Let's talk boundaries. Not the personal kind but the line that exists to separate your land from someone else's. The question is: what do you put there?
Typically, boundaries are designated by a fence or a brick wall. But they don't just have to be used at your boundary lines. Done right, they make a fantastic garden feature too.
Whatever the weather, it's important to think about what you have in your garden: come Spring and Summer, you'll hopefully be spending a lot more time there; and, in Autumn and Winter, you'll need something that's more resistant to the elements.
If you're stuck on what to go for, don't worry - we've compared the pros of both options for you. And if you decide to go for a brick element in your solution, our team is standing by to help you get what you need at the right price!
Request a quoteBrick walls: the pros
When it comes to boundaries, our preference would always be the brick wall. But we're not just saying that because we're in the business of selling bricks, there are loads of other reasons to consider too:
They last longer
A lot longer, in fact. Although fences are cheaper in the short term, they don't last as long as brick walls - plus, they require annual maintenance.
With a wooden fence, you will need to give it a new coat of paint or varnish every couple of years to protect it from the elements. If it's not maintained, it may actually become unstable and need replacing. Not to mention it's more prone to getting blown over in the wind!
Brick walls, on the other hand, are a much longer-lasting and more durable option. A well laid brick wall with good foundations, can last for decades - even centuries - without much maintenance being needed.
They offer privacy
Something that may or may not be a concern where you are, is how much privacy you have in your garden. If you want the garden to yourself and you're not too keen on small talk with the neighbours, a brick wall is the way to go.
Whilst a sturdy fence can provide this, they often have gaps between the slats which can give unwanted coverage of your personal space. A brick wall on the other hand is completely solid.
They block noise
This is especially relevant if you've got small children - or your neighbour does. To keep the peace in your neighbourhood or to create your own little haven of peace and quiet, you'll need something a little more substantial than a fence.
Surprisingly effective at blocking noise from outside and keeping yours in, a brick wall will give you a bit more of a sound barrier.
They add value
If you're interested in upping the overall value of your home, one way to do this is to put in a brick wall - and, if it's got a nice brick bond or pattern, it can really add something to your garden. There's no denying, a nice brick wall with some bullnose toppers looks a lot grander than a simple wooden fence.
They look great!
And it's not just about increasing the value of your home. You could go for a complete garden makeover and include a wall as a feature in your garden.
For example, you could separate one part of the garden from another and create a walled section - a courtyard for BBQ's or a cosy relaxing area. All this can be achieved by simply adding a nice old-fashioned brick wall.
Adding some climbing plants to your wall will also make your garden come alive. You can't really do this as effectively with a fence as you run the risk of the plant overwhelming and weakening the fence structure over time.
With brick, as long as you're not picking a plant known for causing damage, it will hold its own for years to come.
If you want the garden to yourself and you're not too keen on small talk with the neighbours, a brick wall is the way to go
Wooden fences: the pros
First, let's look at the humble garden fence, a common option for many homeowners. But is it always the best? Here a few reasons whyyou might go for this option:
They are cheaper
One reason you may opt for a fence is that they are generally a lot cheaper. The fencing available from your local supplier will come at various price points and its simple construction means they won't set you back as much as a brick wall.
They're easy to erect
As well as being cheaper, they don't require as much effort to put up as a brick wall. In an average-sized garden, you should be able to put up some fencing in a day.
Mostly it's a case of slotting each panel between fence posts or attaching them to a frame. It's getting the posts in that will prove the most work and it may be that you're better off getting a gardener or landscaper to do the job for you.
They offer design flexibility
Fences can be as distinctive or as plain as you want them to be. Whether it's a particular shade of varnish or colour of paint or simply the style of panel, there's a lot of flexibility.
This means that you can easily and affordably change the aesthetic of your garden.
They take up less space
The other main thing that may be of benefit depending on the size of your garden or boundary is that fences take up less space than a wall.
You still need a good bit of space to fit the posts in but in general you can slot a fence into a relatively small space.
Still unsure?
If you like the sound of solid brick foundations but your budget doesn't quite stretch to a full wall, why not go for a combination.
A low brick wall with a fence on top is a popular middle-of-the-road option. These can look decorative and also allow your garden to be a bit more open.
Have it at whatever height you want. If neighbour small talk is your thing, maybe this is the one for you.
Brick is for life
We reckon, if you're planning on staying where you are for the long run and want a pleasant garden feature that's going to last, you can't beat a good brick wall.
Get yourself some nice special-shaped bricks to give the top a characterful finish and you'll have something you're proud of.
And why not build it yourself? This is a lot more manageable than bricklaying for a building as you don't need to worry about supporting a structure, only the wall itself.
We're here for you
If you're ready to get building, but can't decide which bricks to use for your wall, our free Brick Selection service could be just what you need; if you want to use bricks that blend seamlessly with the rest of your home, our Brick Matching service could be right up your street; or if you'd prefer to browse bricks for yourself, we have more than 3,600 products to choose from in our Brick Library!
Our expert Brick Advisors are standing by to help you figure out how many bricks you need for your project, then source them and find you the best price - we'll even arrange delivery too!
