Frequently Asked Questions

How will my bamboo furniture hold up to elements?
Bamboo is a natural wood-like product and will age beautifully if left out side in the elements, similar to teak or redwood outdoor furniture. To preserve the varnished look of a new product we advise against long term exposure to harsh direct sunlight and extreme cold and wet weather. A simple deck furniture cover or storage will help in preserving the varnish. New Varnish should be applied yearly.

What is that popping noise?
Again bamboo is natural wood-like product and will adjust to the surrounding climate. Depending on the temperature and humidity, the bamboo will expand and contract to adjust to the environment. Rapid drying may cause cracking.

Is rattan/wicker the same as bamboo?
Rattan is solid timber vine that grows in Indonesia. Wicker is the process of weaving rattan or other reeds of timber into mesh that is then made into furniture. Unlike a mesh weave, bamboo is much harder and will retain it's shape.

Hints and Tips on How to fix your Rolled Screens

These methods have proven to be sound in practice and if followed should give your screens the maximum possible life in whatever conditions prevail in your part of the UK.

All of the screens can be fixed in any of the ways detailed below. There is no great skill involved all that's required is common sense, patience and assistance. Whole Bamboo (large) differs slightly apart from the details below you can also drill the bamboo and using screws fix through the bamboo into your post / lath being careful not to over tighten the screw damaging the bamboo.

Preparation is key: Before beginning any work the bits that will not be seen once the screen is up should be attended to first.

This means if fixing to post and lath the posts need to be sound and well fixed in the ground.
If fixing to a wall the wall itself should be sound and the laths attached to it with strong screws. Any preparation to walls such as repairs and painting should be completed prior to fixing your screen.

Note: If the screen is to be fixed to an existing fence that is a party boundary you should fix laths from post to post so that should the neighbors decide to change their panels they can do so without needing to remove your screen. Obviously it is better to get the neighbors consent to fix the screens on your side but to their posts but in some instances that just is not possible.
Should there be any chance of confrontation then it is far better for you to put up a post and lath system alongside the existing and fix your screen to that.

Chain link fencing is not a normal boundary fence but where the house backs onto commercial property or school premises then it is likely to be encountered. Again if you can get permission from the fence owner then go ahead and fix the screen directly to the fence as outlined below.

How to fix to existing fence

Make sure existing wooden or concrete posts are solid in the ground.

Fix 2 inch X 1.5 inch, 50 mm X 40 mm, (minimum) tanalised roofing laths to posts at intervals of 18 inches using galvanized or brass wood screws in timber posts, stainless or galvanized concrete screws in concrete posts.

Lay a length of 3 inch X 2 inch timber on the ground along the line of the existing fence. The purpose of this timber is to give a "drip gap" which will allow rainwater to fall off the screen and prevent the screen from soaking up moisture from the ground which would considerably shorten its life. It also ensures you get the top edge of the screen level.

Unroll the screen and stand it up against the fence.

Fix securely down one edge with screws and washers, galvanized nail in staples or even galvanized garden wire.

Once one edge is secure you will need some assistance to tension the screen along its length. Tension means just tight enough so that the screen stays horizontal and will not sag.
You can then move along the screen fixing it to the laths using your chosen method at 2 to 3 feet intervals. The more fixings you have the better the result.

Once you get to the end of the run you will invariably have to trim the length. Do your final fix and then cut the binding wires an inch or two past the finished length. Remove the end strand of the screen material and fold the binding wires back on themselves. This will secure the end of the screen against unraveling. For cutting tips please see “additional tips”

Simply remove the 3 x 2 timber spacer and that's it all done. 

How to fix as a new boundary fence

Install wooden fence post of the appropriate height at intervals of six feet.

Make sure they are at least 18 inches in the ground, square and vertical and make sure the concrete has gone off before fixing the laths and screen. Fix roofing laths as stated above at 18 inch intervals.

Carry out the fixing exactly as outlined above.

