Quick answer: Install Double Slatted Fence Panels between secure, accurately spaced posts, with a gravel board beneath where appropriate to keep the timber away from damp ground. Measure the actual panel and post opening before setting out, support the panel by its outer frame rather than individual slats, and keep every panel level so the horizontal lines continue neatly along the fence. Timber posts can use suitable exterior brackets or fixings, while compatible slotted concrete posts allow panels to be lowered into position.
Double Slatted Fence Panels are relatively straightforward to install, but they are less forgiving of poor alignment than many traditional fence panels.
The horizontal slats create strong continuous lines across the boundary. If one post leans, one gravel board sits higher than the next or one panel is installed slightly out of level, the difference can be immediately noticeable.
That makes preparation particularly important.
Before digging post holes or removing an existing fence, measure the actual panels, plan the finished height, establish a consistent fence line and decide how the panels will be supported.
This guide focuses specifically on installing framed Double Slatted Fence Panels, including measuring, timber and concrete posts, gravel boards, slopes, handling, fixing and avoiding the installation mistakes that can spoil a contemporary fence.
What Size Are Double Slatted Fence Panels?
The current East Coast Fencing Double Slatted Fence Panels are nominally 6ft wide, approximately 1.83m.
The range currently includes:
- 6ft x 3ft panels
- 6ft x 4ft panels
- 6ft x 5ft panels
- 6ft x 6ft panels
They are framed, pressure-treated timber panels with a green/natural finish.
Do not set posts from nominal dimensions alone. Check the actual product dimensions before installation, particularly where the panels need to fit an existing post system.
Why Is Double Slatted Fence Panel Installation Different?
The basic principles are similar to installing other framed fence panels, but the horizontal design introduces several considerations.
You need to pay particular attention to:
- Panel level
- Post alignment
- Consistent gravel board height
- Panel handling
- Spacing between successive panels
- The visual continuation of the horizontal slats
With a traditional irregular timber panel, a small difference between bays may be less obvious.
With Double Slatted Fence Panels, the eye naturally follows each horizontal line along the boundary.
What Do You Need To Install Double Slatted Fence Panels?
A typical new fence installation may require:
- Double Slatted Fence Panels
- Suitable fence posts
- Gravel boards where required
- Post-setting material where appropriate
- Exterior-grade brackets, clips, screws or other suitable fixings
- String line
- Tape measure
- Spirit level
- Post-hole digging tools
- Suitable drill and driver
- Temporary timber supports or blocks
- Appropriate personal protective equipment
The exact materials depend on whether you are using wooden posts, concrete posts or replacing panels within an existing fence.
Should You Measure The Panels Before Setting The Posts?
Yes.
This is one of the most important parts of the installation.
A panel may be described using a nominal 6ft width, but the finished post spacing needs to suit the actual panel, post system and fixing method.
Before setting out a complete run, confirm:
- Actual panel width
- Actual panel height
- Panel frame thickness
- Post dimensions
- Any bracket or clip allowance
- Gravel board dimensions
A small mistake repeated across several bays can leave the final section significantly out of position.
How Do You Measure An Existing Fence Bay?
If you are replacing panels between existing posts, measure the clear opening rather than assuming it is still exactly 6ft.
Measure the opening:
- Near the top
- Around the middle
- Near the bottom
This can reveal leaning or twisted posts.
With slotted concrete posts, also check that the slot width and panel frame thickness are compatible.
Why Should You Measure Both The Top And Bottom?
Older fence posts do not always remain perfectly vertical.
A bay might measure correctly near the ground but become narrower higher up.
This can create a problem when attempting to lower a rigid framed decorative panel into place.
If the opening is too narrow, do not force the panel between the posts.
Determine whether the problem is:
- Incorrect post spacing
- A leaning post
- A twisted post
- An incompatible panel frame
Should Double Slatted Fence Panels Have Gravel Boards?
Gravel boards are worth considering for most full boundary installations.
