How to Install Lap Fence Panels in Your Garden
Lap fence panels are a simple and economical way to tidy up garden boundaries, add privacy, and give your outdoor space a smarter, more finished look. They’re straightforward to install with a bit of planning, and because they’re available in a range of heights, they suit everything from private back gardens to low front boundaries. To make the process even easier, we’ve put together this detailed 1,300-word, 9-step guide to help you create a brilliant new fence line. Whether you’re in Suffolk or beyond, Clarke Fencing has the materials, know-how, and advice to get your project off to the best possible start. If you’re still deciding on the style of fence that best suits your space, this Gardeners’ World guide to garden fence ideas is packed with inspiration for both traditional and modern gardens.
Lap Panel Sizes & Uses
Rustic fence panels are available in pressure-treated brown and in the most useful sizes for UK gardens:
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6ft x 6ft (1.83m x 1.83m) – full privacy fencing
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5ft 6in x 6ft (~1.65m x 1.83m) – privacy with a slightly lighter feel
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5ft x 6ft (~1.50m x 1.83m) – secure yet more open
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4ft x 6ft (~1.20m x 1.83m) – ideal for sectioning or front gardens
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3ft x 6ft (~0.9m x 1.83m) – low front garden boundaries
They’re our most economical panel—around two-thirds the price of a closeboard panel—but still robust enough for everyday use.
First Decisions: Finished Height & Gravel Boards
Before digging, pick your desired finished height and whether you’ll use a gravel board under the lap panel to keep timber off the ground (reduces rot).
Material:
- Timber gravel boards – cheaper, match the panel, expected life ~10–15 years (with treatment)
- Concrete gravel boards – low-maintenance, more expensive, expected life ~30 years
Height increments: Standard gravel boards are 6 inches (150 mm) tall. Each board adds 6″ to your finished fence height.
- You can choose taller gravel boards if you want extra height, need retaining behind the fence, or you’re stepping a dropping fence line on a hill.
Choose Your Fence Post System
Two main approaches—each has a different lifespan and maintenance profile:
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Timber posts – lower upfront cost, can be colour-matched, expected life ~10–15 years.
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Use Post Saver sleeves on the ground-contact zone to extend post life significantly.
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Concrete slotted posts – low maintenance, more expensive, expected life ~30 years.
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Panels and gravel boards simply slot in. Heavier to handle but very durable.
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Tools & Materials Checklist (quick)
Tape measure, string line & stakes, spade & post hole digger, level, handsaw (for trimming), drill/driver & screws or panel brackets, Post Mix (typically ~2 bags per post), gravel boards, fence panels, posts, PPE (gloves/eye protection).
Step-by-Step Installation of Lap Fence Panels
1) Clear the line & set a string
Remove any old fencing along the run. Knock in stakes and run a tight string line at the face line of your posts so the whole fence is straight. (No one wants a wobbly fence!) . Before you start, it’s worth reviewing the Planning Portal’s official guidance on fence, gate and garden wall heights to make sure your new fence meets UK planning rules.
2) Dig your first fence post hole
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Depth: about 2ft (60 cm)
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Width: 200–300 mm
Drop in a little drainage gravel if desired. Position the post so that when it’s set, your lap fence panel + gravel board (if used) will hit your target finished height.
3) Set the first post (mix & level)
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Stand the post in the hole. Measure from ground level to the top to confirm it matches your planned height.
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Tip in Post Mix and water per the bag instructions (plan ~2 bags per hole).
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Agitate the mixture with a spade or piece of timber to remove air pockets so there are no gaps or unmixed postcrete.
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Check the post is plumb in both directions and tight to the string (without pushing the string out).
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Important: Post Mix typically starts to set in ~5 minutes—hold the post steady during this period. You can use your spade as a temporary prop while it grabs.
If you want a deeper dive into best practice for post installation, this DIY Doctor step-by-step post setting guide explains the process in detail.
