Traditional closeboard bay fencing is built in-situ and is very strong. It is especially good for gardens with sloping ground because the fence can be erected to follow the ground contours, which means fence stepping is not needed.
The mortised posts and the gravel boards can be either timber or concrete. Traditional closeboard bay fencing with concrete mortised posts and concrete gravel boards is the strongest of domestic garden fences.
Step 1: Fixing the posts
All posts should be concreted 2ft deep in the ground using post mix, with the mortised holes in line with the boundary line.
Step 2: Fixing the arris rails
The posts have mortised holes to allow shaped arris rails to fit inside of posts.
Step 3: Fixing the gravel boards
For timber posts and gravel boards measure from the top of the post down 1.65 metres and nail the timber gravel board cleats in the centre of each post. Cut the length of the gravel board to fit between the posts and nail to the cleats.
For concrete posts and gravel boards use the 2-pin cleat kit. The cleats have two prongs on one side, which slide into the pre-drilled holes in the concrete posts, and a pre-drilled hole in the other side through which it is bolted to the concrete gravel board. The concrete gravel boards have short slots at either end to allow the bolt to pass through.
Step 4: Fixing the centre stump
For timber posts and gravel boards dig an 8-inch deep hole in the centre of the fence bay and insert the centre stump with the angled top facing up to fit under the bottom arris rail. Back fill earth around the stump and nail the timber gravel board to the stump.
For concrete posts and gravel boards dig a 8-inch deep hole in the centre the of fence bay, in line with the pre-drilled hole in the concrete gravel board, and insert the centre stump with the angled top facing up to fit under the bottom arris rail. Back fill earth around the stump and bolt the concrete gravel board to the stump through the pre-drilled hole.
Step 5: Fixing the featheredge boards
Starting from the left of the fence bay sit the first featheredge board on top of the gravel board, with the fat edge towards the post, and nail it to the arris rails. Take the second board, overlap it by one inch on the first board – again with the fat edge towards the post – and nail it to the arris rails. Repeat until the bay is complete, always with the fat edge towards the post and the thin edge overlapping by one inch.
when installing close board fencing is ther any writen rule about which side has the rails showing