Orange-brown close-board fence between concrete posts above concrete gravel boards, with flowers in front — Close-board fence on concrete posts with gravel boards beside a flower border

Back garden with new fence panels, paved patio, pots, bird table and lawn — Wide view of the fenced back garden, lawn and patio

New fence panels behind a lawn and flower border, with tall trees above — New fence along the back of the lawn, with trees beyond

This Hall Green garden now has a fresh run of tall close-board fencing along its rear and side boundaries. The old fence was replaced with new panels held between concrete posts, giving the lawn, borders and patio a tidy, private edge that should stand up to the weather.

How the fence is built

Close-board panels are made of overlapping vertical boards, which makes a solid screen with no gaps. In the photos each panel sits between slim grey concrete posts, with a textured concrete gravel board along the bottom to keep the timber clear of damp soil. The panels step down slightly in places to follow the ground.

Before work starts, agree the boundary line with your neighbour and check any height limit with the council. Posts need to be set firmly in the ground, because they carry the weight and wind load of the whole run, and straight lines depend on getting them right first time, so we take our time over it.

The garden around it

The garden photos show a lawn, a mixed border of flowers and a paved patio with pots and a bird table. The fence has been fitted close to the planting without flattening it. Old fencing is taken away, and the new timber has a warm orange-brown finish that suits a mature garden like this one.