They sit below the timber panel and help separate its lower frame from:
- Wet soil
- Grass
- Mulch
- Leaves
- Rain splash
This is particularly useful around flower beds and lawn edges where the bottom of the panel would otherwise sit close to damp material.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Sit Directly On The Ground?
It is better to keep the framed timber panel away from persistent ground moisture.
Installing a gravel board beneath the panel is one way to achieve this.
If no gravel board is being used, make sure the panel is appropriately supported and does not simply rest in wet soil.
Does A Gravel Board Increase The Finished Fence Height?
Yes.
The total boundary height includes the components beneath the panel.
For example, adding a gravel board below a full-height panel raises the top of the completed fence above the nominal panel height.
Plan the combination of:
- Panel height
- Gravel board height
- Ground level
- Post length
before installation, and check any rules or restrictions that apply to the finished boundary height.
Wooden Or Concrete Posts: Which Are Better?
Both can be appropriate when compatible with the panel.
| Feature | Wooden Posts | Concrete Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | All-timber finish | More structural contrast |
| Panel fixing | Brackets, clips or suitable screws | Usually slotted system where compatible |
| Custom fixing | Straightforward | More limited |
| Replacement panels | Mechanically released from fixings | Often lifted from slots where access permits |
The right choice depends on appearance, existing fencing, ground conditions and the complete fence system.
How Do You Install Double Slatted Fence Panels With Wooden Posts?
With timber posts, the panels are normally secured mechanically to the post faces using suitable exterior fixings or brackets.
A typical sequence is:
- Set out the complete fence line.
- Confirm the first post position.
- Install and brace the post vertically.
- Measure the actual panel and required fixing allowance.
- Position the next post accordingly.
- Install the gravel board where used.
- Support the panel at the required finished level.
- Check the panel with a spirit level.
- Secure the panel frame using appropriate exterior fixings.
- Check alignment before continuing to the next bay.
Do not rush ahead setting every post without repeatedly checking the cumulative fence line.
Where Should Fixings Go On Double Slatted Fence Panels?
The main installation fixings should secure the substantial outer panel frame.
Do not rely on the decorative horizontal slats to support the complete panel.
The slats form the visible screening, but the frame is intended to carry the panel as a unit.
Fixing through an individual slat can:
- Split the slat
- Distort the panel
- Create unnecessary local stress
Should You Screw Directly Through The Panel Frame?
A suitable direct fixing may be appropriate with timber posts, depending on the panel and fixing arrangement.
Alternatively, suitable exterior fence clips or brackets can be used.
Whatever method you choose, make sure:
- The fixing is suitable for exterior use
- It enters sound post timber
- It holds the frame securely
- It does not split the frame
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Be Installed In Concrete Posts?
They can be used with compatible slotted concrete post systems where the panel dimensions suit the post spacing and slot.
Check compatibility before installation.
Important measurements include:
- Clear distance between posts
- Slot width
- Panel frame thickness
- Panel height
- Gravel board height
Never assume that every decorative panel will fit every existing concrete-post fence simply because both are described as 6ft.
How Do You Lower A Double Slatted Panel Into Concrete Posts?
Use sufficient people to control the panel safely.
Support the panel from its outer frame.
Keep it as level as practical and lower both sides into the post slots together.
Avoid:
- Dropping the panel
- Twisting it between the posts
- Lowering one side dramatically ahead of the other
- Pulling on individual slats
A framed decorative panel should be handled as one complete unit.
Why Should You Never Carry The Panel By The Slats?
The current manufacturer guidance specifically recommends supporting and lifting Double Slatted Fence Panels using the outer frame.
Individual slats are not handles.
Using them to carry the full weight of the panel can place unnecessary stress on:
- The slat
- Its fixings
- The surrounding frame
Grip and support the substantial framing instead.
How Many People Should Lift A Double Slatted Panel?
These are substantial framed timber panels, particularly in taller sizes.
Using two people is generally much more practical than trying to manoeuvre a full-size panel alone.
This becomes particularly important when:
- Lowering panels into concrete posts
- Working with 5ft or 6ft panels
- Working on uneven ground
- Access is restricted
- Wind is present
Should You Install Fence Panels In Strong Wind?
