Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
EnviroSlat is the infill, not the fence frame. A successful installation starts with a properly engineered post-and-support structure, then allows the composite boards to move with temperature. Keep supports no more than 900 mm apart on continuous runs (600 mm for a single span), leave at least 5 mm at board ends, and pre-drill every fixing point. Before digging, confirm the boundary, approvals, pool-fence obligations and underground services.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What EnviroSlat is—and what it is not
Futurewood describes EnviroSlat as a non-structural recycled-cellulose composite made primarily from discarded rice husks, hardwood wood flour (sawdust) and recycled post-industrial plastic. It supplies the visual screening surface; it is not a substitute for posts, rails, channels or footings. Your frame must carry wind, impact and the weight of the boards.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
A typical system uses 70 × 15 mm boards with aluminium posts and U-channel, although profiles and components can change. Confirm the profile, available colours, compatible channels and current fixing instructions with the supplier before ordering. The manufacturer’s fixing specifications are the controlling document for the product you buy.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
Check the site, boundary and approvals first
Confirm ownership and the fence line
Locate the legal boundary rather than assuming an existing fence is in the correct position. Discuss a dividing fence with the neighbour, including the line, height, appearance and cost-sharing arrangement. Keep written agreement where practical. If the proposed fence sits on a retaining wall, near a slope or close to a property corner, obtain site-specific advice before setting posts.
Check local planning and building rules
Fence rules are jurisdiction-specific. For example, ACT guidance includes some development-approval exemptions for qualifying side or rear boundary fences up to 2.3 m behind the front building line, but only when all stated criteria and site constraints are met. NSW exempt-development provisions vary by zone and location and can include height, transparency, structural adequacy and manufacturer-specification conditions. Brisbane City Council says a fence over 2 m, or one forming part of regulated pool fencing, needs building approval. These examples are not nationwide limits; check your council, state or territory rules, overlays and the exact position of your project.
Pool and safety requirements
If the fence encloses or forms part of a swimming-pool barrier, treat pool-fence regulations as the priority. Required heights, non-climbable zones, openings, gates, latches and boundary arrangements can differ from ordinary residential fencing. Do not rely on a general fence approval or a product brochure to establish compliance.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Locate underground services
Before excavating for posts, lodge an enquiry with Before You Dig Australia. NSW Legal Aid specifically directs people excavating for a dividing fence or retaining wall to use this service. Service plans are a starting point: use the required locating process and keep clearances specified by the asset owner.
Design the frame around the support limits
Draw the fence in elevation before buying materials. Mark corners, ends, gates, changes in direction and any step in the ground. Then place intermediate posts so the unsupported board length never exceeds the manufacturer’s limits.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
| Design item | Futurewood guidance | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous run | Supports no more than 900 mm apart | Limits flexing between supports |
| Single span | Supports no more than 600 mm apart | Shorter span where a board is supported only at its ends |
| Typical slat gap | 10–20 mm | Balance privacy, shade and airflow |
| End clearance | At least 5 mm | Allows lengthwise thermal movement |
| 70 × 15 mm fixing | One screw at each support point; front-fix | Provides consistent restraint without trapping the board |
Choose post and rail sections with enough cross-section and strength for the fence height, exposure and local wind conditions. EnviroSlat is designed to fix directly to posts fixed in or on the ground, but the footing depth, post size and structural connections are project decisions—not values that can be safely guessed from the board dimensions.
Horizontal or vertical boards
Horizontal boards make the support spacing especially visible: every board must meet the 900 mm continuous-run limit, and end conditions need careful expansion allowances. Vertical boards can simplify drainage and create a different visual rhythm, but still require supports and channels that comply with the current system instructions. Select the orientation for the appearance, access, gate layout and ease of maintaining the specified spans, rather than assuming one direction is universally stronger.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Set the gap for the result you want
A 10 mm gap gives a more screened appearance; a 20 mm gap admits more light and air. The manufacturer identifies privacy, shade and airflow as the reasons to vary spacing. That is a design trade-off, not a measured ranking of performance. Use spacers or a story stick so every gap remains consistent along the run.
