Feather Edge Boards

Buy Feather Edge Boards for Building Strong, Private, Closeboard Fencing

Feather edge boards are the core ingredient of classic closeboard fencing—giving you dense, vertical cladding that’s strong, private and quiet in wind. If you’re assembling your own bays or making repairs, start with straight, pressure-treated boards from East Coast Fencing. Specify the right lengths, plan a disciplined overlap, fix with exterior-grade hardware and pair with compatible rails, posts and base protection. Build once, enjoy for years—and remember, free delivery applies on orders £99+.

What makes feather edge different?

Each board is sawn to a tapered profile so it overlaps its neighbour, shedding rain down the face and closing sightlines without excess weight. The result is a sturdy skin that looks composed from the house and the street. Unlike overlap styles, closeboard with feather edge boards feels more solid, ages more gracefully and quietens a boundary from the moment it goes up.

Boards, rails and the structural backbone

Boards do their best work on a reliable frame. Use straight square rails for universal fixing or specify weather-shedding cant rails at the top to protect vulnerable edges. Match the frame to site exposure with properly sized fence posts—timber for a warm, adjustable build, or concrete posts for low-maintenance straightness and easy future swaps. At ground level, protect the base of your cladding from damp soil and strimmer rash with gravel boards.

Setting out: overlap, rhythm and skyline

Run a taut string at the top capping datum before you start; the eye forgives little at the skyline. Mark rail positions across posts and keep centres consistent bay after bay. Choose an overlap that balances privacy and material economy—too mean and gaps appear as timber seasons; too generous and you’re adding weight without benefit. For most garden heights, three rails give a quiet, rigid feel; low partitions may be fine with two.

Fixings and installation discipline

Use exterior-grade galvanised or stainless screws from our screws & fixings selection, and pre-drill near edges on dry stock to avoid splitting. Fix through the thick edge and capture the thin edge of the previous board; align screw rows in tidy lines for strength and presentation. Don’t over-tighten—crushed fibres squeak in wind. If you trim boards on site, seal fresh end grain before fixing for long-term protection.

Working with slopes, steps and corners

On sloping ground, decide early whether to rake the top or step between posts; both can look excellent if you commit and keep datums consistent. With steps, cut board tops to follow the capping cleanly; with raked tops, maintain a consistent reveal so the rhythm reads deliberate. Around corners, carry rail heights through and stagger board joints so lines don’t converge awkwardly at the turn.

Base details and finishing

A simple panel capping above the top rail protects board ends and ties the run together. At the bottom, a concrete or wooden gravel board sets a clean datum and extends service life dramatically. For entrances, pair with a robust leaf from feather edge gates and hang from properly sized gate posts with matched hardware.

Alternatives and blends

Full closeboard gives maximum privacy and a secure feel. Where wind exposure is severe, alternate with semi-open bays—such as hit & miss panels—to bleed pressure while keeping the look predominantly solid. Near seating where you want sociable light, crown a few bays with topper trellis to raise comfort without bulk.

Finish, colour and coordination

Pressure-treated boards can be left to mellow; warm browns ground taller boundaries next to brick and timber decks; deep charcoals modernise and make planting pop. Repeat finishes across posts, caps and gates for a composed scheme that looks deliberate from any angle. Keep containers slightly off the face so timber dries quickly after showers.

Foundations count—don’t skimp

Boards can only follow the lines that posts allow. Set posts plumb against a taut string, increase embedment on soft ground and concrete-in with a reliable mix from our cement products category. On very exposed sites, shorten bay centres or step up post section to keep the skyline calm when the wind picks up.

Care that pays back

Brush off leaf build-up each autumn, keep soil and mulch below the gravel board line and avoid harsh jet-washing near joints. Inspect fixings every spring, tighten lightly and refresh breathable finishes as needed. With thoughtful detailing and seasonal checks, feather edge boards deliver strong, private boundaries for years.

Order with confidence

Choose straight, pressure-treated feather edge boards, pair with the right rails, posts and base protection, and install to a clear datum. It’s the proven path to a quiet, long-lived boundary—add your boards to basket now and enjoy free delivery on orders £99+ from East Coast Fencing.