So THIS Is How They Build Fences in the UK? D&J Projects Reaction
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- Today we're looking at video from our friends across the pond, D&J Projects. In this video they're showing a common fence in their country and how to install it, complete with concrete posts and concrete gravel boards. There's some drastic differences between fences in the UK and fences here in America. So let's check out this video and see how the UK's premier fencing contractor, D&J Projects, builds fences.
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I'm Joe Everest, The Fence Expert. On this channel, I'm going to teach you everything there is to know about fences. We're going to show you how to build a fence, everything about fence posts, different fence installation methods and much, much more. If you're wanting to become a fence builder, or if you're just trying to build a DIY fence, my channel will help you out. So subscribe and ring the bell icon, that way you don't miss any of my fence videos!
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CZcams suggested I should watch someone, watching another person constructing a fence. Fair enough
Inception 101
Yup - not sure how I got from cooking, movies and footie to here. But here we are and yes, concrete posts are the way to go.
Facts
@@monkeymanbob Build a fence (with a gate) in the morning, get the BBQ sorted. Invite neighbours and watch football together. Fun Day.
The bigger question is... why did I watch the whole thing?
The UK also uses a 3rd type of measurement: “little bit more mate”, “not enough mate”, “that’s it” - that also gets the job done!
And "just a tad more" . A tad being a micro to small amount and everything in between! 😂😂😂
@@JonDingle Don't forget a smidgen more or less or the slightly less accurate, just a fanny full.
@@BodyGuardOfLies1 😂😂😂 Of course and another one is "a midgies dick". 😂😂😂😂😂 which is quite a common phrase up here in Northern England! Have a great day!
"A dod" is also a used metric within the uk
@@JonDingle in scotland it's "baw hair", for those not familar on scottish slang "baw" is bollocks,
I live in the uk. My home has this fence system. It was standing 20 years ago when I bought the house. I have recently replaced all 20 of the original wood panels with the same kind. It took two of us 45 minutes. The concrete posts and base boards were still in perfect condition 20 plus years after fitting.
Same lol
Rockin.
Exactly . Harder to install at first but longer lasting
When I was driving around the UK and Ireland a few years ago, it seemed that all the fences that I saw were either hedges or the stacked stone type... I guess I wasn't paying much attention to the fences in the urban areas -- probably paying more attention to the fact I was driving on the wrong side of the road... :)
@@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire some of those feild drystone walls are hundreds of years old, doing it properly is a skilled trade and relatively well paid, cost is between £120-£150 a meter with repairs being the higher end and 3 meters a day for new builds per person but it will still be there in a few hundred years time
My mum recently had a fence replaced, and they reused the concrete posts even though they are 20 years old (guess). A few did need realigning a few inches but manly just slid in a new wood fence. Saved her a fortune! In my opinion, concrete posts are the way to go with our wet, and windy climate here in the UK.
Incredible, we’re certainly looking into it!
The posts are reinforced concrete as well. They often have 2 steel bars inside them to strengthen the concrete. They're really heavy though that's the only downside working with them.
@@nathanloosemore4141 good to know, the weight will certainly be a consideration!
It’s the UK. We switch imperial and metric all over the place!!
@@JoeEverest have a listen to this UK comedian. Such a funny sketch about metric v imperial czcams.com/video/nROK4cjQVXM/video.html
@@JoeEverest As a professional Joiner, we need to know both. For example, most internal/external doors in the UK are imperial but kitchen cabinets are metric. Sheet materials can be metric or imperial. A pain in the ass if you set your centres for the wrong one.
Whatever is closest 🤣🤣🤣
@@davidktd now that I don't agree with 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@rik061119 I was so young I didn’t question it! Absolutely killed me!
I don't know why i'm watching this video but frankly, i'm now heavily invested in the making of fences
Me too!🇬🇧
I live in a flat and I'm hooked 🤣😂🤣
Its contagious, and I ended up building one and now I'm abnormally proud about it 😄
same 😆
I like how Joe is open to other country’s methods/ways in how things are done, can’t beat respectful open mindedness
We should all be able to appreciate really good work!
@@JoeEverest 👍👍
You have any videos on hammock post builds?
Nothing worse then know it alls who criticize other methods of doing things. I can't tell you how many people from Europe criticize the way people in the US and Canada build homes. We have reasons why we do it the way we do it here.
Yes to concrete posts. I’ve been telling my husband for the last 7 years I want to create our fences like they build in Europe like this. Especially with the fence above the soil on the concrete:). We lived in Germany and had fencing similar to this. I’m a huge fan.
Sounds expensive
The good thing is the post outlives the panel and its just a matter of sliding the old panel out and sliding a new one in when the time comes.
It's a handy thing when you spend too much time setting them on fire and driving pit bikes through them.
My experience is that if you have decent panels and paint the fence regularly, the first thing to go is the bottom of the (wooden) post will often rot off, and the fence gets blown over by the wind, even though there's still lots of life left in the panel. Using concrete posts and gravel boards removes all the stuff that would rot due to contact with the ground.
Personally, I've changed to using fencing made from recycled waste plastic. Never rots, never needs painting.
It's easier to fix to timber posts though, with the cheaper panels they bend in high winds and pop out of the slots.
For a time, it was standard in the UK to use concrete posts that had bolt holes for fixes cross members to the post. That would be my preferred method; concrete post with wooden rails fixed to them ready for cladding.
Yep but they are heavy as fuck. I do landscaping so do a lot of fencing and I fucking hate carrying them from A to B lol. But yeah the only time we use wood for a post on fences is the wall plate so 🤷🏻♂️
CZcams: "He's never built a fence but I think he'll LOVE this"
I did bloody love this tbh
You're here so clearly we both relate
@@PhatController96 @charlotte roke let's all build a fence together
Did we just become best friends?!
@@PhatController96 LET'S BUILD FENCES AND BRAID EACH OTHERS HAIR
I'm a gardener and landscaper in UK, and what he's has said the whole way through, is basically exactly spot on with how me and my brother in law do it!
They're often done that way over here in Ireland as well. Though home DIYers often leave off the concrete base board, or they use a much smaller (shorter in height) one.
