The picture of the fencing was perfect.
Was: The operative word.
You get the fencing, but the colour of it looks different.
That’s normal. Fencing coloration changes.
Another person gets new fencing, it rains for a solid couple of weeks, and it looks like it’s warping or… something. Also, normal. Weathering and the environment will affect it. That’s why we advise protecting, and maintaining it, as needed.
A third person comes along, they’re happy with their fencing, then an unforeseen thing happens, and the fencing is damaged. Unfortunate. But also, normal. Atkinsons cannot do much about the incident. However, we can provide this third person (and you…?) with new product.
New product to last
Lasting well, fixed in place, strong.
Fencing from Atkinsons is top-quality and made to last.
In the next few sections, we’ll take you through the following points:
- Why fencing (timber and eco-fencing) can discolour.
- How to upkeep the aesthetics of your fencing.
- Why fencing (timber and eco-fencing) can deteriorate.
- How to maintain and upkeep the product to prevent deterioration.
- And when fencing is damaged, what to do for repairing/rectifying it.
So, why can fencing discolour?
Whether it’s traditional timber fencing or eco-fencing, expect to see it change in colour.
This can happen for many reasons:
- Oxidation: UV rays and atmospheric conditions.
- Lignin breaking down: The natural binder in wood.
- Extractive bleeding: seen in composite products.
- Tannins released from wood fibres: composite product.
- Moisture and humidity.
Okay. How do you prevent the above, and maintain the aesthetics?
Maintenance of timber fencing requires the use of protective, preservers, primers, varnishes, and more on a regular rotational basis. As in the introduction, please visit our blog regarding the upkeep and maintenance of timber product.
In relation to the discolouring, this will happen naturally over time, but you can try to delay the process. Some people pressure-wash their fencing, and follow this up with a UV protector timber treatment.
For eco-fencing, the maintenance is minimal in comparison. Composite products require a wipe down with a damp, soapy cloth.
After that, it’s really up to you. You can apply protector products to eco-fencing, but it doesn’t require them. Fading of the colour through direct sunlight will happen. As long as it’s structurally intact, that’s all that matters.
Thanks. What happens when fencing deteriorates?
Fencing, installed and correctly maintained, will not degrade and deteriorate quickly.
If it is not maintained and treated, expect to see:
- Wet rot in timber: cracking, splitting, and distorting.
- Dry rot in timber: browning it and making it brittle.
- Mould and decay: on timber and eco-fencing.
- Warping, bending, bowing: often seen resulting from improper installation.
- Splintering and fraying panels.
And how can the deterioration of the fencing panelling be prevented?
This is a repeat of earlier, but properly maintained, fencing is much less likely to deteriorate so quickly. It is a product formed of timber, or a majority material base of natural wood fibres. This means the product has a life span. And that life span (though we are always trying to innovate) is not as long as our own.
Traditional timber fencing panels, to date, lasts between five to ten years. Some sources (in-and-around the internet) state up to a fifteen-year-long life span. Either way, eventually, you will need to replace the entire fencing run.
Eco-fencing is said to last between twenty and thirty years in its life span. And because of its dynamic design, you can replace individual panels/boards/sections, as and when required, rather than the full fencing run.
Okay, that's great. What about when the fencing is damaged?
If the fence run is damaged beyond repair, Atkinsons can offer you a range of solutions.
From a brand-new fence run… to eco-fencing you can fit in place yourself. Contact us in this instance to find out more.
Beyond that, we’d suggest escalating the difficulties you have with the damage in the following ways:
- If it’s a dispute with a neighbour, seek advice from a solicitor within property dispute or boundary dispute resolutions
- If it’s an installation issue, contact the company that erected the product. Make sure you have time-stamped images of the initial install, and the problem.
- If it’s damaged within the bounds of your own property, done by guests in your home, try asking for their support to pay for new fencing.
And if you damaged it yourself… that’s unfortunate… but things happen. It can always be fixed, though. And Atkinsons can help you fix it.
Ready to get new fencing?
Look at what we have. Click on the video below.
Have a quick browse.
See the variety of fencing panels we have on offer.
FAQs
Thank you for the thorough information above. But why does fencing discolour and deteriorate?
Traditional timber fencing and eco-fencing (made using wood fibres and plastic polymers), it has a life span. That life span is not as long as our own. It changes colour during the drying period, down to environmental factors, and resulting from the age of the wood itself. The deterioration happens when the wood is not treated, or, like with eco-fencing, when the installation of the product is not done correctly. Timber comes from trees. Trees’ wood and bark change colour and gradually alter in appearance: overtime. Fencing, out in your garden, is no different.
And how does fencing get damaged again?
Fencing can get damaged through improper installation, environmental factors (such as a stormy, blustery day), and through the actions of yourself, neighbours, or others.
In these cases, it is important that you are aware of any warranties you have, particularly for improper installation.
It is also important that you understand your rights and any legal standpoints. If someone else, like a neighbour, has damaged your fencing, there are a variety of routes to go down to resolve this. Try Citizens Advice Bureau, a local solicitor, or (if appropriate) look at going through to a small claims court.
So, if fencing only lasts so long, why should I get it?
Atkinsons makes fencing made to last. As long as it’s regularly cleaned and maintained as directed, it should last through its life span. There are other options for outdoor space boundaries, and we understand if you want to explore those options. It is why we offer a variety of fencing panels and eco-fencing. Timber fencing or even eco-fencing, as we’ve been told by a countless number of our customers, is often an affordable option. A job we did just this year, the customer was quoted a guide price of £25000, for a wall stretching the length of 66′. Atkinsons completed that job, with our fencing, with eco board base bottoms, at a fraction of the cost. Just over 20% of the cost of the original quote.
What fencing should I go for? Eco-fencing, or traditional timber?
It’s up to you. There’s even the WPC material on the market. Think of WPC as a middle-ground product. It is made in many colours, made with some recycled plastic polymer, and there’s wood fibres in it too. WPC has a natural grain effect to it. Atkinsons has a lot of products like this for its decking options.
Beyond that? Traditional timber fencing looks nice but contributes to higher levels of deforestation. Eco-fencing boasts contemporary colours, can have a more expensive upfront cost, and yet, it has a longer life span.
Do you have any other products besides fencing?
Yes. Atkinsons has an array of products. Available to create your dream outdoor living space. We even sell log cabins and summer houses! So you can create your own home from home (down… at the bottom of the garden).
How do I pay for my products?
Online, you can pay via Klarna – take three, Apply Pay, Google Pay, credit or debit card. At our showrooms, you can pay via cash or card (Inc. Apply Pay and Google Pay). We do not currently accept American Express.
Can I get the fencing panels delivered?
Yes. Atkinsons makes, delivers, and can even install your product. The price we quote you (unless you state you’d only like parts of the service) will include these aspects. We also do deliveries of our smaller products, locally, at a low cost. Please see the costing at checkout.
Do you offer click and collect?
Atkinsons offer click and collect at three of its showrooms. These are the main ones where products are manufactured and/or made. The three showrooms offering click and collect are Castleford, South Milford (Greater Northern Leeds), and Leeds (Hunslet). Click and collect is a service available through our website only. If you are coming in for a product there and then, on the day, you can do this. However, if you would like specific items, to avoid disappointment, please order the items through the website, or call us in advance to check we have what you are looking for.
Okay, thank you. Do you offer discounts?
Atkinsons have a range of offers on its products throughout the year. To stay up to date on the latest products, offers, and more, see: our Facebook page, our Instagram page, and check out these others for design ideas and more – TikTok and Blue Sky.
29/05/2026
