a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing

In our rapidly changing world, where climate change is not just a nasty rumour and the chances of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 are a fairy tale, the move towards eco-conscious living is not a trend but a necessity. Our gardens are an extension of ourselves and our homes and should reflect our commitment to sustainability.

Choosing eco-friendly fencing for your outdoor space is more than just a choice. It is a statement, a money-saving step towards a greener tomorrow. With sustainable fence materials, let us build boundaries that safeguard our privacy and the planet.

What is eco-friendly fencing?

When making home and garden improvements, the fencing we choose means more than boundary lines. It is important aesthetically and reflects our values and environmental ethos. While sturdy, traditional fencing materials, wood, metal, or composite often have a hidden cost to the planet. Production processes can be resource-intensive (metal), and end-of-life disposal can lead to landfill sites brimming with waste that is not biodegradable (metal and composite).

Enter eco-friendly fencing options into our sustainable story. These green barriers are literally that - green, crafted from materials that work with nature, not harm it. By choosing fences made from bamboo, natural stone, responsibly forested timber, plants, and recycled plastic, we are improving our homes and gardens plus protecting the environment - that is a win-win situation!

The good news is that the benefits of working with our planet are also savvy investments. Sustainable fence materials, especially recycled ones, require less maintenance (because they are already weathered) and resist pests (because they are treated) to stand strong against the British weather, which means saving money in the long term. What is more, an ecologically sound choice can enhance property values as younger, more switched-on homebuyers seek environmentally friendly living spaces. It is our responsibility to erect boundaries responsibly and build a legacy that future generations will thank us for - one fence panel at a time.

a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Decorative Domed Top Fence Panel (1.8m x 1.8m) - Click Image to View
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
Forest 6' x 3' Pressure Treated Contemporary Picket Fence Panel (1.83m x 0.9m) - Click Image to View

Types of sustainable fence materials

These are not as tricky to source as you would imagine. You can choose bamboo, recycled plastic, composite panels, reclaimed wood, living fences and local stone in all its guises. Here are five eco-friendly fencing materials that lift the spirits while making our wallets heave a grateful sigh.

1) Bamboo

a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing

Rapidly renewable and durable, bamboo is a rapidly growing plant, which has some similarities to a timber fence. It makes for a great garden screen. Bamboo can grow an amazing 3 feet a day or just under 1.5 inches an hour in the right conditions. So, you can see why it is a cost-effective option. On the downside, bamboo fencing needs regular cutting back because it grows so fast and can become invasive if not kept in check.

2) Recycled plastic and composite fencing

a photo of concrete fence post and some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of concrete fence post and some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
8' x 4" x 3" Forest Lightweight Concrete Fence Post (2360mm x 106mm x 84mm) - Click Image to View

Long-lasting and low maintenance, recycled plastic or wood plastic composite fencing is a fantastic eco-friendly material; it is long-lasting and low maintenance. Fence panels made from recycled plastic are just that: recycled plastic bottles and packaging are reduced and moulded into usable fence panels.

Composite fence panels are eco-friendly fencing because they are made from recycled plastic and reclaimed timber fibres. Composite fencing materials are made into fencing panels after they have been through co-extrusion processing that combines plastic and wood to make an entirely new material. These panels fit easily into existing concrete fence posts, just like other fencing panels do.

3) Reclaimed wood

a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing

Characterful and reduces waste, reclaimed wood fencing is an attractive and entirely sustainable fence panel choice. Its characterful, reclaimed wood has already lived a life and displays patina and depth as a result. Reclaimed wood reduces waste and is one of our favourite uniquely sustainable fence materials. Skip diving is not a crime if you are reusing the finds into a beautiful natural barrier.

4) Living fences (hedges)

a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing

To enhance biodiversity and provide natural habitats, living fences are usually hedges made of hardy perennials such as:

  • Boxwood – an extremely popular shrub in the UK. This is extensively used in hedges, borders, and topiary. Its leaves are evergreen and glossy. The ease of pruning and small leaves makes Boxwood a favourite for intricate garden shapes
  • English Yew (Taxus baccata) – this is a native British type of conifer. It has dark green dense foliage and thrives in many soil types and conditions. Popular in topiary, this hedge is easy to prune and is commonplace in many UK gardens
  • Hawthorn - a great property protector as Hawthorn comes complete with thorns to see off any would-be intruders! This living hedge is a statement maker that offers longevity and creativity but needs regular clipping to keep its shape. You can add colour and texture using a common hawthorn or Photinia fraseri, red tip photinia, or Christmas berry
  • Japanese holly – closely resembling boxwood, the Japanese holly is a popular hedge choice in the UK. Often seen in topiary, this makes an ideal hedge, it is a slow-growing plant that is easily shaped
  • Laurel – many species of Laurel are a great option, and no list of hedges would be complete without it. Fast-growing and low maintenance, the Laurel thrives in UK conditions, irrespective of the quality of its soil. It is dense and so great for privacy screens and hedges are its “bread and butter”

5) Local stone

a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing

Local stone walls have a low carbon footprint and blend naturally into the surrounding environment. These walls include dry stone walls, sometimes known as dry stack walls. These walls are a testament to local craft people and create a unique boundary that is a conversation starter. Using local stone can consist of cladding an existing wall in slate or York stone slabs.