That's cos we build things propper in the UK as a former landscaper myself i can say ita the best way to do it
Same, the only difference is that I sometimes leave the panel out if the wind is high, had a few posts go out of line or twist due to the postcrete not setting fast enough, and the wind just battering the fence, on top of most the land in the suburbs of Liverpool being reclaimed marshland.
No panel, no
I do alot of these fences too and I thought it was bang on , nice to see them finishing the panel right on the shoulder of post , bugs me seeing posts all poking up a few inches looks well sloppy
@@MrSmoore77 I usually leave an inch or two, just to give the client the option to put a topper on there.
Failing that the gravel board can be raised in most cases.
If it's uniform it's all grand, if each post is up, down, same, down, up, up, down, up...
That looks shite.
You have just got to start using the concrete H post including the kick boards,they will last forever and the wood panel fence can be easily replaced as it just slots in ,in the long run so much easier and cheaper
Yup just lift the old up and out and lift the new up and in if you already have the posts
The initial outlay is more pricey but it will save you tonnes of cash in the future.
Yeh bit more.pricey, in uk can get wood posts about 13 each and concrete 20 to 25 odd.. depending on thickness wood can last 5 years+ or more, but found that varies by where they aren and all that. So worth the xtra for concrete 👍
My neighbour has these post. Quite nice. On a windy day they are quite noisy rattling about.
Stick little wooden wedges in at your side won’t make a sound 👍🏻
For some reason CZcams suggested this to me and honestly I'm not even mad. This is addictive.
Same here!
All hail the algorithm
Same. I've not watched a fence installation video before and have no desire to install one but still watched it to the end!
Lol I was the same. This and the random free garden cuts. I've no clue why I'm watching this stuff. I'm not doing any of this stuff personally.
I like the boys in the jungle building things by hand videos. They are amazing. I suspect they have backhoes off camera lol.
When a British fence is older that your country.
Yes to concrete, and brick and anything that lasts.
Hahaha so true, I see this didn't get liked by our guy 🤣🤣🤣
@Jim Knight I know mate, I'm Wiltshire born and bred 🙂
@Jim Knight my house is a genuine Tudor building and was built in the 1570s
They sort of already know, when you see the reports flying over tornado damaged areas, the only part left standing of the houses is the masonry in the chimney stacks.
and that's why we have centuries buildings all around and united states have cardboard box house.
When placing the fence panel onto the gravel boards, screw a 1.5 inch brass screws into the underside, leaving a quarter of an inch proud. This will allow any excess moisture to dry and lead to longer fence panel life. It is also good practice to treat the ends of the panels with timber treatment prior to installation.. Hope this turns out to be a standard you'd like to adopt on your side of the pond.....
I had zero interest in fences, or how to build them. Then I watched this entire video (mainly out of bemusement as to why it was recommended), and enjoyed it thoroughly. Now I'm a changed man.
At first I was wondering why there was a channel dedicated to fencing but now I can safely say I GET it. I'm from the UK and had no prior knowledge about the construction of fences, but it was super interesting to hear the thoughts and opinions of a professional from another country and learn a little about the differences between them.
Great video, subscribed.
I watched this and I live 10 floors up in a block of flats.
You gonna need bigger posts
@@bobbyboy4496 took the words outa my mouth
@@ericstill5637 it must have been while you were kissng me
Then you will need to buy a gross of sky hooks. Attach to the gravel boards, one at either end and fix to the posts with a mix of 2kgs of sand/cement and 1/2 inch aggregate. Leave for 20 minutes before slotting the panels in to place. Always spray the gravel boards with weed killer before leaving the site. Ensure you buy the correct weight bearing sky hooks….essential, to prevent accidents.
That is going to be a really high fence!
My 12 concrete posts have been in my garden for 38 years, only one has crumbled after it was damaged by a falling tree. I highly recommend them.
Loads of sheep fences in New Zealand were built with concrete posts and even 80 years later the posts are still just fine the wires will rust away first. The posts last for ever as long as they don't get cracks because then the steel inside rusts and they just fall apart
I honestly think we use concrete boards at the bottom in england because of how much kids love playing football and booting the ball at the fence.
Yep this is how we do it and it works fine.
We had concrete posts last less than 2 years before they started deteriorating, with the concrete breaking off and exposing the reinforcing metal rod inside. Most annoyed that the supplier simply said this was a risk and otherwise didn’t want to know. I realise we were unlucky but didn’t want to risk this again, so had them replaced with wooden railway sleepers, which have lasted considerably longer already.
Yes. We've got some that my Grandad put in 70 years ago.
Concrete posts last for decades. My house had concrete posts put in in the 70s and they're still in top condition today. Strong as a horse's leg 🐎
So, not too strong then?
@@X22GJP You might change your assessment if a horse just kicked you. 😀
As a Brit, to me this is just normal. Interesting to find different methods.
It’s good to see someone not stuck in their own way or favourable on their own countries system.there is nothing wrong with that!!!but an easier way or a better idea is a no brainer no matter where it comes from.some people are just not up to excepting other people’s ideas.good on you sir!!! you always give credit where credit is due
thh this is an age divide thing, anyone over 45 will only have been taught feet and inches. metre's mean absolute nothing to me, i have no concept of it.
@@pbmltd9023 mate, and as you can see by my condescending use of the term "mate" 😂, i'm a brit. sunderland actually, and this foreign measurement wasn't taught in schools till the early 90's. we have had a change over to incorporate both systems, but i'm led to believe its now more focused on the meter style measurement system (although road signs are still in miles). whilst in the eu they actually tried, and succeeded for a while, to ban weighing in imperial weights and measurements alone, insisting that both systems were used and displayed on packaging. it led to the metric martyrs cases who refused, as the people who bought fruit and veg from them had no -king idea what a kilo of apples was. personally i couldnt tell you what a kilo of apples looked like either.
@@JoeEverest these posts also can be bought with concrete slats instead of using the wooden fence it’s just preference really . I will say you are left with a very strong barrier which considering the weather you guys have would benefit also a good fire barrier
Just stop with the unnecessary “u”s between the o and r. I use mm all the time btw, easier than 1/64s
@@tam8197 wait, what? The metric system was taught in schools well before the '90s. It became mandatory in 1974 as the primary system of measurement in British education, but quite a few schools were teaching it before then. I was first taught it in at least 1972.
