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11 April 2026
What's the Best Type of Fence for an Essex Garden?
Closeboard, lap, slatted or composite. Which fence lasts longest in Essex weather, what it costs per metre, and the post system that beats them all.
Fences fail for two reasons in Essex: wind (we get hit by southwesterlies funnelling up the Thames Estuary) and rotten posts. Pick the right panel system and you will get 20+ years. Pick wrong, and you are rebuilding after the next storm.
Fence panel types compared
1. Closeboard (feather-edge), the workhorse
- Vertical overlapping boards on a horizontal arris rail frame.
- Lifespan: 20 to 25 years on concrete posts.
- Cost: £55 to £80 per metre installed (1.8m high).
- Best for: main garden boundaries, security, wind resistance.
- Verdict: if you do not know what to pick, pick this.
2. Lap panel, the budget option
- Horizontal overlapping waney-edge planks in a frame.
- Lifespan: 8 to 12 years.
- Cost: £35 to £55 per metre installed.
- Best for: rentals, short-term boundaries, tight budgets.
- Verdict: cheap and cheerful. Cracks and warps faster than closeboard.
3. Slatted or contemporary, the modern look
- Horizontal slats with deliberate gaps, usually pressure-treated softwood or hardwood.
- Lifespan: 15 to 20 years.
- Cost: £85 to £140 per metre installed.
- Best for: modern gardens, screening with airflow.
- Verdict: beautiful but does not give privacy in winter when you can see right through.
4. Composite, the no-maintenance one
- Recycled plastic and wood fibre. No painting, no rotting.
- Lifespan: 25+ years (most carry a 20-year warranty).
- Cost: £130 to £200 per metre installed.
- Best for: people who never want to touch a fence again.
- Verdict: expensive upfront, cheapest over 25 years.
5. Picket, for front gardens
- Low (typically 0.9 to 1.2m), spaced vertical pales.
- Cost: £45 to £70 per metre installed.
- Best for: front gardens, decorative use, defining a space without blocking light.
The post system matters more than the panel
This is where most fences fail. Three options:
| Post type | Lifespan | Cost diff | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timber post (set in concrete) | 7 to 10 years | Cheapest | Rots at ground level. Avoid. |
| Concrete post + gravel board | 25+ years | +£8 to £12 per metre | What we always use. |
| Steel post (Durapost or Postsaver) | 25+ years | +£15 to £25 per metre | Modern look, narrower profile, brilliant for slatted. |
Concrete posts with a 150mm concrete gravel board at the bottom means no timber touching the ground, which means no rot. That is the secret.
Wind ratings and Essex weather
- A solid 1.8m closeboard fence catches a lot of wind. We dig posts 600mm deep into postcrete, not 300mm.
- For exposed spots near the coast (Southend, Leigh, Maldon estuary), consider hit-and-miss boarding. Alternating boards on each side let wind through and hold up to gusts.
- Anything over 2m needs planning permission. Under 2m is permitted (1m if next to a highway).
What is included in our fence installs
- Free site visit and measure-up.
- Concrete posts and gravel boards as standard (timber posts only if you ask).
- Old fence and post removal plus disposal.
- Postcrete on every post, set 600mm deep.
- Caps, capping rail (closeboard) and clean-up.
- 12-month workmanship guarantee.
Typical Essex fence prices (1.8m high closeboard, concrete posts)
| Length | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| 10m run | £650 to £900 |
| 25m run | £1,500 to £2,100 |
| 50m run (full garden) | £2,800 to £4,000 |
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