Garden Fencing Guide UK 2026 — Panels, Posts and Installation Explained

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Types of Fence Panels

Lap Panels

The most common and affordable fence panel type in the UK. Horizontal waney-edge boards overlap each other, creating a traditional feathered look. Lap panels are quick to install and widely available, but the overlapping boards can trap moisture and tend to have a shorter lifespan than other styles. Good value for money.

Featheredge Panels

Vertical featheredge boards fixed to horizontal rails. More durable and premium-looking than lap panels, featheredge fencing offers excellent privacy and a cleaner, more contemporary look. Popular for modern gardens and higher-end properties.

Closeboard Fencing

Built on-site rather than as a pre-made panel, closeboard fencing uses vertical featheredge boards fixed to arris rails and posts. The strongest fence type available — ideal for exposed gardens or where maximum longevity is needed.

Decorative Panel Styles

Trellis, lattice, Hit and Miss and horizontal slatted panels have all become increasingly popular as garden design has moved toward a more considered outdoor room aesthetic. These styles let light and some air through while still defining the boundary clearly.

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Posts and Gravel Boards

Fence Posts

Fence posts are the foundation of your fencing — choose wrong and the whole fence will fail. Options include:

• Concrete posts: The most durable option, immune to rot. Heavier to work with but last indefinitely
• Treated timber posts: The traditional choice, easier to work with than concrete, needs replacement every 10–15 years
• Metal fence post spikes: Quick to install but not suitable for heavier panels or exposed sites

Gravel Boards

A gravel board sits along the bottom of the fence between posts, raising the fence panels off the ground. This single addition dramatically extends the life of your fence panels by preventing the bottom edge from sitting in wet soil — the most common cause of panel rot.

DIY vs Professional Installation

DIY Installation

Straightforward for experienced DIYers with the right tools. You'll need a post hole borer or spade, a spirit level, fence panel clips or brackets, and someone to hold panels while you fix them. Allow half a day per 10–12 metres of fencing as a rough guide.

• Cost saving: Significant — labour is often 40–60% of a professional installation quote
• Risk: Posts not set deep enough, panels not level, posts not set in concrete

Professional Installation

Worth considering for longer runs, difficult ground (clay, stony soil, slopes) or if you've not fenced before. A professional will guarantee their work and have the tools to deal with any complications.

Cost Guide 2026

• Lap fence panel (6×6ft): £25–£45 per panel
• Featheredge panel (6×6ft): £40–£70 per panel
• Treated timber post (8ft): £15–£30 each
• Concrete post (8ft): £20–£40 each
• Gravel boards: £10–£20 each
• Professional installation: £30–£60 per panel (labour only)

Planning Tips

• Measure your boundary carefully — include gates in your measurements
• Check with neighbours — boundary fences are shared property in most cases
• Check local planning rules — in some Conservation Areas, fence height is restricted
• Order 10% more material than your calculations suggest — for waste and breakages
• Consider fence direction — the 'good side' (smooth face) typically faces the neighbour or outward

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