GARDEN DESIGN
TIME TO DITCH TIMBER AND SWITCH TO COMPOSITE
Composite panels are an increasingly popular alternative to timber , offering a combination of lasting looks and low maintenance . Here , Patrick Guest , Managing Director at Birkdale , discusses the advantages of composite fence panel solutions .
Timber panels have been a firm favourite amongst fencers and homeowners for some years , thanks to their relative ease of installation , aesthetics and low cost . However , with these positives come drawbacks such as their short lifespan , their relative fragility and the maintenance they require . In contrast , composite panels offer a longer lasting , lower maintenance option that is just as affordable .
Lifespan While timber fence panels deliver a limited lifespan of up to 10 years with regular treatment and maintenance , a composite panel is engineered to resist the worst of the elements . Birkdale ’ s panels are made from either a mixture of virgin and recycled high-density polypropylene ( HDPE ) and rice husks , or woodplastic composite ( WPC ) in the case of the DuraPost VISTA ® panel range . These sustainable solutions won ’ t rot and aren ’ t susceptible to damage from insects . For these reasons , Birkdale guarantees its composite products for 15 years .
Durability To make timber panels light and cost-efficient , they are often cut very thin , increasing their susceptibility to wind and impact damage . Composite panels are created with the intention of maximising strength to weight ratio . Galvanised steel rails above and below the panel are nanocoated and powder coated for extra protection and provide the necessary rigidity , enabling the panel to withstand the worst of the British weather .
Low maintenance Unlike timber panels , composite solutions do not need to be treated because the WPC or recycled HDPE used to make them won ’ t warp , rot or splinter . Products like Birkdale ’ s DuraPost VISTA ® panels are also UV stabilised , meaning the colour of the panel will not fade over time , keeping the fence looking fresh and new .
DuraPost VISTA ® panels also deliver on price , meaning more homeowners and contractors alike can now reap the benefits of this contemporary fencing solution .
To find out more about Birkdale ’ s range of composite alternatives to timber , including the new DuraPost
VISTA ® composite panels , visit www . durapost . co . uk .
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