Another thing about these fences here in uk, is when the panels finally need replacing, you just lift it out the top and drop another one in. No need to change the posts
In Scotland it is 90% wooden posts that i see. I do like these concrete post fences but always wondered how the wooden panel is secured to the post, so people can't just lift them out to break into your property?
@@SouthWestWildernessScotland haven’t heard of anyone taking the panels out to break into a house, but the travellers in my area have been lifting new ones out of people’s front gardens that have just had them put in to use on their own jobs 🤦♂️
@@SouthWestWildernessScotland A lot of concrete posts tend to have a couple of holes within the H so you can screw them if you need to, or a simple small fence wedge will stop people pulling the panels up....
@@SouthWestWildernessScotland Generally nothing to stop that. I'd say if someone is that determined to break in, they will find a way no matter what you do.
Saved me from typing this! Yes 100%
Just sold all my fencing tools, they served me well. There’s something satisfying about putting a new fence up.
We use both imperial and metric measurements in the UK. The Imperial measurements came into being in 1826 (UK). Before that we used English Units which was a mix of Anglo-Saxon and Roman units and a lot of them were carried over to our Imperial Measurements. So we have been using a lot of these measurements for up to 2000 years. Much like being bi-lingual I suppose, we use both.
Maybe so, but if you work in the building and construction industry, you work in metric.
@@X22GJP no we use both in the uk
I’m only a DIY enthusiast but I work in both depending on the project. I measured my back yard in feet as it was easier to draw it to scale on an A4 piece of paper. I also sew as a hobby, and a 1/4 inch seam allowance is standard for home furnishings and quilts, and 5/8 for garments and a lot of patterns (and machines!) use both. My machine has markings for metric and imperial, although the stitching functions are in mm.
Regarding gravel boards - they’re necessary for building sturdy fences on our damp little island. The only downside is everyone seems to use the cheap and nasty feather board panels with them which NOBODY paints and everything looks the same.
The US uses both systems too and are taught both in school... not sure why everyone acts like we have no concept of the metric system including this guy in the video. I've never met a single person who doesn't know what a millimeter, centimeter, or meter are. People struggle somewhat with kilometers but that's merely a lack of exposure unless you're like a long distance runner. And yes, it is very much akin to being bi-lingual although probably much easier seeing as the hardest part is the imperial system itself because of it's inconsistencies.
I worked for a chemical plant here in the US for 22yrs and we used both imperial and metric system, although it was basically forced upon us because we shipped product all over Europe. Myself, I’d never use the metric system, way to cumbersome.
The concrete post method is really good because once the posts are all in, correctly spaced, all standard fence or gravel hoards fit.
So after a few years when the wooden fence panels rot, they can easily be replaced for new fresh ones, the concrete posts can be refreshed just by painting them. 👍😎
Or a good pressure washer will bring concrete to like new.
the posts can shift over time so sometimes you need to jack the posts apart to swap the boards or panels but its easy enough with a m8 helping
And stops them all blowing over in high winds.
What are they, precast with reo?
another benefit of concrete gravel board is trimming. It's not getting damage from your trimmer (like wood would) and does not damage your trimmer line as much as mesh would
I'm not saying they NEVER need renewing, but I'm in the UK and concrete posts are essentially considered maintenance free. They last decades and are pretty much fit and forget.
My childhood home had them fitted in the 90's and they're still absolutely fine.
As for metric vs imperial - you'll find most trades are predominantly metric now but there's still a few throwbacks. This is one, some parts of plumbing is another (3/4" BSP anyone!), and some areas of joinery/carpentry such as doors. But, generally speaking, builders will work in mm now as our bricks are metric which leads to most things being.
Just remember, this is the UK where we drive at 30 miles per hour, to fill up our car with 50 litres of fuel, in the hopes that we get 45 miles per gallon, before picking up a pint of milk, 500 grams of minced beef and put it in a fridge at 4 degrees c!
You would be supported how many jobs I do where I have to replace a concrete fence
My dad used to use both imperial and metric measurements.
It's really only the blasted European Union that have tried to get us using all these metric units, but pints is one that they didn't manage to force through. We don't have much say on petrol stations changing the fuel pumps to litres. I remember when we could buy a gallon of fuel at the pump, the good old days of £1 a gallon - not a litre.
@@richardw5375
I'm a chippy, I still do.
I'd say we expertly switch between systems depending on the job at hand
Great video, there's a couple of things that I'd like to add to it. All concrete used in posts or boards is reinforced with steel running through it. So less likely to crack/split over time. Also I like to prop up the bottom gravel board with a brick either end about 6 inches in. If like in the video, when levelling the ground, then bricks, then board, if you fill the post create mix upto the underside of the gravel board, the board has a much more stable base than just soil. Then backfill. Keeping the horizontal lines running horizontal.
i live in the uk, if i needed to put a fence up i would use concrete posts as well as the gravel boards because it raises the fence off the floor to help protect it from rot. you can get some nice patterned gravel boards so they don't need to be plain.
After years of using wooden posts and replacing wooden posts after high winds I got concrete posts and gravel boards now and they are ace
@@tonyhibbert2342 like any job you do half arsed lol
@@tonyhibbert2342 I live in a very windy area and usually the main damage is the wood panels getting blown out. But the concrete posts don't move at all.
The wood panels are cheap and easy to replace though. Having to replace wooden posts that have rotted in the ground is much more effort.
Ofcourse, in reality, 98% of the time these guys will be doing this in the rain in our beloved country here 😂
@@JoeEverest that was our summer day.
@@JoeEverest Summer is on a Wednesday next year 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🇬🇧🤘🤓🤘
@Steve P if you get termites though the concrete is more inedible..
@Steve P America needs concrete posts...
@Steve P they make a security clip that goes from panel to panel. Hardly anyone fits them tbh. That’s why their garden sheds get robbed, lol.
Always cool to see how people build fencing around the world. Great video. 👍
Great video coming from someone in the uk.
The reason we use concrete post with slots so we can slide rotten fences out and put new in easily. The gravel boards are so the wood panel does not sit in wet soil and rot.
A fence system like this will stand the test of time over wooden posts concreted in the ground.
In the uk we wouldn’t normally have 2 fences running back to back like this. There is no need unless you don’t get along with your neighbour and you want a higher fence.
