Learning how to fix artificial hedge to fence is a mix of using common sense and following a few basic rules. In theory, it’s easy. Get some screws, take them through the hedge and straight into the fence for anchorage. In practice, there are quite a few mistakes you could make, so do your homework before picking up your tools.
Overall, fixing an artificial hedge to your fence makes a good DIY project. Obviously, it also depends on the material of your fence. If you have an actual fence wall, the process is different from that of a basic wooden fence.
Then, you also have metal or wire fences, which usually do well with heavy-duty zip ties and require less manual effort.
All in all, here are the steps to get the job done in no time and give your garden a premium upgrade.
Preparation Is Everything
You probably know this already if you’re into DIY projects. Preparation makes the difference between a good job and a frustrating experience. Whether you paint, fit furniture, build a shed or attach a hedge to your fence, you’ll have to prepare the surface and get all the tools and materials sorted out ahead of time.
In this particular case, start with measurements. Always measure two or three times, just to play it safe and avoid ordering the wrong quantities. Most faux hedges come in panels. Many are square, others are rectangular and so on. When you measure the square surface of the fence, divide by the size of the panel to figure out how many you need.
Ideally, you should be able to cover the whole fence without having any leftovers. It depends on how lucky you are. If your favorite hedge isn’t in the right size, you may need to make some adjustments, such as cut some of the end panels for them to fit.
Cleaning the fence surface is also part of the preparation. Remove debris and clear all the rubbish from the base of the structure.
Lay all panels flat on the ground and snap them together. You need to see everything ready on the floor before actually fitting things on the fence.
Depending on how large the fence is, you could split the project into more steps, do a few panels at a time or just one panel at a time. If you have help, you can also fit everything in one go by lifting larger pre-connected sections together.
Secure the Attachment
This is the part where everyone struggles if they try to rush through without a clear strategy. Ideally, you should start at the top. Align the top row with the top of the fence. Make sure it’s perfect and level across the entire span. Part the leaves apart so you can see the plastic grid beneath them. Secure the mat with wood screws.
Make sure your screws have metal washers to prevent damage. You can also use galvanized staples, but make sure to invest in some quality ones.
You can screw panels as you hold them against the wall, but you can also mark some signs on the fence where the holes will be, then drill separately.
Once the mat is secured, you can continue downwards. Finish the top layer first, of course, then attach the remaining panels.
Dealing With a Chain or Wire Fence
Chain-link or wire fences are even easier to deal with because they don’t require drilling. They offer you a bit of flexibility as well. After all, if you drill holes in your wooden fence in the wrong location, there’s not much you can do, but cover them with the artificial hedge.
When it comes to chain-link or wire fences, such issues will never appear since you can always adjust your attachment points freely.
Hold the connected hedge panels or just one at a time, depending on how large they are. Again, start from the top and work your way downwards.
As you hold the panels in place, secure them with zip ties. Push heavy-duty zip ties through the plastic grid and wrap them around the fence. Pull tight and leave it as it is for now.
Get the whole fence covered, then you can snip excess plastic with scissors. You don’t want them popping up.
When figuring out how to fix artificial hedge to fence, make sure you have a bag full of zip ties, not just a few. Chances are some zip ties may need to be secured in different places, so you’ll need to get rid of them. You may also need some extra.
Make It Look Nice
Finally, blend the leaves and fluff them. Pull them over all the zip ties, screws or staples so all the underlying hardware is completely hidden from view. Some of the hedge may overhang at the bottom of your fence or on the sides. Trim everything nicely for a neat finish. Make sure to make it look natural too. For example, don’t trim leaves in half.
For more general guidance on combining fencing and greenery effectively, see the University of Hawaiʻi’s guide to using fences in landscape design.
In the end, learning how to fix artificial hedge to fence is a straightforward process, but it requires some planning and maybe even an extra hand in the process. Measure everything more times and do one thing at a time to avoid making mistakes so you can sit back and enjoy a pristine, maintenance-free view all year round.
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