Council Driveway Crossovers for Perth, Western Australia

Crossovers, that last tail end of your driveway that sits on the verge on council land. Every local council has different rules about crossovers in the area, including what they can be made of (usually brick pavers or concrete are fine), the sizes, what needs to be underneath, and subsidisation of the cost of the crossover to the property owner. Some councils may even subsidise more for their preferred choice of material. Chances are you will want your crossover to match in with the rest of your driveway, even when it has been interrupted by a footpath.

For a list of local areas in Perth, linked to what they have to say about crossovers, click here. You will also find useful information on crossovers and a trade contractor that specialises in the installation of council crossovers throughout Perth.

Retaining: What you need to know

Retaining in landscaping can create character and depth to your garden when used for raised garden beds, but as well as that retaining can be a crucially necessary part of the landscape when there are varying levels of the land, either on a sloping property or when there is a height difference between neighbouring properties.

Several construction materials and methods can be implemented to retain soil, and there can be a lot more to it than you may realise.

In Australia, some of the more popular methods for retaining soil, particularly between properties, are with limestone blocks, panel and post retaining, and timber.

As there are so many factors that may influence the best product to use, your best option is to request a free site inspection. Things you may not consider that the experts will, include factors such as accessibility, weight of the product, machinery needed etc. 

Be aware also that there are always the unforseens when any digging or excavating will take place. While all due care may be taken with locating the utilities and reticulation, it is impossible for a trades-person to know prior to digging what else may lie beneath. If you are aware of any tree stumps or difficult roots (palm tree roots can make digging very difficult) that may be in the way but not obviously so until digging commences, it is always advisable to inform your trades-person at the time of the site inspection so they are able to consider additional costs in the quote where possible. If you wait until work commences, everything may come to a stand still while additional costs are calculated, secondary discussions (between neighbours where it is between properties) take place, and additional necessary equipment is chased up. Your fence may end up down longer than was necessary.

Another consideration that comes with the scope of the job where it may be best to consult a trades-person, is knowing whether you will require a structural engineers report to be submitted to your local council for approval prior to the commencement of any work. Different councils may have different rules and restrictions when it comes to height and structural integrity of the retaining.

Above: A fence is being installed between properties with different soil levels. Panel and post retaining was already in place. but still wasn't high enough to meet the height of the higher property. Additional timber retaining was installed to keep the soil from the higher property off the fence, as using a Colorbond fence to hold back soil will make the fence lean and fall over time, and also rust out.

Above: From the other side of the fence (the higher property) once the fence installation was complete, only the top of the timber retaining is visible, as it holds the soil away from the fence. Bevelled limestone blocks retain the soil for the garden bed, to neatly define the garden from the paving.

Installing a fence on top of a limestone wall

Arguably, one of the tidiest looking Colorbond fence installations sits upon limestone blocks. Why the tidiest? Because instead of the Colorbond posts being concreted into a hole in the dirt, a neat, round hole is core drilled straight into the limestone blocks for the fence posts to sit in, then filled up with concrete nice and cleanly.

If there is a height difference in the soil between properties, that is if one house pad sits up higher than the other, installing a limestone retaining wall on the boundary will mean the fence can sit squarely on the boundary, with equal amounts of limestone block on either side.

Above: Prior to installing the large limestone blocks, an old asbestos fence was removed as well as some limestone garden edging. A tree stump had to be removed, and a string line set up to see what else might be in the way. The timber screening put in place further down the fenceline was to add height and privacy for both neighbours, since previously the fence sat lower (not on top of the retaining).

Above: Once all obstacles along the stringline are removed, the dingo can be brought in to lift the blocks into place (these big blocks weigh 240kg each!).

Above: One course of large, one metre limestone blocks have been installed to make up the height difference between neighbouring properties, ready for the installation of a new Colorbond fence.

Above: All of the Colorbond fence post holes are core drilled into the limestone blocks.

Above: The completed Colorbond fence with infill panels now installed, sitting atop the limestone blocks.

When installing a Colorbond fence and a limestone wall separately, be aware that any steel used to reinforce the limestone may present an issue in core drilling the holes for the Colorbond fence posts. New drill bits for a core driller can be costly, so talk to your fence installer prior to giving the go ahead on the limestone installation. Using larger limestone blocks can prevent the need for reinforcement.

Colorbond fence installation on uneven/ sloped landscape.

When installing a Perth colourbond fence to an existing landscape, rarely are two jobs ever the same. On initial quote/inspection, we take into consideration how the colorbond fence will sit on the landscape; this being how the bottom rail will look when installed.

