How to build a termite-resistant privacy fence?

either_way

Hi everyone! First time poster here.

I have a unit with small courtyard in north QLD. The current privacy fence (seperating our courtyard from the next unit's) is falling apart, and barely serves the purpose of a "privacy" fence. It was also picked up in the building inspection that the rails are screwed directly into the concrete walls which could provide an easy path for termites to enter the place (actually we have a bit of termite activity near that wall - it's been treated).

I would like to do this properly of course. My plan was to remove the current round timber pole (on the right side of the picture) and then install 2 x solid treated timber square posts. One in place of the current pole, and one about 100-150mm from the concrete wall. The run rails between these and put pales on both sides, to keep the fence looking the same from both units.

Does this sound fairly standard? Am I missing something? I assume the timber posts would be thicker than the rails, so how could I continue the pales past the post right up to the concrete wall? And what would be the correct way to attach the rails to the post in this case?

I plan to use treated timber and set the posts with a bitumen sealant and in concrete, for maximum termite resistance!

Thanks in advance!

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @either_way. It's wonderful to have you join us and many thanks for your question about creating a privacy fence.

Your plan is pretty much how I'd approach it. Looking at the photo, the existing fence appears to be a lightweight timber screen rather than a structural fence, so replacing it with H4-treated posts, treated rails and treated palings/screen boards would be a solid upgrade. We also have a range of metal and poly exterior decorative screens, which you might be interested in.

Regarding extending the palings right up to the wall, a common approach is to position the post close to the wall and then fix a treated timber batten or narrow backing board between the post and wall-side edge. This allows the final paling to continue almost to the wall while keeping the main post clear of the structure.

For the rails, they're typically either face-fixed directly to the posts with galvanised batten screws or fixed between the posts using galvanised angle brackets. For a privacy screen of this size, face-fixing the rails onto the posts is usually the simplest method.

Sounds like you're on the right track. The main goals are keeping timber off the wall, maintaining visibility for termite inspections, and using the correct treated timber and corrosion-resistant fixings for the environment.

Here's a helpful guide: How to build a fence.

Let me tag @TedBear, @J-P and @diy_hausdesigns to see if they have any thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell