Storm-proof garden fencing isn’t about building the burliest barrier you can. It’s about intelligent design that lets wind pass, anchors loads safely to the ground, and specifies components that behave well together for decades. In this long-form guide, we break down every practical decision—from panel style and posts to gravel boards, rails, and fixings—so you can create a boundary that looks great, respects neighbours, and stands up to Britain’s blustery weather.

At East Coast Fencing we’ve supplied more than 200,000 panels, so we’ve seen what works in back gardens, roof terraces, coastal plots, and everything in between. Below you’ll find proven approaches, example build recipes, and links to the exact categories you’ll need to plan and price your project with confidence.

Why some fences fail (and how yours won’t)

When strong winds hit a solid surface, pressure rises on the windward side and drops on the leeward side, creating suction. The panel becomes a “sail”, transferring force into the posts and foundations. Fences usually fail at one of four points: the post (rot/fracture), the post footing (poor depth or weak backfill), the connections (undersized fixings, corroded screws), or the panel itself (too rigid for the exposure). The fix is to treat the fence as a system: match the panel’s permeability to your site, size posts correctly, protect the base with a gravel board, and choose corrosion-resistant fixings.

Start with the right panel style for your exposure

You don’t have to sacrifice style to beat the wind. Choose a look that suits your home and garden while managing airflow intelligently.

Closeboard for strength and privacy

Closeboard fence panels remain the UK’s most dependable option for full privacy and robustness. For high-exposure plots or boundary runs that capture strong crosswinds, consider stepping up to ultra heavy duty closeboard panels—these use more substantial timbers and tighter build tolerances to resist racking and deformation. On sheltered urban plots, our fence panels category gives you broad choice to suit setting and budget.

Let wind breathe through slatted and hit-and-miss designs

Permeable designs allow wind to pass through the panel, cutting pressure. Consider double slatted fence panels for a premium, contemporary look with partial privacy, or hit & miss fence panels for an honest, timeless style that balances airflow and screening. Decorative curves like omega lattice fence panels bring softness to straight runs while reducing the “sail” effect at the top where bending moments are greatest.

Classic value with waney lap

If you’re prioritising value, waney lap fence panels can be a sensible choice in modest exposure zones. Combine them with well-sized posts and a proper gravel board for best durability. For cottage gardens and playful borders, picket fence panels provide high permeability and a cheerful look—perfect for frontages, play areas, and where you want wind to slip through freely.

Topper trellis: pressure relief with style

Instead of running a solid panel to full height, use a privacy panel below and a permeable topper above. This reduces peak wind loads where bending forces are highest and makes the boundary feel lighter.

Posts: the unsung heroes

Your choice of post dictates the fence’s long-term behaviour under wind loads. Timber posts are warm and versatile; concrete posts are dimensionally stable and resistant to rot. The right answer depends on your preferred look, exposure, and the panel system.

Timber posts for a natural finish

Wooden fence posts harmonise with gardens and natural materials. Use appropriately sized sections, keep the grain orientation mindful when fixing rails, and always isolate the panel from ground contact using a gravel board. Deep, well-compacted footings and quality fixings are non-negotiable.

Concrete posts for set-and-forget reliability

Concrete fence posts excel in exposed sites, clay soils, and areas prone to waterlogging. They pair perfectly with concrete gravel boards, creating a low-maintenance base that shields panels from splashback and standing water. For timber-forward schemes, combine concrete posts with wooden gravel boards to keep the aesthetic softer while protecting panel feet.

Don’t skip the gravel board

Whether you choose timber or concrete posts, a gravel board is essential. It lifts the panel clear of ground moisture, stops soil creep, and creates a crisp datum for neat stepping on slopes. Explore our combined category of gravel boards or go straight to concrete or wooden options.

Rails, boards, and cappings that make a difference

In closeboard builds, the quality of the rails and boards is the backbone of performance. Choose straight, dense timber, use enough fixings, and cap the top to shed water.

