Fencing

Galvanised steel – a sustainable switch

Traditionally, concrete has been the most popular fencing material in the UK given durability is a key requirement. However, from a sustainability perspective, concrete contributes to more than four percent of all global CO2 emissions. John Abernethie, Managing Director of Birkdale, highlights why making the switch to galvanised steel will improve environmental credibility without compromising on performance.

A recent study conducted by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported that three quarters of adults in the UK are concerned about climate change and 80% of those between the age of 25 and 34 have already made changes to their lifestyle in response. This outlook is influencing more and more customers’ choices, even in terms of home and garden design. As such, landscapers and fencing contractors should be aware of the sustainability credentials of their chosen fence post material.

What’s wrong with concrete?

Despite its lack of aesthetic appeal, concrete has historically been a go-to option, due to its strength, resistance and durability. However, it is damaging to the environment. This is because it is made from cement, a highly unsustainable resource.

Creating one tonne of cement requires up to 1597 kg of raw materials. Transporting these raw materials, as well as the final concrete product, is energy and fuel intensive, resulting in high levels of carbon emissions. However, the emissions resulting from the production process itself is particularly worrying – fossil fuel combustion is used to generate the energy required to operate a rotary kiln, which releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Further carbon is emitted as a result of the chemical process of calcining limestone into lime in the cement kiln. In total, the carbon levels are staggering – 1.25 tonnes of CO2 are emitted per tonne of cement that is produced.

Globally, cement production accounts for 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2 – around four to eight percent of total carbon emissions. What’s more, the concrete industry relies heavily on coal, which leads to further CO2, nitrous oxide and sulphur emissions. Furthermore, at the end of its usable lifespan, concrete is usually sent to landfill, where it takes 50 years to decompose.

What are the alternatives?

When looking for more sustainable alternatives, there is still a need for strong fencing solutions that can resist the harshest weather conditions, and do not yield to the high winds that are becoming increasingly common in the UK. Natural and renewable solutions such as timber rot at the base quickly, weakening the structure before they eventually snap. In fact, untreated timber posts need to be replaced every 5-10 years. They also require energy to produce and leave behind a high level of waste at the end of their short life.

However, modern alternatives such as galvanised steel solutions offer an option that has an exceptionally low carbon footprint and can even outperform concrete when it comes to strength, resistance and durability. Unlike concrete, galvanised steel is a material that is infinitely recyclable, meaning it does not need to be sent to landfill at the end of its working life. Some manufacturers even produce their products using recycled steel, like Birkdale’s which is made up from up to 50% recycled material.

In addition, the production of virgin galvanised steel is highly sustainable and not carbon intensive. Utilising natural resources, the galvanising process involves dipping steel into hot zinc to create a corrosion resistant coating. When the steel is withdrawn, any zinc that does not attach to the metal remains in the galvanizing bath. As such, there is very little waste product, aside from small amounts of ash and dross, which can also be

recycled. Therefore, switching from concrete to steel can dramatically reduce a landscaper’s carbon footprint.

What are the other benefits of switching?

Galvanised steel also delivers in terms of performance. Although it is 80% lighter than concrete, it is incredibly strong. In fact, products like Birkdale’s galvanised steel fence post, DuraPost®, has been tested to withstand wind speeds of up to 110mph, the equivalent of 625kg of force. Galvanised steel is also very resistant to the natural environment – it will not rot, warp or twist over time, no matter the weather conditions. As a result, it has a very long functional life expectancy and requires no maintenance.

Galvanised steel’s superior strength-to-weight ratio allows the post to come in slim, unobtrusive profiles, ensuring that installation is straight forward. A steel post can easily be carried and installed by one person, whereas a concrete post requires three or four people. Not only does this save time and costs, but it also reduces the risk of injury considerably.

If landscapers want to ensure that their sustainable solution performs highly, they should source their galvanised steel fence post from an established manufacturer such as Birkdale, suppliers of gate and fencing accessories. The company has recently added to its galvanised steel DuraPost® fencing range with a new environmentally-conscious composite panel – Vento. This product is manufactured from a combination of recycled plastic and rice husk waste and can be easily installed alongside DuraPost® fence posts to create an attractive, durable complete fencing system.

• www.birkdalesales.com/durapost

Galvanised Steel fencing solutions