Ward Fencing Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about garden fencing, gates and railings in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and surrounding areas.

About Ward Fencing

  • Ward Fencing supplies and installs a full range of garden fencing and boundary solutions across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas. Our core product ranges include:

    ColourFence – premium steel garden fencing panels, maintenance-free and available in multiple colours

    ColourRail – decorative steel railings for garden boundaries, driveways and front gardens

    ColourGate – matching pedestrian and driveway gates from the ColourFence and ColourRail

    Timber fencing – treated wood fencing panels and gates for a classic, natural garden look

  • Yes. Ward Fencing is an approved installer of ColourFence, ColourRail and ColourGate products, and also installs timber fencing. We carry out professional site surveys before every job, so you receive an accurate quote and a finished result that meets the manufacturer's standards.

  • Yes. Ward Fencing covers Hertfordshire, including St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and the surrounding towns, as well as Bedfordshire and nearby counties. Contact us to arrange a free, no-obligation site survey

  • Simply get in touch via our website contact form or give us a call to book a free site visit. One of our team will visit your property, measure the boundary, discuss your requirements and provide a written quotation. There is no obligation to proceed

ColourFence - Products & Benefits

  • ColourFence is a premium steel garden fencing system manufactured in the UK from Colorbond steel. Unlike traditional timber panels, ColourFence is completely maintenance-free, it will not rot, warp, crack or fade, and requires no painting, staining or sealing to keep it looking great. It is also made from 100% recyclable materials.

  • Metal fencing such as ColourFence offers several advantages over traditional timber:

    • Maintenance-free – no annual painting, staining or treatment needed

    • Longer lifespan – ColourFence carries a 25-year written guarantee, while pressure-treated timber panels typically last 10–15 years before needing replacement

    • ·No rot or warping – steel will not deteriorate like wood when exposed to UK weather

    • Consistent appearance – the powder-coated colour finish retains its look year after year without fading

    • Eco-friendly – manufactured from 100% recyclable steel

    Timber fencing does have its own appeal: it offers a natural, traditional aesthetic and typically carries a lower upfront cost. Ward Fencing can help you choose the right option for your budget, garden style and long-term requirements.

  • ColourFence products come with a written 25-year guarantee on materials, and a one-year guarantee on installation, provided the fence is installed and maintained in accordance with ColourFence's specifications. This applies to ColourFence panels, ColourRail railings and ColourGate gates.

  • Yes. Both the ColourFence and ColourRail product ranges are entirely maintenance-free. A simple hose-down once or twice a year is all that is needed to keep the finish clean and looking its best. This is in contrast to timber fencing, which typically needs treatment with a stain or preservative every 1–4 years to maintain its condition.

  • ColourFence panels are available in five standard colours: Grey, Green, Brown, Cream and Blue, with new Black panels also being introduced. You can mix and match panel and trellis colours, and also choose different colours for the rails, posts and caps for a personalised look.

  • ColourFence is available in standard heights of 1.0m, 1.5m, 1.8m and 2.1m.

  • Yes. ColourFence is manufactured from 100% recyclable steel, making it an environmentally responsible choice for garden fencing. It also does not require chemical treatments, stains or paints throughout its lifetime, reducing the use of potentially harmful garden chemicals.

ColourRail - Railings

  • ColourRail is a high-quality steel garden railing system, ideal for front gardens, driveways and areas where a more open, decorative boundary is preferred over full privacy fencing. It is manufactured from 16mm galvanised steel tube with a sturdy 25x38mm frame, and is finished by hand in UK workshops.

  • ColourRail is available in five standard colours: Green, Brown, Cream, Blue and Gloss Black.

  • ColourRail comes in three styles: loop top, loop and spear, and all-spear finish.

  • ColourRail is available in a range of standard heights up to 1.8m at a standard width of 2.4m.

ColourGate - Pedestrian & Driveway Gates

  • The right gate depends on your specific needs:

    • ColourFence Gates – ideal where full privacy screening is required; manufactured from Colorbond steel and powder-coated square tube, available in plain or lattice top finish

    • ColourRail Gates – best where an open, decorative look is preferred; manufactured from heavy-duty tubular steel and an attractive, economical alternative to wrought iron

    • Timber Gates – suit a traditional garden style and typically carry a lower upfront cost

    Consider whether the gate needs to match existing fencing, the level of privacy required, the available opening width and your long-term maintenance preferences.