Avoid handling large panels in conditions where wind makes them difficult to control safely.
Even slatted panels present a substantial surface area.
A sudden gust while carrying or positioning the panel can make accurate installation difficult and increase the risk of damage or injury.
How Do You Keep Double Slatted Panels Level?
Use a reliable reference rather than judging by eye.
Helpful tools include:
- Spirit level
- String line
- Laser level where available
- Consistent measurements from a fixed reference
Check the panel before final tightening of fixings.
Then stand back and check the horizontal lines visually against the adjoining bay.
Why Do Horizontal Slats Make Alignment More Important?
Horizontal lines naturally draw the eye across a surface.
If one panel is even slightly higher than the next, the slats can appear to jump at the post.
The same problem occurs if:
- A post leans
- A panel is tilted
- One gravel board sits too high
The fence may be structurally secure but still look wrong.
Should All Horizontal Slats Line Up Between Panels?
A visually consistent run is generally the goal.
Depending on the exact panel construction, every individual slat may not form one mathematically continuous line through the posts, but the overall pattern and panel heights should appear consistent.
Use the top and bottom frame positions as primary installation references and then check the slatted pattern visually.
Should You Set Every Post Before Installing The Panels?
You can, provided the entire run has been measured and set out accurately.
However, mistakes in post spacing are difficult to correct once every foundation has hardened.
For many DIY installations, it can be safer to progress methodically:
- Install the first post.
- Use the panel or accurate measured allowance to establish the next position.
- Check spacing.
- Install the next post.
- Continue while repeatedly checking the line.
Do not use the panel as a permanent brace while post-setting material is still unstable unless the chosen installation method specifically allows for it.
How Do You Keep Fence Posts In A Straight Line?
Run a taut string line along the planned boundary.
Use it as a consistent reference for each post.
Check every post for:
- Position along the line
- Vertical alignment
- Correct height
- Correct spacing
A post can be perfectly vertical while still sitting several centimetres out of the intended fence line.
How Deep Should The Posts Be?
Post depth depends on the:
- Finished fence height
- Post dimensions
- Ground conditions
- Exposure
- Installation system
A full-height 6ft decorative boundary requires more substantial support than a low 3ft garden divider.
Use posts and foundations suitable for the complete fence rather than applying one depth rule to every garden.
Do 6ft Double Slatted Fence Panels Need Stronger Posts?
Taller panels place greater demands on their support system than low panels.
A 6ft panel creates:
- More panel area
- Greater leverage on the post
- Higher wind loading than a lower panel of the same design
The gaps between slats allow some airflow, but they do not remove the need for strong posts and secure foundations.
Can You Install Double Slatted Fence Panels On A Slope?
Yes.
Rigid framed panels are normally installed in stepped sections rather than twisted to follow the ground.
Each individual panel remains square and level while the next bay begins at a different height.
This preserves:
- The rectangular frame
- The horizontal slat pattern
- The appearance of the panel
Should Double Slatted Fence Panels Be Raked Down A Slope?
Standard rigid framed panels are not designed to be distorted into a parallelogram to follow a gradient.
Trying to rake the panel can damage:
- The frame
- Slat spacing
- Fixings
Stepping the panels is generally the more appropriate approach.
How Do You Plan The Steps On Sloping Ground?
Measure the change in ground level over the complete fence run.
Then decide where each panel will step.
You need to balance:
- Consistent panel levels
- Ground clearance
- Gravel board positions
- The appearance of the top line
A gradual planned sequence usually looks better than making a different improvised adjustment at every post.
Can Gravel Boards Be Stepped?
Yes.
On sloping ground, gravel boards and panels can be stepped together between posts.
Make sure each board remains properly supported.
A gravel board should not be left hanging unsupported simply because the ground drops underneath it.
What Happens At The Bottom Of A Stepped Fence?
Stepping rigid panels can create increasing gaps beneath the lower side of some bays.
This needs to be considered before installation, particularly where:
- Pets use the garden
- Soil needs to be contained
- A clean lower boundary is required
Do not fill large level differences by piling soil directly against the timber panel.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Retain Soil?
