Heather Fencing Rolls – Natural Brushwood Screening
Heather fencing rolls provide dense, natural garden screening for fences, wire mesh, terraces and other outdoor boundaries. Also known as brushwood screening, heather fencing is made from dried heather branches joined together with galvanised wire to create a textured, natural-looking screen.
Intergard heather fencing rolls are available in different thicknesses and weights. This is important because the amount of heather used influences the density of the screen: generally, a thicker and heavier heather roll provides greater visual screening than a lighter construction.
Heather screening can be attached to a suitable existing fence or wire mesh and can be adapted to the required width during installation. Its dense, irregular structure makes it particularly suitable if you want to combine additional privacy with the appearance of a natural garden boundary.
Heather Fencing Rolls for Natural Garden Screening
Heather fencing rolls are natural garden screens made from dried heather branches held together with galvanised wire. In the UK, this type of product is also commonly described as brushwood screening or brushwood fencing.
The fine, irregular structure creates a distinctly different appearance from screening made from larger bamboo canes or willow stems. Heather is therefore particularly suitable for gardens where a dense, textured and natural-looking boundary is preferred.
Heather rolls normally require a suitable supporting structure such as an existing fence or wire mesh. Once correctly supported, they can be used to reduce overlooking, cover an unattractive boundary or simply change the appearance of a garden.
What Is Heather Screening?
Heather screening consists of dried heather branches compressed together and connected with galvanised wire to form a flexible roll. The natural branches create an irregular surface with considerable texture and depth.
Because heather is a natural material, variations in colour, branch thickness, density and appearance are normal. These variations are part of the character of the product rather than manufacturing defects.
Heather Fencing or Brushwood Screening?
Heather fencing and brushwood screening are commonly used to describe the same type of natural garden screening. Both terms refer to rolls made from fine natural branches bound together to create a textured screen.
For this reason, Intergard uses heather fencing rolls as the main product description while also using brushwood screening to help UK customers recognise the product.
How Much Privacy Does Heather Fencing Provide?
The degree of privacy provided by heather fencing depends largely on its thickness and density. A roll containing more densely packed heather generally reduces direct views more effectively than a thinner, lighter roll.
When comparing heather screening, do not therefore look only at its height and width. Thickness, weight and construction are also important specifications when privacy is your main reason for buying the product.
Natural heather screening should not automatically be considered completely opaque. Small gaps can remain within the natural structure.
Why Does the Weight of Heather Screening Matter?
The weight of a heather fencing roll is an important indication of how much natural material has been incorporated into the screen. When comparing products of equivalent dimensions, a heavier and thicker construction will generally contain more heather.
This can result in a denser appearance and greater visual screening. Always compare products of the same dimensions when using weight as a comparison, as a larger roll will naturally weigh more than a smaller one.
What Can Heather Fencing Rolls Be Used For?
Heather fencing rolls can be used for privacy screening, covering existing boundaries and creating decorative natural screens. Common applications include:
- garden privacy screening;
- covering existing fences;
- screening wire mesh;
- garden boundary screening;
- terrace and seating-area screening;
- creating a natural background for plants;
- decorative screening around different garden areas.
Heather Screening for an Existing Fence
Heather screening can be attached to a suitable existing fence to increase visual screening and give the boundary a more natural appearance. This can be useful when the existing fence remains structurally sound but you want additional coverage or a different finish.
Check the condition of the existing fence before installation. Heather screening adds both weight and wind resistance, so the fence and its posts must be sufficiently stable for the application.
Heather Screening on Wire Mesh
Wire mesh provides a practical supporting structure for heather fencing rolls. The heather can be positioned against the mesh and secured at multiple points using suitable outdoor ties or fixings.
When constructing a new supporting fence, the posts, mesh, foundations and fixings should be selected according to the height, density and wind exposure of the finished screen. A dense heather screen catches considerably more wind than uncovered mesh.
How to Install Heather Fencing Rolls
Heather fencing should be securely attached to a stable supporting structure rather than relying on the flexible roll for structural support. An existing fence or correctly installed wire mesh can provide this support.
- Measure the length and required height of the area.
- Select the appropriate height and density of heather screening.
- Check that the existing fence or mesh is stable.
- Position the roll at the required height.
- Keep the bottom slightly clear of persistently damp ground where possible.
- Gradually unroll the heather against the supporting structure.
- Secure it at regular intervals using suitable outdoor fixings.
- Use fixing points at several heights across the screen.
- Add extra fixings at edges and exposed sections where necessary.
- Check the complete installation for stability.
Can Heather Fencing Be Cut to Size?
Heather fencing rolls can normally be shortened in width if the connecting wires are secured correctly before cutting. This prevents the heather branches next to the cut from becoming loose.
Measure the required length carefully and secure the galvanised wires before making the cut. Cutting the height is more involved because both the heather branches and the wire construction may need to be shortened.
How Long Does Heather Fencing Last?
There is no single lifespan that applies to every heather fencing installation. Durability depends on the density of the product, installation, moisture, ground contact, wind exposure, sunlight and local weather conditions.