Groundworks: footings that hold in foul weather

Footings do two jobs: they keep posts upright and they spread loads into ground that isn’t going anywhere. Dig below the frost line and into firm subsoil—typical domestic posts are set 600–750 mm deep, more for tall fences or soft ground. Maintain a neat bell-shape at the base, tamp in layers, and ensure the “shoulder” of concrete slopes away from the post to shed water. Where excavation isn’t possible (services, tree roots, heritage paving), fence post spikes/supports can work for light-duty, lower fences, but concrete footings remain the gold standard in exposed areas.

Fixings & hardware that won’t give up

Every connection is a potential weak point under fluctuating loads. Choose coated or stainless fixings sized for the duty and fix through solid timber, not end grain, wherever possible.

Gates and transitions: where fences work hardest

Openings concentrate loads, especially when the gate catches wind. Build in extra strength at the latch and hinge posts, size gate posts generously, and keep the gate height aligned with the fence’s airflow approach.

Layout tactics that tame the wind

Good layouts make structures feel calmer and more permanent:

  • Step heights gracefully on slopes using gravel boards as the datum; avoid awkward wedges and gaps.
  • Return panels into the garden at ends and corners to triangulate loads (common in agricultural fencing for a reason).
  • Break long runs with a feature bay, a trellis section, or a planting screen to reduce continuous “sail” area.
  • Use planting as a wind filter—ornamental grasses and layered shrubs slow gusts before they hit the boundary.

Three proven system recipes (good, better, best)

Here are simple build recipes that balance budget, look, and long-term performance. Click through to explore each component.

System Panel Posts Gravel Board Top Detail Best For
Good Waney Lap Timber Posts Timber Gravel Board Timber Capping Sheltered plots, budget-led runs
Better Hit & Miss Concrete Posts Concrete Gravel Board Topper Trellis Moderate exposure, privacy with airflow
Best Double Slatted Concrete Posts Concrete Gravel Board Diamond Trellis Coastal or windy sites, premium finish
Tip: Mix systems across one garden—use “best” for exposed sections and “good” where sheltered.

A quick look at airflow (indicative)

The chart below illustrates how more open designs relieve wind pressure. Values are indicative for design thinking—not laboratory measurements—and help you compare styles at a glance.

Step-by-step planning (from first sketch to final screw)

1) Map the boundary, microclimate, and purpose

Start with a simple sketch of your boundary showing lengths, corners, level changes, and service locations. Note prevailing winds, funnel effects between buildings, and exposed corners. Decide whether privacy, style continuity, or affordability is the top priority—and where you can trade off.

2) Choose panel styles zone-by-zone

Match each run to an appropriate panel. Use decorative fence panels for feature areas and social gardens, closeboard where privacy is essential, and permeable styles like double slatted where winds rise. Keep the top line consistent with capping or a trellis theme across the site.

3) Size posts and set spacing

Standard domestic bays are around 1.8 m, but nothing stops you tightening spacing in exposed zones to reduce panel “sail”. For heavy panels, larger posts add stiffness and are kinder to fixings over time—especially for gates and corners. Explore options under fence posts.

4) Protect the base with the right gravel board

We recommend a gravel board on every run, even over hard landscaping. It isolates the panel from splashback and puddling, extends life, and makes stepping neat on changing levels. Shop our gravel boards—you’ll find both concrete and timber choices.

5) Confirm fixings, ironmongery, and consumables

Wind-resistant projects demand proper fasteners, brackets, and through-bolts. Build your list from screws, fixings & fasteners and ironmongery, then add cement products to suit soil and hole size.

6) Consider features and companion structures

Use railway sleepers for low retaining walls, planters, and level changes—they decouple soil loads from your fence and add mass against gusts. For internal screening, custom dividers with timber battens or traditional trellis create sheltered pockets without hard walls.

Build notes that pay off for decades

  • Footing consistency: Keep hole diameters and depths consistent—one poor footing will work itself loose first.
  • Drainage matters: Ensure water runs away from posts; top off with a smooth, sloped “shoulder”.
  • Staggered joints: If site-building closeboard, stagger rail joints and avoid clustering fixings at a single height.
  • Seal cut ends: Re-treat any cut timber edges immediately to protect against moisture.
  • Avoid end-grain screws: Where possible, fix into face grain for long-term holding power.