No ordinary framed fence panel should be treated as a retaining wall.
If ground levels differ significantly across the boundary, the soil needs its own suitable retaining solution.
The fence can then be installed independently above or alongside it.
Soil pressure against a decorative panel can distort the frame and keep timber persistently wet.
How Do You Install A Short Final Fence Bay?
The cleanest solution is to plan the overall post spacing before construction so a very narrow final gap is avoided.
If a custom-width section is unavoidable, do not assume a finished Double Slatted Fence Panel can simply be cut down like a basic board.
The outer frame is part of the panel's construction.
Cutting through it may require:
- Rebuilding the frame
- Shortening multiple slats
- Re-securing each component
A purpose-built infill section may be more practical.
Can You Cut Double Slatted Fence Panels?
Technically, timber components can be cut, but modifying a complete framed decorative panel is more involved than trimming a simple piece of timber.
Before cutting, consider whether the alteration will:
- Remove the outer frame
- Release slats
- Change panel strength
- Expose untreated internal timber
Where possible, design post spacing around the complete panel size rather than altering the panel afterwards.
What Should You Do If A Treated Panel Is Cut?
Cutting pressure-treated timber exposes surfaces that were previously inside the section.
Where the panel must be altered, freshly exposed timber should receive an appropriate end-grain preservative treatment in accordance with relevant treated-timber guidance.
Minimising unnecessary cutting is preferable.
Can You Plane The Side Of A Panel To Make It Fit?
Do not remove substantial material from the frame simply to force a panel into a narrow bay.
If the opening is too small, first determine whether:
- The posts have moved
- The posts were incorrectly spaced
- The panel is incompatible with the existing system
Weakening the frame to compensate for a post problem is rarely the best solution.
What If The Fence Bay Is Too Wide?
A small designed fixing allowance is different from a significant gap.
If the bay is substantially wider than the panel, the frame may not reach suitable fixing positions.
Do not simply bridge a large gap with excessively long screws.
Correct the support arrangement or create an appropriate timber packing or infill detail where suitable.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Replace Old Closeboard Panels?
Potentially.
If the existing posts and gravel boards remain sound, a decorative replacement panel may be possible where the dimensions are compatible.
Measure:
- Clear bay width
- Available height
- Concrete slot width if applicable
- Panel frame thickness
Do not assume all nominal 6ft panels have identical construction.
Can They Replace Waney Lap Fence Panels?
Again, potentially.
The critical issue is compatibility with the existing support system.
Decorative framed panels may be more substantial than basic lap panels, so inspect:
- Posts
- Foundations
- Gravel boards
- Fixing positions
before installing a different panel style.
Should Old Fence Posts Be Reused?
Only if they remain suitable for the new fence.
Check wooden posts for:
- Movement
- Decay
- Splits around fixing areas
- Leaning
Check concrete posts for:
- Movement
- Significant cracks
- Damage around slots
- Leaning
Installing attractive new panels between unstable posts usually produces a short-lived improvement.
How Do You Remove Old Panels Without Damaging The Posts?
Work methodically.
With timber posts, remove brackets or fixings rather than forcing the old panel sideways.
With slotted concrete posts, a panel may need to be lifted vertically before it can be removed.
If the old panel is badly deteriorated, control the pieces so they do not fall against:
- Concrete post edges
- Neighbouring property
- Plants
- People working nearby
How Should The First Double Slatted Panel Be Positioned?
The first panel establishes the visual standard for the remainder of the run.
Check it carefully for:
- Level
- Finished height
- Position relative to the post
- Ground clearance
- Gravel board alignment
Do not continue installing several panels before checking the first one from a distance.
Should You Start At The Highest Or Lowest Point Of A Slope?
Either direction can work if the complete stepping plan has already been established.
Starting from a fixed feature can often be more useful.
That might be:
- A gate
- A wall
- A patio
- An existing boundary corner
The important point is to avoid allowing the fence height to drift accidentally as you progress.
