Most fences fail in the same place: the posts, at ground level, where wet soil meets air. Choosing the right boards matters, but the way the fence is built decides whether it is still standing after a few winters of Devon wind and rain.
Panel fencing
Ready made panels slot between posts. They are quick to fit and cheaper to buy. The weakness is the wind. A solid panel acts like a sail, and on an exposed garden it puts a lot of force on the posts. Thin lap panels also tend to split and rattle loose. Panels can be a fair choice for sheltered gardens, and on a budget they are better than no fence.
Closeboard (featheredge) fencing
Closeboard is built on site. Posts go in, horizontal rails run between them, and overlapping featheredge boards are nailed on vertically. It is stronger than panels because every board is fixed to the rails, and if one board breaks you replace that board, not a whole panel. It suits uneven ground because the boards follow the slope. For most gardens round Cullompton it is the fence we would recommend.
Posts: timber or concrete
- Timber posts should be treated for ground contact (often labelled UC4) and set in concrete or well compacted hardcore. Even then they are the part most likely to rot first.
- Concrete posts with slotted or bolted fixings do not rot and suit panels well. They are heavier to install and look more utilitarian.
- Gravel boards along the bottom keep the fence boards off the soil. Timber or concrete, they are cheap to replace and add years to the fence.
Exposed and sloping gardens
On a windy site, closer post spacing, deeper holes and a slightly open board pattern all help, because letting a little wind through reduces the load. On a slope the fence is stepped or raked to follow the ground, which closeboard handles better than panels.
Repair or replace
If the boards are sound and only a few posts have gone, new posts or concrete spurs can save the fence. If most posts are soft at ground level, replacing the run is usually better value than chasing repairs.
We build and repair fences across Cullompton, Willand and Hemyock. See fencing and gates or send us a photo of the job.
Common questions
- Which fence is strongest in the wind?
- Closeboard built on site with well set posts is stronger than panel fencing, because every board is fixed to the rails and the load is spread.
- Should I use concrete or timber posts?
- Concrete posts do not rot and suit panels. Ground contact treated timber posts suit closeboard and look more natural but will eventually be the first part to need replacing.
- What is a gravel board?
- A board along the bottom of the fence that keeps the main boards off the soil, so they stay dry and last longer.