Materials, tools and a pre-installation checklist
Materials
- EnviroSlat boards in the confirmed profile and quantity, including waste for cuts.
- Posts, rails, U-channels, caps and brackets specified for the system and your footing method.
- Plated, stainless-steel or brass screws. For 70 × 15 mm boards, Futurewood specifies button-head, wafer-head or countersunk 8- or 10-gauge screws.
- Concrete or other footing materials appropriate to the post system and ground conditions.
- Non-permanent spacers for the selected 10–20 mm board gaps.
Tools
- Tape measure, level, string line, stakes and a square.
- Post-hole equipment suited to the soil and access.
- Saw and blades suitable for composite material, drill/driver, drill bits and a countersink if the chosen screw requires it.
- Clamps, a straightedge and personal protective equipment, including eye and hearing protection.
No particular tool model is endorsed. Match the bit size and driving setting to the screw and board profile, and test on an offcut before working on the finished face.
Prepare and condition the boards
Keep packs flat, dry, off the ground and protected from direct sun or excessive heat. Before cutting, allow boards to reach an even temperature. Futurewood recommends cutting in shade before boards are heated by radiant sun, with ambient temperature under 30°C where possible.
Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
Composite boards expand and contract lengthwise. Futurewood estimates approximately 7–9 mm of expansion over a 5.4 m board for a 40°C temperature increase. It also warns that a board in continuous direct sun can be up to 25°C warmer than ambient; on a 40°C day, the surface may reach about 65°C. These are manufacturer figures, not independent field measurements, but they explain why a board cut tightly in cool conditions can buckle when heated.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Measure the actual opening at the temperature of installation, subtract the required clearances, and mark each board individually. Leave at least 5 mm between each board end and a frame, fixed surface or adjacent board. Do not use a tight friction fit as a substitute for the specified clearance.
Step-by-step installation
1. Set out the line and post centres
- Mark the approved fence line with stakes and string.
- Transfer corner, gate and end-post positions to the ground.
- Measure each opening and position intermediate posts so supports are no more than 900 mm apart on continuous runs or 600 mm apart for a single span.
- Check the layout against property boundaries, services and any required pool-barrier line before digging.
2. Install posts and allow the structure to stabilise
Excavate and form footings to the post manufacturer’s requirements and local soil conditions. Keep posts plumb in both directions, align their faces and maintain a consistent finished height. Brace posts while concrete or other footing material cures. Do not attach boards to a frame that can still move or rotate.
3. Fit rails, channels and end details
Install the supporting rails or U-channels so each board is supported at the planned locations. Check that channels are straight and that their internal dimensions suit the board profile without clamping it tightly. Dry-fit a short section at a corner and at an end to confirm the 5 mm minimum end clearance can be maintained after caps and trims are installed.
4. Mark the board layout
Use a level and a spacer to mark the first board. Establish a reference line at a corner or end and work across the fence, checking the gap at several points rather than trusting one measurement. For sloping ground, decide whether the boards will step between posts or follow a parallel slope; keep the support limits and end clearances in every bay.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
5. Cut each board safely
- Recheck the opening and the board temperature.
- Mark the cut in shade, allowing at least 5 mm at each end as required by the fixing guide.
- Support the board close to the cut so it does not vibrate or tear the edge.
- Make a clean, square cut and remove loose dust. Keep cut ends protected from standing water according to the system instructions.
6. Pre-drill the fixing holes
For 70 × 15 mm boards, front-fix with the specified 8- or 10-gauge screw. Pre-drill every hole. The fixing guide calls for holes 1–2 mm larger than the screw shank and places each screw at least 25 mm from the profile edges. Mark a repeatable hole line so screws stay visually aligned from board to board.
7. Fasten without restraining movement
Use one screw at each support point. Drive the screw until the head is seated, but do not over-tighten or bury it in the composite. A buried head can crush the profile and reduce its ability to accommodate movement. Nailing is not recommended. Use corrosion-resistant plated, stainless-steel or brass screws appropriate to the environment and any dissimilar-metal considerations in the frame.
