Infill Ideas

The infill or palisade is the part of the fence between the pillars and posts. Choose your infill at the beginning of the project. We have seen many combinations of infill materials used to make individual and stylish fences.

Some fences will have their infill from the ground up, while others will incorporate a low plinth wall to support the infill and to frame the home and garden behind your fence.

Pillars with a plinth wall act as framing elements for your house. The fence is not the main attraction — it is a way of displaying the home and garden beyond it.

Some infill, like aluminium tubing, allows a view through the fence into the house and garden. Other infill (brush, for instance) will provide a complete visual barrier. Your preferences and council regulations will determine what you will use.

Here are some of the products that can be used between pillars and some of things that need to be considered.

• 

  Tubular steel

  • Incorporated into most fences
  • Light-weight and Flexible
  • Endless possibilities
  • Long life when powder coated
• 

  Aluminium fencing

  • Lighter than tubular steel
  • Best option if living by the coast.
  • Not as flexible as tubular steel.
  • Many choices of pattern from simple spears to compex lace

  Heritage advisors with many Councils prefer the look of the aluminium fencing with the flat horizontal bar as shown here, and a heavy fancy spear giving an acceptable traditional look with modern materials.

• 

  Cast Aluminium

  • Heritage areas
  • Period homes
  • Fixed size panels
  • Many choices of pattern from simple spears to compex lace

  As the panel sizes are fixed you need to choose pillars in conjunction with the panels.

• 

  Aluminium slats

  • Modern design
  • Low maintenance
  • Colour and size are nearly unlimited.
  • The gap between slats can be altered to allow for more or less privacy.

• 

  Wooden Slats

  • Privacy
  • Natural
  • Slats can be cut to fit most shapes of pillars.
  • Timber gates and panels are built around a steel frame for longevity.
  • The wood can be painted or stained to match the trim of the house.

  The first photo shows wood stained slats with a sliding gate. The steel frame has been painted to match the pillar colour and provides a visual (as well as structural) framing effect. The second photo shows painted wooden slats on a contemporary home.

• 

  Brush

  • Natural fibre
  • Privacy
  • Adaptable height and shape

  The open tubular steel gate offers a glimpse into the front garden.