In this guide, Lumberjacks explain how closeboard fence panels work, how they are constructed, who they are best suited to and how wood stains can help prolong the life of your fencing. There's also a look at our extended August special offer on closeboard panels.
This article is a three-minute read.
If your garden fence has taken a few knocks over the summer holidays, whether that’s from endless footballs hitting them, energetic pets or simply years of exposure to the British weather, you may be thinking about replacing or upgrading your fence to something a little more durable.
Here, Lumberjacks look into closeboard fences and why they are a suitable choice if you are looking for something a little more durable.
Closeboard Fence Panels In Ipswich from Lumberjacks
At Lumberjacks, we supply high-quality closeboard fence panels from our Ipswich base. They are available in a range of sizes and are suitable for timber, concrete and metal DuraPost fencing systems.
If you have any questions about our range of closeboard panels, call us on 01473 461394 or complete our online contact form, and we will be happy to answer them.
What is a Closeboard Panel?
Closeboard panels are built from vertical feather edge boards – timber cut with a tapered profile, thick along one edge and thinner along the other, similar to a feather. Each board's thin edge sits behind the thick edge of the one before it, so the boards overlap tightly with no gaps. This is what gives closeboard its solid look, and it's also why the panel handles rain, wind and impacts better than fences made from thinner, lighter boards.
Why Closeboard Panels Suit an Active Summer Garden
With the school holidays here, gardens tend to get a lot more use – footballs against the fence, bikes propped up against it, and general everyday knocks and accidents that a fence rarely gets the rest of the year. The closeboard panel’s thicker boards and heavier frame are built to take that kind of punishment better than a standard lap panel, which uses thinner slats in a lighter frame that can crack or come loose under repeated impact.
What Garden Projects are Closeboard Panels Best Suited to?
Boundary Marking: Lower panels, from around 0.9m, work well for a front garden boundary that marks the edge of your property without blocking light or overlooking neighbours.
Privacy and Security: Taller panels, up to the full 1.8m, suit back gardens where privacy and security matter most, and where you want to keep kids and pets (and their toys) in rather than out.
Exposed or Windy Sites: Closeboard's heavier, vertical construction makes it a stronger choice than lap panels if your garden takes the brunt of the wind, or if you've got a long open run of boundary to cover.
Long-Term Value: The extra strength costs more upfront than a lap panel, but they provide a longer lifespan, typically 15-20 years (potentially 2-3x longer than lap panels), which can make them the more economical choice in the long run.
A Straightforward Upgrade and Maintenance
If your current fence posts are still structurally sound but the panels themselves are tired, closeboard panels are designed to be a direct replacement. However, if you do need to replace your posts too, we stock a wide range of Durapost, wooden, and concrete fence posts for customers all across Suffolk.
It is also worth fitting gravel boards to new or existing fencing. These sit underneath the timber panels, keeping them away from direct contact with the ground and helping to protect them against moisture and rot. They also provide some extra protection from accidental knocks caused by lawn mowers and other garden equipment, helping to prolong the life of your fence. At Lumberjacks, we stock a range of concrete, composite and wooden gravel boards.
If you have recently installed new fencing or want to get more life from your existing panels, a coat of wood stain or preservative can help protect the timber against weathering and moisture, extending its lifespan. To see our full selection of available wood treatments, click here.
How Can I Order My Closeboard Panels from Lumberjacks?
At Lumberjacks, we stock closeboard panels in seven sizes from our Ipswich base. Each panel is clad in 100mm feather edge boards on 32x75mm rails, with three or four rails depending on height, and comes complete with a capping piece. Panels are supplied in brown treatment as standard, with green available on request.
They are available in 6ft by 5'11", 6ft by 5'6", 6ft by 4'11", 6ft by 4'6", 6ft by 3'11", 6ft by 3'6" and 6ft by 2'11" sizes.
In addition, closeboard panels are currently 5% off, with our special extended offer that now runs through to the end of August (online orders only). To order your closeboard panels, simply click here.
Closeboard Fencing in Ipswich from Lumberjacks
As well as closeboard, we also stock waney lap, decorative and acoustic fencing, along with the posts and gravel boards to install them. If you're not sure which fence type best suits your garden or needs, call us on 01473 461394 or fill in the online form, and we will be happy to help.
We deliver across Suffolk, including Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Stowmarket and Hadleigh.
