Garden fencing types: how to choose the right fence
Compare different fences for privacy, wind, maintenance and price before requesting local installation quotations. Written for UK homeowners, with clear questions to ask installers.
At a glance: compare popular fencing options
| Type | Good for | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Closeboard (featheredge) | Solid screening, custom lengths and slopes | Post spacing, rails, timber treatment and ground clearance |
| Overlap or lap panels | Straight garden runs and straightforward panel replacement | Panel measurements, post condition and wind exposure |
| Slatted timber | Modern appearance and some airflow | Whether sightlines still allow views into your garden |
| Composite panels | Consistent appearance and lower painting requirements | Supplier warranty, thermal movement, cost and suitable posts |
| Metal railings or mesh | Visibility or security where privacy is less important | Ground anchoring, corrosion protection and local restrictions |
1. Calculate the full length, not just the number of panels
Measure each straight section in metres. Count corners, gate openings and height changes. A standard-looking panel run may require special arrangements where the garden slopes, and the installer should verify all quantities on site.
2. Work out what actually needs replacing
If posts are sound and correctly spaced, replacing individual panels may be an option. But leaning or rotten posts can make a panel-only repair short-lived. Explain the specific damage and ask the contractor to assess post stability, footings and adjacent panels.
3. Match fencing to exposure and soil
Wind exposure is often more important than county borders. Gardens facing open countryside, exposed coastal plots and narrow spaces between buildings can experience different forces. Discuss timber specification, suitable fixings, post depth and drainage based on the actual property, not assumptions from a postcode.
4. Consider how the fence affects privacy and light
Closeboard fences offer more screening than widely spaced slatted styles; however, the height and position may affect light, neighbours and the character of the garden. For a seating area, specify exactly where screening matters, rather than increasing the height of the entire boundary.
5. Planning permission varies across the UK
In England, general permitted-development rules for fences typically allow up to 1 metre next to a vehicle highway (or its footpath) and 2 metres elsewhere, subject to exceptions. Listed buildings, conservation considerations, planning conditions and boundary rights may change what is allowed. Check the Planning Portal guidance for England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can have different requirements: use the relevant local planning authority for your nation.
6. What should an installer include in a written quote?
- Finished fence height, timber/panel type and treatments
- Post and gravel board material, setting and layout
- Gates, hardware and any lock requirements
- Removal and legal disposal of old fence materials
- Site access, obstructions, roots and sloping ground
- VAT, delivery, likely schedule and payment milestones
- Workmanship warranty and any exclusions
7. Price comparisons: ask for equivalent specifications
There is no reliable universal price per metre. Material choice, number of posts, waste removal, travel, labour, access and ground conditions can change the cost. Compare like-for-like written quotes, not a single headline cost, and be cautious of prices given before site details are understood.
Frequently asked questions
Is closeboard fencing better than lap panels?
It depends on your site and priorities. Closeboard can be made to fit longer, uneven runs, while pre-made panels can be convenient for straightforward replacements. Compare the full design and installation, not only the panel label.
Can a contractor reuse existing fence posts?
Sometimes, but only if they are in suitable condition, appropriately spaced and structurally sound for the new fence.
Do I have to use the contractor I am introduced to?
No. UK Fencing Quotes is an independent referral service. You can request an introduction and decide freely whether to proceed.