Not every fence panel comes ready-made. Some of the strongest, most private boundaries around Manchester and Cheshire are still built board by board, and that is exactly what close board fencing is. If you have been searching for close board fence panels in Manchester and are not quite sure what you are looking for, you are not alone. It is one of the styles we get asked about most, yet it rarely gets explained properly online.
What Is Close Board Fencing, Exactly?
Close board fencing is not a single panel you order off a shelf. It is a way of building a fence: vertical feather edge boards, each one tapered and overlapped along its neighbour, fixed to horizontal arris rails and set between posts. That overlap closes every gap, which is where the name comes from.
Because it is built up rather than bought as one finished piece, close board fencing gives you a completely solid, private boundary with no gaps for anyone to see through. For homeowners asking about close board fence panels in Manchester, that full privacy is usually the main draw.
Why Choose Close Board Fencing for Your Garden?
A close board fence handles an exposed garden well. Each board overlaps the next, so the whole structure works as one unit under wind and rain instead of flexing as a flat sheet, with less chance of a section bowing loose. That matters across Manchester and Cheshire, where gardens rarely get through a full season without a proper storm.
It also suits anyone who wants privacy without compromise. Where trellis or picket lets light and eyes through by design, close board fence panels in Manchester gardens shut that out completely, which is why the style stays popular for back gardens and boundaries near a neighbour’s window. Our guide to fencing height is worth a read if privacy matters more than looks.
What Goes Into a Close Board Fence?
Three things do the real work in a close board fence: the boards, the rails and the posts.
The boards are feather edge, tapered from thick to thin so each one overlaps its neighbour and locks out gaps. For feather edge boards in Manchester, we manufacture ours on site in Altrincham. Our guide to why feather edge boards still lead the way covers the material in more detail.
Behind the boards, timber arris rails run between the posts, giving each board something solid to fix to. Beneath it all, a gravel board lifts the whole structure clear of wet soil. Our full Timber Products range covers boards, rails and gravel boards in one place.
How Does Close Board Compare to Our Other Panel Styles?
Our guide to picket, trellis and hit and miss panels shows that Waneylap and vertical board are not the only options in the yard, and close board is not either. Where Hit and Miss and Under and Over let a little air through by design, close board shuts it out entirely, suiting a boundary that needs to feel fully enclosed.
Compared with Waneylap or vertical board panels, which arrive finished and ready to fit, close board is built in place. It is a slower job, but the fence is made to fit your exact boundary rather than a standard panel width. Our guide to choosing the right fence panels covers the basics of each if you are still deciding. Either way, anyone weighing up close board fence panels in Manchester against a ready-made panel is choosing between a bespoke build and a quicker install.
Thinking About Close Board Fencing for Your Garden?
Close board fencing is not the fastest option, but for a fully private, storm ready boundary built to your exact space, it is hard to beat. We manufacture the timber that goes into it on site in Altrincham, so you are buying from the people who actually make it.
If you are planning close board fence panels in Manchester or Cheshire and want to talk through what you will need, our team is always happy to help you plan it properly.
FAQ’S
The main difference is that close board fence panels in Manchester are not one ready-made unit. They are built board by board on site, rather than arriving pre-assembled like a standard panel.
How long any fence lasts depends on ground conditions, maintenance and exposure, so we cannot promise a specific lifespan. The overlapping board design is built with durability in mind, and it suits exposed, changeable weather.
Yes. Sturdy posts, either timber or concrete, sit between each run of boards to hold the arris rails in place. Concrete posts are a popular choice for extra stability, and our concrete posts and bases range covers both.
Yes. Because each board is fixed individually to the rails, a damaged one can usually be replaced without dismantling the whole fence, unlike a full panel swap.
Explore our range online or speak with our team to find the perfect fencing solution for your garden. Get in touch via email dunhamfencingsupplies@gmail.com or call us for a chat on 0161 399 5712.