How Many Feather Edge Boards Per Metre?
Feather edge boards are one of the most popular choices for traditional closeboard fencing, offering strength, privacy, and a natural timber appearance that blends perfectly with any garden in Suffolk or across East Anglia.
Whether you’re building a new fence or replacing an old one, one of the most common questions we get asked is: how many feather edge boards do I need per metre?
Let’s break it down clearly, using the exact board sizes we stock at Clarke Fencing.
Feather Edge Board Sizes We Stock
We stock two main widths of feather edge boards, all pressure treated for long life and available in both brown and green finishes:
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125mm (5 inch) – our most common size for fencing applications
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150mm (6 inch) – ideal if you want a slightly faster installation
All of our boards are cut using the 2EX method, meaning two tapered boards are made from one 125mm x 22mm or 150mm x 22mm sawn timber length. Each has a thicker edge (approx. 15–22mm) tapering down to around 5mm for a neat, overlapping fit.
Explore our full range here:
👉 Feather Edge Boards
Standard Overlap and Coverage
When installing feather edge boards vertically for closeboard fencing, you should allow for a 25mm overlap on each board.
This overlap is essential for seasonal expansion and contraction, preventing gaps and improving long-term weather resistance.
Here’s how that affects coverage:
| Board Width | Overlap | Coverage per Board | Boards per Metre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 125mm (5”) | 25mm | 100mm | 10 boards per metre |
| 150mm (6”) | 25mm | 125mm | 8 boards per metre |
✅ Tip: Always allow around 10% extra for cuts, breakages, and inconsistent spacing. This ensures you’ll have enough boards to complete your run cleanly, even if you need to trim ends or adjust overlaps.
Why the 25mm Overlap Matters
That 25mm lap might seem minor, but it’s crucial for long-term fence performance.
Timber naturally expands and contracts with changes in weather — especially in the wetter winter months or during dry summers. The overlap allows for this movement while keeping the fence face tight and free of gaps.
A smaller overlap risks exposing gaps between boards, while an excessive overlap adds unnecessary cost and weight to your fence.
How to Work It Out Yourself
You can calculate the number of boards per metre with a simple formula:
Boards per metre = 1000 ÷ (Board width – Overlap)
Example for a 125mm board with 25mm overlap:
1000 ÷ (125 – 25) = 10 boards per metre
This formula works for any board size — just adjust the width and overlap accordingly.
Materials Commonly Used with Feather Edge Fencing
When building a closeboard fence, you’ll also need the following:
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Cant Rails – to fix boards horizontally
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Wooden Fence Posts or Concrete Recessed Fence Posts – for structure and stability
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Wooden Gravel Boards – to protect boards from ground contact and rot
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Postcrete – for quick and reliable post fixing
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Closeboard Capping – to seal and finish the top of your fence
How to Install Feather Edge Boards
When fixing your feather edge boards, start from one end and work across the bay, overlapping each board by 25mm.
Use galvanised nails for durability, and always nail through the thicker edge of each board into the cant rail behind.
Position the nail around 30mm in from the thick edge — this ensures you miss the thin edge of the board underneath, which could otherwise split if struck directly.
The aim is for the top board to pinch the board beneath it gently, not crush or trap it. This allows for natural movement and ensures each board stays tight without splitting.
For a complete step-by-step guide, see our blog:
👉 Installing Closeboard Fencing
Final Thoughts
To summarise:
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125mm (5”) boards = 10 boards per metre (most common)
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150mm (6”) boards = 8 boards per metre
Always add 10% for waste, and maintain that 25mm overlap for a professional, long-lasting finish.
If you’re unsure how many boards to order, our team at Clarke Fencing, Stowmarket can help you work it out precisely — whether for DIY installation or a professional fitting job.
