Close board /feather edge fence, giving me a headache!

edthedead

We have a fence on the side of our garden which needs replacing, it is our fence according to the deeds (boo!). The fence is on a fair slope and approx 20 meters length. Currently it is a close board fence 1.65m tall with wooden posts and no gravel board. This is the same as the other side of the garden and the bit on the same side that does not need replacing.

I am trying to work out what is easiest/best to do and it is giving me a headache!

I was going to replace like for like using metal arris rail brackets, 1.65 meter boards and no gravel board. But 1.65m boards are difficult to get hold of and one of the suppliers has told me it is much easier to use the mortised rails and posts with a gravel board. They also said that the boards will rot in 4-5 years with out a gravel board, although the ones that are there have been there for much longer without rotting at the bottom.

Anyone got experience of DIY fencing and can offer advice?? Is it easier to use brackets or mortised rails?

2013yearofthehouse

All our feathers were cut to length individually on site, because the garden undulates a little, but we wanted the top on the fence to be smooth, so that we could have a capping rail. They are probably all roughly about 1.65m, but I think cut from 1.8m, I can't quite remember.

We have gravel boards. They give a solid base to line up the feathers. I think the gravel boards and posts are treated to a higher standard than the feathers, since they are the parts in contact with the ground, so should hopefully last longer. I guess if your garden slopes then gravel boards will be more tricky to install. Without them, you'd probably want well treated feathers instead, or just leave a gap so they don't touch the ground.

We have mortised rails, personally I think they look nicer (although they are the neighbours side, not ours).

Paula_Smith

Your fence will last for a long time if it is not in contact with the ground - the gravel board will probably be in contact with the ground and will therefore rot eventually, but can be replaced on its own. We had trouble with the vertical posts rotting through as the metposts they were in had been knocked in too far - keep the bottom of the posts clear of the ground. Also - if you do your own car servicing, soak the bottom of the vertical posts in old engine oil before putting them in (but consider the environmental impact before doing so)