit to moving forward with the project.
Adding a Gate
Labour expenses for installing a composite gate might be anywhere from £200 to £400 depending on the size of the gate. The installation of larger drive-through gates will set you back a minimum of an additional £600. If you need to add a gate or a walkthrough to your structure, the cost of doing so will increase because it requires time and expertise to hang a gate in a way that is both secure and correct.
Frame Type
You will need composite posts and panel frames in addition to a composite fence if you want your composite fence to have the longest possible lifespan. Because of their need for additional strength, these will either have steel or wood inserts. On the other hand, these are sold at a somewhat high price.
The use of pressure-treated wooden fence posts and frames, which frame the fence panels and have composite slats affixed to the wooden frame, is a popular choice among homeowners because it is a more cost-effective solution. This is one reason why composite slats have become such a popular alternative to traditional wooden slats. After the wooden posts have been embedded into the ground, the anchors that hold the frames and slats in place are inserted in the spaces between the posts. The lifespan of pressure-treated lumber is significantly shorter than that of composite material, and it is more prone to decay insect infestation and other forms of damage than composite material. This is one of the disadvantages of using pressure-treated lumber.
Benefits
They do not require the same level of maintenance as timber fencing to remain in good condition.
- They are friendly to the environment and frequently made from materials that have been recycled.
- The appearance and texture of composite panels are quite comparable to those of wood.
- They have an incredible amount of strength, and when subjected to severe gusts, they are more likely to flex than to topple over.
- They are adaptable to work with the posts you already have, which will reduce the cost of installation.
FAQs
What is the average cost?
The typical price of a panel of composite fencing is close to one hundred and twenty pounds. This results in a price of around £67 per metre of material. These prices solely account for the expense of the commodities; they do not take into account the cost of labour. The cost of supplying and installing composite fencing is normally around £130 per metre. This price includes both the supply and installation of the fencing.
Are they expensive?
In most cases, the cost of traditional wooden fences is far lower than the cost of their composite counterparts. On the other hand, you may save money throughout the length of the lifetime of the fence. Composite fencing has a lifespan that is substantially longer than that of wooden fencing, and it requires significantly less care during its lifespan.
Does it last?
The longevity of a composite fence can be up to 20 years or even longer, which is much longer than the lifespan of a wooden fence by itself. Because it is not just lightweight but also resilient, it is more likely to bend rather than topple over when subjected to strong winds.
Will it fade in the sun?
It won’t take long for the composite fencing to lose its vibrant colour if it’s placed in an area that gets a lot of direct sunlight. On the other hand, there are a few other brands that are not susceptible to fading. If your composite fence does end up looking noticeably different after some time has passed, you can bring it back to its original state by painting it or staining it with a product that is intended for use in outdoor environments.