Maintenance that keeps the wind at bay

Storm-resilient fences are not “fit and forget”—they’re “fit and minimal touch”. A short annual routine keeps everything crisp:

  • After each winter blow: Walk the line, check for loose caps, lifted gravel boards, and leaning posts.
  • Spring: Clear soil build-up, re-tighten fixings, and trim back vegetation.
  • Summer: Spot-treat any scuffs or cuts to pressure-treated timber and refresh finishes if used.
  • Autumn: Clear leaves from bases and ensure water can’t pool around posts.

Design inspirations for different garden types

Coastal courtyard

Coastal winds punish solid screens. Choose double slatted panels over concrete posts and concrete gravel boards, then finish with slatted trellis toppers. Return a short bay at the ends to brace the run and add planters built from sleepers as wind baffles.

Modern urban terrace

Privacy counts, but so does light. Combine decorative panels on social sides with closeboard for bedroom windows. Keep the top line consistent with topper trellis and carry the slatted language through to bin stores with battens.

Large sloping garden

Mix systems: “best” spec for the hilltop stretch and “good” where the house creates shelter. Step neatly using gravel boards and let planting do heavy lifting—ornamental grasses make wonderful, moving wind filters that also protect the fence from the full brunt of gusts.

Common mistakes that shorten fence life

  • No gravel board: Panels wick moisture and rot early without a sacrificial base.
  • Shallow posts: Strong winds leverage long panels; go deeper rather than wider for footing stability.
  • Undersized fixings: Choose exterior-grade, corrosion-resistant screws and bolts sized for the job.
  • Ignoring gates: A poorly anchored gate post can compromise an entire bay—size it generously.
  • One-style-fits-all: Use breathable sections or toppers in exposed zones even if you prefer solid panels elsewhere.

Budgeting: where to spend and where to save

Spend first on foundations, posts, and the gravel board—these elements are the cost of long life. Panels and decorative details can be upgraded bay-by-bay over time. If you’re phasing, consider starting with the most exposed or most visible run, then continue around the boundary as time and budget allow. Our category pages help you cost each component clearly:

Sustainability, durability, and design responsibility

Storm-proof thinking is inherently sustainable: a fence that doesn’t fail avoids the embodied carbon of replacement. Choose responsibly treated timber, use components sized to last, and think about future adjustments—slatted bays, toppers, and modular panels let you adapt privacy and airflow if planting grows or neighbouring plots change. With careful planning, your boundary becomes part of a resilient garden ecosystem that protects planting, defines space, and ages gracefully.

Putting it all together: your action plan

  1. Walk your site: Note wind paths, slopes, and constraints.
  2. Pick your panel mix: Solid where sheltered, permeable where exposed; shortlist from fence panels.
  3. Select posts: Timber for warmth or concrete for ultimate reliability.
  4. Add a gravel board: Choose concrete or timber to protect panel feet.
  5. Finish the top line: Unify with capping and trellis.
  6. Specify fixings & consumables: Build a basket from fixings, ironmongery, and cement products.
  7. Phase intelligently: Tackle exposed runs first; leave sheltered sides for later if needed.

Why choose East Coast Fencing

With a 4.9/5 service rating and 15,000+ reviews, we’re trusted by homeowners, landscapers, and stockists for quality that shows on install day—and still shows years later. Our range spans closeboard, decorative styles, picket, and waney lap, plus everything beneath and between—posts, gravel boards, trellis, gates, and ironmongery. We help you deliver a boundary that looks brilliant, feels solid, and copes with British weather in style.

Ready to plan your storm-proof fence?

Explore the categories linked throughout this guide and build your shortlist. If you’d like expert eyes on your plan—post sizing, panel selection, or a mixed spec for different exposures—our team is here to help. Tell us about your garden, and we’ll help you make the weather an afterthought.