Afence is a great way to ensure privacy and security from neighbours and trespassers, but we tend to miss an important thing related to it that may cause problems in the future. It is at the bottom of the fence that gives space for pests and wild animals to enter your property.
Read more: 27 Beautiful Garden Fence Ideas To Add Curb Appeal To Your Garden
To prevent their entrance to your house, it’s essential to block the bottom. But how? There are many affordable and beautiful ways to implement your ideas. In this article, we will cover some of the best bottom of fence gap ideas that will serve the dual purpose of functionality and elevate the appearance of the garden.
Read more: 37 Creative Fence Ideas To Elevate The Outdoor Space
Understanding The Importance Of Closing Fence Gaps
- Prevents pests from getting inside the house
- Prevents trespassers to enter the property
- Ensures privacy and safety
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Avoid your dog from going out of the property and harming someone that may lead to a lawful suit.
Cause Of Gap In Fences
- Movement of soil – If you stay in a sandy soil area, the ground takes time to settle down. If you are in an area with extreme climatic conditions, soil movement is more likely to happen as expansion and contraction of the soil generally occur at these places due to weather changes.
- Pets – One of the main reasons for gaps is pets because they dig under the fence if the fence is not grounded properly.
- Flaw in installation – If there is even a bit of flaw in fence installation, it might lead to the under-fence gap.
Various Bottom Of Fence Gap Ideas
Decorative Fencing Additions
Lattice Panels – Bottom lattice is a tried and tested method to keep away pests from the garden. Rats and other pests cannot break the lattice as it is sturdy and usually made of wood, metal, or vinyl strips.
Aluminum Fencing – A galvanised mesh wire is a clever idea to block the fence gap to avoid snakes and other crawling creatures invading your garden in search of a safe place. Make sure the opening in the mesh is small because reptiles and rodents will pass through the big gap.
Horizontal Slats – Timber or wooden horizontal panels maintain the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. These slats come with multiple features of durability, termite resistance, and resistance to all weather conditions. Make sure you buy mould-resistant wood.
Kickboard for large fence gaps – For larger gaps, kickboards are a viable option. Ensure that the board is cut to the exact length and sunk deeper as a precautionary measure. Try to buy rot-resistant wood.
Concrete to fill fence gaps
Concrete is a viable bottom of fence gap ideas option to seal the fence gap. It is an easy and budget-friendly option because you can DIY with necessary supplies and equipment like cement, sand, water and a bowl to mix the stuff.
Brick wall
This is an expensive, time-consuming, but long-lasting option to cover the fencing gaps. If safety is your main concern, this is the best option for you. To extend a Roman look to the backyard, build a stonewall under the fence.
Metal bars
These bars made of wrought iron serve as the practical solution for the fence gap. Insert the metal bars deep into the earth to get rid of dogs and other animals and add a statement to the lawn.
Add platforms
Adding a platform under the fence is another interesting and practical solution to fill the fence gap. Add platforms under the fence and cover the gap beautifully, adding style to the lawn.
Natural Elements and Greenery
Garden Beds – Garden beds are stunning ideas to cover the bottom of the fence while enhancing the look alongside hedges. Growing shrubs and plants in colourful planters or the natural ground along the fence makes a beautiful natural gap filler.
Dense Shrubs – Embracing the natural beauty in the garden with hedges is a great strategy. Think of how you want the garden to look like a flower blossoming or leaves because there are two different varieties of hedges available.
Climbing Vines and Trellises – Trellis is an amazing way to add privacy and beauty to the fence line. Try growing vines on a trellis to cover the gaps.
Potted plants – Keep potted plants along the fence for a natural gap filler design. Make sure plants are drought-resistant and can survive direct sunlight. Water the plants regularly for robust growth.
DIY Fixes and Budget Friendly Bottom Of Fence Gap Ideas
Reclaimed Wood – It is another cost-effective idea to fill the gap in the fence. Collect reclaimed wood, cut it into horizontal pieces and cover the gap between the fence and the ground. This option is best suited for wooden fences, as wooden fillers will blend well.
Rock or Gravel Barriers – They are an affordable and sturdy option to fill fence gaps. Fill the gaps along the fence lines with the required amount of gravel. Decorative stones and rocks add charm to the fence, especially if the stones complement the fence. It’s time to contact the gravel dealer and get the rates.
Add dirt – It’s a DIY project where you have to fill dirt or mound under the fence tightly. This method will work only when you don’t have a dog who can dig the dirt and go out.
Brick lining – Arranging bricks up to the gap under the fence is a smart and affordable way to fill the fence gap. It’s a DIY option. All you need to do is gather new or recycled bricks, cement and a bowl to mix the cement.
Tips For Maintenance Of Fences
Prevent water accumulation
Water accumulation may lead to rotting of the fencing bottom. So, the best way to prevent the problem is to use gravel or pebbles to allow water to pass easily to the ground. The other way to avoid water accumulation is a proper drainage system.
Weather-resistant options for durability
Try using weather-resistant fencing material to withstand extreme climatic conditions. This will add life to the fence and reduce the maintenance hassle.
Treating wood against rot and decay
Wooden fences undoubtedly look stunning in the garden because it is one of the best bottom of fence gap ideas, but they require regular maintenance and treatment to avoid rot and decay for longevity. The best way to treat wood is pressure treatment using CCA (chromated copper arsenate).
Other Maintenance Solutions For Homeowners
- Regularly prune trees and plants around the fences for beautiful landscaping.
- Keep an eye out for rust, especially when you opt for vinyl or metal fence.
- Check the wooden fence at regular intervals for any rot.
- Wash the fences at least once a year to remove dust, dirt, grime, and rust and create a cleaner fence.
- Physically inspect the fence area for any damage.
Read more: 8 Beautiful Front Fence Ideas For The Perfect Front Yard!
Conclusion
We hope you have some bottom of fence gap ideas to fill the gap under the fence to prevent pets and wildlife from entering your property, leading to immense damage. There are multiple affordable and DIY options to maintain a balance between practicality and aesthetics to give a splendid look to the garden.
FQAs
What can I use to cover a gap at the bottom of my fence?
You can use wooden panels, concrete, brick walls, hedges, small gardens, gravel, vine over trellis, metal bars, aluminium fencing and many more options to cover the gap at the bottom of the fence.
Should I leave a gap under my fence?
No, leaving the gap under the fence gives easy access to trespassers and pests into your property, causing several problems.
How do you block a gap under a PVC fence?
The best way to fill the gap under a PVC fence is gravel, washed stone, soil or sand.
