If you’re weighing up which fence panels to choose this year, it helps to know what British homeowners and tradespeople actually buy. We’ve analysed a full year of East Coast Fencing’s order data and converted it into percentages (to keep commercially sensitive figures private). The result is a clear, data-led picture of the UK’s favourite panel styles and why they’re winning out. Whether you’re planning a full boundary upgrade or refreshing a single run, these insights will help you choose with confidence.
As a quick refresher, our range spans every project type—from closeboard fence panels built for strength and privacy to style-forward decorative fence panels, classic picket fence panels and great-value waney lap fence panels. Below, we break down popularity by share, explore what’s driving demand, and show the best way to build a long-lasting garden boundary around each choice.
Key Statistics at a Glance
- Closeboard panels lead decisively, accounting for 53% of all fence panels purchased in the last 12 months.
- Waney lap panels take second place with a 22% share, reflecting their continued appeal for cost-effective coverage.
- Picket panels make up 14%, a strong showing driven by front-of-property kerb appeal and planning-friendly heights.
- Decorative panels represent 11%, popular where style and light flow matter just as much as privacy.
Put another way, closeboard panels are roughly five times as popular as decorative designs, nearly four times as popular as picket, and about 2.4 times as popular as waney lap. That tells you a lot about what the UK values in 2025: robust privacy, long life, and year-round resilience.
How to Read the Numbers (and Why We Publish Percentages Only)
We’ve calculated category shares from a full 12-month window of completed UK orders, then expressed the results as percentages. This approach keeps your insights sharp while safeguarding our internal volumes. When we say “53% closeboard”, we mean that if you picked any panel from a recent order, there’s a one-in-two chance it was closeboard—not that we’ve revealed how many were sold. The benefit to you is a realistic sense of what performs in gardens like yours, without the noise of raw counts or seasonal spikes.
Closeboard: The UK’s First Choice for Privacy and Strength (53%)
Closeboard panels dominate for a reason. Built with overlapping feather edge boards, they stand up to wind, offer superior privacy, and age handsomely with the right treatment plan. If you’re fencing a rear boundary that faces prevailing winds or open fields, closeboard is the dependable workhorse that keeps looking good year after year.
At East Coast Fencing, we offer multiple closeboard options so you can match budget, strength and finish:
- Closeboard Fence Panels – the all-round, most-chosen solution.
- Heavy Duty Closeboard – extra rigidity when exposure is a concern.
- Ultra Heavy Duty Closeboard – the belt-and-braces choice for high-wind sites.
Pairing matters just as much as the panel. For longevity, most customers team closeboard with concrete fence posts and concrete gravel boards, creating a damp-proof plinth that keeps timber up off the ground and markedly reduces rot risk. Prefer a warmer look? Opt for wooden fence posts with wooden gravel boards to maintain a fully timber aesthetic.
Waney Lap: Value and Versatility Keep This Classic in Second (22%)
Waney lap’s enduring popularity is about honest value: a traditional board-on-frame design that gives you privacy without breaking the bank. At 22% of purchases, waney lap is still the go-to for long runs where cost per metre matters and you’re working to a sensible budget.
Today’s customers often upgrade the supporting components while keeping the panel affordable—think concrete posts to minimise maintenance and gravel boards to guard against wet ground. For smoother tops and a tidier finish, consider panel capping across the run.
Picket: Kerb Appeal and Compliance Drive Strong Demand (14%)
At 14% of sales, picket panels punch above their weight for front gardens, cottage boundaries and plots where you want a welcome rather than a wall. They’re popular in conservation areas and developments where lower heights are preferred or required, and they deliver charm without compromising the visual connection between house and street.
Explore our picket fence panels, then match with picket gates for a cohesive, friendly entrance. If you’re defining areas inside the garden—around play equipment or kitchen-garden beds—picket’s lightness and visibility are an advantage.
Decorative: Design-Led Screening for Stylish Spaces (11%)
Decorative panels account for 11% of purchases, and they’re the favourites for outdoor rooms, terraces and areas where you want filtered light and architectural interest. They’re the best choice when you’re not just building a boundary—you’re completing a designed outdoor space.
