When we arrived at this Pontypool home, the lawn on a modern estate, with a birdbath on a circle of slabs and gravel, was bounded by a low post-and-rail fence in dark timber. That kind of fence marks a line, but it does nothing for privacy with neighbouring houses so close.
By the end, the lawn was enclosed by a full-height close-board fence in a warm brown finish along the side of the garden.
Where the garden started
Post-and-rail is common on newer estates, often put in by the builder as a basic boundary. Two rails between posts leave the whole garden on view to the houses either side and to anyone passing.
Replacing it with close-board changes the feel of a garden more than almost any other single job. You can read more about deciding between a patch-up and a full replacement in fence repair or replacement.
Going up bay by bay
The first photo shows the new fence partway along the side path between two houses. Several bays of featheredge are already boarded, and lengths of timber are propped against the fence while the work carries on. Close-board is built in place: posts first, then horizontal rails, then the vertical boards nailed on with each one overlapping the last.
Along the bottom runs a timber board that keeps the featheredge clear of the grass and wet soil. That gap matters, because the foot of a fence is where rot starts. Our guide on how to make a garden fence last longer explains why.
- Start: a low two-rail fence and an open lawn
- Middle: close-board rising beside the side path, bay by bay
- Finish: a continuous brown close-board fence around the lawn
The finished boundary
The last photo, taken from the far corner of the lawn, shows the fence running cleanly along the side of the garden, with the shrubs in the border and the rotary washing line standing in front of it. The colour sits comfortably against the red brick of the estate.
If your garden still has the fence the builder put in, have a look at our fencing and gates page, the Pontypool guide to new garden fencing, or our page on landscaping in Pontypool. Then get in touch for a free quote.
Questions About This Job
Can close-board be fitted where a post-and-rail fence stood?
Usually, yes. The old posts are rarely strong or tall enough, so we take them out and set new ones for the heavier fence.
What is the board along the bottom of a close-board fence for?
It is a gravel board. It sits between the ground and the vertical boards, so damp does not wick into them, and it can be replaced on its own when it wears.
Is close-board better than panels?
It is built on site rather than bought as panels, so it is usually sturdier and can follow the ground more closely. Our guide to close board, panel or slatted fencing compares them.