How to fix to a wall

First make sure the wall is sound and not likely to collapse.

Fix tanalised roofing laths directly to the wall at suitable intervals.

There needs to be one at the top of the screen height and one 2 inches away from the bottom edge and in between they need to be equally spaced but there is no need to stick to the 18 inch gap 2 to 3 feet is adequate.

Once the laths are up then it is the same procedure as the methods above.

How to Fix to a chain link Fence

Ensure the fence is well supported and is not likely to rust away soon after fixing.

You have to be especially vigilant with plastic coated fencing as once the plastic splits it lets water in and the steel mesh rots away unnoticed inside.

The screen is fixed down one side with wire which binds it to the fence. It needs to be resting on the 3 X 2 inch timber to ensure the drip gap is maintained.

The amount of fixing wires needed to ensure secure fixing depends on your patience! As with other fixing methods the more you apply the better. When all is finished remove the timber.

The best screens for fixing to chain link or other mesh fences are heather and split bamboo. Bamboo is too heavy to be used in this way.

Additional Information

Peeled Reed Screens: Light weight screen with many applications besides outdoor use (including Japanese gardens) can be used as internal screening. It gives 50% Shade and has an outdoor life of approximately 3 years.

Split Bamboo Screens: A sturdy but pliable screen with many applications, widely used in the design of Japanese gardens it also has many other uses. The outdoor life is approximately 5 – 7 years

Heather Screens: An unusual heavy duty screening, approximately 1.5cm thick it will make an excellent long lasting boundary. It too has many uses both indoor and outdoor such as creating a mock thatch appearance to garden sheds and tree houses. Life expectancy of approximately 8-10 years.

Willow Screens: Made from thick single thickness willow makes a strong but pliable screening. This screen gives a beautiful rustic effect to any garden. It has a useful outdoor life of approximately 5 years.

Whole Bamboo Screens: This extremely attractive heavy duty screen is made from 20 -25mm diameter bamboo. As well as fencing and screening this screen has many applications. It has an outdoor life of approximately 8-10 years

Additional Tips

Where the screens are to be affixed to a wall or fence then it is better if you paint it after the laths have been fixed in place as it is possible to catch glimpses of the underlying structure so last years blue and primrose wall will need to vanish under black or dark brown. Colouring the laths the same renders them invisible once the screen is fixed in place.

Being natural products there is variety in the amount of privacy these screens offer in standalone situations so if total privacy is your number one concern then fix two runs of screen to one set of posts and laths.

Take care when trimming the screens to length and height. They all have steel wires binding them and when these are cut the edges are sharp.

Wearing thick gloves is not really an option as you lose your entire feel for the tension and makes using wire cutters and secateurs difficult. Simply be aware that there are potential hazards.

When the wires have been cut always ensure you leave a long piece that can be tucked back into the screen and away from any possible contact with skin.

The split bamboo and Whole bamboo are best cut to height on the roll using a sharp hard point saw. Be aware the blade will jam and bind but patience and persistence will win the day. An electric saw such as an all purpose saw with the correct blade may also prove successful but we have not tried this method to date so we would recommend a handsaw.

Heather and Willow is best cut after fixing using secateurs. There is no getting away from it is a tedious job but with a long piece of timber as a straight edge it is possible to achieve an excellent straight line. If a more free hand effect or wavy edge is desired we would recommend making a hardboard template and using this to achieve the desired effect.

Peeled Reed is best cut after fixing using secateurs or a strong pair of scissors or if you are good with them a good pair of hedging shears.

Always ensure that there are no pipes or wires that you may drill, screw or hammer into before fixing the laths!

Always measure things twice before cutting or ordering as you would be surprised how many customers come back to us for an "extra roll" because of a measuring error.

All life expectancies are approximate and depend on application and location.

The Help & Tips are a guide to assist our customers in the sitting and fitting of there screening. Exotic Fencing Limited accepts no liability for any loss or injury to either themselves or property.

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