Outdoor LivingAugust 15, 2024 14 min read

Fencing & Garden Boundaries: Choosing the Right Fence for Cornwall

From closeboard to featheredge and bespoke timber screens, our guide to choosing and installing fencing that withstands the Cornish weather.

The Role of a Good Fence

A fence is more than a boundary marker. It provides privacy, security, shelter, and a backdrop to the garden. It defines the space, frames the views, and contributes significantly to the character of a property. A well-chosen, well-built fence is an asset; a poor one is a constant source of maintenance and a detractor from the home's appearance.

In Cornwall, fences face particular challenges: salt-laden coastal winds, driving rain, and the high humidity that encourages rot. A fence that would last twenty years inland may need replacing in ten on the coast, unless it is specified and built with the climate in mind. This guide covers the choices that make the difference.

We approach fencing with the same care we bring to all our carpentry — because a fence is, after all, a timber structure exposed to the harshest conditions any timber faces. Built well, it gives years of service; built poorly, it fails quickly and expensively.

Closeboard Fencing: The Durable Standard

Closeboard (or featheredge) fencing is the most durable and the most popular choice for Cornish gardens boundaries. It consists of vertical featheredged boards fixed to horizontal arris rails, supported by sturdy posts. The boards overlap, creating a solid, wind-resistant panel that is far stronger than the panel fencing it is often compared to.

The strength of closeboard fencing comes from its construction. Each board is individually fixed, so damage to one board does not compromise the whole panel, and the rails run continuously between posts, giving the fence real structural integrity. This makes it resistant to the wind loads that tear panel fencing apart, which is particularly valuable in exposed Cornish gardens.

We build closeboard fencing with pressure-treated timber throughout — posts, rails, and boards — and fix with stainless or galvanised nails to prevent the staining that cheaper fixings cause. The posts are concreted into the ground at appropriate centres (typically 1.8–2.4m) and the fence is finished with a gravel board at the base to keep the timber off the soil. Built this way, a closeboard fence will give 15–20 years of service.

Panel Fencing: The Budget Option

Panel fencing — pre-made panels of lap or waney boards fixed to a frame — is the cheaper, quicker option, and it has its place. For sheltered gardens, for temporary boundaries, or where budget is the overriding concern, panel fencing provides a reasonable solution. But it is important to understand its limitations.

Panel fencing is inherently weaker than closeboard because the panels are discrete units fixed between posts, rather than a continuous structure. In high winds, the panels take the full force and can be blown out, and once one panel goes, the others are more vulnerable. The panels also have a shorter lifespan, typically 8–10 years, because the thinner timber and lighter construction are more vulnerable to rot.

For exposed or coastal Cornish gardens, we generally advise against panel fencing in favour of closeboard. The modest saving on materials is quickly outweighed by the shorter lifespan and the cost of replacing panels lost to wind. For sheltered inland gardens, panel fencing can be a reasonable choice, and we are happy to supply and fit it where it is appropriate.

Post and Rail and Paddock Fencing

For rural and larger Cornish properties, post and rail fencing offers a traditional, open boundary that suits the landscape. It consists of sturdy posts with two or three horizontal rails, sometimes with wire or mesh attached for livestock. It is less about privacy and more about defining a boundary and containing animals.

Post and rail is the most economical way to fence a long boundary, and it has a characterful, rural look that suits the Cornish countryside. It is typically built in pressure-treated softwood, with mortised posts and tenoned rails for strength, concreted into the ground at 1.8m centres. With proper construction, it gives decades of service.

For a more refined look, cleft chestnut post and rail fencing offers a traditional, hand-made appearance with exceptional durability. The cleft (split rather than sawn) chestnut is naturally resistant to rot and lasts as long as any treated softwood. It is a beautiful choice for the right setting, and we are pleased to offer it.

Decorative and Bespoke Screens

Not every boundary needs to be a solid fence. For areas where privacy is wanted without the solidity of closeboard — around a patio, screening a bin store, or defining a seating area — decorative timber screens offer a more considered, more attractive solution.

We build slatted screens with fixed-gap battens on a timber frame, which provide partial screening and a contemporary look. The gap size can be varied for the level of privacy required, and the screens can be freestanding or fixed to existing walls. For a more decorative effect, we can build screens with patterned cut-outs, trellis panels, or a combination of materials.

