Cant Rails
Cant rails form the horizontal framework used to support feather edge boards in traditional closeboard fencing. Their angled upper face helps rainwater run away from the timber, making them a practical choice for strong garden boundaries, replacement fencing and made-to-measure fence runs.
East Coast Fencing supplies pressure treated cant rails in 2.4m and 3.0m lengths. Our range includes brown and green or natural treated finishes, allowing the rails to be matched with the other timber components in your fencing project.
Pressure Treated Timber Cant Rails
All of our cant rails are pressure treated for outdoor use, helping protect the timber against rot and fungal decay. Pressure treatment provides deeper protection than a surface coating alone and makes the rails suitable for long-term use in garden fencing.
Brown treated rails provide a darker finish, while green or natural treated rails retain a lighter timber appearance. Both colours will gradually weather outdoors, and natural variations in grain, knots and shade are expected.
2.4m and 3.0m Cant Rails
Our 2.4m cant rails are suited to standard fencing bays and projects where shorter rail lengths are easier to handle. They are a practical choice for repairs, replacement sections and fence runs built around common post centres.
Three-metre cant rails provide additional length for wider bays, longer runs and projects where fewer joints are preferred. Measure the distance between posts carefully and allow for the way each rail will be fixed before choosing a length.
125mm x 47mm 2EX Cant Rails
Our cant rails are produced from 125mm x 47mm timber cut diagonally to create two angled rail sections, commonly described as 2EX. This profile provides a sloping upper surface and a practical fixing face for feather edge fencing.
The tapered shape distinguishes cant rails from standard square rails, which have a regular rectangular section. Cant rails are generally preferred for closeboard fencing, while square rails suit picket fencing, framing and other garden timber projects.
Cant Rails for Closeboard Fencing
Cant rails are designed to be used with feather edge boards to create solid closeboard fencing. The rails are fixed horizontally between suitable posts, with the tapered boards attached vertically across the front.
Building from individual components allows the fence to be adapted to non-standard widths and changes in ground level. For a quicker standard-width option, consider ready-made closeboard fence panels.
Cant Rails and Fence Posts
Cant rails can be fitted between suitable wooden fence posts or used with concrete posts designed for site-built closeboard fencing. The post spacing, rail length and fence height should be planned together so the rails are supported securely at each end.
Taller fences normally require more horizontal support than lower boundaries. Check the planned fence height and the number of rail positions before calculating the quantity required.
Cant Rails or Square Rails?
Cant rails have an angled profile and are mainly used behind vertical feather edge boards in closeboard fencing. Their shape helps shed water and provides the traditional framework associated with this type of boundary.
Square rails have a straight rectangular section and are more commonly used with picket pales, garden screens and general timber framing. The correct rail depends on the type of fencing being built rather than the length alone.
Complete Your Closeboard Fencing
Pair your cant rails with suitable fence posts, feather edge boards, gravel boards and exterior fixings from our ironmongery range. For help estimating the materials required, use our feather edge fence calculator.
