If rattling fence posts have been disturbing your chill time in the garden, don’t worry, I’ve done the legwork and found out how to stop it - and all you need is this £5 product from Amazon to fix it.
If you’ve gone to the effort of bringing your garden fence ideas to life, it can be rather frustrating hearing the slats rattle as soon as the wind picks up.
Lucky for you, this is an easy DIY project that you can complete quickly. I asked the experts, who revealed how to stop fence panels from rattling.
How to stop fence panels rattling
First things first, you’ll want to know why your fence is rattling. And the answer is simple, your fence panels are loose from the post.
‘This gap causes the panels to move and rattle against the fence post, especially during windy conditions,' explains Mark Irving, building expert at Build & Plumb. 'However, this rattling can often signal that the fence is flexing to accommodate the wind, which is considered normal.'
It’s not a problem that signals any damage or risk to your fence and garden ideas, but let’s face it, that rattling noise can be annoying, which is why you’re here!
Luckily, it's an easy fix. All you need to do is invest in some fence wedges or fence clips, which can be picked up at your local DIY store or Amazon for less than £10.
‘Spring-loaded fence clips solve a common problem without the hassle,' says Thomas Oldham, Co-Founder at UK Construction Blog. 'They slide directly into the gap between the fence panel and post, gripping on their own with no need for tools or drilling. The spring mechanism keeps steady pressure on the panel, holding it firmly in place even on windy days,’
‘They’re a practical option when panels are still solid but have started to move around. Because the clips flex as the wood shifts with temperature and moisture, they stay effective over time. Push them into position by hand, and they’ll hold without altering the fence itself.’
As well as fence clips, you can also invest in fence wedges or foam which have a similar effect.
‘To know where to place your fence wedges, start by identifying the panels that rattle the most by gently shaking the fence. Typically, three to four wedges at different points of the post will work best to prevent movement and rattling,’ advises Mark.
‘Then use your hand to gently push the wedges as far as possible into the gap, and then use a hammer to secure them further in place. The wedges should fit tightly between the panels and the post.'
'Fence panel wedges are an ideal method for preventing rattling as they’re easy to install, long-lasting and can easily be removed if you need to paint or stain your fence at any point.’
There you have it, go forth and never again have to deal with the irritating problem that is a rattling fence!
