Making room in a narrow plot
When a garden is only a few strides across, a shed against one fence and a patio against the other can leave almost nothing between them. Before ordering panels, measure the width at the house, at the shed and at the far end. Gardens are often not truly rectangular, and a fence that follows the line may be wider in one place than another.
Think about the fence as a structure with a front and a back. The posts and rails are on one side, and the side facing outwards is the neat one. In a tight garden you may need to choose which side you can reach more easily. We can fit a fence on whichever side suits your plan, though ownership and which face goes where is worth checking in your deeds.
Leaving a gap behind the shed
The usual mistake in narrow gardens is to put the shed right on the boundary. It gains a few inches of floor space but loses the ability to reach the fence. Wet timber behind a shed rots without anyone noticing. Even a small gap, enough to slide a brush or a hand through, makes a difference to how long both last.
If the shed is already hard against the boundary, we can talk about options. Sometimes the shed wall itself becomes part of the barrier, with a post at each corner. Sometimes the shed is moved a short way. In either case, a gravel board and a neat finish at the corners keep the whole run sturdy and tidy.
Patios, decking and post positions
A patio in a small garden often runs across the full width. Posts then have to go either side of it or through it. Setting a post in a hole cut through a slab is perfectly possible, and the gap is filled afterwards, but it must be planned before the fence goes in.
Decking in a narrow garden raises the question of height. A raised deck beside a boundary changes how private the garden feels, so check local council guidance on height. Panels can be stopped at the deck edge, and trellis or a short extension can be added if allowed. If you are unsure, send a photo.
Quick tips
- Measure your garden width in three places before ordering anything, because narrow plots are rarely a perfect rectangle.
- Leave at least enough space behind a shed to reach the fence with a brush, so the timber can be treated.
- If posts must go through slabs, plan it before work starts, so cutting and filling can be done neatly.
- Check your deeds to see who owns the fence, then agree the plan with the neighbour.
If you are in Sparkhill, in the B11 area, and need a fence to work around a shed, patio or deck, call us or send a photo with the fence location. We also work in Small Heath and Hall Green, and we are always glad to help, no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How do I plan a fence in a very narrow back garden?
Measure the garden width at the house, at the shed and at the far end before ordering panels, because plots are often not truly rectangular. Decide which side of the fence you can reach more easily, and check your deeds on ownership and which face goes where.
What can be done if my shed is already hard against the boundary?
We can talk through options. Sometimes the shed wall itself becomes part of the barrier, with a post at each corner, and sometimes the shed is moved a short way. Either way, a gravel board and neat corners keep a Sparkhill run sturdy and tidy.
Garden fencing installers in Sparkhill · All advice guides