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?
Kati, you are seriously underestimating the amount of materials needed. For example, a bag of “fast-setting concrete” (also known as rapid concrete) costs around 12€ per bag, a regular screed bag about 4€, and so on. Try to get a sense of that.
Do you want your fence to end up crooked, or should someone spend time and materials to make it perfectly straight over 19m (62 feet)?
People also need to earn a living.
Do you want your fence to end up crooked, or should someone spend time and materials to make it perfectly straight over 19m (62 feet)?
People also need to earn a living.
M
motorradsilke29 May 2021 08:47When you are making the foundations, just throw a few fieldstones or old bricks into the holes between the concrete. This will give you better stability. Then the specified quantities will be sufficient, even in strong wind.
I would order the paint online, on eBay or look around elsewhere—you can probably find it cheaper that way.
I would order the paint online, on eBay or look around elsewhere—you can probably find it cheaper that way.
tomtom79 schrieb:
Can I see an example picture?
By the way, don't skimp on the post foundations, or you'll end up with a sail. I attached a picture for you, but I'm not sure if this is what you were looking for.
These are the fence panels we want to use. If we don’t just keep it simple and instead plant vegetation. At the moment, I’m not sure what we should do.
Along the blue line. The terrace faces south. The slanted line to the south marks the start of a noise barrier made from earth and currently covered with vegetation.
HilfeHilfe schrieb:
I don’t know how strong your winds or other activities are. Our neighbor installed a 25-meter (82 feet) wooden fence but used too little concrete. After a year, the fence looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa...
The soil shifted, wind, kids leaning on it, and so on.
Never cut corners in the wrong area. Okay, that’s good to know. Our neighbor who wanted to help us with the setup actually suggested using driven post sleeves and just digging the hole a bit and adding some concrete.
I think that wasn’t a good idea, not even according to the hardware store employee.
Strahleman schrieb:
From a cost perspective, it probably won’t be much cheaper at Hornbach. Bondex wood stain, H-beams, and quick-setting cement also cost almost 400 euros. I don’t find 1,000 euros for 20 meters (66 feet) of fence too expensive in general. Especially if it’s really windy where you are, you shouldn’t skimp on the footing foundations. Yes, it’s quite windy here; it’s in northern Germany. Storms happen often. That’s why I’m also considering leaving the fence altogether. If it wouldn’t provide any noise reduction against bass frequencies anyway, it wouldn’t be that important to me.
Osnabruecker schrieb:
I think 40 kg (88 pounds) per post is very little...
What is that supposed to hold?
Standard footing for wire mesh panels: 30x30x60 cm (12x12x24 inches), which would be about 3 bags of concrete per hole.
My tip:
Google the manufacturer’s installation guide, then you can probably find the required footing size. I don’t know the manufacturer of the panel, unfortunately, but thanks for the tip. I can just google that in general. Maybe I’ll find something on YouTube as well. Or I might just drop the fence idea altogether, out of fear of storms. A neighbor installed a similar panel, but only 4 sections, not 10, and it was already knocked down by the first storm. He had it concreted in place and anchored at one side to the house, but as it looked, it got ripped out there.
H
hampshire29 May 2021 09:02kati1337 schrieb:
If it doesn't actually provide any soundproofing benefit against bass, it wouldn't be that important to me anyway. Unfortunately, it doesn't. Try it out sometime with a boombox and a fence somewhere, and you'll see how the fence affects bass sounds. There are plenty of fences around, so you should be able to find one to test.
Since your focus is on soundproofing, I would recommend using a sound barrier wall.
Hedges and trees are often transplanted (transplanted with root balls). They are at most 2 years old. They are simply still very small and delicate. It doesn’t have to be poor quality. You have to keep in mind what you’re getting when you spend as much on 160 plants as you would for 10. If I were in your position and wanted to plant my slope, I would choose a set like that. Smaller planting holes, less to carry, and if something gets damaged, it’s not a big deal.
Hedges and trees are often transplanted (transplanted with root balls). They are at most 2 years old. They are simply still very small and delicate. It doesn’t have to be poor quality. You have to keep in mind what you’re getting when you spend as much on 160 plants as you would for 10. If I were in your position and wanted to plant my slope, I would choose a set like that. Smaller planting holes, less to carry, and if something gets damaged, it’s not a big deal.
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