Hello everyone!
I’ve mentioned before that we plan to install a wooden privacy fence along the side of our property bordering the neighbor. The plan was for rounded fence panels, 180cm (71 inches) tall at the highest point and the same width.
The local DIY store gave me a quote for the materials, including delivery. Normally, this store is not particularly expensive.
The total for materials for 19.5m (64 feet) of fencing came to over 1000€. The panels themselves were about 500€, with the rest being the “miscellaneous parts.” One costly item is the wood stain planned (three times 4L (1 gallon) of Bondex long-lasting protective stain) for nearly 200€. The advisor also said we need to use H-posts and set them in concrete. He quoted a 40kg (88 lbs) bag of screed concrete for each post.
I know that here in northern Germany it’s probably better to set the posts in concrete, but do I really need 400kg (880 lbs) of concrete for a 19.5m (64 feet) wooden fence? It seems crazy to me.
With L-brackets, screws, posts, etc., the entire project came to just over 1000€, and then we still have to assemble it ourselves — and we’re not sure if we can manage that. I had originally thought of using the quick-setting concrete that only needs watering, but I expected 2–3 bags would be enough.
Do you think the quote for materials is realistic? I’m a bit shocked.
Now we’re considering alternatives. For example, I could order a mixed package of “natural hedge bouquet” with 160 plants online for about 280€, which would green up the whole garden and cost only about a quarter of what the fence would. However, the noise insulation to the neighbor’s property would probably be weaker than with a wooden fence (anyone with experience here?), and we would have to wait a few years until the plants grow tall enough to screen the view of the metal shed. But honestly, I’d almost prefer to invest a four-figure amount in greenery rather than in a fence.
What would you recommend?
I’ve mentioned before that we plan to install a wooden privacy fence along the side of our property bordering the neighbor. The plan was for rounded fence panels, 180cm (71 inches) tall at the highest point and the same width.
The local DIY store gave me a quote for the materials, including delivery. Normally, this store is not particularly expensive.
The total for materials for 19.5m (64 feet) of fencing came to over 1000€. The panels themselves were about 500€, with the rest being the “miscellaneous parts.” One costly item is the wood stain planned (three times 4L (1 gallon) of Bondex long-lasting protective stain) for nearly 200€. The advisor also said we need to use H-posts and set them in concrete. He quoted a 40kg (88 lbs) bag of screed concrete for each post.
I know that here in northern Germany it’s probably better to set the posts in concrete, but do I really need 400kg (880 lbs) of concrete for a 19.5m (64 feet) wooden fence? It seems crazy to me.
With L-brackets, screws, posts, etc., the entire project came to just over 1000€, and then we still have to assemble it ourselves — and we’re not sure if we can manage that. I had originally thought of using the quick-setting concrete that only needs watering, but I expected 2–3 bags would be enough.
Do you think the quote for materials is realistic? I’m a bit shocked.
Now we’re considering alternatives. For example, I could order a mixed package of “natural hedge bouquet” with 160 plants online for about 280€, which would green up the whole garden and cost only about a quarter of what the fence would. However, the noise insulation to the neighbor’s property would probably be weaker than with a wooden fence (anyone with experience here?), and we would have to wait a few years until the plants grow tall enough to screen the view of the metal shed. But honestly, I’d almost prefer to invest a four-figure amount in greenery rather than in a fence.
What would you recommend?
Thanks to everyone for the responses!
Thanks for the tips. I thought 40 kg sounded like a lot, but if it doesn’t amount to much in the end, then that should be fine.
Thanks, wow, €15k is out of our range for something like that. But you probably have a much more refined design than our plain rounded arches.
Too bad you say it doesn’t provide any soundproofing. Wouldn’t the fence at least reduce the bass somewhat? I’m not concerned about sounds like conversations, more about annoying noises from music combined with poor speakers. Nowadays, it’s common to fake quality by simply installing booming loud bass. Such a system often stands behind the house on the neighbor’s property, and currently there is nothing along the boundary line—no shrubs, no grass—so the sound carries freely. That’s why I’m hoping the fence would dampen it a bit.
