Comparisons
Closeboard Fencing, Explained Properly
Closeboard is a built fence rather than a bought one. Feather edge boards nailed over arris rails between posts, with a gravel board at the base, is the specification we fit more than any other.
Closeboard, sometimes called featherboard or featheredge, is the workhorse of British garden fencing, and it is the fence we are asked for most across London and Hertfordshire. It is strong, it is private, and it can be built either as panels or constructed on site run by run.
This guide goes into the actual construction, because closeboard is one of the few fence types where two versions at the same height and the same price can be genuinely different objects.
What closeboard actually is
The boarding is feather edge: sawn timber boards that are thicker on one edge than the other. They are fixed vertically, overlapping each other, onto horizontal arris rails which are usually triangular in section and let into or fixed between the posts. The overlap is what makes it solid, private and able to cope with timber moving as it dries and wets.
- Feather edge boards, thick edge over thin, overlapped along the run
- Arris rails carrying the boards, two on lower fences, three at full height
- Posts, either timber mortised for the rails or concrete slotted for panels
- A gravel board at the base so boarding never touches soil
- A capping rail on top on higher specifications, protecting the board ends
Panel closeboard against on site closeboard
Both are legitimate. Panels are quicker and neater where a boundary is level and standard heights work. Building on site is the better answer where ground falls away, where heights need to step, or where the run has awkward returns and obstructions, because every bay can be set out to the ground in front of it.
| Panel closeboard | Built on site | |
|---|---|---|
| Best where | Level ground, standard heights | Slopes, steps, awkward runs |
| Posts | Usually concrete slotted | Timber mortised or concrete |
| Fit to the ground | Panel sized, gaps filled at base | Follows the ground closely |
| Repairs | Swap a whole panel | Replace individual boards |
Board thickness, rails and why they decide the lifespan
The two numbers that matter most in closeboard are board thickness and rail count. Thin boards cup and twist as they weather, pulling nails and opening gaps. Two rails at 1.8m leaves an unsupported span in the middle of every board. Three rails and a decent board thickness is the difference between a fence that stays flat and one that starts to look tired within a few seasons.
Fixings, treatment and the details that quietly matter
Boards are nailed or screwed twice into each rail, and using the correct fixings for treated timber matters because the wrong ones corrode and stain. Pressure treated timber carries preservative into the wood rather than sitting on the surface. Cut ends are the vulnerable point, so any board or rail cut on site benefits from an end treatment.
- Correct fixings for treated timber, so they do not corrode and bleed
- Pressure treated boards and rails rather than dip coated
- End treatment on cuts made during the build
- Gravel board keeping the boarding clear of wet ground
Heights, gates and finishing
Closeboard works at any height from a low front boundary upwards, and matching gates can be built from the same boards so a side gate disappears into the run rather than announcing itself. Trellis can be added on top for height and light, remembering that it counts towards the overall height for planning purposes.
See it, then get it priced
Closeboard is a fence that repays being specified rather than ordered. Have a look at the closeboard work in our fencing gallery, then ring 07885907880 and we will come and set out what suits your boundary.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between closeboard and featheredge fencing?
They are the same thing. Featheredge describes the tapered board, closeboard describes the finished fence, and both terms get used interchangeably.
How many arris rails should a closeboard fence have?
Three at full height is the more robust build. Two is common on lower fences and on budget panels, and leaves more unsupported span in the boarding.
Does closeboard fencing need a gravel board?
It should have one. It keeps the boarding out of wet soil, which is where timber fences almost always start to fail.
Can closeboard fencing follow a slope?
Yes, and it is one of its strengths when built on site, because each bay can be raked or stepped to the ground rather than forced to a panel size.
Is closeboard stronger than lap panel fencing?
Considerably, in a like for like comparison. Thicker overlapping boards over more rails give it far more rigidity than thin overlapping lap boards.
Can I have a matching gate in a closeboard fence?
Yes, and it is a common request. Building the gate from the same boards lets it blend into the run instead of standing out.
Have your closeboard specified, not just ordered
Board thickness, rail count, posts and gravel boards all get written down before anything is built. Free visit across London and Hertfordshire.