Closed-board fencing

[BurningLegs]

Currently considering a closed-board fencing project in our rear garden.

We have a span of 6.1M between two walls that is currently fenced with 2 full 2.4M panels and a half panel. Two posts and two wall plates to hold it all up. It has had better days and I'm looking to replace with closed-board style fencing.

How durable is a 3M run of closed-board? The appeal is obvious - just one post to erect in the centre of the span and a double wall plate or something at one wall end, but I will be kicking myself if it is damaged by winds in the next few years. The location isn't especially exposed (i.e not on a hilltop etc) but isn't sheltered either - our bins and some plants do tend to get blown about in winter!

How important is a centre stump, and how are they usually set? I assume set in a shallow bed of postcrete. Does it add much rigidity to the fence, or just stop sagging? Part of the appeal of a 3M bay is only setting one post. If I have to add two stumps that are dug in fairly deep then I may as well switch to 2.4M bays and skip the stumps if that's an option...

Anyone here done a similar project and have any insight? Any recommendations for sourcing materials - I assume local is best but looks like there are lots of online suppliers who will deliver. This is quite a small project so I'm expecting local to be cheaper due to delivery costs online.

 

[Milkfloat]

Personally I would never try for 3m. I would do it right first time and not revisit the problem for up to 20 years.

 

[neil_merseyside]

My fence is 2.4m post to post (concrete) and it is marginal for rigidity in the wind, today is 35mph gusts and it's fine, but last time we had 45+mph it was bowing slightly and rattling. Fence is new so not ricketty, bearers are treated rough 3x2 (not arris) and the boards are 12mm so fairly decent. I think you need to go to 2 posts or really ramp up the bearers, and you must make the centre post concrete or the bottom will likely just rot in a none draining concrete (well rammed hardcore can work but I wouldn't trust it on a big span).

 

[MichaelW2]

I fenced my garden with (lightweight) concrete slotted posts and fence panels. The odd lengths left over were a PITA. I had to remanufacture the decorative trellised fencing to the correct length.
Wooden posts kept rotting away.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Use a 6x6 post (oak is best) or even better a solid (not recessed)concrete one, very heavy but strong.
Concrete post will require long coach bolts to secure rails ,holes are precast in post so no drilling ect
2'6 minimum hole depth tight dig if possible and a bag of postcrete or 2 if the hole is large.

3m centre will be ok with either of the above options.

 

[Slick]

3m centres is not something I would go for even for ranch boarding. Every man to his own though.

 

[Adam4868]

You'll regret leaving to big of a gap...I've done it before.Just fiited 45 feet of fencing up my drive with a mixture of old concrete posts a quite a few wooden 4 inch.

Question would you stain this ? It's meant to be tantalised wood.Im no fencing expert !

 

[Levo-Lon]

You'll regret leaving to big of a gap...I've done it before.Just fiited 45 feet of fencing up my drive with a mixture of old concrete posts a quite a few wooden 4 inch. View attachment 528050

Question would you stain this ? It's meant to be tantalised wood.Im no fencing expert !

That is tanalised but at different stages of drying.

Yes stain away it will look nice in a fresh colour way.
Tanalised timber is great but it does look a bit dry and manky over time

 

[Adam4868]

That is tanalised but at different stages of drying.

Yes stain away it will look nice in a fresh colour way.
Tanalised timber is great but it does look a bit dry and manky over time

There's a sort of mould,almost looks like burdshit coming through on it.Only been up a week so I'll wait for some more good weather and give it a stain.Thanks

 

[pawl]

A chap down from me paint red his fencing grey and the concrete supports a lighter grey.Looks very effective.Saw another stretch of fencing painted a similar shade of grey

 

[Randomnerd]

Yorkshire boarding lets the air through better than close board. I build the odd fence or two from sawn larch, which lasts 20 years without chemical treatment. For a six foot high fence I’d use 9’6” posts. If the soil is suitable, I’d not use concrete, but ram the earth back into a precisely cut hole. 3 m centres wouldn’t be for me. You might get away with it with very heavy rails and big posts. 3 posts and two wall mounted posts would be my choice

 

[BurningLegs]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed

Looks like I should plan for a more typical 2.4M span. I’ve only had one person show a preference for 3M of everyone I’ve asked, both online and offline. He is what I would call a bodger!!

Yorkshire boarding is a new phrase on me. Had to google that one. I was half expecting it to be a slang term for dry stone wall, but see it’s a double sided panel with an offset between uprights. Not sure that’s for me, don’t think it would get wife approval!!

 

[Levo-Lon]

There's a sort of mould,almost looks like burdshit coming through on it.Only been up a week so I'll wait for some more good weather and give it a stain.Thanks

It always does that ,not a problem after its dried out.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed

Looks like I should plan for a more typical 2.4M span. I’ve only had one person show a preference for 3M of everyone I’ve asked, both online and offline. He is what I would call a bodger!!

Yorkshire boarding is a new phrase on me. Had to google that one. I was half expecting it to be a slang term for dry stone wall, but see it’s a double sided panel with an offset between uprights. Not sure that’s for me, don’t think it would get wife approval!!

Unless you live on top of the Yorkshire Moors you'll be fine with 3m centre.
It's all about the post, fit a good post no problems.

If you wanted to have a man guard your pub would you choose Lenny McLean or Danny la rue

https://www.avsfencing.co.uk/news/a-guide-to-closeboard-fencing/

 

[Levo-Lon]

New 6' fence and double gates at work.
To keep scrotes out..well try