Fencing Installation Guide
How to Choose the Right Fence Panel
Choosing the right fence panel depends on the level of privacy, strength, appearance and maintenance you want. This guide explains the main panel types, where they work best and what to check before ordering.
In this guide
Choosing the Right Level of Privacy
The first decision is how much privacy you want from the finished fence.
A solid panel provides greater privacy and helps screen neighbouring gardens, roads and nearby properties. More open designs allow additional light and airflow and can make a smaller garden feel less enclosed.
Consider:
- Whether the fence overlooks a seating area
- The distance from neighbouring properties
- How much sunlight nearby plants require
- Whether wind can pass through the panel
- The finished fence height
- The appearance from both sides
- Whether the boundary needs full or partial screening
For maximum privacy, closeboard or solid decorative panels are generally the strongest choices. For lighter screening, trellis, slatted panels or semi-open decorative designs may be more suitable.
Overlap Fence Panels
Overlap panels, sometimes referred to as waney lap panels, are a traditional and economical choice for many domestic gardens.
They are usually made from overlapping horizontal timber boards fixed to a timber frame. They provide good general screening and are commonly used for straight residential boundaries.
Advantages include:
- Traditional appearance
- Generally lower cost
- Suitable for many domestic gardens
- Available in common panel heights
- Compatible with timber, concrete and many metal post systems
- Available in dip-treated brown or pressure-treated green
Overlap panels are usually lighter than feather edge panels, but they may not provide the same level of strength in exposed locations.
They are a good choice where:
- Budget is important
- The garden is reasonably sheltered
- A traditional timber appearance is preferred
- Full heavy-duty construction is not required
Treatment options
Dip-treated brown panels are treated with a surface-applied preservative and have a traditional brown finish. They generally need more regular retreatment during their life.
Pressure-treated green panels have preservative forced deeper into the timber during manufacture. They usually provide longer-lasting protection and require less immediate maintenance, although the timber will naturally weather over time.
Check the panel frame, board thickness and treatment before comparing products, as quality can vary significantly.
Feather Edge Fence Panels
Feather edge panels, sometimes referred to as closeboard panels, are made using overlapping vertical feather-edge boards fixed to horizontal rails within a strong frame.
They are usually heavier and more robust than standard overlap panels and are commonly chosen where extra strength, privacy and durability are required.
Advantages include:
- Strong construction
- Good privacy
- Traditional appearance
- Suitable for taller boundaries
- Better suited to many exposed locations
- Individual boards overlap to reduce gaps
- Available in dip-treated brown or pressure-treated green
Feather edge panels are heavier, so suitable posts and secure foundations are important.
They can be used with:
- Timber posts
- Slotted concrete posts
- Compatible DuraPost systems
- Timber or concrete gravel boards
Treatment options
Dip-treated brown feather edge panels offer the familiar brown finish and a lower initial cost, but they will generally need more frequent maintenance.
Pressure-treated green feather edge panels provide deeper preservative protection and are usually the better choice where longer service life and reduced maintenance are priorities.
Because of their weight, take care when handling and installing full-height panels.
Decorative and European Panels
Decorative and European-style panels are designed to provide a more finished or contemporary appearance than standard utility fencing.
They may include:
- Horizontal slats
- Framed lattice sections
- Arched or curved tops
- Tongue-and-groove boards
- Decorative battens
- Smooth-planed timber
- Modern geometric patterns
These panels are often used around:
- Patios
- Seating areas
- Front gardens
- Feature boundaries
- Landscaped areas
- Areas visible from the house
Decorative panels can be more expensive and may use non-standard widths, frames or fixing methods.
Before ordering, check:
- Exact panel width
- Whether both sides are equally finished
- Compatible post systems
- Whether matching gates are available
- Whether the panel can be cut down
- The treatment or finish supplied
- Any installation instructions from the manufacturer
Some decorative panels are designed as part of a complete system and may require matching posts, brackets or accessories.
Trellis and Screening Panels
Trellis and screening panels provide partial privacy while allowing more light and airflow through the boundary.
They can be used:
- Above a solid fence panel
- As a standalone garden divider
- Around seating areas
- To support climbing plants
- To disguise bins or garden equipment
- As decorative side screening
Common styles include:
- Square trellis
- Diamond trellis
- Horizontal slatted screening
- Contemporary batten panels
- Privacy trellis with smaller openings
Trellis placed above a solid panel increases the total finished fence height. Make sure the posts are long enough and the installation remains suitable for the location.
