Timber & Paling Fencing
New timber and paling fences for Christchurch homes — boundary fences, pickets and gates built to suit your section.
Tuffery's Fence and decks is a Christchurch fence contractor, and timber fencing is the core of the trade. Most residential boundaries around the city are timber paling fences: vertical palings fixed to horizontal rails between solid posts. When the posts are plumb, the rails are level and the palings are evenly spaced, the result is a fence that looks tidy from both sides and stands up to years of Canterbury wind and rain.
Before any new fence goes up, the line matters. Boundaries, ground levels and existing structures all shape the job — a fence that steps neatly down a slope looks right and lasts longer than one forced out of level. Gates deserve the same care: a gate that sags or drags within a season usually comes down to posts or hinges rather than the gate itself, so getting those right at the start saves trouble later.
Picket fences suit a different brief. Where a full paling fence gives privacy, a picket gives definition: front boundaries, garden edges and paths where you want openness with a tidy edge. Painted or stained, pickets need a little more cosmetic upkeep than a plain paling run, but individual pickets are quick to replace and the style suits character and modern homes alike.
Timber choice and finish decide how a fence ages. In and around Christchurch, treated pine is the everyday workhorse for palings and rails, and a stain or paint finish slows silvering and checking. No timber fence is maintenance-free — but a well-built one asks only for occasional attention: keep soil and mulch off the bottom of palings, re-coat finishes before they fail, and replace storm or mower damage promptly before it spreads.
Tuffery's Fence and decks serves Christchurch, New Zealand, and is open Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. If your boundary is leaning, gappy or past its best, start with the fence repairs page — and if it is time for a fresh start, a new timber or picket fence is the cleanest fix there is.
Why it matters
Privacy and security
A solid paling boundary fence screens your backyard from neighbours and the street, keeps kids and pets safely inside, and clearly marks where your place ends.
Built for Canterbury weather
Succesful local fences allow for nor'westers, southerly blasts and wet winters: sound posts set true, rails fixed correctly, and palings with room to move as timber seasons.
Street appeal
A straight, even fence line with a well-hung gate lifts the whole front of a property — often the first thing visitors notice.
Repairable by design
Good timber fences are modular: a damaged paling, rail or post can be replaced without rebuilding the whole run, which keeps long-term upkeep simple.
Common questions
Lifespan depends on drainage, finish and exposure, but a well-built treated-pine fence that is kept clear of soil and re-coated when needed can serve for many years. Posts in boggy ground fail first, so drainage at the post line matters most.
Choose palings for privacy and security around back and side boundaries, and pickets where you want openness with a tidy edge — typically front fences, garden beds and paths.
Yes — new runs can be built to meet existing fences in height and style so the boundary reads as one line. Bring photos of the current fence when you get in touch via the contact page.
Gates are part of the fencing service: pedestrian gates and wide access gates hung on solid posts with hardware suited to the gate's weight.
Get started
Tuffery’s Fence and decks serves Christchurch, New Zealand, Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Bring photos and rough measurements via the contact page.