  • ColourRail is available in five standard colours: Green, Brown, Cream, Blue and Gloss Black. Bespoke orders can be supplied in up to 300 RAL colours for a completely custom finish.

  • ColourGate is available from pedestrian to driveway widths and in heights up to 2.1m. Specific opening sizes are:

    • Single pedestrian gates – standard 90cm opening, extra wide up to 160cm

    • Double driveway gates (ColourFence) – up to 300cm

    • Double driveway gates (ColourRail) – up to 340cm

  • ColourGate is available in standard colours of Brown, Cream, Blue and Green across both the ColourFence and ColourRail ranges.

Timber Fencing

  • Yes. In addition to the ColourFence steel product range, Ward Fencing installs quality timber fencing and timber gates. We use only treated, well-crafted wood products to ensure your fence looks great and stands the test of time.

  • Pressure-treated timber fence panels typically last 10–15 years on average. Lifespan can vary depending on the quality of the wood, the level of ongoing maintenance and local weather conditions. Regular treatment with a preservative, stain or paint every 1–4 years will help extend the life of your timber fence.

  • As a guide:

    • Water-repellent preservatives – reapply every 1–2 years

    • Stains – reapply approximately every 4 years

    • Paints – can last in excess of 8 years before needing a top-up

    It is also recommended to inspect your fence every six months and clean it with a scrubbing brush and soapy water to remove mildew and debris.

  • ColourGate is available in standard colours of Brown, Cream, Blue and Green across both the ColourFence and ColourRail ranges. ColourRail gates can also be supplied in gloss black and in up to 300 RAL bespoke colours at an additional charge.

Installation & Service Areas

  • Ward Fencing is a local, approved installer covering Hertfordshire – including St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and surrounding areas. We carry out a free site survey before every installation and provide a written quotation. Contact us to discuss your requirements and arrange a visit at a time that suits you.

  • Yes. Ward Fencing covers Bedfordshire and provides the ColourFence 25-year written guarantee on all ColourFence, ColourRail and ColourGate installations. This guarantee covers fence materials (25 years) and installation workmanship (1 year), subject to the fence being maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

  • For a truly low-maintenance option, we recommend ColourFence steel fencing. Key benefits include:

    • 25-year written guarantee on materials

    • No painting, staining or sealing required at any point

    • Wind-resistant – steel panels do not blow out or warp in storms as timber panels can

    • Rot-proof and insect-resistant – unlike wood, steel will not decay or become infested

    • Requires only an occasional hose-down to maintain appearance

    For customers who prefer a natural aesthetic, Ward Fencing also installs quality pressure-treated timber fencing, which can provide 10–15 years of service with appropriate maintenance.

  • The general lead time for a ColourFence installation is 4–6 weeks from the point of order. Lead times may vary depending on the time of year and your location. Contact Ward Fencing for a current estimated timeline for your project.

Planning & Permissions

  • In most cases, no planning permission is needed. Under permitted development rights:

    • Rear and side garden fences can be installed up to 2 metres high without planning permission

    • Fences adjacent to a road or vehicle highway must not exceed 1 metre high

    • If your property is a listed building, in a conservation area, or subject to an Article 4 Direction, additional restrictions may apply and permission may be required regardless of height

    If you are unsure, Ward Fencing can advise during your site survey, and you can also check with your local planning authority.

  • In most cases, you do not need formal permission from your neighbours to install a fence on your own property, as long as it stays within the permitted development height limits. However, if the fence is on a shared boundary, the Party Wall Act 1996 requires you to give notice to your neighbour. As a matter of good practice, it is always worth having a friendly conversation with your neighbour before work begins to agree on the boundary position and avoid any future disputes.

Ward Fencing Cost Calculator

Get an instant guide price for fence panels, gates and railings in seconds, no calls, no waiting. Not sure how much your new fence will cost? Our fencing cost calculator gives you an instant guide price on materials, just enter your fence length and choose your panel style. No sign-up, no fuss. This is a materials-only guide price. Installation is quoted separately following a site visit, where we'll provide your official tailored quote.

Please fill out the contact form to get a quote or contact us via email or phone to speak to our friendly team!

Phone: 01234 949 000 or 07940 566 046

Email: patrick@wardfencing.co.uk