More open panels can reduce wind pressure compared with a fully solid fence, although the complete structure still needs to be securely installed.
Choosing the Right Panel Height
Fence panels are available in a range of heights. Common choices include approximately:
- 0.9m or 3ft
- 1.2m or 4ft
- 1.5m or 5ft
- 1.65 or 5ft 6″
- 1.8m or 6ft
Exact dimensions can vary, so always check the individual product before ordering.
The final fence height may include:
- Fence panel
- Gravel board
- Trellis or decorative topping
- Clearance above ground level
For example, a 1.83m panel installed above a 150mm gravel board will create a finished height of approximately 1.98m.
Also consider:
- Privacy requirements
- The level of the ground on both sides
- Nearby roads and paths
- Changes in ground level
- Planning restrictions
- Wind exposure
- The length of the selected posts
Do not choose the post length until the complete finished height has been calculated.
Wind Exposure and Ground Conditions
Solid fence panels can experience considerable pressure in strong winds.
This is especially important where the fence is:
- In an open or exposed location
- At the top of a slope
- Between buildings that channel wind
- Installed above a retaining wall
- Taller than surrounding fences
- Using wide solid panels
- Located in soft or poorly drained ground
In exposed locations, consider:
- Stronger fence panels
- Larger posts
- Deeper foundations
- Shorter panel spans
- More open panel designs
- Additional rails or supports
- A suitable metal or heavy-duty post system
Waney edge panels may be less suitable for highly exposed sites than closeboard or purpose-designed heavy-duty panels.
Ground conditions also affect the installation. Soft ground, made-up ground and areas close to retaining walls may require larger foundations or additional support.
Matching Panels with Posts and Gravel Boards
Fence panels, posts and gravel boards must work together as a complete system.
Before ordering, check:
- Panel width
- Panel thickness
- Post spacing
- Slot width on concrete posts
- Compatibility with DuraPost accessories
- Gravel-board width and thickness
- Fixing method
- Required clips, brackets or cleats
- Whether the panel frame can accept fixings
- Whether the panel can be cut down
Timber posts
Panels can usually be fixed directly to timber posts using suitable brackets, screws or panel clips.
Concrete posts
Panels normally slide into the slots in the posts. The panel thickness and width must suit the concrete-post system.
DuraPost metal posts
DuraPost systems use specific post profiles, fixings, cover strips and accessories. Check that the selected panel, gravel board and post arrangement are compatible before ordering.
Gravel boards help protect timber panels from contact with soil and moisture. They also make future panel replacement easier.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes when choosing fence panels:
- Choosing only by price
- Assuming every panel is exactly 1.83m wide
- Forgetting to include gravel-board height
- Choosing a lightweight panel for an exposed location
- Ordering posts before deciding on the panel system
- Mixing incompatible panels, posts and gravel boards
- Failing to check whether decorative panels can be cut down
- Ignoring the appearance of the rear face
- Choosing panels that are too heavy for the selected posts
- Forgetting about gate positions and matching designs
- Not checking treatment, timber thickness or frame quality
- Using solid panels where airflow may be important
- Dip-treated brown or pressure-treated green finish
- Future maintenance requirements
Final Checks Before Ordering
Before ordering fence panels, confirm:
- Total fence length
- Required level of privacy
- Preferred panel style
- Panel width
- Panel height
- Finished fence height
- Number of panels
- Number and type of posts
- Gravel-board type
- Gate positions
- Ground conditions
- Wind exposure
- Required fixings and brackets
- Whether panels need cutting
- Whether matching gates or trellis are required
- Compatibility with timber, concrete or DuraPost systems
It is sensible to review the full fence layout before ordering, particularly where there are corners, gates, slopes or non-standard panel sizes.
Need Help Choosing Fence Panels?
Bring your measurements, photographs and a simple boundary sketch into our Harlow store. Our team can help you compare panel styles and calculate the panels, posts, gravel boards and fixings required.
Before You Start
- Decide how much privacy you need
- Confirm the finished fence height
- Check the panel width
- Choose timber, concrete or metal posts
- Decide whether gravel boards will be used
- Consider wind exposure and maintenance
Need Help with Your Measurements?
Bring your measurements, photographs and a simple sketch into our Harlow store. Our team can help calculate the panels, posts, gravel boards and fixings required.