Or as I guess in this case, they don't like the look of their neighbours scruffy old fence.
@@w4lsh but still if it was my neighbour and I was prepared to pay for a new fence I would ask if I could just replace rather than add another.
There is a "law" (everyone uses it but its not actually law, which surprises people as EVERYONE thinks it is law here in the UK) that the left hand fence as you look at the house is meant to be yours to look after.
@@mrspinballpotter2299 seems a bit unnecessary. Replacing their fence would be more expensive than simply adding another.
I wouldnt recommend replacing your neighbours fence either. Even with the best planning and communication, something can go wrong and if you piss them off that's game over.
Your approach would also be seen as a potential land grab in some parts of the UK. If you replace their fence, you're essentially gaining space on your side. There are two ways you do this:
1. You're gaining garden space that you would otherwise have to build a fence on.
2. You're gaining the space on the boundary line (fences are not supposed to be built on the boundary line).
@@semi-skimmedmilk4480 I can’t see how replacing the fence would be more expensive? Take the fence out and put the new fence in its place? Not gaining any land nor are you paying out anymore than if you run a second fence back to back? I don’t think ever in my 45 years on this earth have I seen a home that has 2 fences dividing a property but maybe you have.
UK. We use metric and imperial where it's best to. ;) Pint for drinking, litres for science. XD
We just like simple numbers. If its a measurement to half an inch, we'll use eg 7.5 inches.
If it needs to be more accurate we'll go for 1.274 metres. I think fractions scare us 🤣
@@astro8856 Sadly, the reason why fuel is sold in litres is the government wanted to hide the real price of a gallon!
4.54 litres at £1.36 per litre sounds much cheaper than £6.26 per gallon!
I remember when my moped took 1 gallon to fill it every week and it was less than £1.... 90 miles per week for under £1.. those were the days 🙄
@@johnpm1605 True, it does come in handy when driving on the continent though, if you're used to buying in litres then you're just doing currency conversion instead of trying to figure out both gallon to litre conversion on top of pounds to euro to see if you're getting a decent deal or not.
@@G1NZOU when you buy anything from the government, I don’t think the words “getting a good deal” has ever popped into my head
@@matthewcollins8600 privately owned gas stations are "the government" now?
Yay, a reaction to d&j! I've been watching them for months. I thought their style of fencing was great! Looking forward to your reaction.
First thig I did when I bought my house 25 yrs ago, replaced all the panels last year, the posts still looking good had ta straigten a few post as our old neighbour dug away the ground, so all i did was dig downand put some freshpost mix in ...👍👌
Being from the UK, I was taught both metric and imperial measurements. But it’s a very generational thing, my parents only know imperial. For me, working within the motorsport trade, I use both Imperial and Metric and it’s an easy transition between the two.
I was raised with imperial measurements (thou, inches, feet, yards, chains, furlongs, miles) and metric. So I'm happy with both but still prefer feet and inches as the arithmetic is easier.
I'm only 27 and I know how to use both efficiently and what each are the equivalent to. But I tend use both in different scenarios as it tends to make sense for a certain purpose over the other. On the same project I may not stay consistent. If I had to say which one I use more of, I would say metric.
We were looking to get some kitchen plans drawn up recently, gave one measurement in imperial, the other in metric. No idea why, it was just the way I remembered it. Got a funny look in the shop mind...
The Brits are great at mixing units... some 4"x2" 2m long please!
@@davidelliott5843 I'm sure the arithmetic is easier because you were raised with it. But what could be easier than a measuring system with a base of 10?
The post also have a metal rod running through the middle of them typically with 3 plastic circular cartwheel reinforcement spacers to add additional strength (son of a retired garden fence/concrete product manufacturer and made many of them myself) . The bases normally have two rods.
@@JoeEverest D & J Projects posts have 4 metal rods running through them...
I watch D&J consistently! I love the concrete posts and the gravel boards! We need to use this in the US!
I agree, it’s an incredibly durable product!
I suppose it depends upon your climate. It's probably wetter and damper in many parts of the UK than somewhere like Arizona, maybe.
We've got concrete posts (England), after the wood fencing all got blown down by strong winds. Concrete posts are so solid everything is still pristine years later, good stuff
4:12 Standard fence panels in the UK are 6 feet wide. Probably for backward compatibility because concrete posts last for decades and the spacing between them goes back to when we still used imperial measurements. You simply lift the old panel out and slide a new one it.
They used two gravel boards usually you use just one with a foot taller wooden panel to get the same height fence, which I think looks better. The posts last for many years and when the wooden panel needs replacing you simply slide out the old and slide in the new one. That postcrete is great stuff it goes off in five minutes so you have to get the post plum and check it doesn't move in that five minutes.
You can also get 1800mm panels in the UK. I think these would be panels from mainland Europe. An approx. 28.8mm packer would be required to fit them into traditional gaps - or the gaps would end up too narrow when it came time to replace with 6ft panels in the future. Something you typically learn about when shops are closed.
@@brucejoseph8367 dose the fence panel expand and contract? Do you butt up the fence to the post tight or leave expansion gaps?
@@johnlanddigging1987 You butt the panels up to the post fairly tightly. They do expand and contract and can rattle a little in the wind when the weather has been very dry for an extended period but it's never been a real problem.
@@johnlanddigging1987 allot of people especially the older generation will use a thin slither in a wedge between the post and panel to remove any rattle, this video uses good quality verti boards but you can get much cheaper waney lap panels and they tend to need the wedges more after a few years but really simple to stop them rattling
Happy to see another tradesman giving a good review even with some differences in process..
Normally we see criticism but this guy has just said good job and that’s great!
I am in my late 50s. I still walk past concrete posts that were there when I was being pushed to school by by mum. I have never seen one fail. I have only ever seen them replaced for vanity purposes. But in general, when they get old, people just paint them.
Hey, I'm from the UK. Most fences around where I live are all wood. A fence constructed with concrete posts is a rare find. I need to build a fence at the back of my garden (as my posts are rotting through) and want to use concrete posts and gravel boards to make it last. And yes we mix metric with imperial all the time! A six foot fence is the norm.