8. Finish caps, corners and gates
Install caps, corner trims and gate components only after checking that boards remain free to expand lengthwise. A gate post and hinge arrangement must be designed for the gate’s weight and movement; do not hang a gate from the composite boards. Maintain the same gap and end-clearance logic at returns and openings.
9. Clean the completed fence
Remove drilling swarf and construction dirt with water and household detergent, following the product care guidance. Avoid aggressive abrasion that could mark the surface. Futurewood says the colour weathers during the first 4–12 weeks outdoors, so judge the finished appearance after that initial exposure period rather than immediately after installation.
Common failure modes and fixes
| Symptom | Likely cause | Corrective action |
|---|---|---|
| Board bows between posts | Support spacing exceeds the limit or the frame moves | Add or reposition supports; stabilise posts and rails before refixing |
| Ends buckle or push against the frame | Less than 5 mm clearance or boards were cut hot and installed tight | Release the fixing, recut or trim for the required clearance, then refix with correctly sized holes |
| Cracked or crushed screw area | No pre-drilling, hole too small, screw too close to an edge or over-tightening | Replace the damaged board where necessary; pre-drill 1–2 mm oversize, stay at least 25 mm from edges and seat—not bury—the head |
| Uneven gaps | No spacer or the frame is out of square | Check post alignment and use a consistent spacer before fixing each board |
| Staining or dirt after installation | Dust, runoff or construction residue | Wash periodically with household detergent and water; avoid harsh scrubbing |
Maintenance, weathering and warranty
Inspect the fence after severe weather and periodically thereafter. Look for loose screws, movement at posts, damaged channels, blocked drainage paths and vegetation pressing against the boards. Wash with household detergent when dirt accumulates. Keep sprinklers and constant wetting from concentrating on joints where practical.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
Futurewood states that EnviroSlat’s colour weathers during the first 4–12 weeks of outdoor exposure. Its published warranty states 10 years for domestic use and 7 years for commercial use, subject to the installation and care requirements. The stated warranty excludes ancillary posts, screws and brackets not sold by Futurewood. Confirm the current written terms, product profile and exclusions at purchase; specifications can change without notice.
When DIY is sensible—and when to call a professional
A competent DIY builder can manage a straight, accessible run with verified boundaries, no service conflicts, a stable footing plan and time to set posts accurately. Get professional help when the fence retains soil, sits on a steep or unstable slope, carries a large gate, forms a regulated pool barrier, crosses complex boundaries or is exposed to severe wind. A structural or fencing professional can size the frame and footings; a licensed surveyor or certifier can resolve boundary and approval questions. Paying for advice before digging is cheaper than rebuilding a non-compliant or unstable fence.
Final pre-drill checklist
- Boundary, neighbour agreement and local approvals checked.
- Pool-fence requirements assessed where applicable.
- Underground services located through the required enquiry process.
- Posts and frame selected as structural elements; EnviroSlat treated as non-structural infill.
- Supports limited to 900 mm continuous or 600 mm single spans.
- Slat gap selected within the typical 10–20 mm range.
- Boards stored flat, conditioned and cut in shade where possible.
- At least 5 mm left at every board end.
- 70 × 15 mm boards pre-drilled with holes 1–2 mm larger than the screw shank.
- Screws are 8- or 10-gauge, corrosion-resistant, at least 25 mm from edges and not over-tightened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EnviroSlat boards support a fence on their own?
No. Futurewood describes EnviroSlat as non-structural infill. Posts, rails, channels and footings must be designed to carry the fence and its site loads.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11How much gap should I leave between EnviroSlat boards?
Futurewood identifies 10–20 mm as a typical range. Choose the gap for the privacy, shade and airflow you want, then use a consistent spacer throughout the installation.
Why do the board ends need clearance?
The composite moves lengthwise with temperature. Leave at least 5 mm at each end; Futurewood estimates 7–9 mm of movement over a 5.4 m board for a 40°C temperature change.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