The main thing to consider when installing colorbond fencing is how much of a gap will be exposed. When installing colorbond fencing to even ground it easy to install the bottom colorbond fence rail to the flat surface leaving little to no gap at all. This is what we consider to be the perfect situation when installing your new colorbond fence. Unfortunately, as mentioned, this is not always the case. Where the ground is uneven or sloped we offer two types of colorbond fence installations to accommodate. As the choice ultimately is for the customer to decide, there are things to consider.

The first type of Perth colorbond fence installation is a stepped finish, this is where the colourbond fence is stepped down the slope. The first colorbond fence post/rail join is installed at a point where it meets the ground. As the slope falls away, the colourbond fence rail will run at a 90 degree angle for the length of the standard colorbond fence panel (2.4mtrs). This will leave a gap at the bottom end. The gap will be more obvious pending on how steep the fall on the landscape.

We offer a number of solutions; if the customer decides on this type of colorbond fence installation, as is commonly the case, we offer to install as an addition to the colorbond fence panel a 'plinth'. This is a steel or timber infill section that is designed to accommodate the gap to a height of approximately 200mm. Where a colorbond fence plinth is installed, we use longer than standard colourbond fence posts to make sure the colourbond fence post is properly anchored to an appropriate depth.

The second type of Perth colorbond fence installation is a sloped/raked finish. This is where the colorbond fence accommodates the slope with the bottom colorbond fence rail running flat to the surface at the length of the standard colourbond fence panel, 2.4mtrs. With this type of installation, longer colorbond fence sheets must be used to accommodate the fall. The colourbond fence installation on this type of install as well as additional colorbond fence materials will also include extra labour to customise the colourbond fence panel as per the landscape. When being quoted for your new Colorbond fence ask, the trades person if your landscape may require additional consideration to install your new Perth colorbond fence to your desired finish.    

Colorbond vs Hardie fencing?

So most of us are familiar with the two most common fencing types in Australia, but why one and not the other? What are we comparing?

Hardie fencing, also known as cement fibre or fibre cement sheet fencing, or Super 6 fencing, was designed by James Hardie to replace, and match, the old deadly asbestos fencing that we still see hanging around today. It’s installed by digging a trench, dropping the sheets in (the right way up and the right way around, as the waves kind of lock in together), and backfilling the trench on both sides. The aluminium capping helps keep the sheets together, and hides any small height variations and the little metal clips that are put on to hold the tops of the sheets to the next.

That’s kind of the short of it, but obviously it’s a bit more involved, with it being a heavy lifting, quite awkward job dropping those heavy sheets in the ground, matching them with a string line, working with possibly uneven terrain.. here is a link with some pictures, in case you’re considering doing it yourself.

http://www.jameshardie.com.au/products/download/file/HardieFence+Install+Guide.pdf

Even when the ground looks flat, it may surprise you how much this isn’t an exact science, and although installing between properties, you may get away with one side being elevated slightly higher than the other, as unlike Colorbond, the additional earth thrown against it will not cause it to rust out due to the moisture in the soil, beware; Hardie fencing has not been designed to retain uneven soil levels, it works best when receiving equal amounts of soil pressure from both sides. Building up dirt unevenly on one side may cause the fence to lean over time.

So what are the benefits of Hardie?

1. If it’s what you already have in, it will be cheaper to replace broken sections with more Hardie than the whole length with Colorbond.

2. You can paint Hardie fencing any colour you like, but it may take a few coats if not properly prepared. It can match exactly to anything you like. Also, you can paint it a different colour on either side, so you don’t have to compromise or agree with your neighbour if it’s a common fence (shared fence, that is).

3. Because it’s dug in to the ground 400-600mm all the way along, dogs can’t dig under it. and with no gaps underneath, nothing can get under (snakes, for example, if that’s an issue).

4. If you’re planning on DIY-ing, the materials are cheaper than Colorbond fencing, and you won’t need much (mostly just a shovel, stakes and string line, level…)

5. It looks the same on both sides.

6. It can be cut to slope, after installing as a ‘stepped’ fence. So if you are installing to a sloped block, it can be installed first, then cut on the angle of the ground, then capped.

And the drawbacks?

1. Hardie fences blow over in storms, Colorbond fences are far, far, far less likely to. For this reason, often your insurance company may encourage you to replace with Colorbond (as they won’t have to pay out on a storm damaged fence a second time).

2. In ‘general opinion’, Colorbond fencing is more attractive, more modern, than Hardie fencing.

3. You can’t buy it painted, so many if not most people leave it that plain, grey colour.

4 If you’re planning on having it professionally installed, Hardie MAY cost you more than Colorbond, obviously this is a debatable point. But Hardie fencing is very labour intensive, particularly if hand dug as it often is, even amongst professionals.

