Perhaps the most popular style and one of the simplest to build is the paling fence. Many backyards are littered with the standard paling fence due to the fact they won’t stretch your budget. Paling fences provide an extremely economical fence for many applications. They can help control sun, shade, breezes and the ever encroaching traffic noises. They not only define the property line and provide the usual street and neighbour privacy, Paling fences and screens can also be employed as a landscaping aid in many ways. They are also ideal for shelter.

There are actually different types of paling fences and construction methods. Your local builder is best at advising you on that aspect.They are often produced from sawmill offcuts and so avoid wastage, but demand for hardwood palings has dropped as radiata pine and untreated cypress pine have increased their market shares

[HINT] Why not add extra appeal by adding trellis to the top of your paling fence.

Dressing Up Your Paling Fence

Capping, lattice and feature posts can be fitted to turn a simple paling fence into a decorative feature. As a decorative option to the standard fence, also available is the ‘beaded’ paling fence in which a 30mm bead is fixed between the vertical boards offering an attractive pattern down the line of the fence.

If you are on a budget, then a basic paling fence painted or left in its natural state and softened with shrubs or climbers is a good solution but keep in mind that a regular coat of paint or stain will increase the durability of the paling fence. If using a Paling fence for sound insulation, palings can be attached on both sides of the rails.Obviously consent from your neighbour is paramount.

Posts

Timber posts are more decorative than concrete but keep in mind that concrete will never rot like timber fences and Paling panels can be easily replaced once you have the concrete framework for your fence.

Rails

It is common to use three rails on the fences. Of course if the fence is very low then just a top and bottom rail are required.Rails are usually attached to the posts in one of two ways, either fixed to the face of the posts or butted between the posts.To add extra strength to the fence cut the rail lengths so they span three posts and stagger the joins.