These screens are as much a garden feature as a boundary, and they are worth investing in for areas that are seen and used. Built in durable timber with a quality finish, they give years of service and significantly enhance the spaces they define.

Posts: The Foundation of a Durable Fence

The posts are the foundation of any fence, and they are where most fences fail. A fence with rotting posts will lean, gap, and eventually collapse, regardless of the quality of the panels or boards between them. Specifying and installing posts correctly is the single most important factor in a fence's longevity.

We use pressure-treated timber posts of an appropriate size (typically 100mm for closeboard, 125mm for taller or more exposed fences), concreted into the ground to a depth of at least 600mm (deeper in exposed or soft-ground locations). The posts are set plumb and in line, with the concrete crowned to shed water away from the post.

For maximum durability, particularly in coastal locations, we can fit concrete posts, which will outlast any timber. Concrete posts are not to everyone's taste, but for a fence that needs to last with minimal maintenance in a harsh environment, they are hard to beat. We are happy to advise on the best choice for each situation.

Treating and Maintaining Fencing

All timber fencing benefits from treatment, and the right treatment significantly extends its life. Pressure-treated timber (treated under pressure with preservative) is the standard for all structural elements and gives a good baseline of protection. For the visible boards and panels, an additional surface treatment provides extra protection and a more attractive finish.

We recommend treating fencing with a quality timber preservative or wood stain every 2–3 years. This protects against moisture, UV, and fungal attack, and it refreshes the appearance. The treatment should be applied to dry timber in dry weather, with particular attention to the end grain of posts and the tops of boards, where moisture enters most readily.

Maintenance also means prompt repair. A damaged board or a leaning post should be addressed as soon as it is noticed, because a small problem left unattended leads to larger failures. We are happy to carry out fence repairs as well as new installations, and catching problems early is always the more economical course.

Boundary Disputes and Etiquette

Fencing often involves boundaries, and boundaries can be sensitive. Before starting any fence project, it is worth establishing the exact boundary line, checking the property deeds for ownership and responsibility, and, where the fence is on a shared boundary, discussing the plans with the neighbour. A little communication prevents a lot of disagreement.

We are experienced in working with shared boundaries and can advise on the practical and etiquette aspects — which side faces which way, how to handle level changes, and how to minimise disruption to neighbours. We always aim to leave both sides of a boundary fence tidy, recognising that a fence affects two properties.

For boundaries where ownership is unclear or disputed, we recommend establishing the facts before any work begins. We can advise on the practicalities, but boundary ownership and legal rights are matters for the property owner to resolve, ideally amicably and with the relevant documentation to hand.

Choosing the Right Fence for Your Garden

The right fence depends on the garden, the location, the budget, and the purpose. A coastal garden exposed to salt winds needs a different fence from a sheltered inland one; a boundary fence for privacy needs a different specification from a decorative screen for a patio. There is no single best fence, only the best fence for each situation.

We help clients weigh these factors to find the right specification, and we are honest about where savings can sensibly be made and where they are false economies. A fence is a significant investment, and it is worth getting right, because it is visible every day and it is expensive to replace.

If you are considering a new fence, we would be glad to discuss your requirements and provide a clear, itemised quote. With the right materials and construction, a quality fence gives years of service and genuinely enhances the property it bounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions we hear most about Fencing & Garden Boundaries: Choosing the Right Fence for Cornwall.

What is the most durable fencing for coastal Cornwall?+

Closeboard (featheredge) fencing with pressure-treated timber and stainless or galvanised fixings is the most durable. For maximum longevity in harsh coastal conditions, concrete posts outlast any timber.

How long does a timber fence last in Cornwall?+

A well-built closeboard fence with pressure-treated timber lasts 15–20 years. Panel fencing typically lasts 8–10 years. Regular treatment every 2–3 years significantly extends the life of any timber fence.

How deep should fence posts be set?+

At least 600mm, deeper in exposed or soft-ground locations. Posts should be concreted in, set plumb, with the concrete crowned to shed water away from the post to prevent rot.

Do I need to treat pressure-treated fencing?+

Pressure treatment gives a good baseline of protection, but an additional surface treatment every 2–3 years protects against moisture, UV, and fungal attack and refreshes the appearance, extending the fence's life.