A staple of the British countryside, estate fencing has been around for centuries. It is an incredibly popular choice for landowners and farmers alike – but most don’t know much about the small beginnings of this fencing style.
In this article, we detail some of what is known about the history of estate fencing.
Where did Estate Fencing begin?
While the exact date for when estate fencing was first used is unknown, we do know that it had a huge surge in popularity in the 18th Century.
Typically used on stretches of parkland, estate fencing saw a spike in popularity thanks to wealthy landowners trying to keep up with the evolving trends set by the elite of the time. Thanks to this, many landowners started to implement estate fencing styles on their own land borders.
Estate fencing styles were mostly seen in the countryside due to their resistance to the elements, ability to withstand pressures from wildlife and cattle, and their simplistic design that strikes a stunning balance with the surrounding scenery.
Was Estate Fencing always made from steel?
At first, estate fencing would have been made from wrought iron and cast iron due to their hardy, durable properties. During the life of estate fencing, manufacturers swapped to using steel as a much easier material to work with during the manufacturing process.
How was Estate Fencing installed in the past?
Currently, estate fencing is welded together. In the past, though, welding techniques were not first used till at least 50 years after the initial boom in popularity.
Before welding was introduced, estate fencing panels would be fastened together using small iron pegs that would be hammered into the joints. This would happen after the fence panel was inserted into a hole in the ground, ensuring that the fence has enough depth to be sturdy.
When welding was introduced to the installation process, fence posts were first inserted into the ground, and rails fed through the specially cut gaps in the posts.
Once these rails were in the correct position, they would be welded. This added weld ultimately increases the strength of the fence panels, and thanks to this we still have standing Victorian estate fencing today.
Estate Fencing in Modern Times
Estate fencing is still a widely used option for many property owners. It provides security in a way that doesn’t take away from the views and scenery, while maintaining a design that is both hardy and pleasing to the eye.
It is also installed to add value to a property, enhancing the overall look and aesthetic with a long-lasting solution that wood or plastic fencing may not be able to compete with.
A key difference to note between historic and modern estate fencing is the material. A lot of older estate fencing was made using either wrought iron or cast iron panels, whereas contemporary fencing is made entirely of steel.
Let’s discuss your Estate Fencing needs
At Steel Landscaping Co., we pride ourselves on creating high-quality steel estate fencing to perfectly suit any space. From traditional estate fencing, to steel slatted fencing, find your ideal fence with us today.
We also offer a bespoke design and fabrication service, through which we will work with you to design and fabricate steel fencing for your specific needs, or any other steel product.
Not sure where to start? Contact a member of our team today with any questions and queries you may have.