Lapped and Capped Paling
Overlapping palings with a capping rail on top give full privacy and a tidy finish.
The overlap covers gaps as the timber shrinks in dry weather.
Timber Fencing Wagga Wagga
Timber Fence Installation in Wagga Wagga
Timber fence installation suits homeowners who want a natural look along the boundary or the street. We build in treated pine and hardwood, set the posts in concrete and use galvanised fixings.
Timber does move, crack and grey over time. We tell you what to expect and how to care for it so there are no surprises.
Send us the length and style and we will come out to measure.
- Ground-rated posts
- Galvanised fixings
- Paling, picket or slat
- Stain options on request
Timber styles
Timber Fence Types
Butt-Joined Paling
Palings sit side by side for a simpler, lower-cost boundary.
Small gaps open as the timber dries, so it gives less privacy than lapped paling.
Horizontal Hardwood Slats
Horizontal slats suit modern homes and front fences.
Even gaps let air move while still screening the yard.
Picket Fences
Pickets suit older cottages and weatherboard homes.
They can be left natural, stained or painted to match the house trim.
Layouts
Timber Fence Layouts
Rails on Your Side or Theirs
The rail side is usually less tidy, so agree with your neighbour which way it faces.
Exposed Posts
Posts can show on the face for a rustic look.
Plinth Board at the Base
A treated plinth keeps palings off the soil and slows rot.
Mixed Timber and Steel
Steel posts with timber infill give a longer-lasting frame.
Timber choices
Timber Species and Treatment
The timber you pick decides how the fence ages and how much care it needs.
| Option | Characteristics | Typical applications | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treated pine palings | Light, even timber, chemically treated against rot and insects. | Most boundary fences. | Pine shrinks and can cup as it dries, so expect small gaps in summer. |
| Hardwood palings | Denser and harder, with a natural red-brown colour. | Fences where strength and look both matter. | Heavier and costlier, and it can split if nailed near the ends. |
| Ground-rated treated posts | Rated for in-ground contact. | Posts and plinths set in soil or concrete. | Lower-rated timber in the ground will rot early, so we use the correct rating. |
| Steel posts with timber infill | Galvanised steel uprights with timber rails and palings. | Long runs and wet ground. | The look is less traditional where the steel posts show. |
Planning
What to Know Before a Timber Fence Goes In
Timber is a natural product. A bit of planning helps it last.
Summer Drying
Hot, dry summers make timber shrink and grey. A stain slows this.
Ground Moisture
Wet clay against posts and palings speeds up rot, so we keep timber up off the ground.
Termites
Treated timber resists termites, but keeping soil and mulch away from the fence still helps.
Height
Most timber boundaries are built to about 1.8 m, matching common rules for fences.
Build steps
How We Build a Timber Fence
- 1
Confirm the Style
We agree the timber, height, rail side and gate positions with you.
- 2
Dig and Set Posts
Holes go to depth and posts are concreted plumb along a string line.
- 3
Fix the Rails
Rails are fixed level between posts with galvanised nails or screws.
- 4
Hang Palings or Slats
Infill is spaced to a gauge so the gaps stay even.
- 5
Cap and Clean Up
Capping goes on, gates are hung and we clear the site.
Craft
Building Timber Fences Properly
These are the details that keep a timber fence straight.
Galvanised Fixings
Plain steel nails stain and rust. We use galvanised fixings throughout.
Spacing Gauges
A gauge keeps slat and paling gaps even from end to end.
Pre-Drilling Hardwood
Hardwood is pre-drilled near the ends to stop splits.
Sealing Cut Ends
Cut ends of treated timber get an end-seal where needed.
Service area
Timber Fences Built Across Wagga Wagga
We build timber fences for older homes and new builds across the city.
North Wagga Wagga
River-flat ground where post footings need extra care, paling, picket and slat builds.
View detailsTurvey Park
Settled blocks where old paling fences are due for renewal, paling, picket and slat builds.
View detailsBoorooma
Newer estates north of the river near the university campus, paling, picket and slat builds.
View detailsEast Wagga Wagga
Commercial sites along the Sturt Highway corridor, paling, picket and slat builds.
View detailsGobbagombalin
Newer estates on the northern growth front, paling, picket and slat builds.
View detailsAshmont
Standard suburban blocks with ageing paling fences, paling, picket and slat builds.
View detailsKooringal
A mix of older and newer homes in the south-east, paling, picket and slat builds.
View detailsTolland
Settled housing a few minutes from the city centre, paling, picket and slat builds.
View detailsRelated
Related Timber Fence Services
Fencing
Every fence type we build, from steel to wire.
View serviceColorbond Fence Installation
A steel option with less upkeep.
View servicePool Fencing Installation
A compliant barrier for the pool inside a timber yard.
View serviceCommercial Security Fencing
Tougher mesh options for sites that need security.
View serviceRural And Farm Fencing
Post and wire fences for the paddock behind the house.
View serviceAluminium Slat Fencing
Slats with a timber look and no recoating.
View serviceFence Repairs
Swap broken palings and fix leaning posts.
View serviceFence Replacement
Remove an old timber fence and build new.
View serviceFence Painting And Staining
Stain or paint new or weathered timber.
View servicePricing
Timber Fence Cost Factors
Timber prices depend on the species, the style and how much timber the design uses.
| Butt-joined pine | The leanest use of timber |
|---|---|
| Lapped and capped pine | More palings plus a capping rail |
| Hardwood slats | Dearer timber and more careful fixing |
Lapped paling uses more boards than butt-joined, and hardwood costs more than pine.
Request a timber fence quoteQuestions
Timber Fencing Questions
How long does a timber fence last?
It depends on the timber, the treatment and how it is cared for. Posts set in concrete with ground-rated timber, palings kept off the soil and a recoat every few years all extend its life.
Should I stain my new timber fence?
A stain slows greying and drying in the sun. We usually suggest waiting a short while for treated pine to dry before coating. Our staining service can handle it.
Why are there gaps between my palings?
Timber shrinks as it dries. Butt-joined palings open small gaps. Lapped paling hides them with an overlap.
Pine or hardwood?
Pine costs less and is easy to work. Hardwood is heavier, harder and has a richer colour. Both suit Wagga Wagga conditions when built and coated well.
Can you add a gate to a timber fence?
Yes. We build timber gates on a braced frame with strong hinges so they do not sag.
Next step
Want a New Timber Fence?
Tell us the style you like and we will measure up and quote in writing.
Call +61 483 709 394 to talk it through.
Timber guide
Caring for a Timber Fence in the Riverina
Hot, dry summers and frosty winters put timber through big swings. Expect some cracking and greying over time.
Rinse dust off once or twice a year. Look for loose palings after strong winds and fix them early.
Keep sprinklers from hitting the fence every day. Constant wetting and drying speeds up decay.
We will not use untreated timber in the ground. It may save money on day one but fails far sooner.
Timber suits older homes where steel would look out of place on the street.
It is easy to repair one paling at a time, and it can be stained or painted any colour later.
It also costs less than glass or aluminium for long front fences.
If you want a fence you never have to think about, steel or aluminium will suit you better.
When Timber Is the Better Choice