4) Mark and position the next post (the crucial spacing trick)
Measure exactly 1.83 m (6ft) from the face of your previous post—this is where the next lap fence panel ends and meets the new post (the inside edge).
When you dig the next hole, set the centre of the hole roughly 50 mm (2 inches) beyond that mark (i.e., a little further away from the previous post).
Why?
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Leaves space for brackets or natural movement
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Ensures the panel slots in without forcing
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Helps the post sit centrally in its concrete footing and stay aligned with the run
Think of it like this:
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The mark = where the panel ends
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The post = sits just beyond that mark so the panel fits flush, secure, and level
5. Build the fence as You Go
Rather than setting all your posts first, work one bay at a time. Slot your gravel board into place (or fix it to wooden posts) and position your lap fence panel snugly against the new post before you set it in concrete. With the panel and gravel board held tight, the post’s position is locked in — then you can pour in the Post Mix and level it. This method ensures every section is perfectly spaced, straight, and secure before moving on to the next.
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On slopes, step the fence in 6″ increments with gravel boards if needed; keep each individual panel level for a professional look.
6. Repeat the Process
Continue down the fence line using the same method: measure, dig, slot in the gravel board and panel, set the post, and level it up. For sloping gardens, step panels up or down rather than installing them on an angle.
7) Install the lap fence panels
Concrete post system: simply slot each panel between the posts (above the gravel board).
Timber post system: fix panels with brackets or clips:
- Easy-Use Panel Brackets (premium) or
- Panel Fixing Clips – Standard (budget)
Use four fixings per panel (top and bottom, both sides). Check each lap fence panel for level before fully tightening.
8) Trimming & awkward bays
If the last bay isn’t a full 1.83 m:
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Mark and cut the panel to size.
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Re-fix any loose battens after cutting so the frame stays rigid.
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Treat cut timber with wood preservative.
9) Finishing touches & tidy up
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Add post caps to timber posts to reduce water ingress.
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Brush off panels; remove spoil and waste responsibly.
Stand back and sight along the lap fence panel run. Everything should be straight, evenly spaced, and solid. A little care at each stage makes for a fence that not only looks professional but will last for many years.
Pro Tips for Installing Lap Panels
When installing lap fence panels, choose a calm day if possible, as wind can make it much harder to keep posts plumb while the Post Mix is setting. Take your time with alignment, checking levels carefully before the mix starts to grab in those first few minutes — once it sets, adjustments are almost impossible. Avoid over-tightening brackets on lap panels, as timber naturally expands and contracts with the seasons; a little flexibility in the fixing helps prevent damage. If your fence line borders a neighbour, it’s also good etiquette to present the best face of the fence towards their side. Small considerations like these can make a big difference to the finished look and longevity of your fence.
Maintenance of Lap Fence Panels
Lap fence panels are pressure-treated brown, so they’re already designed to be low-maintenance, but a little ongoing care will keep them looking good for years. It’s best to inspect your fence annually, checking for any damage, loose fixings, or leaning posts. Make sure soil, plants, and mulch are kept away from the bottom of the panels — the gravel board beneath is there to protect against rot, and keeping the panel clear of moisture will extend its life. If you’ve cut any panels or rails during installation, be sure to treat the exposed ends with a quality wood preservative. Damaged panels should be replaced promptly to prevent strain on the posts and to maintain the overall strength of the fence.
Why Lap Panels from Us
Lap panels are the perfect combination of affordability and practicality, offering around two-thirds the cost of closeboard panels while still delivering a neat, reliable boundary. They come in a wide range of heights, from 3ft for low front garden fencing to 6ft for complete privacy, all finished in pressure-treated brown for lasting protection. Choosing lap panels from Clarke Fencing means you can source everything you need in one place — from panels, gravel boards, and posts to Post Saver sleeves, brackets, and Post Mix. With our quality materials, helpful advice, and straightforward ordering, you can be confident your fence will be strong, straight, and built to last.
Interested in other fencing guides?
Read this guide on how to install closeboard fencing.
