Buy Ultra Heavy Duty Closeboard Fence Panels for Maximum Privacy and Storm-Ready Strength
If you need a boundary that looks smart and shrugs off the very worst weather, Ultra Heavy Duty Closeboard Fence Panels are the premium choice. East Coast Fencing’s most robust closeboard panels combine dense, vertical feather edge cladding with oversized back rails, reinforced framing and a fitted capping rail—engineered for exposed plots, busy side returns and long, straight runs where failure isn’t an option. Choose your height, match with correctly specified posts and a protective base detail, and order today with the peace of mind that comes from free delivery on orders £99+.
Why step up to ultra heavy duty?
Standard closeboard is strong; heavy duty is stronger; ultra heavy duty pushes performance even further. You’ll feel the weight the moment you lift a panel—and you’ll hear the difference the first windy night it’s up: less rattle, more stillness, and noticeably better acoustic dampening than lighter overlap styles. The reinforced rails resist racking, the denser cladding tightens joints against prying eyes and gusts, and the continuous capping sheds water cleanly so the fence ages gracefully instead of streaking. If previous storms have tested your boundary, or you simply want to build once and forget it, this specification earns its keep.
Sizes, heights and planning your bay centres
Panels are built around \~1.83m centres for straightforward layout. Heights range from modest screens to full 1.8m privacy. On sloping sites, step bays neatly rather than chasing the fall with a slanted top line; select longer posts at step points to maintain embedment. For very exposed or extra-long runs, shorten bay widths or increase post section to reduce bending moments. Consistency is everything: a taut string line and disciplined centres keep the skyline calm and stop small deviations compounding along the boundary.
Posts and base details—spec the system, not just the panel
Ultra panels deserve ultra-reliable supports. For minimal maintenance and easy future swaps, pair with slotted concrete fence posts. For a warmer, cohesive look and easier on-site adjustments, choose appropriately sized wooden fence posts—but size up for height and exposure. At ground level, protect the panel edge with concrete gravel boards in high-traffic corridors or damp soils; where a continuous timber tone is preferred, opt for wooden gravel boards. Together, these components create a base datum that speeds installation and significantly extends service life.
Construction markers of quality
Look for clean arrises, straight stock and disciplined fixings that align rail to rail. The beauty of closeboard comes from rhythm—consistent overlaps that shed rain down the face, a capping rail that ties bays visually, and rails that land at matching heights across the run. Pressure treatment in brown or green defends against decay in damp UK conditions; seal any on-site cuts with end-grain treatment to protect fibres where water intrusion starts.
Installation best practice for straight, quiet results
Set end and corner posts first and pull a taut string at the final top height. Dig holes wide enough for a proper surround; on soft ground add a compacted granular base for drainage and stability. With slotted concrete posts, seat your gravel board in the lower slot, slide the panel above, then pack level with compatible shims—not ad-hoc wedges that trap water and buzz in wind. With timber posts, pre-drill near edges, use exterior-grade galvanised or stainless fixings, and avoid over-tightening, which can crush fibres and introduce squeaks. Cap posts at the end for a finished silhouette and added protection; for detailing tips, see our practical post caps & capping rails guide.
Wind exposure, security and neighbourly comfort
Ultra Heavy Duty Closeboard gives instant privacy and a secure feel, ideal around seating areas, bin stores and overlooked patios. On severely exposed sites (coastal, hillside or wind tunnels), consider mixing occasional semi-open bays—such as hit & miss fence panels—to bleed pressure while keeping the overall look predominantly solid. A taller gravel board reduces base gaps for pet security and protects the lower edge from mower and strimmer scuffs.
Integration with gates, corners and services
Where the run meets an access point, keep bay widths even so the line reads intentional. Choose a compatible leaf from our garden gates or decorative gates collections and hang with weather-smart hardware from garden gate furniture. Around downpipes and cables, notch rails neatly, treat fresh cuts and maintain clearance for future maintenance. On corners, carry rail datums through so the skyline feels continuous even as the boundary turns.
Finish, colour and planting
Pressure-treated panels can be left to mellow naturally; darker stains modernise and make planting pop; lighter tints brighten narrow side returns. Repeat colours across capping, posts and any topper trellis to maintain a composed scheme. Near patios and porcelain paving, deep brown or charcoal grounds the composition and lets greenery take the spotlight.
Fixings, brackets and foundations you can trust
Use exterior-grade screws and brackets from screws, fixings & fasteners. For quick, repeatable footings with minimal mess, a bagged rapid-set from cement products keeps pace over long days; where you need sculpted haunching or complex corners, traditional mixes give working time. If mixing materials—timber rails between concrete posts—use purpose-made packers, not improvised wedges that trap moisture.
Maintenance—little habits, long life
Brush off leaf build-up each autumn, keep soil and mulch below the board line and avoid aggressive jet-washing near joints. Inspect fixings every spring; tighten lightly and refresh decorative finishes as needed. With thoughtful detailing and seasonal checks, ultra heavy duty closeboard remains quieter and smarter year after year.
Ready to build the strongest boundary on the street?
Specify Ultra Heavy Duty Closeboard Fence Panels, pair with correctly sized fence posts and gravel boards, then install to a clear datum. Add your chosen heights to basket now and check out with confidence—free delivery on orders £99+ and East Coast Fencing’s trade-smart guidance make tough projects straightforward.