How Do You Install Panels Beside A Garden Gate?
Plan the gate opening before setting the neighbouring fence posts.
A gate requires a suitably substantial support because it creates moving loads that a fixed panel does not.
Keep the Double Slatted Fence Panel supported independently from the gate leaf.
Do not expect the panel frame to:
- Carry hinges
- Support the gate
- Act as a gate post
Should The Gate Match The Horizontal Slats?
Matching the general height and horizontal character of the fence can create a more coordinated appearance.
However, gate structure comes first.
The gate needs sufficient:
- Frame strength
- Bracing
- Hinge support
to operate properly.
Can You Add Trellis Above Double Slatted Fence Panels?
A topper may be possible where the posts and complete structure are suitable.
However, Double Slatted Fence Panels already have a framed finished upper edge.
Do not screw additional screening into the decorative panel purely because it is convenient.
If extra height is planned, support it appropriately from the fence structure and consider the total finished height and additional wind load.
Should Panel Capping Be Added?
Double Slatted Fence Panels already use a finished framed design.
Straight aftermarket Panel Capping should not automatically be added.
Capping is more commonly relevant to compatible flat-topped panels where the upper frame dimensions suit the capping profile.
Do not force a narrow capping section over a finished decorative frame.
Can You Install Double Slatted Panels Against A Wall?
Potentially, but the wall-end fixing requires planning.
You may need a suitable timber wallplate or another secure support depending on the construction.
Do not rely on weak render or an unsuitable surface fixing to support a full-height panel.
The support must transfer the panel load into sound material.
How Close Should Panels Be To The Ground?
Keep the timber frame clear of persistent contact with wet soil and accumulated garden debris.
A gravel board is useful where the boundary runs beside:
- Flower beds
- Lawn
- Mulch
- Loose soil
Whatever lower detail you choose, make sure water does not remain trapped around the panel frame.
Do Double Slatted Panels Need Painting After Installation?
No immediate decorative coating is required simply because the panels have been installed.
The current range is pressure treated for outdoor use.
If you later want to change the colour, a compatible exterior timber coating can be considered once the timber is sufficiently dry and prepared according to the coating manufacturer's instructions.
Will The Green/Natural Colour Change?
Yes.
Pressure-treated timber changes appearance as it is exposed to sunlight and weather.
The initial green/natural tone should not be expected to remain exactly the same indefinitely.
Natural variation between individual pieces of timber is also normal.
Should You Paint The Panels Before Installing Them?
If you intend to apply a decorative coating, doing some work before installation can make edges easier to reach.
However, make sure the treated timber is sufficiently dry and the coating is compatible.
You will also need to account for:
- Handling marks
- Fixing points
- Any unavoidable cuts
after installation.
How Do You Protect The Bottom Of Double Slatted Fence Panels?
Good installation is more useful than repeatedly coating a panel that is sitting in unsuitable conditions.
Focus on:
- Using gravel boards where appropriate
- Keeping soil below the panel
- Removing accumulated leaves
- Maintaining drainage
- Keeping dense planting under control
Should Plants Touch Double Slatted Fence Panels?
Some planting around a fence is normal.
Problems arise when dense growth keeps the timber damp or places significant weight on the slats.
Keep vigorous climbers and shrubs sufficiently controlled so you can still inspect:
- The panel frame
- Fixings
- Posts
- The lower edge
Can Climbers Be Fixed Directly To The Slats?
Light growth can sometimes be trained around a fence, but avoid repeatedly attaching heavy plant supports directly to thin decorative slats.
A separate wire or trellis support can be better for vigorous climbers.
This keeps the plant load independent from the decorative screening panel.
What Should You Check After Installation?
Before considering the project complete, inspect the full run.
Check:
- Every panel is level
- Posts are vertical
- The top line looks consistent
- Horizontal patterns align neatly
- Fixings are secure
- No slats were damaged during handling
- Panels are not sitting in soil
- Gravel boards are properly supported
- Gates open without touching the panels
Why Does A Double Slatted Panel Rattle?
