Timber or Colorbond?

Need a new fence? And you can’t choose between Timber or Colorbond steel?

The option between a standard Timber Paling fence and Colorbond fence is sometimes a hard one to make.

In our opinion, the construction of a Timber paling fence is a better choice.

It is cheaper and stronger (Providing that quality materials are used and it is constructed correctly). This is why we choose to use timber for all the fences that we construct.

The difference in using quality materials and the way its constructed can extend the life and durability of your fence by 5 years or more.

BKM Australia use Treated Pine posts when they are constructing a Timber Paling fence, with a footing depth of 900mm and each post set in concrete.

Please note most fencing contractors only use one bag of concrete for every third post!

Rails for the Timber Paling fence are rough sawn treated pine with a thickness of 75mm x 50mm, this is what we use for all the three rails on a fence.

Please note that some fencer’s use a smaller rail in the centre to cut costs. This will also cut the strength of your fence.

Palings are treated pine, at least of 12mm thickness. This is the standard most saw mills supply. With no twists or bows in them. Palings come in a range of lengths from 1500mm to 2100mm anything over this length needs to be custom ordered.

Plinth board at the bottom of the fence should be treated pine and a minimum width and thickness of 150mm x 25mm.

If the neighbour decides to pile dirt up against the fence for his new garden bed (which is not recommended) the nails and screws for the construction of the Timber Paling fence should all be galvanised to prevent them rusting out with 75mm in length for the rails and 65mm in length for the palings.

Do remember that timber is a natural product and it will be inclined to bend and twist a little.

Timber or Colorbond, which is better?