Front boundary or rear boundary
At the front, a fence is seen every day, so appearance and sturdiness count. Closeboard gives a clean, solid face and holds up well against passing knocks from bins and bicycles. Lap panels can work at the front too, though their lighter frames show wear sooner where they are touched often. Gates also deserve thought, since a gate in lap panels needs a stout frame and strong posts to avoid sagging, while one hung off closeboard is generally easier to brace.
At the back, the fence mainly provides privacy and keeps pets and children in. For long side runs in an Aldridge garden, lap panels are a practical and tidy choice. The rear boundary shared with a neighbour is where many people prefer closeboard for its solid, long-lasting build.
What each is made of and how it is built
Closeboard starts with posts and horizontal arris rails. Tapered feather-edge boards are then nailed on vertically, each overlapping the one before, with a gravel board along the bottom. Every board is fixed separately, so the fence is rigid and any one board can be swapped. Keep an eye on the base, because grass clippings and soil heaped against either fence will hold damp against the timber and shorten its life.
A lap panel is a ready-made frame filled with thin overlapping horizontal strips. The panel drops between posts and is fixed in place. Because the panels come in set widths, post positions have to be planned accurately, and an odd gap at a corner may need a cut-down panel or a short section of boarding.
Mixing styles on one property
It is common in Aldridge to see closeboard along the back and lap panels down the sides, or the reverse. This works as long as the heights meet properly and the posts line up where the two styles join. A neat transition at a corner post looks deliberate rather than patched. Photos of both boundaries help us suggest a sensible split, and we can usually tell from a picture which side is under the most strain.
Before you commit, check who owns each boundary and what your deeds say, as this is general information only. Your local council can advise on height limits, particularly next to a road, and a short chat with the neighbour often saves trouble later.
Quick tips
- Choose the sturdier style for the boundary that takes the most knocks, usually the one beside the path or driveway.
- Plan post positions around the panel width before ordering lap panels, so you avoid awkward narrow gaps.
- Where two styles meet, finish on a post so the join looks tidy and the heights agree.
- Check your deeds and ask the council about height limits at the front of the house.
Thinking about fencing in Aldridge, WS9? Give us a call or send a photo showing the fence location, and we will tell you plainly which style suits each side. We also cover Streetly and Brownhills, and there is no obligation to go ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use closeboard at the back and lap panels down the sides?
Yes, mixing styles is common in Aldridge. It works as long as the heights agree and the join finishes neatly on a post. Photos of both boundaries help us suggest a sensible split and which side takes the most strain.
Which fence suits the front boundary beside a path or driveway?
Closeboard is usually the sturdier choice where bins and bicycles brush past, and a gate hung off it is generally easier to brace. Lap panels can work but their lighter frames show wear sooner, and a lap gate needs a stout frame.
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