Maximum fence post centres/ arris rail length?

[Randomusername]

Getting quotes for new boundary fence to plots - concrete posts, arris rails and close board - the contractor yesterday stated 3 metre centres as “That’s the length of the material”. As that’s about 10 feet it obviously seems too much. 
 

I measured the post centres of the last fence I had built, and they are just about 2400mm - which seems much more sensible. 
 

I’m rather surprised that the contractor should suggest such an expanse as surely it would sag? It’s not even looking like a cheap quote either!

Edited August 16, 2020 by Randomusername

[PeterW]

3m is pushing it - most are either 1.8m or 2.4m at best. With ordinary concrete posts they will need to be in a long way to cope with the wind load of a 3m panel. 

[Onoff]

My long side fence is at 10' centres. No issues. 3 arris rails per panel. 3m is the longer "standard"

 

https://www.blewers.com/products/fencing-decking/featheredge-fencing/

 

Just to add fence runs NW to SE. Concrete posts too.

Edited August 16, 2020 by Onoff

[Temp]

Standard fence panels are around 1.8m wide. Ditto post and rail fencing.

[nod]

51 minutes ago, Temp said:

Standard fence panels are around 1.8m wide. Ditto post and rail fencing.

Plus one

Spacing at 3 mtrs is a lot 

[Onoff]

Honestly, I've 300' of it here, done by the previous owner. 10' spacing and it's been fine. Not even gun nailed on with angular rings. Just standard galv nails. Maybe I'm lucky and it's sheltered by neighbouring properties and the lie of the land.

 

 

I must admit when I did the front fence I went 6' spacing as I had done before at our previous property. Didn't even consider the 6 or 10' thing until this thread.

[Gone West]

Our arris rails are 2.4m and came from Wickes many years ago. They haven't broken but a couple have warped.

[Mr Punter]

Round here closeboard fencing is 3m bays, panel is 2.4m.

[Russell griffiths]

3m bays if using 3 arris rails and a support for the bottom arris rail to stop it dropping. 

Concrete posts with the cutouts in them for rails are best and rectangular arris rails. 

More industrial looking but will last longer. 

[Carrerahill]

On 16/08/2020 at 08:57, Randomusername said:

Getting quotes for new boundary fence to plots - concrete posts, arris rails and close board - the contractor yesterday stated 3 metre centres as “That’s the length of the material”. As that’s about 10 feet it obviously seems too much. 
 

I measured the post centres of the last fence I had built, and they are just about 2400mm - which seems much more sensible. 
 

I’m rather surprised that the contractor should suggest such an expanse as surely it would sag? It’s not even looking like a cheap quote either!

3m is not good, it depends certainly on the size of the rail 75x45mm or something? and height of the fence.

 

I did ours with 4x4 posts, 75x45mm rails and that was on about 2m spacing, fence was 1800mm tall so wanted strength, if a lower fence you can open that up a bit.

 

By your guys logic all our rooms should be exact multiples of 1200mm for plasterboard sizes!

Edited August 18, 2020 by Carrerahill

[Onoff]

If 3m wasn't a thing they wouldn't sell 3m Arris rails surely? The rails used round here are 75x75 with feather edge.

[Mr Punter]

It is different in Scotland where they have proper weather.

[Onoff]

24 minutes ago, Mr Punter said:

It is different in Scotland where they have proper weather.

 

I thought 3m would have been de rigueur up there as they're tighter! ?

[Randomusername]

3 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

It is different in Scotland where they have proper weather.

We get some fairly proper wind here in the fens though, due to there being nothing in its way!
?

[Onoff]

5 minutes ago, Randomusername said:

We get some fairly proper wind here in the fens though, due to there being nothing in its way!
?

 

More fingers to hold onto the fence panels surely? ?

[Mr Punter]

@Onoff gets the prize for most geographically distant British Mainland cultural insults in a thread page.

[Randomusername]

5 hours ago, Onoff said:

 

More fingers to hold onto the fence panels surely? ?

Normal amount of fingers and toes, but webbed, is the more common thing I reckon. 
Which probably isn’t a great help when gripping materials. 

[Onoff]

4 minutes ago, Randomusername said:

Normal amount of fingers and toes, but webbed, is the more common thing I reckon. 
Which probably isn’t a great help when gripping materials. 

 

Fens extend into Norfolk don't they? 

 

NFN and all that. ?

[Randomusername]

Hopefully resolved the issue by virtue of the fact that I’m probably going to have to find a trademan to do it labour only, and order the materials myself, so that I can claim back the VAT on them... so I’m inclined to order 2.4 meter rails...

[Mr Punter]

1 hour ago, Randomusername said:

Normal amount of fingers and toes, but webbed, is the more common thing I reckon. 
Which probably isn’t a great help when gripping materials. 

 

You could breed with @ToughButterCup and your spawn may have 10 digits!

[Randomusername]

So, for circa 35 metres close board fence on 3 arris rails on recessed concrete posts, concrete gravel board, capping; 1.8 meters height, bay next to front boundary tapering down to approx 1 metre.

 

VAT registered quote, supply and fit, zero rated: £2500

 

Non VAT registered labour only quote: £900

 

Thoughts please?

[Ferdinand]

This s a custom built-in-situ fence?

 

£70 a metre is imo towards the high end of what one should expect to pay for a high quality installed 1.8m vertilap panel / 100mm x 100mm  concrete posts / gravelboard 2m high fence. 

 

Anyone who knows their fencing suppliers and their own reliable labourers could perhaps get 20-25% off that.

 

So you should have the option if you want it.

 

My opinion.

Ferdinand

 

Edited August 21, 2020 by Ferdinand

[Randomusername]

3 hours ago, Ferdinand said:

This s a custom built-in-situ fence?

 

£70 a metre is imo towards the high end of what one should expect to pay for a high quality installed 1.8m vertilap panel / 100mm x 100mm  concrete posts / gravelboard 2m high fence. 

 

Anyone who knows their fencing suppliers and their own reliable labourers could perhaps get 20-25% off that.

 

So you should have the option if you want it.

 

My opinion.

Ferdinand

 

Not panel - Continuous close board on arris rails bolted to recessed posts. 

[Ferdinand]

10 hours ago, Randomusername said:

Not panel - Continuous close board on arris rails bolted to recessed posts. 

 

Just pointing out that the cost was similar.

 

Do you have a source for concrete posts with already created bolt holes? Could you link, as I do not have a source. It makes the install depth of the post quite critical (?)

 

Ferdinand

Edited August 22, 2020 by Ferdinand

[Randomusername]

https://www.weavo.co.uk/product-details/fencing-and-gates/loose-fencing-materials/closeboard/recessed-concrete-post-for-closeboard.htm

 

Yes depth is fairly important due to the fixed point at which the gravel board sits. 

Edited August 22, 2020 by Randomusername