I’m in the UK and for some reason this found its way onto my feed. I’m glad it did. I not long ago did my own fencing and it’s not to different to what I’ve just watched. Great video and a real easy going host. Thanks. New sub for ya:)
If I was younger I'd be over to the US and setting up a post and board manufacturing franchise in a jiffy. Whilst they are not for everyone, the potential is HUGE.
What would it take to setup a shop in the states? I've noticed this fencing technology for some years now with envy because no one here does that I can find. Seems like golden opportunity.
the only problem is in the us, concrete is 37% more expensive per kg than thhe uk. which deters us residents to invest into long lasting fences besides wooden, but yeah concrete fencing is the way
I just had new fences, replacing my old wooden fence with concrete posts and gravel boards, so CZcams decided that I needed to see this. The previous fence was forty years old and most posts had been replaced at least twice in that time. as had the kickboards, but the rest of the fence was near perfect.
I personally LOVE the way they build their fences! When I first saw a D&J video, I was blown away at how clean their installations looked compared to what I see where I live in the US. Just beautiful. I am surprised more US fence builders don't use this method.
British weather laughs in the face of the idea of clean installations.
Did one in October last year, it was a quagmire with crap everywhere.
The fence was good though.
@ - Hey! That's all that counts! As long as the fence comes out good!
@@Reality_TV very true.
I like it! Being from México, i always wondered why fences that would rot and weathered down was the norm. Why not provide something that would last? I guess the obvious answer is cost but still. Sometimes I feel, Construction methods in America are designed to keep homeowners repairing/replacing instead of having something that you pay once and don’t have to worry about it for 20 years.
I used to put these fences up I can tell you if the ground is good you can put a good ten to 15 panels a day with the right crew,, and there not to expensive the actual wooden panel is the most expensive at around 25 pound, post be 8 to 10 pound gravel board be 10-15 pound, wouldent know wot that is in dollers
Someone in America needs to start making concrete posts, and make a fortune
I’m from the U.K. and our fence was put in 20 years ago and only now do we need to replace 3 panels out of 20 on one side, oh and the weather is crap over here, never stops raining in the north west.
Just replaced my fence a couple of weeks ago reusing all but 2 posts. A HEAVY storm came thru and blew some of it loose from the posts. I built the original fence 21 years ago using pressure treated lumber. A properly built fence using the standard American products can last :D
We get a lot of rain here so wood rots fast even if it's been treated. But we don't have termites so that's a plus
I’m from the UK, our gravel board have a tapered top so the water doesn’t sit to long on top between the panel as you were worried about. Personally, I would have used 1.5/2 bags per 2foot hole. But, each to there own.
Yeah mate plus I pour a lot more water water in first then tip the postcrete in .
@@koont666 that's the right way. As said each hole is usually two bags.
Anything less than two bags is just not enough, should also be filled right up to ground level and sloped off so water doesn't sit at the base of post.
@@SteveDiamond19 Which matters not a jot with a concrete post
100% Agree but don't tell everyone lol. A fair bit of my business comes from pulling and replacing concrete posts that have sagged and are loose / leaning from holes that aren't deep enough, or to little concrete. I ALWAYS calculate, based on 2 bags per hole on a 6ft fence.
Hey Joe, great video. I am an avid DIY'er and have done most of my own home improvements over the years, so I suppose I may come under the category of an advanced DIY'er (if there was such a thing). In fact, the only thing I wouldn't tackle is obviously anything requiring certification or regulation work like gas, electric or building regulation based. Naturally, I read tons of online forums and watch quite a lot of videos (it's of interest I suppose). I came across your video reviewing the video of the UK fencing guys at D&J Projects fitting gravel board (or as you say kick board), fence panel and post.
Your observations and interpretations were interesting. From a general home owner's point of view and even an avid DIY'ers point of view like mine, the most common materials sold for fencing in the UK at the 3 main DIY stores. The 3 stores being B&Q (equivalent to your Home Depot, I suppose), Wickes and Homebase; these tend to commonly supply fencing timber products, although they do stock concrete posts and gravel boards too. But it is generally noticed that the general public stores mostly stock the timber based items. However, this somewhat different at a trade counter or trade supplier. I have noticed that it is generally considered that any fencing done by the home owner (DIY'er) will tend to use timber posts, boards and of course as well as the fencing panels. So it isn't an absolute common rule that all UK fencing uses concrete posts and gravel boards as standard, unless it is a tradesperson carrying out the work. There is also the factor that the customer may not like the concrete posts and boards (as it may not be in keeping with the natural look). It just so happens that I have a little anecdote about that very thing . . . . .
My neighbour has just had his fencing replaced (bottom of my garden) and the fencing company used concrete Posts and gravel boards. This is not in keeping with the rest of my fencing on the sides of my garden boundary. So here's an interesting point for you . . . I used the same dark oak fence paint that I used on all of my fence panels and painted the concrete posts and gravel (kick) boards, using 2 coats. It looks awesome and just like the painted timber 4" posts and 12" boards in the rest of my garden. So another benefit of the concrete posts and boards is that they can always be painted the same colour as the panels using the same paint. YEY!
Just one other observation from me is that I noticed that the guys at D&J Projects fitted 2 x 12" gravel boards on top of one another. This is not a common fencing installation using this method from what I have seen, unless it is a boundary fence that maybe borders a main highway or an unusual landscaping area where the fence needs to be raised because of uneven ground or something similar. However, it is an interesting method of construction that's for sure. Tends to make it look interesting or smart even.
Anyway, I just thought that I would offer some observations that I had whilst watching the video; I hope you don't mind. As I have replaced all of my posts, Gravel Boards and panels (All Timber) over the years (been quite a few as am ex-military - 9 house moves in 22 years), I have been in this house for 15 years now since my Medical Discharge. Have replaced about 8 posts and around 6 or 7 Panels and gravel boards. I wonder if I made then concrete whether I would have had too. HA HA. One method I do use though to make it a little easier, is to put a coach screw/Hook into the rotted stump of the post and Car Jack it out carefully. This so I can gently lower the new post into the existing hole before topping up with PostCrete. (Cheeky hack I know).
Anyhow, keep up the good work with your videos, Great work. Another channel added to my list.
thought I'd throw you some support ; 6months and you're detailed and lengthy post not even one like . I read it bro
In my experience of property management I would take an experienced , competent DIY'er over a builder any day.