Explore customer favourites across our decorative fence panels category:
- Single Slatted & Double Slatted – contemporary lines and semi-privacy.
- Omega Lattice – softer, classic detailing that pairs well with planting.
- Hit & Miss – airflow-friendly construction that looks sharp on both sides.
Popularity Index: How Each Category Compares to an Even Split
If we imagine popularity divided evenly between four panel styles, each would take 25%. But the market isn’t even. Here’s how each category stacks up against that baseline:
- Closeboard: ≈212% of the even baseline (a clear leader).
- Waney Lap: ≈88% of baseline (solid second place).
- Picket: ≈56% of baseline (niche but important).
- Decorative: ≈44% of baseline (design-led, project-specific).
Ratios That Matter (Real-World Meaning)
Percentages are useful, but ratios help you think like a specifier:
- Closeboard vs Decorative: ~5:1 — If a landscaping firm installs one decorative panel this week, chances are they’ll install around five closeboard.
- Closeboard vs Picket: ~3.8:1 — Privacy panels still outpace front-garden choices.
- Closeboard vs Waney Lap: ~2.4:1 — Where budgets allow, buyers often step up to the added strength of closeboard.
- Waney Lap vs Picket: ~1.6:1 — Proof that privacy panels still dominate secondary boundaries, even in decorative-minded gardens.
Quick Reference Table: Shares & Use-Cases
| Panel Type | Share of Sales | Popularity Rank | Typical Use-Case | Good To Pair With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closeboard | 53% | 1st | Rear boundaries, windy plots, high privacy | Concrete Posts + Concrete Gravel Boards |
| Waney Lap | 22% | 2nd | Cost-effective privacy across long runs | Gravel Boards + Panel Capping |
| Picket | 14% | 3rd | Front gardens, pathways, internal zoning | Picket Gates + Garden Gates |
| Decorative | 11% | 4th | Terraces, screening, light-friendly partitions | Fence Topper Trellis + Trellis Panels |
Why Closeboard Wins: The Practical Drivers Behind 53%
Closeboard’s lead isn’t just habit—it’s a confluence of performance and predictability:
- Wind performance: Overlapping boards shed gusts better than many lightweight designs.
- Privacy: Tightly stacked feather edge boards give immediate, consistent screening.
- Repairability: Individual boards can be replaced, extending service life and keeping maintenance predictable.
- Finish options: Takes stain beautifully (deep browns, heritage greens, and contemporary charcoals are popular choices).
For best results, install on concrete fence posts with concrete gravel boards, and consider feather edge gates for a consistent look at access points.
Where Waney Lap Shines: Value Engineering Without the Eyesore
Waney lap’s value proposition is straightforward: modest spend, solid privacy. Many customers also like its familiar, traditional look. If you’re replacing a tired boundary on a rental property or extending a line to cover a larger plot, waney lap is a sensible pick that looks the part—especially when you dress the run with panel capping and finish posts neatly.
Picket Panels: The Case for “Seeing Through” a Fence
There are practical reasons picket keeps a double-digit share. Lower, open profiles can be more neighbourly at the front of a property, give planting room to breathe, and keep sightlines to driveways and footpaths clear. Picket also pairs nicely with cottage and coastal styles; our picket panels are a quick way to bring that charm to a modern plot.
Decorative Designs: Modern Gardens Want Texture and Light
As outdoor rooms evolve, more customers are choosing panels that screen without shutting spaces down. Slatted and lattice patterns add rhythm and texture, especially when combined with layered planting. If you’re building a garden that works day and night, decorative designs give you pockets of privacy without blocking the glow of festoon or sconces.
Add-Ons That Extend Service Life (Whatever You Choose)
Durability isn’t just about the panel—it’s about the system. The data shows that even value-led projects last longer when they invest in the right support and protection:
- Posts: Concrete fence posts resist rot and weathering; wooden fence posts offer a cohesive timber look.
- Gravel boards: Concrete and wooden gravel boards keep panels off damp ground, reducing decay at the base.
