Gravel boards are the ultimate first line of defence in fence post protection. They act as a barrier between your fence panels and the soil. Gravel boards are resistant to water damage and protect against all the factors that cause decay, including fungi, oxygen, and effectively locking moisture out.
In this guide, we look at everything associated with fence preservation, including gravel boards and the use of wood preserver. We’ll delve into what gravel boards are made of and how to deliver bottom-of-the-fence protection by keeping the panels away from moisture and pests. We’ll discuss other useful information including the best wood preserver for fence posts and general fence preservation techniques.
Gravel boards – essential for fence post protection!
To understand gravel boards, you need to know what they are made from. There are two main types of gravel boards, wood, and concrete. Some concrete gravel boards contain galvanised steel, but this type of gravel board is designed for more industrial use and presents its own issues.
Protecting the critical ground line with gravel boards is essential to prevent decay caused by moisture, fungi, and oxygen.
Lightweight concrete gravel boards offer the best protection against ground and soil moisture. While nobody really gives them any thought they are without a doubt an essential foundation product that can and will protect your investment.
How gravel boards protect fences from soil
If you are installing wooden fencing because they look good, you must install a wooden or concrete gravel board to maintain their functionality. When wooden fence panels come into direct contact with the moisture in the soil, they absorb the water. Even pressure treated timber fence panels are suspectable to moisture penetration over time.
By elevating your fence panels away from the ground, you can protect your fence panels from lifespan-inhibiting damage. Gravel boards act as a direct barrier from water and pests, providing a form of fence post rot protection, preventing fungal growth and long-term damage. This helps prevent costly ground line rot, which can lead to expensive issues and post failure.
What is the best wood preserver for fence posts?
Fence preservation does not rely on gravel boards alone, it is the combination of quality pressure treated fence panels, fence posts, fence caps and other fence-building accessories. Post rot protection is essential for enhancing the durability of wooden fence posts by preventing ground-line rot and decay. One of the tools in your fence preservation armoury is a topical wood preserver to enhance the durability of your wooden posts. When used in conjunction with our lightweight concrete gravel boards or pressure treated wooden gravel boards, this can act as an effective rot protector.
We are happy to recommend the following timber preservative treatments from Timmersol:
Barrettine also makes an excellent resin-enriched wood treatment for sheds and fences.
Wood preservers like Timmersol and Barrettine help to extend the life and appearance of your wooden structures, fence panels, fence posts and caps, as well as other garden buildings. Barrettine in particular is suitable for smooth-planed or rough-sawn outdoor timber.
Choosing the right gravel board material
When selecting the appropriate gravel board material for your fencing project, it is important to consider the characteristics of each option. Using materials with a dual layer barrier provide advanced protection against decay by creating an air and water tight seal around fence posts.
Gravel boards pros and cons comparison table
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Gravel board type |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Wooden gravel boards |
They add natural charm and appeal to fencing designs and are easy to cut to size. Pressure treated wooden boards offer a lengthy anti-rot guarantee if properly maintained.
Pressure treated boards resist decay, such as moisture, fungi, and oxygen at the critical ground-line, thereby preventing costly ground-line rot in wooden posts
|
Wooden gravel boards are more susceptible to rot and fungal infection if not properly maintained. Continual maintenance is recommended |
|
Concrete gravel boards |
Concrete boards are known for their strength and modern look.
Concrete boards are not prone to rot or decay, offering longevity with minimal maintenance
|
Concrete gravel boards are heavier and can be tricky to cut to size, they may require specialist cutting tools to remove nibs
|
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Composite gravel boards |
These eco-friendly boards combine the benefits of recycled plastic and wood fibres to create a board that has rot protection built in and requires little overall maintenance
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Composite boards are more expensive in the first instance, more expensive than wooden gravel boards and less robust than concrete
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In terms of durability, concrete gravel boards are a solid choice offering robust bottom-of-fence protection. While wooden gravel boards offer a cost-effective solution in the first instance they require more on-going maintenance over time. For aesthetic compatibility, timber gravel boards blend well with classic or traditional fence panels, whereas lightweight concrete gravel boards offer a balance between looks and feasibility.
Concrete gravel boards are generally the choice for people who love a contemporary fence panel design, and composite boards are a middle ground between style, weight considerations and environmental considerations. One thing is for sure, to keep a solid boundary fence upright you need to protect your fence from soil.
Bottom-of-fence protection solutions – all the factors
Fence preservation and rot protection is the mainstay of this blog, and while we are all about recommending the best wood preserver for fence posts, we also emphasise the importance of protecting against ground line rot. Let’s look at some of the factors required to add bottom-of-fence protection:
Bottom-of-fence protection solutions pros and cons comparison table
|
Protection solution |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Metal fence guards / Metal gravel boards |
Extremely durable, robust, and solid but not completely foolproof without regular applications of rust inhibitor |
Expensive to buy and install in the first instance and less visually appealing than wood
|
|
Plastic gravel boards |
Lightweight, easy to install and available in several colours and designs to match your landscaping. They also create a watertight seal, preventing moisture entry and preserving the wood by locking in preservatives |
Not as robust as metal or concrete and not environmentally friendly unless made from recycled plastic in the first instance |
|
Stone or brick barriers |
Add an interesting aesthetic element to your garden and will protect the fence |
DIY installation can be labour-intensive, and the outcome may offer a junkyard aesthetic rather than a historic dry stone wall look |
Compared to wooden or concrete gravel boards the other options of metal, plastic or stone are more expensive time consuming and a little left field. The best solution will depend on your specific needs, budget, aesthetic taste and the overall style of your garden or landscape design.
Fence preservation ensures lower costs in the long run
Fence post preservation along with fence panel protection is paramount. There is nothing worse than investing time and money into a fencing project than forgetting to protect the fence from soil damage. Fence preservation relies heavily on bottom fence protection, so get the best wood preserver for fence posts and panels and choose either wood or concrete gravel boards for that added element of care that will see your fencing project last for many years and serve as solid protection for your home’s boundary.
One last tip, install your gravel boards slightly above ground level, rather than nestling into the ground. This is another element that will keep your boundary fence doing its job for the next 15-20 years. Additionally, using gravel boards can contribute to a post replacement guarantee, ensuring long-term benefits and peace of mind.
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