What To Do With Old Fence Panels (10 Ideas!)
Fences are wonderful features in our yards that help to give you security, privacy, and protection. A fence can be decorative or utilitarian, giving kids and pets a safe place to play. Installing a new fence is hard work, and sometimes homeowners are left with additional fencing parts. Further, replacing a fence panel with a fresh installation can leave you with extra and unwanted parts. Finding a use for an old fence panel will allow you to put your creative skills to good use.
There are many options for an old fence panel, including several DIY projects. Depending on your fence material, it may also be possible to recycle your extra fence panel or sell your panel for scrap. Fences that are made of wood or aluminum have the most amount of use when it comes to reusing or recycling.
Other options for an old fence panel include selling the fence panel online. Many people will actively search for and purchase used fence panels to do their own DIY projects. Further, there is some value to simply holding on to an old fence panel if you need it in the future. Having a spare fence panel can give you a model to work off of for replacement or give you options if you have a necessary emergency fence repair. Fence panels have a low profile and can easily fit in most garages and sheds.
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Can I Throw Away An Old Fence Panel?
Probably the most popular option for people who have an unwanted extra fence panel is to throw away the panel simply. Because the fence panel is large, it can be difficult to set the panel out with your trash. Be sure to call your waste management company before leaving a fence panel out on the curb because many local companies will have certain rules and restrictions related to the size of your trash. You may have to schedule a special pick-up with your local waste management company.
If your trash company does not haul away your unwanted fence panel, you may have to hire a private company to haul away the panel. Luckily, it is relatively inexpensive to take away a fence panel. Most people end up paying around $50 to trash an unwanted fence panel.
Can I Sell A Fence Panel?
If you have an old fence panel, you may be able to sell it for money. It really doesn’t matter what material your fence is made of when it comes to selling your panel. You’ll be surprised at the number of uses other people may have for your unwanted fence panel. People will buy fence panels to work on their own arts and crafts, use them in their own garden or yard, or repurpose the fence into something else.
To sell your fence panel, try looking for online marketplaces in your local area. Popular options include Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Just because you no longer have a use for your extra fence panel, your neighbors in your community may. Selling a used fence panel is economical and helps keep your unwanted items out of a landfill.
Can I Recycle A Fence Panel?
For homeowners interested in minimizing their footprint on the earth, recycling a fence panel is a wonderfully sustainable option. Many fences are constructed with materials that are excellent options for recycling. Aluminum is a particularly good material that can be easily recycled.
Of course, before recycling your used fence panel, you will want to check with your local recycling plant. Because many fence panels are large in size, you may have to schedule a special pick-up to accommodate a large fence panel. Recycling your unwanted metal or wood is a sustainable option that helps to keep unwanted parts out of landfills.
Can I Reuse An Old Fence Panel?
There are many great uses for an old fence panel, and really your own creativity limits your options. If you need some fun ideas to reuse your old fence panel, just take a quick look through the available DIY project options on Pinterest for inspiration. Some of the more common DIY projects with an old fence panel include:
- Headboard – Choose to keep your fence panel whole or deconstruct the individual wood pickets to make a fun headboard. You can leave your fence looking rustic and weathered or choose to apply a new coat of paint to give your old fence panel new life.
- Fence Signs – Deconstruct your wooden fence panel to show just the individual pickets. Paint the wood a bright color and add some lettering to make unique, one-of-a-kind decorations. Toy with different messages, or use the fence posts to mark different vegetables in your garden.
- Planter Box – The wooden panels on your fence can be repurposed into useful planter boxes. Plus, many fence panels are made with weatherproofed wood, making them hold up better in the elements. Try creating a raised planter box to house your vegetables with an old fence panel. Or, create some fun window planter boxes to put flowers around your home.
- Fence Paneling – Use your old wooden fence panel to create some fun interior paneling. Choose to add the paneling directly to the wall to make a fun feature wall or use the paneling on the back of a bookshelf. Fence paneling looks best when you choose to leave it weathered and distressed.
- Shelving – Using some of the extra pickets from your fence panel can make great shelving. Because the fence has a nice, weathered look, it can add some character to your home. Be very careful to test the integrity of your fence panel before placing heavy or valuable objects on your new shelves. Although wood is durable, it can become compromised if it has been left outside for long periods.
- Create a Lattice – Using your old fence panel to create a new lattice in your garden is a great way to recycle unwanted parts. Deconstruct the fence and give your creeping flowers somewhere to grow. Many online designs create a lattice that will fit perfectly in your yard, giving you added beauty and privacy.
Can I Sell Metal Fence For Scrap?
It may be possible to make a few dollars on your extra fence paneling by selling metal pieces of fence to a local scrapyard. Depending on what your fence is made of and how much material you have, you may be able to get a nice bit of money in return for unwanted fence panels.
Usually, chain link fences are made from galvanized steel which is highly desirable. This steel is a type of aluminum, which generally sells for about $0.50 per pound. Depending on the thickness of your chain link, fencing usually weighs about 7 pounds per foot, which can add up quite quickly. Different types of fence scarp that include iron will usually receive about $0.10 per pound.
Is There Any Value to Keeping a Fence Panel?
Sometimes, keeping your fence panel is a suitable option if you have the available space. Not only can an extra fence panel come in handy if you have an untimely repair that needs to be made, but an extra fence panel will give you options if you ever want to alter or expand your fence. Plus, an additional fence panel will allow you to work off an existing panel, taking measurements for a replacement without impacting your existing fence.
Most fence panels can be easy to store because they are so thin and narrow. Many people can find a place to discreetly tuck away an extra fence panel in the garage or gardening shed without taking up too much space.
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Related Questions
How can I safely remove barbed wire fencing for recycling?
Although not one of the more sightly fencing options, barbed wire certainly has plenty to offer. Unfortunately, if you end up with extra barbed wiring or simply want to remove your existing barbed wire fencing, it can be a bit tricky and time-consuming.The best way to safely remove barbed wire fencing is to go slowly and methodically. You will want to use wire cutters to cut small, manageable sections of the wire away from the posts. Wear proper safety gear, and be sure to keep your safety goggles on. Once the small pieces of barbed wire are successfully removed, you can recycle the fence panels at your local recycling plant. The metal wire can be melted and reused for different applications.
Can I do anything to recycle a vinyl fence panel?
Many people choose to install a vinyl fence because it is low maintenance, lightweight, durable, and versatile. If you end up with extra fence panels, though, finding a use for them can be tricky, especially with many DIY projects centering on wooden fence projects.Luckily, vinyl is a recyclable material. Take your extra vinyl fence panel to the local recycling plant to allow your additional fence panel to have new life. The fence panel will be broken into smaller, more manageable pieces, which will then be melted and recycled. The melted vinyl will then be used to create other vinyl products.
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