Yes, the offer is for panels made from “KDI green.” Around here, it can get quite windy. Since it’s a new development, a lot is still open with free airflow. The reason for the privacy screen is a metal corrugated steel cube on the neighboring property, and the reason for that cube, as we found out, was the first storm of the year when the old shed that used to be elsewhere was blown apart into pieces scattered everywhere. 😱
But with posts set in concrete, it should hold even in wind force 8, right? After all, there are still only screws fastening the wood? o.O
Okay, good to know if the offer is affordable. It’s just materials; we’d have to install it ourselves. I’ll check out YouTube.
We could still go ahead with the fence. It’s mostly frugality talking here—after a year of big expenses on the build, I’d like to stash some cash again.
The plants (that was just an example I found) would be bare-root, yes, and mixed heights from 30 to 120 cm (12 to 47 inches).
I would just plant them directly in our native soil. Is that not possible? o.O We’re in the north and have very peaty soil; my mother always raves about the quality here. But I’m no gardener, so I just wanted to give it a try. What I’ve planted so far in a shaded bed grows like weeds and sprouts well. 😀
If I start a thread about our garden, the moderators will probably lynch me eventually, so I don’t dare. 😀
Thanks, yes, I’ll look for tutorials on YouTube. I also found a lot on lawn care there. The paint isn’t that expensive at the store—a 4-liter (1 gallon) bucket for €60 is fairly normal for Bondex; online I haven’t found it much cheaper. Wood stain is incredibly expensive though; that shocked me. I only remembered interior paints, where you can often get huge buckets for cheap on promotion. So I was a bit surprised that a 4-liter (1 gallon) can of stain costs around €60. It is what it is.
Yes, that’s true. It says 30–120 cm (12 to 47 inches). Based on the very good reviews, I assumed they don’t only plant 30 cm shrubs there. Otherwise, surely someone would have complained in the reviews, I thought.
Still, I understand that a freshly planted thicket isn’t comparable to a 150–180 cm (4 ft 11 in to 5 ft 11 in) tall privacy screen. It will take a few years to grow dense enough.
nordanney schrieb:
That’s only 20 liters. That’s fine.
€1,000 for a complete 20-meter (66 feet) fence is not expensive. Just go ahead and get it done 😎
Of course, the plants are quite large and dense. I don’t want to burst your bubble, but with that budget, you’re basically planting a micro-screening hedge – that’s all you can expect.
For immediate privacy (and a bit of noise reduction from the neighbor) = fence
If you have enough time and can wait several years for the plants to grow = hedge
Thanks for the tips. I thought 40 kg sounded like a lot, but if it doesn’t amount to much in the end, then that should be fine.
Tarnari schrieb:
We’ve been living here since January with a 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) wooden privacy fence made of Siberian larch. It doesn’t provide any sound insulation at all, just privacy.
Oh, and edit: we paid €15,000 for it. Sure, that’s a bit more than twice your length, and we had it fully installed. Still, if you feel confident, you can get such a very affordable privacy screen.
Thanks, wow, €15k is out of our range for something like that. But you probably have a much more refined design than our plain rounded arches.
Too bad you say it doesn’t provide any soundproofing. Wouldn’t the fence at least reduce the bass somewhat? I’m not concerned about sounds like conversations, more about annoying noises from music combined with poor speakers. Nowadays, it’s common to fake quality by simply installing booming loud bass. Such a system often stands behind the house on the neighbor’s property, and currently there is nothing along the boundary line—no shrubs, no grass—so the sound carries freely. That’s why I’m hoping the fence would dampen it a bit.
Scout schrieb:
You absolutely need concrete foundations!
You have roughly 35 m² (377 sq ft) of free-standing “sail area,” just wait for a wind force 8 to hit 😱
€50 per linear meter (3.3 ft) sounds reasonable to me. Hedges also need maintenance, as does wood. Which do you prefer?
Are the fence panels made from thermally modified wood or pressure-treated (KDI)?