Did my sloping ( back to front ) garden using this method and you obviously have to step down the posts along the garden length. Also we only used one foot gravel boards as they do not look so intrusive and rain splash up is not a problem. Remember that as you have to lift the panels up and slide new ones in you need to keep tree branches clear of the top of the fence by the depth of the panel. Love this method as if you do it right you only have to do it once.
The other great thing about gravel boards not rotting is if you need to stop critters digging into your garden you can sink them below the soil line.
Some gravel boards have hedgehog holes to allow the critters to roam from garden to garden.
Great video Joe! Love seeing this kind of content. Those dudes did a great job👍
Here in the Philippines one issue that occurs out in the country is the "harvesting" of your fence materials for scrap metal so the concrete posts have the added benefit of not being "lost" to thieves as it's not something of value like metal posts.
The other benefit that wasn't discussed is the ability to access your neighbour's gardens by just sliding a panel out.
I was going to the local tip and I only had half a car load so I offered to take this massive dead rose bush that my elderly neighbour had chopped up in her back garden. When it came time to go, instead of disturb her and traipse through her house I simply pulled out a fence panel, wrapped up the bush, removed it from her garden through mine, shoved it in the car and put the fence panel back. She didn't even know I'd done the job until she looked out her back window.
Joe Everest what a hero! I'd never thought I'd be watching a video about fences and enjoy it haha
My moms fence with concrete posts and gravel boards has so far lasted as long as I’ve been alive which is nearly 29 years.. a couple of coats of paint every couple years and you are golden.. some panels are going to need replacing soon because of rot but the concrete posts and boards would last another 100 years
I've done a bit of fencing in my time and I've replaced concrete posts eroded from the ground/weather so no way they last 130 years but I'd say at least 15-20 years
@@LM-fx4de Depends on the post of cause. There is rubbish concrete, and there is good. Weather can also make a difference (water getting in and frost cracking it).
Techy ben is correct.. totally depends on the concrete and environment the concrete is in.. I live in south east England so it’s always pretty mild here doesn’t freeze very often.. helped my mum paint the fence a couple months ago and I was shocked about how good condition all the concrete is in considering it’s age. If it looks this good after 30 years I reckon it’s easily got more than 15-20 left. Maybe 100 years is being a bit optimistic but it’s definitely got another 50 years of life left in her
@@evr0 Yeah, I've no idea how old the posts were when I was a kid, but I do remember the ones with stones and sand in them so big, they fell apart. However, IIRC in documentaries they do mention concrete can last ages if made well or the expensive types.
@@TechyBen tbf nothing is north west england proof 🤣
Done this work over here in the UK, everything they did is spot on and really well explained and the tips are all great as well, even picked a few up myself, concrete post and gravel board fencing with a wooden panel is incredible, if done correctly it will withstand anything, strong winds don’t even move the fences and once it’s in that’s it, only problem that can occur is ground play around the post and concrete base in the ground so can lead to shaking and lose posts in the ground. Easily fixable by digging around the hole and adding some more concrete then re levelling and packing the hole out a little more when you fill it in. Great video 👌
I appreciate the detailed comment, thanks for watching!
Thanks for this! It's nice to see competent tradesmen working efficiently and doing a good job. I don't like ugly gravel boards but can see why they're used almost routinely now here in Blighty.
The last fence I built used feather edged timber and was on a paviour base. Nearly 30 yrs ago and as strong now as then.
I don't understand why it's not simpler to dig out a couple more inches of hole than use the concrete saw here...
Sometimes there is not enough yard left bro and the board is too long so we cut them down ie if a wall is at the end of the garden and theres only 5 ft between the wall and fence then cut the board down a lil to fit better as 6ft won't fit into 5 ft
Because digging is a lot harder than using a saw
I agree unless you hit really hard ground you should always dig. Exposing the re bar can cause it to eventually burst the post
Thanks Joe for doing the D&J Projects reaction Vid and for giving them a recommendation for your viewers to check them out…their Vids show a fantastic Father and Son working relationship, excellent work start to finish…along with commitment to customer satisfaction that is just top notch!…all the best…Brian
@@JoeEverest Thanks Joe for taking the time to respond to my comment…I’m in the U.K. and it’s interesting and informative to see how you do things in the USA…great work Joe… you too do a real good Job…cheers…stay safe…Brian
We used to use wooden posts here in the UK too. Realising that concrete lasts longer in the ground we switched years ago. One thing to note, if any of the wooden panels need replacement or painting, the panels slide right out (upwards).
I live in W Yorks and many of the old wire fence posts are gravel and concrete that easily takes the skin off not sure how common they were in the rest of the UK
Yeah, I replaced the fences around my property a few years ago.
The choice was concrete posts & gravel boards vs. pressure-treated wooden posts with panels resting on wooden kick-boards.
No contest - one has wood in contact with the ground and, pressure treated or not, is going to rot.
To be fair, an all-wood fence probably looks a bit better, but lasts maybe 8 yrs vs 25+.
Everybody I’ve shown loves this. I am going to do this myself as I have cement block fence on two sides. I want the privacy fence to blend with the other fence and this is perfect!! Not to mention it’s a brilliant system and will last so much longer than timber.
That’s great! Be sure to let us know how it goes!
In the UK it's a mix in reality, many fences are still made with wood posts and wood gravel boards, others use concrete posts and wood gravel boards. Panels are also not used all the time and often the concrete posts instead have holes pre drilled for adding rails (instead of H posts for panels).
There is no real standard as such on that basis, although you don't often see metal posts unless it's a chain link style fence. Personally I like concrete posts, then timber for everything else, as it's the best combination of strength and looks in my opinion. Thanks for the video!
You also get a 'hybrid' when fitting a repair spur. A 4ft concrete half post which is dug in & post-creted to support a wooden post which has rotted out. Wooden fence posts seem to have a shorter lifespan - possibly due to changing the wood treatments.
Ok stop right there lad"s , You forgot to link the postcrete ( concrete ) in the post hole to the underside of the gravel board . Use a brick or rock on top of the post concrete mix making firm contact with the underside of the gravel board at each end otherwise the gravel boards will slowly sink into the soft earth , If you dont you will soon have a wonky fence line .