Stone, a material that has weathered over several years, looks fantastic when added to an existing wall. It may be economically and environmentally sound to save the existing structure and change its appearance. Choosing this option will save time and money.

Is newly harvested wood an eco-friendly and sustainable fencing material?

Yes, we could have included newly harvested wood in the previous list but wanted to give a separate focus.

Wood as a sustainable material

To many people, wood is not one of the obvious sustainable fence materials, but it can be when it is sourced responsibly. If wooden fencing is sourced in the following ways, it would be considered sustainable:

  • Renewable source – if the wood is harvested from a renewable source, it can be considered sustainable. Here at Buy Fencing Direct, the wood used to create a timber fence varies from one manufacturer to another. The majority though, are sourced from sustainably managed forests and woodlands, which means as trees are harvested, replacement seedlings are planted
  • Certification – rather than wood retailers just claiming their wood is sustainable, they can prove it through accreditation. Our wooden garden buildings are certified by the following schemes, check individual products for details:
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
Forest 6' x 6' Europa Plain Pressure Treated Decorative Fence Panel (1.8m x 1.8m) - Click Image to View
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
Forest 6' x 6' Brown Pressure Treated Super Lap Fence Panel (1.83m x 1.83m) - Click Image to View

Wood is an eco-friendly choice for your outdoor space

Wooden fencing can also be considered eco-friendly for the following reasons:

  • Biodegradable – wood is naturally biodegradable (unlike synthetic materials). It will naturally decompose at the end of its useful life and will not deposit harmful resides into the environment
  • Low carbon footprint – wood has an extremely low carbon footprint to produce and requires much less energy than synthetic or metal fencing. The carbon footprint can be reduced further if the timber is locally sourced. This is why with many of our products (e.g. Forest Garden), the timber used is sourced from UK forests and woodlands

Factors to consider when buying eco-friendly fence panels

When selecting an eco-friendly fencing option, embracing an integrated approach is best. Think about the lifecycle and sustainability of the materials, where options like bamboo offer rapid renewability and reclaimed wood or reclaimed eco-friendly fence panels offer in-built character to their conservation story.

Composite fence panels offer a modern twist that is great for areas of the UK with demanding weather conditions and living fences (hedges) breathe life into your boundaries, doubling as carbon monoxide absorbers.

a photo of a hedge being used as eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of a hedge being used as eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing

The maintenance and longevity of your chosen materials cannot be overlooked. Bamboo’s resilience against pests is a positive, but its rapid growth can be invasive if you do not keep it in check. Natural hedges need regular maintenance, trimming and clipping, but not as much as bamboo fencing, but they do require care. 

Local availability is the guardian of eco-friendliness. Using materials like:

  • Local stone - for dry stone wall boundaries or
  • Stone cladding - a wall that is already in situ reduces transportation emissions while harmonising with the local landscape

Dry stone walls depend on the availability of local craftsmen or time learning how to DIY your perimeter fence. While we are at it, let us not forget climate suitability - the material that might suit a temperate climate down south might not be so comfortable in wet or frosty conditions up north. Coastal areas are particularly tricky as the salty air may not lend itself to metal fencing, even recycled boundaries, and gates. Check out our buying fencing guide for more ideas.

a photo of a stone wall being used as eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of a stone wall being used as eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing

Eco garden fence related articles

Did you know, we write about eco-friendly topics quite often? So, much so infact we have an eco-friendly category on our blog. You may enjoy also reading the following related articles:

a photo of a bug hotel which compliments some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of a bug hotel which compliments some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Vertical Closeboard Fence Panel (1.83m x 1.85m) - Click Image to View

Final thoughts

Going green and choosing sustainable fence materials is more than a purchase – it is an agreement between you and the planet. Eco-friendly fencing offers the best solution to an increasingly urgent problem; it is a working combination of sustainability, practicality and aesthetics that allows your home to secure its boundaries while reflecting your ethics and commitment to the future of our world. Commit to a greener tomorrow by choosing natural stone, a living fence, reclaimed wood, composite panels, recycled plastic boundaries, virgin timber fencing, or a bamboo fence for your outdoor space. It is worth reading our forest-pro installation service tips for more eco-friendly facts.

Contact us

We are waiting to discuss everything “sustainable.” We can provide all the information you need to make the right decisions regarding eco-friendly fencing. Buy Fencing Direct has many fence panel options made from sustainable wood and a vast selection of fencing accessories and fixings. Choose our eco-friendly fence panels for a combination of durability and style.

Do you want to contact us about our eco-friendly fencing? If so, here are the options:

  • Calls - why not call us at 0333 003 0515?
  • Emails – alternatively, you can email us through our contact page
  • Live chat - real-time conversations are available when you click the pop-up at the bottom left corner of any page
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
a photo of some eco-friendly fence panels that are made using sustainable fence materials to create eco-friendly fencing
Forest 6' x 6' Paloma Decorative Fence Panel (1.8m x 1.8m) - Click Image to View