Horizontal slatted fence using privacy screening

[MrJago]

Hi everyone.

 

I am planning on building a new horizontal slatted fence in my garden but have a few questions, and hope that someone has some experience or advice on this which would be much appreciated.

 

I am planning on using grade A imported roof battens 50 x 25. My plan is to install vertical posts at 1.8m centres, then install the roof battens across them with 8mm gaps between each batten. I also plan to attached support battens behind the slats at about 400mm centres to provide extra support and hopefully reduce any bowing of the slats.

 

I have seen in online videos, landscapers installing similar style fences but using black privacy screening fabric under the slats to give a nice contrast to the natural wood and also provide privacy from not being able to see through the fence gaps, which I like the idea of. However I have some concerns about using this as there doesn't seem to be much feedback online about it. My questions are:

 

If I use privacy screening behind the slats, which are UV resistant, would the screening last long enough without degrading as my worry would be that the fabric degrades and ends up with all the stringy threads flapping about in the wind which would look terrible?

 

Also regarding the fitting of the slats, would I need to leave a gap between the ends of each batten where they join at the vertical posts for expansion? And if so how much of a gap? I could cover these joins with a vertical slat which should look quite nice.

 

Thanks

Jack

[Bancroft]

50 x 25 seems a very 'square' section for fencing - is there a particular reason for using that?  Going to take a lot of fixings!

 

Also, wider slats would reduce any bowing and thus remove the need for intermediate support.

 

Wood tends to expand across the grain so two thoughts on this:

 

You shouldn't need to leave expansion joints at the end as expansion lengthways over 1.8 metres should be minimal.

50mm across the width shouldn't create massive expansion but if you're only leaving a 8mm gap then that expansion might be noticeable if one timber decides to expand down and the adjacent one expands up.  To be honest, though, probably only noticeable to the person who fits it (ie you!)

 

No experience of the privacy screening fabric but I'd imagine it will decay/split well before the fence needs replacing.  Also, I presume the privacy screening fabric must be on the outer side of the fence (if you get the shadow effect from your garden) which must make the outside look just like a wall of black fabric?

 

We're looking at a similar style of fence but using wider timbers alternately attached to each side of the post.  This should allow wind through but still create a visual barrier - plus allow plants to grow both sides of the fence at the same time.

[ProDave]

We did as above with 150mm by 20mm planks, either side of the posts.  Plenty strong enough to space posts at 2 metres and no additional support needed for the planks.  All standard stuff from fence suppliers.

 

Planks either side of the post like that give privacy while allowing wind to pass through.

[Conor]

At 8mm gaps you won't see the fabric (unless right up close and square on) so I wouldn't bother.

 

Here's a pic of my shipping container cladding, 25, 70, and 100mm boards, with 5-8mm gaps. Theres light grey membrane behind but you can't see it.

[MrJago]

Thank's for the feedback everyone.

 

Bancroft to answering your question regarding the size of the battens. The reason I have planned to use these as they are standard sized roofing battens which are relatively inexpensive. Also because they are 25mm thick they will be more solid than a 19mm thick fence board. I suppose it depends on the look you want to go for but this is the style I am aiming for. You can also get 75x25 roof battens which would be ever sturdier and I have contemplated using that size also.

 

Think you are right about the screening degrading before the fence will. The plan for this was not on outside but to attach screening to fence post then attach battens over top of it so you would not see any vertical posts behind and create a seamless look. I have hedges on neighbours side so they can't see it anyway as it wouldn't look to appealing from their side 🤣