– There is a wide range of materials available for building fences, so there should be no problem finding a solution that suits both your budget and your personal taste. However, fences are still often treated as an afterthought, which is a mistake, as the fence surrounding a plot should be built to last for years and fulfil its functions, ensuring the safety and comfort of the home. Furthermore, its character must harmonise with the building’s structure and form a neat complement to the surrounding area; therefore, the fencing system and the materials used should be considered as early as the house-building stage,” explains Wojciech Średniawa, chief architect at Polbruk.
When choosing a fence, we should decide whether it should be solid or have gaps. If using panels, what type? The height is also important.
1. Mesh: cheap and popular
The simplest, cheapest and arguably most popular solution is a mesh fence. This traditional system, familiar to everyone for years, consists of a roll of flexible, woven wire with diamond-shaped mesh. The mesh is stretched and tensioned using a tension wire, and then attached to steel tube posts. The posts are secured with anchors or set in concrete. Meshes made of galvanised wire and PVC-coated wire are available. Their durability depends directly on the specifications, with the mesh being stronger the thicker the wire (2.8–4 mm). When choosing this type of fence, it is also worth paying attention to the mesh size – meshes with smaller openings (40–50 mm) are more functional. A disadvantage of mesh fencing is that it does not provide a sense of privacy and does not shield the plot from view from the outside. This can be remedied by planting shrubs or climbing plants along the mesh, which will provide the home’s residents with greater comfort. A running metre of the mesh itself costs around 10–15 zlotys. The cost of posts and tensioning wires must be added to the cost of the fence. Compared to other fences, mesh is the least attractive and durable, which is why it is most commonly used today in allotments and along recreational areas.
2. Panel fencing: simple and functional
Fence panels are an alternative to classic wire mesh fencing. The market offers: classic – simple, rectangular or square in shape – and more decorative, openwork, ornamented and slatted versions. Wire panels are the most popular choice for marking plot boundaries, though options made from rods, PVC and wooden planks are also available. Classic fence panels consist of wires welded together to form separate, rigid elements. Such a lattice-style panel is stiffer and more resistant to potential deformation than woven mesh. In reality, however, in terms of aesthetics and security, it creates a similar barrier. Ready-made panels are sold individually, and although they are easier to install than mesh, their placement can be more complicated. This is because the panels are difficult to cut to size, so the distances between the posts must be identical along the entire length of the fence. Depending on the decorative nature of the panel and the material from which it is made, the price per unit ranges from 60 to even several hundred zlotys. The cost per running metre therefore starts at around 30 zlotys. The structures are stabilised by posts fixed to prefabricated foundation systems.
Given their specifications, mesh and fence panels are best used on the sides and at the rear of the property.
3. Concrete block wall: elegant and built to last
Another popular solution is a brick fence made of stable and attractive concrete blocks, i.e. hollow blocks. The individual, prefabricated elements are laid on a reinforced concrete foundation with formwork and reinforcement. – Using split hollow blocks Polbruk Antara II, which bear a striking resemblance to stone segments, you can build both low walls with posts and any span, as well as high, solid walls that completely separate the property from the street. Such a fence fulfils its function perfectly; it is sturdy, easy to maintain for years, and provides property owners with a guarantee of security. Thanks to the availability of blocks in the colours: yellow, graphite and paloma (white-grey), we can create an attractive fence whose charm matches the property – adds an expert from Polbruk.
The blocks should be laid whilst filling the voids with pre-mixed C20/25 concrete of a dense, plastic consistency. This process is repeated layer by layer. Meanwhile, the cross-ties or anchors are installed in the slots previously cut into the blocks, before filling the relevant element with concrete. The final stage of construction is to cover it with coping stones. Creating such a fence is more time-consuming and costly than solutions using mesh or panels, but the result is far more impressive and durable. Thanks to the blocks, we can create a fence that not only marks the boundary of the plot but also serves as a decorative feature. A barrier protecting the property from the view of passers-by, uninvited guests and dust. The price of such a fence depends on the height of the wall and the specifics of the design.
Detailed instructions for building a concrete fence are available in the Downloads section.
