Burswood Fencing: Straight Fences and Gates That Latch

On narrow side passages, panels and concrete often go in by hand, which affects the time and the price. Exposed boundaries add their own demands, because wind loads the posts.

A new fence replaces a boundary that has rotted, cracked or blown over. A repair fixes a leaning section, a few failed posts or sheets knocked out by a storm. A gate job re-hangs or replaces a gate that drags on the ground and will not latch.

The fencer measures the run first and gives you a price before anything is dug. The same person can build the fence and the matching gate, so you are not juggling two trades.

If the ground is loose or the boundary is exposed to wind, the fencer will check the post depth and footings needed. They confirm the right approach on site once they see the ground.

The right material comes down to the look you want, your budget and how much upkeep you will put up with.

Colorbond steel gives the most privacy, but solid sheets catch the wind like a sail. On an exposed boundary the fencer will usually tighten the post spacing and go deeper on the footings.

Aluminium slat and batten gives a modern, screened look without much upkeep. Slats can be spaced for privacy or light, and the gaps let some wind through.

Timber is a warm, traditional choice. It needs more care over the years, but it suits older houses and can be repaired in sections.

Glass and aluminium is the usual pool fencing, built as a compliant child safety barrier by a qualified fencer.

At the street, front fences are usually more limited in height and openness than rear boundaries, so a solid style is worth checking before you settle on it.

A repair is enough when the damage is limited. A few rotten posts, one leaning panel or sheets blown out in a storm can often be fixed on their own, and that costs less than a full replacement.

Replacement makes more sense when the posts have failed along most of the run, the panels are cracked or the line has gone out of true. Patching a fence that is failing everywhere tends to leave you paying twice.

An old fibro fence is a different case. Fibro sheeting from older houses can contain asbestos, so it should not be broken up or cut by hand. The fencer can tell you whether the old sheets need a licensed asbestos removalist first, then build the new fence once the boundary is clear.

Once the fencer has seen the damage, they can tell you which option fits.

A shared boundary fence affects the person next door, so talk to them early. If they disagree about the fence type or height, it is better to find that out before work starts than after the old fence is down.

A written quote gives that chat a real figure to start from. You can show your neighbour the fence type, the height and the price, rather than guessing.

Privacy is often what starts the conversation. A taller or more solid fence between two yards can cut overlooking and noise, and the fencer can explain how the options differ.

Burswood is an inner-city entertainment precinct, with Perth Stadium, Crown Perth and Burswood Park all close by. Many blocks here sit among apartments and busy roads, so tell the fencer about any narrow side access. It decides how panels, posts and concrete reach the boundary.

Until the 1990s the suburb was two parts: Burswood Island, and a southern section that sat inside Victoria Park. If your house is in that older southern section, mention an old fibro fence when you describe the job, since it changes the first step.

The island name goes back to 1841, when a canal was cut through the peninsula to shorten the trip to Guildford.

Say where the fence leans or the gate catches, then request a fence quote.