Terms of This Journal

Information, not a professional service

The articles, illustrations, photographs and planning prompts are not architectural, engineering, acoustic, horticultural or legal advice for a particular property. They do not establish a professional-client relationship. We have not inspected your site, verified its boundaries or assessed structural and ground conditions.

No plant, screen, fence or pergola is guaranteed to deliver a particular level of privacy, noise reduction, durability or regulatory compliance. Photographs are illustrative and are not construction drawings or evidence of safe installation.

Check before acting

You are responsible for obtaining appropriate local advice and approvals before work. Check ownership, permissions, planning requirements, building rules, easements, utilities, protected vegetation and relevant wildlife obligations. Follow manufacturer instructions and use competent professionals where needed.

Do not use a decorative screen as a guardrail, load-bearing element or retaining structure unless it has been designed and approved for that purpose. Take particular care with wind loads, excavation, fire sources, electrical equipment, climbing plants and work at height.

Using the planning tool

The contact-page tool formats information you enter into a plain-text note. It does not validate site facts, calculate structural requirements, provide a design or send a message. Copying and downloading depend on your browser and device. Review the resulting text before sharing it, and avoid including third-party personal information.

The tool and website are provided on an “as available” basis. We do not guarantee uninterrupted access, compatibility with every browser or preservation of unsaved entries.

Accuracy and external references

We aim for useful, measured guidance, but errors or outdated information may occur. Climate, regulations, product specifications and linked resources can change. Verify important information with an appropriate current source before relying on it.

External links are offered for further reading. We do not control those websites, endorse every statement they contain or accept responsibility for their services. We are not affiliated with the organizations referenced unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Responsible use and content

Use the site lawfully. Do not attempt to disrupt it, misuse contact details or misrepresent its content as a certified professional assessment. Copyright and other rights in the text, design and imagery belong to their respective rights holders. Linking to a page is welcome; substantial republication or commercial reuse may require permission.

Limits and contact

To the extent permitted by applicable law, we do not accept responsibility for loss arising from reliance on general website information or from third-party services. Nothing in these terms excludes liability or removes consumer rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Questions or correction requests can be sent to [email protected]. These terms may be updated as the journal changes. Read them alongside our privacy notice and cookie information.