5. It is near on impossible to install perfectly straight. The best you can hope for is for it to look straight to the eye, this is the case even when installed by professionals. Dropping those heavy sheets in to loose earth, awkwardly lifting them by the edges, each panel being about a metre wide, then holding them straight according to your string levels, while throwing dirt against them on either side. Doesn’t mean it can’t look straight, and doesn’t mean every Colorbond fence is perfectly straight either. In fact, drive around and look at the fences in your neighbourhood. There’s a good chance that unless you live in a newer area, that you might see more fences askew to varying degrees than straight down the line.

So what about Colorbond fencing then? Most people choose Colorbond over Hardie where they can. They aren’t installing Hardie fencing into new builds. Is it just for the look? Why no, no it is not, thanks for asking.

Colourbond fencing is manufactured from steel. Colorbond fencing goes together like a big Mechano set. Just like you have panels of Hardie fencing, you have panels of Colorbond fencing. But unlike the Hardie which is about 1100mm wide, Colorbond panels are usually more like 2.4metres wide (which can be made shorter by cutting rails and infill panels). The Colorbond panels are made up of a frame, and infill panels. So each panel has a top and bottom rail, side posts (which extend beyond the bottom rail so you can concrete them into the ground while the panel sits completely above ground), and there are three infill panels to make them easier to handle (rather than one 2.4metre infill panel). There are plenty of other bits and pieces for Colorbond fencing but I will cover that in another blog (such as steel posts, post caps, steel plinths, Colorbond fence toppers and extenders such as lattice and slats).

So lets start with the positives.

1. Colorbond fencing DOES look nicer, and if you think differently, you’re in a small minority.

2. It comes ready in a range of colours. Click here for colours.

3. It’s installation method is far less labour intensive, but there are reasons why you should consider having it professionally installed. Instead of having to dig a trench, you need only dig holes where the posts will go in: at the ends of each panel.

4. It’s stronger than Hardie fence as it is concreted in, not held in by earth. PLEASE NOTE: Although Colorbond fencing can be installed using quickset cement, it is not recommended. For a stronger fence, a mix should be made using roadbase or the like, for aggregation. Check what your installer will be using.

5. Did I mention it looks better? I did? Well, as well as coming in a range of colours, you can mix it up, and use a different colour for your rails and posts than your infill panels. You also have the choice of different profiles, and different suppliers have different profiles. So you can choose a profile that looks the same on both sides, such as this zig zag profile by Factory Direct Fencing. (They’re in BRISBANE + MELBOURNE + PERTH + SYDNEY + ADELAIDE)

6. You can install matching Colorbond gates. You could even match it to the exact colour of your Colorbond roof.

7. It can be installed on top of limestone blocks, so if you have a limestone retaining wall on your boundary for example, it can be core drilled which is actually easier and less messy, possibly even cheaper. No dirt required!

So the cons?

1. There are different manufacturers, so If you already have some Colorbond fencing you are wanting to match your profile to, you need to know who they are and purchase, or have your installer, purchase from them.

2. It does not come with two different colours on two different sides (but then, neither does Hardie). You can paint one side another colour, but then you will have to agree which neighbour has to do that (and be careful you’re doing it right, no-one likes paint runs on a Colorbond fence). You can sometimes request that double layered infill sheets be used in two colours, but it can be a tight squeeze if at all possible, and then you still may have to paint the rails and posts. Also the cost for the extra infill panels will make for a more expensive fence.

3. It can dent. If you hit it with a ball hard enough, you may have to live with a dent.

4. If it is being installed on a slope, you may have to choose between a stepped and a sloped installation. Stepped may be cheaper, but may also leave gaps under the fence on the lower end of each panel. The bigger the slope, the bigger the gaps. They may be minimal, and may not bother you at all mind. I’m not even sure if this is in fact, a con.

5. It is not recommended you pile any dirt up against any part of the bottom rail or infill panels what-so-ever. Apparently the moisture sitting in the soil, were it to make contact with any minute scratches, could rust the fence.

So that’s it! Colorbond wins! But at least now you know why. It’s no more expensive, and it looks better, and it’s stronger.

Synthetic grass for residential and commercial landscaping (Customer Feedback)

We understand that most people prefer the look and feel of real turf. But we also understand that people like to cut down on time and cost maintaining a lush healthy green lawn.

We refer to a recent customer who had spent years caring for traditional turf before being sold on the artificial variety.

For the number of people who would comment on his lovely lawn, few of them really appreciated how much time and money was being used in the form of fertiliser’s, lawn disease/pest control, mower maintenance, watering , weeding, repairing patches, fixing reticulation and of course mowing.