Most of us here in the UK still understand imperial measurements (especially lengths) and it's not uncommon to use them for certain things, particularly in a colloquial sense. When we moved across to metric a lot of things just got converted to the nearest metric measurement. Everyone knows what a 6ft level is, but they're actually 1800mm long, as are those 6ft fence panels. I can still order a sheet of half inch, 8x4 ply and get something that's almost exactly that size. Imperial is gone but it's legacy remains.
I like the fact that with the gravel board, you can backfill up to it and not have to worry about rot. Also, you can stair step on sloped terrain without worrying about gaps for animals to get under.
I will be contacting you later tonight when I get home from work via email. I live in Florida and I do believe these would completely take over. Water rots every fence here within a year or two. Hurricanes will take miles of fence down because once a single post breaks the rest follow. I do believe these would hold up much better to high wind and if it does break it will probably only be sections that need replacing.
best thing about our fences is, if we need to get something big in the garden, we can just lift up the fence
Yes thats a good point that wasn't made, had to do that on a couple of occasions where access would have been very time consuming or very difficult.
Also very handy for thieves
@@villageeejut thieves got no common sense to lift up the fence
@@villageeejut Some people just dab a small blob of cement where the panel meets the post, which also prevents the panel rattling in strong winds.
@@chaddanylak8706 you'd be suprised
Love your support for the boys at D&J 🤛
Thanks Simon, always happy to help however we can!
Really great channel! Keep it up!
@@JoeEverest I'm not gonna lie Joe, I had zero interest in Fencing before this.. But I like seeing insights to artisan and trades because let's be real for a moment here.. These are the skills that when SHTF will carry us into the future.. Not the frivolous stuff I do with streaming Virtual Reality games hahaha.
During a storm our we lost a fence panel... ordered a new one and dropped it in the concrete post slot.
The panels are slimmer than the slots in the posts so normally they shift slightly in the wind making the less vulnerable to collapse.
We lost one panel in 12 years using concrete posts compared to our neighbour that has lost three entire fence lines.
The panel we lost was due to a tree incursion... yup a tree fell on it!
Updates on more powerful winds.. a trampoline went through a greenhouse, many fences with wood posts failed... no Concrete post or the loose fitting panels failed... we avoid trees hitting panels! :D
I would love to have a fence like this in Mo. Bring it on!!
I’ve painted my concrete posts the same colour as my fence so that they blend into the background. Never a problem and my concrete posts have been up in the garden for 20 years plus. Interesting video. 👍
I really like the way that goes together. I do think that a nickel gap between the concrete and the bottom of the fence pickets would still be beneficial to accelerate drying. I am going to build forms for the posts and gravel boards and try it down here in Texas over the summer on my own home.
My family in England has used concrete posts for their fences, and though the panels have been replaced occasionally the posts never have been, I can highly recommend them if you want to try them
Concrete posts - Imagine when you need extra access... you have a fully fenced read garden and you want to get serious access to dig a pond, take a panel out and you can get a kubota (mini digger) in. Dig the pond and then drop the panels back in.
If after a couple of years one panel gets damaged, rip it out and replace it. No problem.
@@iainsear7830 that's a nice way of building a fence to begin with,
panels in slotted concrete pop out in high winds, and personally I don't much like how they look.
@@turboconqueringmegaeagle9006 they only pop out if you use cheap panels. Decent ones are cross braced.
@@Bob10009 for sure, cheap shite from b&q which makes up the majority of fences here which can be reasonably tolerant of strong winds on a timber post.
In the UK our houses are much smaller on smaller plots of land, bunched together. Being able to do things like that would be near impossible due to other access constraints :) I am just about to start digging a Koi pond by hand...
@@del4668 That's a bit of a sweeping generalisation, and patently not true for a great many UK homes.
You can also get concrete posts with a preformed mortise and holes to allow the fixing of aris rails if you prefer to build more traditional board fences.
When I did my fence I used the method as in the video, one thing to consider with this method is the weight of the fence in the verticle plane is not dispersed onto the posts but transfers directly through the gravel boards. So I compacted the soil and placed a few inches of compacted hardcore under the post and gravel boards as we have ground (loam soil over clay) that compacts very easy. Neighbours who had contractors in to do their fence 2 years ago have twice had to raise the panel height due to the gravel board sinking under it's own weight, first time it had sunk by well over 2 inches, 2nd time just under an inch. my fence has been up about 3 years and hasn't sunk more than 1/8 inch except one panel at the far end of the garden where the ground gets slightly saturated with water in winter which has sunk about 1/2 inch.
Love the concrete post and gravel board system. When I have to do a fence for the home I will see about sourcing these for the task. One thing to note about concrete post systems. The posts likely have reinforcing steel in them and will eventually corrode from the inside out. As to the concrete mixing. Being an electrician and having to do post for charging stations as well as bollards, we pretty much do a mix as we go process as well. I use a 4 gallon pump sprayer with a garden hose addepter and a watering gun to spray water as the premix is poured in. We frequently pause and agitate the mix to assure good distribution of the water as well. In the end though, as you note, any concrete not wet out in the initial installation will draw moisture from the surrounding area and still go off.
I find it quite funny when you was pointing out about us in the UK using Imperial measurement over metric when we Invented the system in the 1st place 😊
Didn't you invent English also? Why did you abandon using it?
@@janeblogs324 Yer we did and upto use to change it to suit so speak good England like we do 🤪
@@janeblogs324 Color, soccer, tire, aluminum 🤔🙄
@@janeblogs324 You of all people should know the are many accepted versions of the English language. Americans speak English but they don't speak English like English speak English. Damn, if I drive 3 hours and stop to ask for directions, nobody will understand me and we're all English! Why do you assume your version is the only version?
I've had my concrete posts in since 1983. Admittedly a good many need replacing now. But their not in danger of falling over or anything. The base board/gravel board is still good though. What has not been mentioned is everyone paints the wooden panel's with a fence type paint,grey seems to be a popular colour at the moment.
Concrete lasts longer than 40 years ... the posts in my garden have been in situ since the 1940's and in my family home since the 1910!
A couple of comments for you that might give you some more information. The posts have metal reinforcing inside so they are incredibly strong. Some gravel boards have this also. With this system if the panel is damaged or rotten, you can lift it out of the top and drop a new one straight in without touching the posts.
