Garden Fencing Panels That Are Good For The Planet
With COP26 (UN Climate Change Conference) being hosted next week in Glasgow, we wanted to share our knowledge on the environmental impact of fencing. This article will highlight some of the things to look for when choosing garden fencing panels that are better for the planet. We'll look at how fence panels are made, what they are made of and how they get to your home.
How To Choose Environmentally Conscious Garden Fencing Panels
If you want to create a garden that's good for the planet, one of the biggest impacts could be when you choose to install or replace new garden fencing panels. Fencing can be one of the biggest construction projects you undertake in your garden, other than outbuildings and patio construction. As such, it's great if you are able to consider the environmental impact and choose wisely to offset it.
The Right Materials
One of the first things you may consider is the different types of garden fencing you can choose from. Metal, plastic and timber are the most popular options but each has a different impact on the environment.
Metal is robust and will last a long time, but it uses a lot of energy and raw materials like coal to be produced. Metal fencing is also heavier than most timber or plastic fencing, meaning it will have larger transport emissions.
Synthetic plastic fencing uses less energy to make but is primarily made of crude oil, natural gas or coal which can all damage the environment. Plastic fencing is also prone to damage and will not last as long as timber or metal.
Timber production uses much less energy as the raw material of wood only needs shaping and preserving rather than producing. While trees are growing they absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants meaning they benefit the environment while alive.
The best gardening fencing for your garden will be dependent on many factors including the environmental impact. Overall, timber has a reduced, if not beneficial, effect on the environment compared to plastic or metal fences. Yet there are still pros and cons to choosing timber. Read through the links in this section to figure out the best fencing option for your home.
Recognised Certifications
While you may choose timber for its positive environmental benefit, not all wooden fencing options have the same impact. When selecting timber, the wood should be created in a sustainable manner. Because trees reduce chemicals in the air and keep carbon in the soil, cutting them down removes this benefit. But, that doesn't mean no trees can be cut down, it just needs to be done in an environmentally conscious way.
Forest stewardship is about the responsible management of the world's forests. Timber that is produced in a conscious way will ensure that environmental impact is reduced and that timber can be cultivated by future generations too. There are several certified schemes out there, but the most well recognised is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. The FSC system allows businesses and consumers to identify, purchase and use wood, paper and other forest products made with materials from well-managed forests and/or recycled sources. Contemporary Gardens' fencing panels are all produced from FSC certified UK grown timber.
Consider the Transport
Not only is FSC certified timber better for the whole of the planet, locally selected timber benefits your country. By selecting garden fencing panels that are created using timber grown in the UK, you reduce a lot of transport emissions. Not only is transport reduced from forest to timber yard, but by choosing a fencing company in your local area you'll reduce this impact further.
Sustainably managed forests in the UK reduce carbon and other pollutants in the air, encourage wildlife to thrive and provide shelter and nutrients for other planets in the forest.
Longevity is Key
Another factor to consider when you are choosing fencing that benefits the planet is how long it will last. As we said in the materials section, metal lasts a long time but has high energy usage. Plastic is also damaging from production and is more likely to break. Timber, on the other hand, lasts a long time and has less energy consumption throughout its production cycle. But, to ensure these benefits, your timber must be treated correctly.
Tanalised timber should be selected for any outdoor wood projects. This timber will be protected against weather damage and rot. Furthermore, if you stain, paint or oil your garden fencing panels you will improve their longevity further. Ensure you correctly install your fencing too and this will boost how long it lasts as well.
Shop Garden Fencing Panels That Are Good For the Environment
At Contemporary Gardens we only utilise FSC certified UK grown timber in our products. All of our timber is tanalised for strength and longevity. Having over 35 years of experience in the fencing and landscape trade we are keenly aware of the impact our business has and take steps to make our processes as efficient as possible for our customers and for the planet. See our range of fence panels here.