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How to clad a retaining wall and boundary fence?

WannabeDIY

hello!

I’d love some help and advice on cladding my retaining wall and boundary fence around my pool.

I’d like to attach ekodeck slatted panels from the bottom of the retaining wall all the way to the top of the boundary fence. Retaining wall is 1200mm high, fence is 1800mm high, gap between retaining wall at fence 200mm. However I do not wish to ustilise the “garden bed” space in the retaining wall so happy to cover over the whole lot.

Also the top fenceline slops down so would the panels need to slop also or can they be installed straight and level up top?

How do I go about it?

I might be ambitious but I recon I could do it with some guidance.

Rendered image is the goal!
Thank you

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Building and Construction

Pools and Spas

Landscaping

Fencing and Screening

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EricL

Hello @WannabeDIY

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about cladding your boundary fence.

I suggest having a good look at this discussion - How to install Ekodeck castellated panels onto retaining wall? by @Neil1984. I believe that this is one of the best cladding projects I've seen on the site. It uses steel posts and the layout of the castellated panels is flawless giving it a very premium look and feel. Using https://www.bunnings.com.au/ekodeck-219-x-26mm-3-6m-carbon-batten-screen-castellated-panel_p0488949 means that there will be very low maintenance as the panels don't need to be oiled or sealed.

I believe that this is one of the best options for cladding as it does not add any weight to your existing fence line. One of my worries with this type of project is that when extra weight is added to the existing fence it tends to drag or weigh the fence causing it to lean and over time the fence will give way. Having the cladding independently supported means that there will be no effect on the fence line.

One of my favourite features with this type of cladding is that you don't see any fence posts. It gives you a clean uniform finish just like a resort hotel!

In regard to the slopping fence, I suggest checking the rules and regulations for fencing in your area. If it says that the fence you currently have is the maximum allowed height, then it will be necessary to follow the slope of the fence. But if not then you can have your cladding run straight.

I've placed an updated sample image also rendered in AI to reflect the new cladding.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @TedBear, @JoeAzza, @Nailbag and @DIY4Knuckleheds for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

ChatGPT Image Sep 21, 2026, 02_50_42 PM.png

Dave-1

Good Afternoon @WannabeDIY

That would like very slick when finished :) And the link @EricL has put up is definitely something I would follow through and even comment/ask on.

The 200mm plus at least another 100mm you will loose with a new clad fence is a chunk of space, not really usable but may feel like it makes the whole area a little smaller especially with the height. I dont see another easier way of covering the area to make uniform :/

Some things to consider (may already be mentioned in @EricL's link)

Footing for the posts, digging next to a retaining wall and also the holes/concrete that support it.
Attaching the vertical posts to the timber retaining wall, possibly doable, just make sure all posts are vertical and in line.

Definitely interested in seeing how your project goes! :)

Dave

WannabeDIY

Thank you @EricL and @Dave-1

Very help information indeed!

@Neil1984 ‘s project is very similar and the dream finished product!

I guess where mine differs is the 200mm gap between retaining wall and boundary fence. Do you think I could attach the panels directly to the retaining wall that are concreted in rather than putting in new posts and taking up more space?

I guess scenario number 2 could be to clad the fence and retaining wall separately and keep the “garden bed” space between. But think this would still be a problem as I wouldn’t be able to put posts in the 200mm gap, I’d have to attach the panels directly to fence? Which is not ideal I gather.

scenario 2 would look more like this…

Dave-1

Afternoon @WannabeDIY

Option B would run into issues I think between digging holes for the new posts between the existing fence and the retaining wall. I would be considering bolting straight to the timbers of the retaining wall. It just may have issues down the track so "wiggles hands" :)

Dave

EricL

Hello @WannabeDIY

If you are thinking of doing it in that fashion, I suggest having a look at this discussion - Ekodeck castellated panel fence by @RenoMike. Please note that RenoMike built a secondary support frame that is technically sitting on the retaining wall. So, it would in theory be holding the weight of the castellated panels. I suppose it would be possible to copy this particular style, but you would need to fill the gap in the retaining wall with pavers so that the new frame and the castellated panel would have something to stand on. Just keep in mind that that will still be a significant amount of weight that will be added to fence line as seen in this discussion - How to install Ekodeck castellation fence cladding? by @Naidoo021.

If we were to add up the space that would be needed for the project. I would conservatively say that it will add another 200mm from the front of the retaining wall and as Dave said that will be a chunk of space.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

WannabeDIY

Thanks so much for your advice. It really has given me food for thought.

Let me ask you a question this way then…

We are not married to the idea of ekodeck but thought it would be a simple and effective solve, but doesn’t sound to be so. So then, what would you do other than the Ekodeck scenarios to clean up the fence and retaining wall and give a slick look for pool compliance?

We also need some sort of shed or screening to cover the pool equipment as shown in the original render.

Again thank you so much!

EricL

Hello @WannabeDIY

The only long-lasting light weight material that comes to mind is Colorbond. You could use standard profile Colorbond as cladding or the fancier looking https://www.bunnings.com.au/fielders-2400mm-0-42mm-bmt-colorbond-steel-mini-flute-steel-wall-cladding-woodland-grey_p0910313 . This can also work as screening for your pool pump area.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Evening @WannabeDIY

Maybe paint it with the type of paint colour you are thinking of for the cladding as a start? This will make it look continuous and blend roughness to your eyes. A spray gun would work well for this situation.

When placing your pool pump I would make sure you leave enough space around it for a screen or walls of a shed. Keeping your options open until the picture you want matches with what you can do is usually how I work.

Dave