- Trellis & toppers: Add height or style with fence topper trellis and broader trellis panels.
- Sleepers & edging: For terracing and planters, pair your boundary with railway sleepers to match levels and protect soil edges.
Design Considerations by Category (with Practical Tips)
Closeboard
- Height planning: Most rear boundaries work well at 1.8 m; check local rules and neighbour agreements.
- Line & level: Use string lines and spirit levels religiously—straight lines are your most visible quality marker.
- Finish: Treat with a good exterior woodcare product; re-coat per manufacturer guidance.
Waney Lap
- Ground contact: Always include gravel boards to avoid splashback and moisture wicking.
- Bracing: On exposed runs, consider intermediate posts at sensible intervals to minimise flex.
Picket
- Spacing: Keep picket spacing consistent—uneven gaps will draw the eye.
- Gate alignment: Match the picket pattern and finishing detail across garden gates for a seamless look.
Decorative
- Privacy bands: Use decorative for foreground screening and switch to closeboard at the rear where privacy is critical.
- Planting synergy: Lattice and slatted patterns pair beautifully with climbers and upright grasses.
What the Shares Suggest About UK Gardens in 2025
The numbers paint a consistent picture: British buyers value privacy, sturdiness, and low fuss. That’s why closeboard commands a majority share. But the supporting acts are important: waney lap keeps projects accessible, picket protects the charm of frontages, and decorative panels elevate designed spaces. The distribution is healthy and hints at a mature market where customers choose fit-for-purpose solutions rather than chasing a single trend.
Choosing by Project Outcome (Not Just by Popularity)
Popularity is a smart proxy for performance, but the best fence is the one that solves your site constraints and aesthetic goals:
- Need maximum privacy and longevity? Go closeboard with concrete posts and concrete gravel boards.
- Covering a long run on a budget? Choose waney lap, then upgrade the posts and plinth.
- Front garden or internal zoning? Pick picket for visibility and charm.
- Design-led terrace or screen? Browse decorative panels for light-friendly structure.
Specification Checklist (Save This Before You Order)
- Posts: Concrete for longevity, timber for warmth.
- Footings: Depth suited to soil and exposure; use proper cement products and backfill.
- Plinth: Always include gravel boards to protect panel bottoms.
- Caps & capping: Finish posts and panel tops to shed water and tidy the line.
- Gates: Match style and height with garden gates for a consistent boundary.
- Ironmongery: Use quality gate furniture for smooth operation and long service life.
Installation Notes That Pay You Back
Even the best panel can underperform if installed poorly. Here are field-tested tips that increase durability and satisfaction, regardless of style:
- Post alignment: A post out of plumb telegraphs down the line—take the extra minute to correct it.
- Drainage: Keep soil and mulch below the gravel board to prevent constant damp at timber interfaces.
- Expansion & movement: Timber moves—allow for it in fixings and spacing to avoid creaks and squeaks later.
- Neighbour lines: Agree boundaries and heights upfront; it’s easier than renegotiating mid-install.
Beyond Panels: Finishing Touches That Customers Love
More customers are treating the boundary as part of the garden design rather than an afterthought. That’s where trellis, lighting and planting come in:
- Trellis toppers: Add controlled height with fence topper trellis for privacy that still breathes.
- Standalone trellis: Use trellis panels to screen bins, oil tanks or air-source heat pumps without boxing them in.
- Planting: Grasses and climbers soften long runs and reduce visual mass; choose species that won’t overwhelm fixings.
Summary: What to Do with This Data
The market has spoken: over the past year, closeboard is the UK’s favourite fence panel by a clear margin, backed by homeowners and pros alike. Waney lap remains a cost-efficient way to achieve privacy across longer lines. Picket keeps thriving where charm and sightlines matter, and decorative designs are the discerning choice for contemporary screening and outdoor rooms.
Ready to start? Explore the full fence panels range, select your posts (concrete or timber), add gravel boards, and top it off with trellis where you want extra height or style. If you’d like help specifying a full system for wind exposure, slopes or tricky corners, our team is happy to advise.