Rattling after installation can indicate movement somewhere in the fence system.
Possible causes include:
- Loose panel fixings
- Excessive clearance in an existing post system
- A moving fence post
- Loose individual components
Identify the actual source instead of adding random screws through the decorative slats.
Why Is My Panel Leaning?
If the complete panel leans, check the posts first.
A rigid framed panel normally reflects the alignment of its supports.
Possible causes include:
- A post installed out of vertical
- Post movement after installation
- Uneven support underneath the panel
Moving the panel within a badly aligned fence system will not necessarily solve the underlying problem.
Why Do The Slats Look Uneven Between Panels?
The first thing to check is panel height.
If one panel is installed slightly higher than the next, the horizontal pattern can appear misaligned.
Also check:
- Gravel board level
- Post verticality
- Whether the panels are the same model and height
Can A Damaged Slat Be Repaired?
Minor damage may sometimes be repairable depending on how the panel is constructed.
Avoid dismantling a substantial section of the frame unless necessary.
If damage affects:
- Several slats
- The outer frame
- Major joints
complete panel replacement may be more practical.
Can One Double Slatted Fence Panel Be Replaced?
Yes, provided the posts and surrounding fence remain sound.
This is particularly straightforward in a compatible slotted post system where the old panel can be lifted and a correctly sized replacement lowered into the bay.
With timber posts, remove the existing fixings carefully and inspect the post surfaces before installing the new panel.
Will A Replacement Panel Match Older Panels?
A new pressure-treated panel can look different from older weathered timber.
Normal differences include:
- Colour
- Grain
- Knots
- Surface weathering
The replacement will also weather over time.
More importantly, make sure the panel construction and dimensions match the existing run closely enough to maintain the horizontal appearance.
Can You Install Double Slatted Fence Panels Yourself?
A capable DIY installer can fit framed fence panels, but the job involves more than simply placing panels between posts.
You need to be comfortable with:
- Accurate setting out
- Digging and installing posts
- Levelling
- Handling large timber panels
- Using exterior fixings
- Working with slopes and changes in level
Professional installation may be sensible where the boundary is long, heavily exposed, difficult to access or affected by significant ground-level changes.
Common Double Slatted Fence Panel Installation Mistakes
- Setting posts from an assumed 6ft measurement without checking the actual panel
- Failing to measure an existing bay at both top and bottom
- Forcing panels between leaning concrete posts
- Carrying the panel using individual slats
- Installing neighbouring panels at different heights
- Ignoring gravel board alignment
- Fixing through decorative slats instead of the substantial frame
- Using unsuitable indoor screws or brackets
- Allowing the lower timber frame to sit in wet soil
- Trying to rake a rigid framed panel down a slope
- Using decorative panels to retain soil
- Cutting the outer frame without considering how the panel is constructed
- Reusing posts simply because they have not fallen over
- Ignoring total fence height after adding a gravel board
- Adding heavy climbers directly to decorative slats
- Continuing the installation before checking the alignment of the first panel
Double Slatted Fence Panels Installation Checklist
- Measure the complete fence run.
- Check the actual panel dimensions.
- Choose the required panel height.
- Decide whether wooden or compatible concrete posts will be used.
- Plan gravel boards where appropriate.
- Calculate the finished boundary height.
- Set out a straight fence line.
- Install suitably substantial posts.
- Measure every replacement bay carefully.
- Support panels using their outer frames.
- Use two-person handling where appropriate.
- Keep each panel level.
- Check horizontal alignment between bays.
- Use suitable exterior fixings.
- Keep the timber panel away from damp soil.
- Step rigid panels rather than twisting them on slopes.
- Keep soil-retaining structures independent from the fence.
- Inspect the full fence before finishing the job.
FAQs
How Wide Are Double Slatted Fence Panels?
The current East Coast Fencing panels are nominally 6ft wide, approximately 1.83m.
What Heights Are Double Slatted Fence Panels Available In?
The current range includes nominal 3ft, 4ft, 5ft and 6ft heights.
Are Double Slatted Fence Panels Pressure Treated?
