Framed Willow Hurdles
€140.00
Description
Quick Facts
Product Name: Framed Willow Hurdles
Material: Natural woven willow with timber frame
Panel Type: Traditional woven screening and fencing
Dimensions: 180cm wide × 180cm high
Construction: Woven willow panels set within a planed timber frame
Weave Pattern: Traditional horizontal weave
Durability: Natural material; expect 8–12 years depending on exposure and maintenance
Fixings: Fixings not included (posts and concrete/post spikes required)
Material: Natural woven willow with timber frame
Panel Type: Traditional woven screening and fencing
Dimensions: 180cm wide × 180cm high
Construction: Woven willow panels set within a planed timber frame
Weave Pattern: Traditional horizontal weave
Durability: Natural material; expect 8–12 years depending on exposure and maintenance
Fixings: Fixings not included (posts and concrete/post spikes required)
Description
Framed Willow Hurdles are for gardens that need screening or fencing with character, texture, and a softer, more natural feel than standard timber panels. The hand-woven willow creates a beautiful, organic surface that filters light, moves gently in the breeze, and brings that cottage garden or rural aesthetic that’s impossible to replicate with machined timber.
The willow is woven in a traditional horizontal pattern—tight enough to provide good privacy and wind filtration, but open enough to let air through. This makes hurdles particularly good for exposed or windy sites where solid panels would catch the wind and blow over. The woven structure flexes slightly, absorbing gusts rather than resisting them, and the gaps reduce wind load significantly.
The timber frame is what sets these apart from unframed hurdles. It gives the panel structure, stability, and longevity—the willow is held securely in place, the panel keeps its shape, and it fixes to fence posts just like a standard panel. Without the frame, willow hurdles can sag, warp, or come apart over time. The frame keeps everything tight and square.
At 180cm × 180cm, these are full-height panels that provide proper screening and privacy. The natural willow colour—soft golden-brown when new, weathering to silvery-grey over time—sits beautifully in traditional, cottage, or naturalistic gardens. The texture and movement of the woven willow add depth and interest that flat timber panels can’t match.
This is fencing for gardens that want a softer, more organic boundary—something that feels like it belongs in the landscape rather than imposed on it. It’s natural, characterful, and brings a sense of craftsmanship and tradition to the space.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Installation
Post Requirements:
- Post size: 100mm × 100mm minimum (90mm finished if planed)
- Post height: 2.4m minimum (allows 60–75cm below ground, 180cm panel height, plus clearance)
- Post spacing: 180cm (to match panel width)
- Post type: Standard fence posts or planed posts for a more refined finish
Ground Preparation:
Concrete Footings (Recommended):
- Dig post holes: 30cm × 30cm × 60–75cm deep
- Add 10–15cm of compacted hardcore or gravel for drainage
- Position post in hole, checking it’s plumb (vertical) and correctly aligned
- Use temporary bracing to hold the post upright
- Mix postcrete or standard concrete and fill around the post
- Tamp down to remove air pockets; slope the surface slightly away from the post to shed water
- Allow 48–72 hours to cure fully before fixing panels
- Essential for corner posts, end posts, and exposed sites
Ground Spikes (Quick Installation):
- Use heavy-duty metal post spikes (minimum 75cm long, rated for 100mm posts)
- Drive spikes into firm, level ground using a sledgehammer and protective block
- Check alignment and level before inserting posts
- Best for lawns or firm soil; not suitable for soft or stony ground
- Not recommended for exposed or windy sites (willow hurdles are lighter than timber panels but still catch the wind)
Fixing Panels to Posts:
- Position the panel between two posts, resting it on gravel boards or bricks (5–10cm clearance from ground level to prevent rot)
- Check the panel is level using a spirit level
- Fix the hurdle to posts using galvanised fence panel brackets or screws
- Use a minimum of two fixings per side (top and bottom)
- Pre-drill screw holes to prevent splitting the timber frame
- Handle panels carefully—willow is more delicate than timber and can be damaged if dropped or forced into position
Gravel Boards:
Install gravel boards (15cm × 180cm treated timber boards) along the base of the fence to protect panels from ground contact and moisture. This is particularly important for willow hurdles, as the natural material is more vulnerable to rot than pressure-treated timber.
Install gravel boards (15cm × 180cm treated timber boards) along the base of the fence to protect panels from ground contact and moisture. This is particularly important for willow hurdles, as the natural material is more vulnerable to rot than pressure-treated timber.
Assembly Tips:
- Work with a second person—panels are lighter than solid timber but awkward to position
- Install corner and end posts first, then intermediate posts
- Use string lines between posts to ensure alignment
- Check posts are plumb and panels are level throughout installation
- Allow concrete to cure fully before fixing panels
- Handle willow panels gently to avoid damaging the weave
Maintenance
Initial Treatment:
- Willow hurdles arrive as natural material; the timber frame is pressure-treated
- The willow does not need treatment and is best left natural
- The timber frame can be treated with exterior-grade timber preservative or stain if desired (avoid getting treatment on the willow)
- Do not paint or heavily stain the willow—it will look unnatural and may damage the fibres
Annual Maintenance:
- Spring: Inspect panels and posts for stability; check fixings and tighten if needed
- Willow check: Look for broken or loose willow strands; tuck loose ends back into the weave or trim if necessary
- Frame treatment: Apply preservative or stain to the timber frame annually if desired
- Cleaning: Gently brush off debris, leaves, or cobwebs with a soft brush; avoid pressure washing (can damage the weave)
- Ground contact: Ensure gravel boards are doing their job; replace if rotting
- Vegetation: Trim back plants growing through or against the hurdles to prevent damage and maintain airflow
Weathering:
- Willow naturally weathers from golden-brown to silvery-grey over 1–2 years
- This is normal and part of the material’s charm—it doesn’t indicate deterioration
- The weave may loosen slightly over time as the willow dries and settles; this is normal
- Occasional broken strands can be trimmed or tucked back into the weave
Longevity:
With proper installation (gravel boards, good drainage) and gentle maintenance, expect 8–12 years of service. Willow is a natural material and will eventually break down—this is shorter than pressure-treated timber panels but still a reasonable lifespan for organic fencing. Sheltered positions and good drainage extend longevity; exposed, wet sites reduce it.
Replacement:
When willow hurdles reach the end of their life, they can be composted or disposed of as garden waste (natural material). The timber frame can be reused or recycled.
