Fence clips

[Fencefittingquestion]

Hello all

I have bought these fence panels to replace identical ones which are damaged. The posts are still fine. The original panels are nailed to the posts, but I'm planning to use fence clips instead. The description says the panel is 40mm thick, would these 44mm fence clips work okay or will they be too wide? They sell 41mm in Wickes but are more than 3x the price of the Toolstation ones.

Also, how many fence clips on each side of the panel? I was thinking 2 or 3 (fence panel is 6ft x 4ft).

Cheers

Should be ok - you can always bend them a bit to take up any slack.

I’ve just checked mine, same size and I have two either side.

the clips are correct. Use one clip close to the bottom, and one close top the top, and the other two spaced equally between them.

It is very difficult to lift a panel up and slide it vertically down into the clips. How will you manage?

There is another type of clip, "L" shaped rather than "U" shaped, that allows you to place the panel from one side, and nail the retain on afterwards.

or this sort

you can put the bottom clips in and lift the panel into place, then slide the other clips down from the top and nail them from both sides.

you will need galvanised nails, I use 30mm plasterboard nails with big heads.

If there is no gravel board underneath for the panel to sit on, you will have to nail or screw through clips into the edge of the panel; to prevent it sliding down. I recommend drilling the holes first as panels are very flimsy and liable to split.

Thanks guys, some really useful advice.

@PigletJohn, I have two tall 15yr old sons who are happy to help (in exchange for a takeaway & new PS4 game!)

We back onto a school with wire fences, so they are currently only nailed in from our side so the L shape ones wouldn't . I presume it's okay to do that again? Would nails or screws be better?

Thanks again.

That should say "wouldn't work unfortunately."

nails will do if you are going into wooden posts.

it is an advantage to drill a pilot hole (smaller than the nail thickness) to help them go in straight. This also reduces risk of splitting on thin wood or near an edge. a cordless drill will do it in a trice.

If you are going into the batten on edge of a panel, I'd use a screw into a pilot hole, because they are thin and flimsy.

If you are nailing through a batten into a post, drill at least the batten.

Totally the wrong answer but for our old fence panels I used a few drops of water activated gorilla glue and it expanded to hold the panels right. I'm sure @PigletJohn is the expert here though

you can use one of these at each bottom corner to prevent it sliding down

I suppose you could use them at the top to prevent burglars or naughty children lifting them up.

I paint mine darl brown to vlend in with the fenceposts.