Keeping the bottom of the screen slightly above persistently damp ground where possible can help limit prolonged moisture exposure. Secure installation also reduces unnecessary movement and mechanical damage during windy weather.
Does Heather Screening Need Maintenance?
Heather screening generally requires limited routine maintenance, but both the natural material and its fixings should be checked periodically. Pay particular attention after strong winds or severe weather.
Remove accumulated leaves and debris where necessary and check for loose sections. Prolonged contact with standing water or continuously wet soil should be avoided where possible.
Is Heather Fencing Soundproof?
Heather fencing should not be considered a soundproof barrier. Its dense natural structure may influence how sound passes through or around a boundary, but this is not the same as tested acoustic insulation.
If reducing noise is a specific project requirement, use a fencing system with documented acoustic performance rather than relying on a standard heather screening roll.
Heather Screening or Willow Screening?
Heather has a finer and denser texture, while willow screening consists of clearly visible individual willow stems. This gives the two natural materials a very different appearance.
Heather is worth considering if you prefer a dense brushwood effect. Choose willow fencing rolls if you prefer the more open and recognisable structure of natural willow stems.
Heather Screening or Bamboo Screening?
Heather screening has a fine, irregular structure, whereas bamboo screening has a straighter and more defined cane appearance. Bamboo can therefore create a more structured visual effect, while heather provides a softer, more textured background.
Compare our bamboo fencing with heather screening to decide which appearance best suits your garden.
Heather Screening or Reed Screening?
Heather screening is generally more textured and irregular than reed screening. Reed consists of recognisable individual stems and creates a finer, more linear appearance.
See our reed mats if you prefer this type of natural screening.
Other Natural Garden Screening
Heather is one of several natural materials available for garden privacy and decorative screening. Each material has its own texture, construction and visual effect.
In addition to heather, Intergard supplies willow screening, bark screening, bamboo screening, reed screening and coconut screening.
For all available materials, explore our complete garden screening range.
Heather Fencing Rolls for Trade Customers
Intergard also supplies heather fencing and other garden screening products to trade and professional customers. For pallet quantities, larger projects or commercial enquiries, please contact Intergard with the required dimensions, quantity and delivery address.
Buy Heather Fencing Rolls from Intergard
Buy heather fencing rolls from Intergard for natural garden screening, additional privacy and decorative outdoor boundaries. Compare the available heights, thicknesses and weights carefully, particularly when the degree of visual screening is important.
If heather is not the right material for your project, compare the other natural and manufactured products in our garden screening range or explore our complete garden fencing range.
Frequently Asked Questions about Heather Fencing Rolls
What is heather fencing?
Heather fencing is natural garden screening made from dried heather branches held together with galvanised wire. It is supplied in flexible rolls and normally requires a supporting fence or mesh.
Is heather fencing the same as brushwood screening?
Heather fencing is commonly described as brushwood screening or brushwood fencing in the UK. The terms are often used for this type of dense natural screening made from fine branches.
How much privacy does heather fencing provide?
The level of privacy depends largely on the thickness and density of the heather roll. More densely packed heather generally provides greater visual screening, although natural screening should not automatically be considered completely opaque.
Why are some heather fencing rolls heavier than others?
For rolls of the same dimensions, a higher weight generally indicates that more heather material has been used. This normally results in a thicker and denser screen.
Is thicker heather screening better?
Thicker heather screening is generally preferable when a high degree of visual screening is required. A lighter product may be sufficient when the main objective is decorative coverage rather than maximum privacy.
Can heather screening be attached to an existing fence?
Yes, heather screening can be attached to a suitable and stable existing fence. Make sure the fence can support the additional weight and increased wind load.
Can heather fencing be fitted to wire mesh?
Yes, stable wire mesh provides a suitable support for many heather fencing rolls. Secure the roll at multiple points with suitable outdoor fixings.
Can heather fencing be cut to size?
Yes, heather fencing can normally be shortened in width. Secure the connecting wires before cutting so that the remaining heather does not become loose.
Can you cut the height of heather fencing?
It may be possible, but cutting the height is more complicated than shortening the width. Both the natural heather and the wire construction may need to be cut and secured correctly.
How long does heather fencing last?
There is no fixed lifespan for every heather fence. Its durability depends on product density, moisture, ground contact, installation, sunlight, wind and local weather conditions.
Should heather screening touch the ground?
Where possible, keeping natural heather slightly clear of persistently damp ground can reduce prolonged moisture exposure. The exact installation will depend on the supporting structure and site.
Does heather fencing require maintenance?
Heather fencing generally needs limited routine maintenance, but periodic inspection is recommended. Check the heather, wire and fixings and remove accumulated debris when necessary.
Is heather fencing soundproof?
No, standard heather fencing should not be described as soundproof. For noise reduction projects, choose a system with documented acoustic performance.
What is the difference between heather and willow screening?
Heather has a fine, dense and textured structure, whereas willow screening consists of individual willow stems. Heather therefore creates a softer brushwood appearance and willow a more defined stem structure.
What is the difference between heather and bamboo screening?
Heather is fine and irregular, while bamboo has a straighter and more structured cane appearance. The best choice mainly depends on the visual effect and product density required.