Soon after moving into his next home after downsizing to a place more fitting for a person of his age, he made it a focus to eliminate un-necessary hours spent tending to gardens that required labour that he no longer was able to provide. A friend of his and a previous customer of ours had mentioned that he had twelve months earlier installed synthetic grass as a part of a major landscaping transformation at his property in North Lake through Perth Trade Centre (Landscaping Perth).

Artificial/synthetic grass as an option to the traditional real turf that we have all grown up with is now considered a socially acceptable product to install into most types of residential and commercial landscapes as the advantages are seen as a modern and savvy alternative to traditional turf. We have installed synthetic turf into many different Perth landscapes that previously have made traditional turf almost impossible to install. As real grass in most cases requires a certain amount of sunlight to grow and be healthy, we now as an option install artificial grass where no real lawn has been successfully installed before. We are all aware of that piece of lawn under the tree or trampoline that has eventually turned to dirt over a period of time.

Many experienced Perth landscaping designers and associated trades people are now starting to see the benefits of the visual and practical aspects of applying synthetic grass into properties throughout Perth. As we are also experienced in the installation of real turf landscaping, we find that synthetic turf/grass have many benefits that cannot be matched, for example in certain applications where the customer may work away for a period of time and cannot look after the real lawn or where age may restrict the physical effort required to maintain that perfect appearance of lush real lawn.

In many instances it often comes down to time. As life has become so demanding, time has become valuable and most of us have a list of things we would prefer to be doing. We have found that many of our customers have had previously experienced the commitment to large lawns that have required effort to maintain.

After speaking to people who are at first against synthetic grass as an option, we find in many cases that they have not had the previous burden of tending to the needs of real turf. After many successful installations of synthetic grass, we are yet to have a customer who has been dissatisfied with the appearance and benefits. As synthetic grass quality and choice have come a long way since it was introduced some years ago we find a growing number of people are now sourcing synthetic grass as the preferred option when landscaping to a new property or making over an existing space.  

Using your Hardie fence or Colourbond fence as a retaining wall is a No! No!

Hardie Fencing: what not to do

The most common cause of Hardie/ cement fibre fencing/ asbestos fencing/ super six fencing falling

over is build up of soil on one side of the fence as is often the case. We see this on a regular basis, and you don’t need to be a Perth fence contractor/installer to work out what has caused the problem.

A common problem is that people see the Hardie fence/ asbestos fence/ super six fence as a solid structure that will take some pushing over when in fact, if abused, can result in major landscaping or building damage. For example, when doing a bit of DIY landscaping around the home, it may be considered that when creating that limestone garden bed against the Hardie fence/ asbestos fence/ super six fence, people forget to retain in the rear of the limestone garden bed or in front of the Hardie fence/ asbestos fence/ super six fence line.

As the garden bed is back filled against the Hardie fence/ asbestos fencing/ super six fencing, this creates pressure. In most cases, the Hardie fence/ super six fence/ asbestos fence will hold in the short term, but as time goes by the Hardie fence/ super six fence/ asbestos fencing will start to move. As the Hardie fence/ super six/ asbestos fencing is installed as an inter-locking system, the whole Hardie fence/ super six fencing/ asbestos fencing will start to move and eventually will go over like dominos. This is often seen in the storm season where 100km/hour winds are just that little extra push needed to create the inevitable disaster.

It is often the case that people say "oh well, my fence insurance will cover the damage". Although we are in no way going to say what the deal may be between the policy holder and their insurance company, you may want to make sure that your policy covers using your hardie fence/super six fence/ asbestos fence or colourbond fencing as a retaining wall, and also the fact that you will at that point need to consider retaining the soil build up with limestone retaining / timber retaining / or panel and post retaining before the installation of your new colourbond fence or hardie fence is installed.

This can result in disputes between neighbours that in some cases may go on for months and in worst case scenarios may even require a trip down to front the local magistrate (not a happy experience) but one we see play out on a regular basis for a number of our customers.

Hardie fence and more so Colorbond fencing is not designed to be used as a retaining wall under any circumstance. Any warranties that are offered will be void and manufacturers are clear that it is not recommended.

In many older suburbs around Perth, we see landscaped blocks built up without any retaining walls being installed. These are things to consider when purchasing your new home. It would seem not all builders have considered the long term effects of people using the Hardie fence and most cases asbestos fencing as a retaining wall. If you are unaware of what problems may be on your boundary fence line, please ask Perth Trade Centre for advice before considering limestone retaining walls, timber retaining walls or panel and post retaining walls, colourbond fence or hardie fence installation.