Timber Hoarding vs. Composite Hoarding – What’s the Difference?

When many people think of a hoarding system, they often consider timber solutions or more specifically plywood hoarding.

This is the main reason why hoarding construction systems are overlooked for security sectors due to the market dominated by plywood solutions. But that’s about to change with the latest advancement in hoarding construction systems, FenceSafe Hoard, thanks to the R&D team here at CLD Fencing Systems.

But why are hoarding systems important for construction sites and other sectors? A good hoarding system will ultimately help protect your site from thieves and intruders. With zero visibility onto your project, it reduces the likelihood of theft on your site.

Whilst hoarding construction systems are a great solution for reducing theft, they’re also often chosen where projects and sites are situated within very public areas. According to the Health and Safety Executive, typically in populated areas where public safety is at risk around construction sites, then either a two-metre high small mesh fence or hoarding must be around the perimeter of the site. With a constant flow of people walking around the perimeter of your site, it can be difficult to ensure public safety. With a hoarding system, you get complete protection along with the added bonus of zero visibility which ensures the general public won’t stop to watch.

So, within this product feature we want to outline the benefits and advantages of using a hoarding system for your next project. Alongside this we’ll compare the traditional timber hoarding systems to our latest FenceSafe Hoard development.

What exactly is Hoarding Construction?

A hoarding construction system is a fence solution that is designed to completely enclose a construction site or other development perimeters, whilst work is ongoing. Hoarding systems are most commonly temporary solutions made of either plastic/metal composite panels or timber plywood. Typically hoarding construction systems can be regularly used in very public places where without it, public safety would be compromised.

What are the advantages of Hoarding Construction Systems?

1. General Public Protection

One of the main advantages of using a hoarding construction system around your project or site is that it protects the general public from any safety hazards within your premises. These could be on-site vehicles, falling objects, scaffolding, construction equipment and even noise and dust that could affect pedestrians walking by. The solid hoarding system ensures that pedestrians are safe in line with health and safety guidelines for construction areas.

2. Site Protection

Theft alone costs the construction industry £800m a year, with most commonly vehicles, equipment and metal stolen each month. Construction site hoarding systems are proven methods of deterring criminals from accessing your premises. With its zero visibility properties, intruders aren’t enticed onto your site after spotting valuables or scrap metals.

3. Advertisement

Hoarding construction is the perfect chance for projects and contractors to advertise their businesses and brands whilst working on site. As many hoarding systems are used to protect within busy public areas this is a great option for brand awareness.

4. Keeps Projects and Developments Restricted Until Launch

Many construction sites and developers often like to create a sense of excitement, when launching and revealing their new developments. They may not want the world seeing behind the scenes giving away launch secrets; so, using hoarding systems is a great way to hide sites from public, building up to the big reveal on launch day.

But what’s the difference between timber and plastic composite hoarding?

Timber Plywood Hoarding Systems

Environmental factors like rain, storms and even insect attacks can easily damage and warp plywood hoarding systems.
Timber hoarding are likely to weather and change colour over time
Predisposed to rot due to the natural material open to elements
It has a shorter lifespan than other hoarding materials like plastic and metal

FenceSafe Composite Hoarding

Due to the composite recycled plastic used in FenceSafe Hoard, it is not effected by environmental factors like weather and insects, nor does it change colour.
Due to the lifespan of our hoarding we could offer a buy back option from when you are ready to swap over onto the permanent fencing and we can redeploy onto another project meaning that it delivers a saving along with the benefit of some of the permanent fence posts already been installed
The product lifespan and reusability mean there is a big sustainability piece but also with savings as all the hoarding and foundation cost goes straight to waste traditionally
It offers rapid install, no need to paint and is far stronger and more durable compared to traditional hoarding. It will withstand an attack for longer when compared with timber, if panels do get damaged, they can quickly be replaced as the individual boards are only 500mm wide

The outcome of this helpful product feature was to outline what exactly a hoarding system was and the difference between timber plywood hoarding and the plastic hoarding system from FenceSafe.

Hopefully you can make an informed decision about what hoarding system you need for your next project.