Yes, the offer is for panels made from “KDI green.” Around here, it can get quite windy. Since it’s a new development, a lot is still open with free airflow. The reason for the privacy screen is a metal corrugated steel cube on the neighboring property, and the reason for that cube, as we found out, was the first storm of the year when the old shed that used to be elsewhere was blown apart into pieces scattered everywhere. 😱
But with posts set in concrete, it should hold even in wind force 8, right? After all, there are still only screws fastening the wood? o.O
ypg schrieb:
I also find the price very reasonable.
That’s why it’s recommended to include exterior landscaping in the budget and finance it. Every four-figure amount hurts, and installations like fences, (proper) hedges, and paving are expensive.
You can! Bare-root stock? But I’ll tell you: for three to four container plants, you’ll also need a bag of soil or substrate... about 80 liters (21 gallons) per bag. That costs more than the plants themselves.
I don’t think you need to start a new thread titled “cheap fencing ideas for noisy neighbors/sensitive ears” or something 😉
What about a wire fence that you cover with ivy?
Okay, good to know if the offer is affordable. It’s just materials; we’d have to install it ourselves. I’ll check out YouTube.
We could still go ahead with the fence. It’s mostly frugality talking here—after a year of big expenses on the build, I’d like to stash some cash again.
The plants (that was just an example I found) would be bare-root, yes, and mixed heights from 30 to 120 cm (12 to 47 inches).
I would just plant them directly in our native soil. Is that not possible? o.O We’re in the north and have very peaty soil; my mother always raves about the quality here. But I’m no gardener, so I just wanted to give it a try. What I’ve planted so far in a shaded bed grows like weeds and sprouts well. 😀
If I start a thread about our garden, the moderators will probably lynch me eventually, so I don’t dare. 😀
Stefan890 schrieb:
Check out some tutorials on YouTube. That way, you’ll get an idea if you want to take it on or not. You can also compare paint prices easily online.
Thanks, yes, I’ll look for tutorials on YouTube. I also found a lot on lawn care there. The paint isn’t that expensive at the store—a 4-liter (1 gallon) bucket for €60 is fairly normal for Bondex; online I haven’t found it much cheaper. Wood stain is incredibly expensive though; that shocked me. I only remembered interior paints, where you can often get huge buckets for cheap on promotion. So I was a bit surprised that a 4-liter (1 gallon) can of stain costs around €60. It is what it is.
haydee schrieb:
The package includes plants starting at 30 cm (12 inches). That will take years to grow. If the next winter is as cold as the last, many will die. It’s not for nothing that tree nurseries charge so much per year of growing.
Yes, that’s true. It says 30–120 cm (12 to 47 inches). Based on the very good reviews, I assumed they don’t only plant 30 cm shrubs there. Otherwise, surely someone would have complained in the reviews, I thought.
Still, I understand that a freshly planted thicket isn’t comparable to a 150–180 cm (4 ft 11 in to 5 ft 11 in) tall privacy screen. It will take a few years to grow dense enough.
H
HilfeHilfe29 May 2021 06:28I don’t know how windy it is where you are or what other conditions you have. One of our neighbors installed a 25-meter (82-foot) wooden fence but used too little concrete. After just one year, the fence looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The ground shifted, there were winds, children leaned on it, and so on.
Never cut corners in the wrong place.
The ground shifted, there were winds, children leaned on it, and so on.
Never cut corners in the wrong place.
S
Strahleman29 May 2021 06:47In terms of cost, it probably won’t be much cheaper at Hornbach either. Bondex wood stain, H-beams, and quick-setting cement also cost nearly 400 euros. I don’t find 1,000 euros for a 20m (65.6 ft) fence generally too expensive. Especially if it’s really windy where you are, you shouldn’t skimp on the pier foundations.
O
Osnabruecker29 May 2021 07:37I think 40 kg (88 lbs) per post is very little...
What is that supposed to hold?
Standard foundation for a wire mesh panel: 30 x 30 x 60 cm (12 x 12 x 24 inches), which would be more like 3 bags per hole.
My tip:
Google the manufacturer's installation guide, then you can probably find out the foundation size.
What is that supposed to hold?
Standard foundation for a wire mesh panel: 30 x 30 x 60 cm (12 x 12 x 24 inches), which would be more like 3 bags per hole.
My tip:
Google the manufacturer's installation guide, then you can probably find out the foundation size.
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