What Is the Difference Between Closeboard and Featheredge Fencing?
When choosing a new garden fence, the terms closeboard and featheredge are often used interchangeably. While they are closely related, they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right fencing system for your garden, budget, and durability requirements.
In this guide, we explain what closeboard fencing is, what featheredge boards are, and how they work together.
What Is Featheredge Fencing?
Featheredge refers to the individual vertical boards used to build a fence. Each board is tapered, meaning it is thicker on one edge and thinner on the other. When installed, the boards overlap to create a solid and weather resistant fence.
Featheredge boards are not a complete fence on their own. They are a component that forms part of a closeboard fencing system.
Key Features of Featheredge Boards
-
Tapered timber boards, thicker on one side
-
Installed vertically with an overlap
-
Typically fixed to horizontal rails
-
Pressure treated for outdoor durability
-
Commonly used for strong, traditional garden fencing
Because featheredge boards are installed individually, they allow for flexibility when fencing uneven or sloping ground. Damaged boards can also be replaced one at a time without removing an entire panel.
What Is Closeboard Fencing?
Closeboard fencing is the full fencing system made using featheredge boards. It includes posts, rails, gravel boards, and featheredge boards working together to create a strong and long lasting fence.
In simple terms:
-
Featheredge is the board
-
Closeboard is the fence
Closeboard fencing is sometimes called featheredge fencing, but technically closeboard refers to the full construction method rather than the boards themselves.
Components of a Closeboard Fence
A traditional closeboard fence usually consists of:
-
Fence posts, timber or concrete
-
Gravel boards at ground level
-
Horizontal cant rails fixed between posts
-
Vertical featheredge boards overlapped and fixed to the rails
-
Optional capping rail for a finished look
This system is widely used in the UK for garden boundaries, privacy fencing, and exposed locations where strength matters.
