This 6ft x 5ft Ultra Heavy Duty Closeboard Fence Panel is a solid choice when you want strong privacy but don’t need full 6ft height. At 5ft tall it suits most side boundaries and rear gardens, helping to reduce overlooking while keeping the garden feeling open. We make these fence panels in-house using a traditional feather edge closeboard build, with overlapping boards that give a clean, consistent finish along a run.
The Ultra build focuses on support rather than gimmicks. On this 6ft x 5ft size we use four 75 x 32mm backing rails, and each feather edge board is nailed through to the rails. More support points across the height helps the panel feel stiffer, keeps the boards held securely, and reduces flex between rails. In practical terms, that can mean less movement in windy weather and a fence line that stays looking straighter, especially if the boundary is a bit exposed.
The panel is unframed, which keeps fitting simple and tidy. It’s made to sit neatly between posts, so you can keep bay spacing consistent without bulky side frames. The top edge is finished with a weather capping strip. That capping helps shed rain away from the top of the boards and reduces water sitting on the timber, which is one of the areas that can take the most wear over time.
All timber in the panel is pressure treated, with the familiar green finish you see on treated fencing. Pressure treatment gives protection through the section, but good installation still makes a big difference. Keep the bottom edge up off the ground, and avoid letting soil or mulch build up against the boards. If you need to trim the width to suit a tight bay or an awkward corner, treat any fresh cut ends with a suitable end-grain preservative to keep protection where the timber is newly exposed.
For a neater base line and better separation from damp ground, many fences use a gravel board under the panel. It helps protect the lower edge from splashback and makes strimming and mowing along the fence easier. You can see suitable options in our gravel boards range, including concrete gravel boards where the ground stays wet or you want the most robust barrier between timber and moisture.
Posts matter just as much as panels on a 5ft fence. For a fence that feels firm, set posts straight, at consistent centres, and deep enough for the height and exposure. If you are replacing old panels, measure the opening between posts and allow a small clearance so the new panel drops in without forcing it. For options, see our fence posts page, including wooden fence posts and concrete fence posts.
Fitted level and kept clear at the bottom, this Ultra 5ft closeboard panel gives you a strong, tidy boundary finish that suits typical UK garden use and stands up well to changeable weather.
