Square Rails

Order Square Rails for Strong, Straight Fence Building

Square rails are the workhorse timbers that turn posts and cladding into a long‑lived, good‑looking fence. Choose straight, pressure‑treated rails from East Coast Fencing to create a stable backbone for picket, slatted and closeboard styles, with clean arrises that take fixings well and hold lines true through the seasons. Whether you’re building bays from scratch or upgrading tired runs, the right rail section keeps panels quiet in wind, doors hanging true and sightlines crisp from every angle. Add the lengths you need to basket today and take advantage of free delivery on orders £99+.

Why square rails—and where they excel

Unlike thin battens or undersized sections, properly sized square rails resist racking and spread loads evenly across posts. They’re the go‑to for picket fencing (pales fix directly), slatted screens (consistent spacing stays consistent) and custom closeboard (boards nail to rails for a dense, private skin). With good rails you’ll notice fewer creaks, straighter skylines and hardware that keeps its alignment year after year.

Sections, spans and planning the frame

Match rail section to span and cladding weight. Low, open fences can use slimmer rails; tall privacy runs demand heavier stock and closer centres. For closeboard at typical garden heights, plan three horizontal rails per bay; two may suffice for lower dividers. Keep post centres sensible—shorter bays perform better in wind—and align rail positions across the run so fixings land in tidy rows.

Pair rails with the right posts and cladding

Rails do their best work when tied into solid posts and compatible boards. For a warm, adaptable framework, pair with straight, pressure‑treated timber posts; if you favour minimal maintenance and easy bay planning, mount a timber frame between concrete posts. For traditional privacy, fix feather edge boards to the rails with disciplined overlap; to simplify or mix approaches, you can switch some lines to ready‑made closeboard panels. Where rails form the backbone of picket fencing, choose consistent stock for straight pale spacing and a satisfying rhythm down the street.

Square or cant rail—what’s the difference?

Square rails give a uniform face that makes fixing straightforward in any orientation. If you’re building pure closeboard, sloped‑top cant rails offer a weather‑shedding profile at the top edge; many installers mix formats: cant at the top to protect end grain, square for mid and bottom rails where simplicity and holding power matter most.

Fixings, brackets and neat detailing

Use galvanised or stainless fixings from our screws, fixings & fasteners range, sized to the section so they bite firmly without bursting through. Pre‑drill near edges on dry stock to prevent splitting and align screw heads in straight lines for a professional look. When rails meet concrete posts, choose brackets designed for masonry; keep packers compatible and avoid improvised wedges that trap water.

Base and top protection—build a system

Below, lift cladding out of splash zones with timber gravel boards or belt‑and‑braces concrete alternatives; above, finish with a capping rail to shed water and visually tie bays together. This simple “bookend” approach dramatically reduces maintenance on closeboard and keeps slatted screens straighter for longer.

Working around gates and corners

Rails set gate geometry: keep hinge and latch post rails level and reinforced so the leaf hangs true. Match the height datum across corners so the skyline doesn’t wobble; mitre rail ends neatly and secure them with through‑fixings or brackets so movement doesn’t open joints over time. On sloping ground, decide early whether to rake or step; either way, keep rail spacing consistent and your fence will read intentional.

Finish and colour

Pressure‑treated rails can be left natural, stained to match cladding or painted in design‑led schemes. Dark tones recede behind planting; pale tints brighten narrow passages. Treat any fresh cuts during installation and keep planters off the rail line so timber can breathe between showers.

Safety, speed and best practice

Support long rails while cutting, wear eye protection and lift in teams for heavier stock. Set out all bays dry before final fixing—it’s faster to correct a millimetre here and there than to backtrack with a driver. If you’re starting from scratch, anchor posts with a dependable mix from our cement products category and cap posts at the end for a finished, weather‑smart look.

Order once, build better

Choose straight, well‑treated square rails, match them with suitable posts and cladding, and install with disciplined fixings. Your reward is a quieter, straighter fence that looks professional from day one and stays that way with minimal fuss. Add the lengths you need to basket now—free delivery applies on orders £99+ at East Coast Fencing.