I kept wondering if there was some sort of rebar for stability. Again I say… bring it on to So Cal and if a fence person wants a yard to try as demonstration…. Use mine!!! I’m tired of neighbors dog trying to dig under mine or slamming his pit bull body against my cedar planks!!
We in the UK use concrete posts always! The best part is that if and when the cheap wood panels fail or rot, they are just lifted out of the posts and replaced which is then much cheaper than starting again and re-posting!
I live in a clay soil area, so the post bases are usually damp for most of the year so rot through quickly. Combine that with creosote being phased out, and the newer preservatives which don’t seem to be as good, concrete was going to last a lot longer.
You'd be better off getting the concrete posts into the ground another 6" or maybe even a foot. Depending on that 'clay' topsoil you have. Deeper is better for longer.
Same. Clay soil and one of the posts has already rotted through. Got a steel post system made in the UK to replace them.
Bitumin wraps (postsavers) around the post at ground level work well but tradesmen don't like anything that delays repeat business.
You can still purchase proper Creosote, it was CCA (chromated copper arsenate) that was banned and is why our timber products don't last as long anymore.
Now I've been fencing for 15 years and very rarely use postcrete, if I do use it it's normally for gate posts where the gate needs hanging in a day, or a short length of close board that needs to be finished the same day. I've never used post Crete on concrete posts and this is the reason why: using ballast and cement means you can get the concrete right under the gravel board and give it something to sit on. It's all well and good having a level bed to put the gravel board on but as we all know ground moves when wet so that gravel board will become unlevel. Using post Crete you don't give the gravel board anything to sit on. In that video you can clearly see that there's a gap from the bottom of the gravel board to where the post Crete finishes. This needs to be filled with concrete.
Hooooray someone on here that knows what there talking about
This came up as I watch D&J, great to see another countries perspective on how we do things in the UK
Definitely would prefer the concrete post and rot board. Here in Texas I’ve actually seen that system used with coloring added making a really nice looking fence and fairly easy to install.
There's been concrete posts in my back garden since ww2 and there still perfect
The concrete posts do eventually fail. Like everything it depends on the quality. I have some in my garden but they must be 30 + years old and the steel bar within the concrete post has rusted and expanded cracking the concrete.
New posts don't use rebar
I have a 2 year old post I snapped with a boat and contains 4 bits of rebar
Not being funny but if your posts have lasted 30+ years you had your money’s worth :)
Yes indeed if the steel re-enforcing is exposed to dampness, this will creep up the post over many years and the rusted steel will break the concrete. So to avoid this its a good idea to line the post hole with heavy duty plastic (there are also post bags you can purchase) If this is done correctly the concrete posts will last a very long time.
@slim-Jim because the council source cheapest products
Due to put this kind of fence in our back garden, we also use this type of fence as shuttering for the likes of false grass etc, which is getting more common in smaller gardens, only thing he didn’t really cover was a string line on the fence run, some novices looking at this might over look it then later realise they have a slight off line fence or slight zig zagging. Picky, but still a must need in my eyes when fencing. 👍🏽👊🏼🇺🇸🏴
My concrete posts have been in 35 years and are still in perfect condition replaced panels twice.
That's nothing. There's a wall not far from my house that has been there since 122 AD when it was built by the Romans!
@@alien4422 what have the bloody Roman done for us? On a serious note those Romans knew how to build a time resistant wall
@@alien4422 I wasn’t on that job
@@almostded2818 Aye the Romans never used rebar so whilst there was certain things they couldn’t do with it there was nothing to rust so it lasts for thousands of years.
Yeah, similar in my case. Even got pretty battered by a big storm a few years ago, we had a few panels basically smashed apart by the amount of wind there was, but the posts were pretty much entirely fine. One was a little chipped from what looked like a roof tile off of the house next door that had been thrown loose and hit it, but no metal showing or anything so it should be good for another couple of decades.
Funny thing I find in knowing metric and imperial, if I start a job in one system, I tend to stick with that one for the whole job.
enjoyed your comments on the Uk fencers. You should try concrete posts they will last forever but that also means you will reduce your repeat work
What a delight. I'd nothing to watch and this came up. Tops 🌟✊👌💓🇮🇪
Thanks so much for watching!
I live in the USA but also from the uk
I have just finished installing a concrete post fence for my parents.
The post mix is a special mix that goes off in 15mins.
I also installed fence here in the USA for my own business.
I do love the concrete post and gravel board idea
I do as well, we’re certainly looking into it!
Not sure why YT recommended this to me. but i have watched the whole thing, will be watching you again
I’ve used a mix of concrete and wood posts depending on location on our property. I much prefer the look of treated wooden posts and feather edge boards. But love that the concrete posts I’ve put in elsewhere will last 20-30 years.
I think the popularity of concrete posts is due to our high rain levels rotting out wooden posts.
with mitred concrete posts combined with wooden arrow rails and feather edge boards you can achieve a traditional looking fence and not see the concrete posts, but still have a fence that will outlast you.
I love this system and plan to use it on my property in East Texas. Checks all the boxes: Strong, cheaper than wood, will never rot, looks decent. I plan on pre-casting my own posts and gravel boards. Lots of work but I think worth it. And I really love working with concrete. So, this is a win for me and yes, I think it is superior to our typical methods here using treated pine (who can afford cedar, and it will outlast cedar as well). Thanks for covering this. Plus, pre-making the panels in any configuration and the ability to replace them if needed is a real benefit.
Agreed, glad to hear it worked well for you!
British concrete fence posts do have 5 or 6 steel round bar lengths within them. They're about 1/4" diameter. I know this because in the early 70's I once flew through the air and hit one during a motorcycle accident. It had been well fixed in the ground, I bent it flat with my back, exposing the rods where the concrete disintegrated. That post had been there probably since the 1930's. Yes, it did hurt. 3 cracked ribs.
I built my first gravel board and concrete post wall (no timber panels) when I was about 15 years old, out working with my dad.. it was a big one, about 120 ft long.. I’m 45 now, I still go and look at that work of art and it’s as good now as when we put it up. That was before post mix, when the ballast and cement had to be knocked up on a sheet of ply and tamped down with a sledge hammer. Bit more of a trick to that method when levelling the posts and getting the shoulder height correct.