How to clad a Colorbond fence with Merbau timber?

[selinabell98]

 

 

 

Hello!

I want to cover my colour bond fence with a horizontal wood slated fence/lattice fence.

I have been deciding between using the lattice makers https://www.bunnings.com.au/lattice-makers-2400-x-600mm-mahogany-oriental-lattice_p0369503?store=643...

and the pre oiled merabu fence panels https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-1800-x-600mm-pre-oiled-merbau-garden-fence-panel_p8500298

I plan to attach 2 bits of horizontal timber to the top and bottom of the colour bond fence and then attach the wooden lattice/fence panels to the horizontal timber (as I’ve seen recommended often). 

My first concern is regarding the weight: 
- the colour bond fence is relatively new (2 years old max) and in good condition. 
- the lattice is lighter but I don’t think the quality is as good and it will require more maintenance over time than the merabu fence panels. I’d prefer to use the merabu. 

- Will the colour bond fence be able to support it the merabu? 
- is there a recommendation for extra support? I’d rather not concrete posts into the ground as the colour bond has already been concreted in. But if it’s the only option I will do so. 

My second concern is:

- I’d like to have wood/lattice fence panels starting from half way up the colour bond fence ending slightly higher than the colour bond fence. Does this complicate things in regards to support and the horizontal timber method? 

I’ve attached a photo of the colour bond fence and how I’d like the panels to sit. As in one panel above and one panel below.

any help would be greatly appreciated!

thanks,

selina. 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @selinabell98. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about installing panels on a fence.

While your Colorbond fence is in good condition, it’s important to note that it isn’t designed to support additional weight like merbau panels. The posts and footings are specifically engineered for the weight of the Colorbond sheeting itself. Hanging additional panels from the Colorbond fence, while possible, could place stress on the structure and potentially compromise its integrity over time.

The safest option would be to install timber posts in front of the Colorbond fence to properly support the lattice or merbau panels. This would give the weight-bearing responsibility to the timber posts, rather than relying on the Colorbond fence to carry the load. The timber posts can be spaced appropriately and fixed into the ground, either using concrete or post anchors, to provide the necessary support for the panels.

As for the design, having the panels start halfway up the Colorbond fence and extend slightly higher than it shouldn’t complicate things too much, but it may impact the horizontal timber method. You would likely need to install additional timber framing behind the panels to support the weight at the top and bottom. This will help distribute the load and provide more stability.

If you prefer not to install posts in the ground, you could try using brackets or heavy-duty mounting systems to fix the panels directly to the existing fence, but again, this would still place weight on the Colorbond posts. So, to avoid any long-term issues, it’s best to install separate timber posts for adequate support.

Ultimately, while the merbau panels are a great choice for aesthetics and durability, ensuring proper support for them is key to maintaining the integrity of both your new fence and the existing Colorbond structure.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[selinabell98]

Hi Mitchell,

Thanks for the advice and tips! A couple of questions: 

do the post anchors need to be concreted into the ground? Or just dug deep enough? 

Could you talk me through the process of installing additional timber framing? Do you mean similar to the framing in @ProjectPete ’s pool fence? https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Outdoor/Fence-makeover-for-the-pool-area/td-p/9732/page/4

I noticed he says his frame is just supported by the fence in this instance! 

if I were to anchor the frame against the colour bond fence by the horizontal timber bits and have the anchor posts underneath would this provide necessary extra support but still use the colour bond fence as extra security? 

I hope that makes sense :’) 

thanks,

Selina. 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @selinabell98,

The post anchors would be for independent posts, not the Colorbond fence posts. They would need to be concreted in.

Additional horizontal framing that lines up with the edges of your panels. "I’d like to have wood/lattice fence panels starting from half way up the colour bond fence ending slightly higher than the colour bond fence. Does this complicate things in regards to support and the horizontal timber method?" I was inferring that if you want to start panels halfway up the fence, you'll need a horizontal framing piece at that location, instead of the bottom of the fence as mentioned earlier.

Pete's fence would be an example of an extreme amount of weight hung off it, and in most situations, panelling will be fine. However, we can always tell whether your fence has been installed with adequately sized footers and whether it will react the same.

Mitchell