Calculate exactly how many fence panels, posts, postcrete bags and gravel boards you need for any fence run. Includes UK boundary law and planning guidance.
A new garden fence is one of the most common and valuable home improvements in the UK. Whether replacing a storm-damaged fence or installing a new boundary, getting the materials right saves money and ensures a sturdy, long-lasting result. This guide covers fence types, regulations, materials and installation tips specific to UK homeowners.
The UK market offers several standard fence panel types, all available in the standard 1.83m (6ft) width:
| Panel Type | Price Range | Privacy | Wind Resistance | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overlap (waney edge) | £15-£30 | Good | Poor-Moderate | 5-10 years |
| Closeboard (featherboard) | £25-£45 | Excellent | Good | 15-25 years |
| Hit & miss | £30-£50 | Moderate | Excellent | 15-20 years |
| Venetian (horizontal slat) | £35-£60 | Low-Moderate | Good | 15-20 years |
| Trellis top | £30-£50 | Good (below) / Low (top) | Moderate | 10-15 years |
| Tongue & groove | £30-£50 | Excellent | Moderate | 15-20 years |
| Picket (pale) | £15-£30 | Low | Good | 10-15 years |
Closeboard (featherboard) fencing is considered the gold standard for UK garden boundaries. Each board overlaps the next, creating a strong, private fence that can be built on sloping ground by stepping each panel. Individual damaged boards can be replaced without replacing the entire panel, making repairs cheaper.
Under Permitted Development rights (The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015), the maximum fence heights without planning permission are:
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about UK garden fences. The popular belief that "the left-hand fence is yours when looking at the back of the house" is a myth with no legal basis. The actual rules are:
The longevity of your fence depends largely on how securely the posts are fixed:
Postcrete / fast-set post mix: The most popular DIY method. Pour the dry mix into the post hole around the post, add water and it sets in approximately 10 minutes. One 20kg bag per standard post hole (300mm x 600mm deep). Brands include Postfix, Postcrete and Blue Circle Postcrete. Widely available at Wickes, B&Q and Screwfix for about £5-£7 per bag.
Standard concrete: Mix C20 concrete (1:2:4 ratio) and pour around the post. Cheaper than postcrete for large jobs but takes 24-48 hours to set, during which posts need temporary bracing. Allow 2-3 x 20kg bags of ready-mix per post.
Concrete posts: Pre-made concrete fence posts with slots for panels to slide into. More expensive upfront (£12-£20 per post vs £6-£12 for timber) but last indefinitely and never rot. The total installation cost is often comparable because no postcrete is needed — concrete posts are simply set in a concrete base.
Met-Post / bolt-down spikes: Metal spikes driven into the ground with the post sitting in a socket at the top. Quick to install but less secure than buried concrete. Suitable for sheltered gardens with light fence panels but not recommended for exposed sites or heavy closeboard panels.
Gravel boards are horizontal boards that sit at ground level below the fence panels, protecting the panels from ground moisture and extending their lifespan significantly. They are available in:
B&Q and Wickes offer good ranges of standard panels and posts with home delivery. Jewson and Travis Perkins stock trade-quality closeboard panels and can supply made-to-measure options. Independent fencing suppliers (search "fencing supplies near me") often offer the best prices on bulk orders and can deliver complete kits with everything needed for your specific fence run.