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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