When coating timber fencing, several variables come into play and, to achieve both protection and aesthetic appearance, it is essential that the correct coating is specified and for, the merchant, marketed appropriately. Whether coating new timber or refurbishing existing fencing, the product used has to meet the criteria of high performance and low maintenance, coupled with the requirement for durability.
Interestingly, colour is playing an increasingly important role in the specification process, as fencing is now perceived not just as a security measure but also as an integral component that complements both the architecture of the location and the environment.
“Designers are familiar with interior design trends, using colour contrasts to create the perfect ambience,” said Sadolin‘s product manager Lucie Wrench. “When considering the external envelope and surroundings, they are making much more of a feature of fencing, so the coatings not only protect the timber but also decorate it, using colour to brighten otherwise dull features.”
In line with this, she added, colour also plays a role in the increasingly important area of urban regeneration.
For a colour scheme to be successful, it must be applied in the context of its surroundings. “The aim of a colour strategy is to provide visual harmony on the basis of an objective view of the colour relationship between buildings and landscape elements that contribute to the environment,” said Ms Wrench.
So the ideal, she added, is for the merchant/retailer to offer a dedicated range for external fencing applications covering the full palette of colours and tones – in both translucent and opaque options. This enables them to tap into this increasing demand for design creativity and give the customer the complete spectrum of aesthetic and performance combinations.
An example of the modern use of colour in fencing can be found at All Saints Church of England Primary School in Chatham (pictured). In this instance a mixture of bright, cheerful colours complements a newly built playground. “The environment in which the children learn and its influence on the behaviour and moods of the pupils was perceived as important and, in recognition of this, the strong fence colours were deliberately chosen to create a positive impact,” said Ms Wrench.
Another key consideration is the scale of the fencing installation, particularly in the public sector where low maintenance products are required to save time and costs. Sadolin’s contribution to this market is Focus Fencing Woodstain, a water-borne, high durability product designed for use on fencing where longer periods between maintenance is required. It was used recently along the A6 corridor on peripheral fencing and gates on the route from Stockport to Manchester. Manchester City Council decided to use contrasting colours to break up the large expanse of timber, using Focus Fencing Woodstain in browns and blues.
