Good quality fencing not only improves the look of your outdoor space but offers enhanced privacy and safety, too.

But have you considered what type of fence you’ll choose?

As a homeowner, on average you replace your standard wooden fence every 10-15 years. But, here at Charles & Ivy we have a solution to make your fence last longer

Here’s what you need to know.  

What are composite fence panels?

Composite fence panels are the perfect upgrade to traditional timber fence panels.

Made from a blend of 30% recycled wood powder, 45% recycled plastic, and 25% calcium carbonate, our composite fencing combines the benefits of wood and plastic fence panels – providing a stronger, longer-lasting product that’s also eco-friendly.

Composite fences are a quick DIY garden upgrade – guaranteed to help turn your house into a home and make your garden the place to be! 

6 reasons to choose composite fencing over traditional timber

Is it that time of year again when you're looking to repaint your fence? Or perhaps it's completely falling apart altogether?

Timber fence panels that are old and worn or have blown down as a result of strong winds, can be an eyesore, cancelling out the hard work you’ve put into your garden.  

So, if you’re looking to replace poor quality, damaged, or outdated wooden fencing, opting for a composite garden fence will bring the following benefits: 

• Looks

One of the reasons why composite fencing in our Classic range is so popular is that it offers the natural-grained appearance of real timber.

Available in 11 stunning colours, in a wide range of sizes and designs, finding a composite fence that complements your home and surroundings beautifully has never been easier.

So, now all that’s left to do is choose the style you like best – will it be the minimalist Hudson Slat with a smart brushed finish, the curvaceous Ripple Slat with a wave-like detailing along the top, or the Classic design that’s fit for every garden space?

• Choice

With composite fencing, there are almost unlimited design choices you can indulge in.

While wooden fence panels can be painted in any colour that takes your fancy, most come in a very bland shade of brown in a standard construction.

Composite fencing, on the other hand, comes in 11 already coloured tasteful shades for every preference. 

Plus, each fence style can be supplied with a straight or curved top and decorative screens can be used to add visual interest to your composite fencing panels. 

• Durability

A wooden fence will typically last 10 years before it needs replacing – but, without proper care, it will rot, warp, and deteriorate quickly.

Comparatively, composite panels are fully sealed and rot and mould-resistant. Plus, when installed with our composite or marine-grade aluminium posts, they are a lot less likely to suffer damage in strong winds, too - so they're fully protected against our ever-changing British weather!

And best of all? Our panels come with a 20-year warranty to give you peace of mind that your composite fence will be around for a long time! 

• Maintenance

To keep wooden fencing in good condition, panels need to be treated regularly to protect them from mould and insect damage and to keep them looking in mint condition, they need painting every 12 months.

Composite fencing doesn’t need any of these things – an occasional clean with warm soapy water is enough to keep it looking its best come rain or shine.

Leaving you free to enjoy your garden instead of working on it! 

• Installation

Our range of composite slat fences are strong and durable, yet remarkably lightweight.

Unlike timber fences that can be awkward to manoeuvre, composite fence slats are easy to lift and slot into existing concrete posts or our very own composite or aluminium posts. See our “how to install” videos for step-by-step instructions.

This means garden makeovers can be achieved quickly, easily, and fuss-free. 

• Sustainability

Composite fence panels will act as the cherry on top of your space, no matter how big your garden is.

While it might seem the most eco-friendly option on the surface, some commercial timber fences contribute towards the loss of habitat and allow harmful chemicals to be leached into soils and waterways – causing untold damage to the natural environment. 

But, when you choose Charles & Ivy, you don’t have to worry about this. 

Made from recycled materials (we use the equivalent weight of 80 large plastic bottles recycled into each slat), composite fencing is an eco-friendly solution for transforming your outdoor area. Since no treatments or stains are needed to keep them looking stunning, no harmful chemicals or substances will be released into the atmosphere. 

Ready to replace tired wooden fence panels?

What’s not to love about our composite fence panels? They’re easy to install, 100% weatherproof, supplied with an industry-leading 20-year guarantee, and available in a selection of colours and styles.  

Your hardest decision will be which composite fence you want more!

To help you choose, visit to our dedicated showrooms – where you can check out the quality of our composite fences and choose a colour and design that suits your space. It’ll also help you to picture how composite fencing will look in your own garden and you can see how easy it is to dismantle and install.

To find out more or discuss your fencing needs in further detail with a member of our friendly team, call 0161 843 4950.