Yes. The current East Coast Fencing range is pressure treated and supplied in a green/natural finish.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Use Wooden Posts?
Yes. They can be secured to suitable timber posts using appropriate exterior brackets, clips or fixings.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Use Concrete Posts?
They can be installed in compatible slotted concrete post systems where the panel width and frame thickness suit the post arrangement.
Should Double Slatted Fence Panels Have Gravel Boards?
Gravel boards are worth considering because they help keep the timber panel away from soil, wet leaves and rain splash.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Touch The Ground?
It is preferable to keep the framed timber panel clear of persistent ground moisture.
Can You Carry A Double Slatted Panel By The Slats?
No. Support and lift the panel using its substantial outer frame rather than individual decorative slats.
Should Double Slatted Fence Panels Be Level?
Yes. Level installation is particularly important because the horizontal pattern makes differences between neighbouring panels easy to see.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Be Installed On A Slope?
Yes. Rigid framed panels are normally stepped between posts as the ground level changes.
Can You Rake Double Slatted Fence Panels?
Standard rigid framed panels should not normally be twisted out of square to follow a slope.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Be Cut To Width?
Modifying a finished framed decorative panel is possible only with careful reconstruction because cutting the outer frame can release or weaken the slatted assembly. Designing the bays around the panel dimensions is preferable.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Replace Existing Panels?
Yes, where the existing posts, gravel boards and bay dimensions are compatible and remain structurally sound.
Can They Replace Closeboard Panels?
Potentially. Measure the existing bay and check the new decorative panel frame against the post system before ordering.
Can They Replace Waney Lap Panels?
Potentially, provided the support system is suitable for the dimensions and construction of the replacement panel.
Should Old Posts Be Reused?
Only if they remain straight, secure and suitable for the new panels.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Retain Soil?
No. Ordinary decorative fence panels should not be treated as retaining walls.
Can Trellis Be Added Above Double Slatted Fence Panels?
Potentially, but additional screening needs appropriate structural support and increases the overall fence height and wind load.
Do Double Slatted Fence Panels Need Capping?
They already use a finished framed design, so separate straight Panel Capping should not automatically be added.
Can Double Slatted Fence Panels Be Painted?
A compatible exterior coating can be considered once the pressure-treated timber is sufficiently dry and correctly prepared.
Why Is My Double Slatted Fence Panel Rattling?
Check panel fixings, post movement, clearances and the panel frame before adding additional fixings.
Why Do My Panels Not Line Up?
Common causes include inconsistent gravel board height, panels installed out of level or posts that are leaning.
Can One Double Slatted Fence Panel Be Replaced?
Yes, provided a compatible replacement can be installed between sound existing posts.
Can You Install Double Slatted Fence Panels Yourself?
Yes, if you are comfortable setting posts accurately, handling large panels and maintaining consistent levels across the complete fence run.
What Is The Best Way To Install Double Slatted Fence Panels?
The quality of the finished fence is largely determined before the first panel is fixed.
Begin by measuring the actual panels and planning the complete run. Do not simply assume every bay should be exactly 6ft because the panels are sold using a nominal 6ft width.
Next, establish a straight line and install suitable posts accurately. A contemporary horizontal fence makes leaning posts and inconsistent levels particularly obvious, so take the time to get the structural framework right.
Use gravel boards where appropriate to separate the panel from damp soil and garden debris. Remember that a gravel board changes the total finished height of the boundary.
When the panels arrive, handle them by their outer frames rather than the individual slats. Position each panel level, compare its horizontal pattern with the neighbouring panel and only then secure it.
On slopes, keep the framed panels square and step them between posts. Do not distort a rigid decorative panel in an attempt to follow the gradient.
For replacement fencing, inspect the existing posts before concentrating on the new panels. A premium decorative panel will not remain properly aligned if the posts are already moving or leaning.
The main objective is consistency. Straight posts, correctly supported gravel boards, level panels and secure frame fixings allow the repeated horizontal design to do what it is intended to do: create a clean, modern fence line rather than drawing attention to installation errors.
