Tight spaces and getting materials in
On a terraced street, the first question is often how the materials reach the back garden. Lap panels are large and awkward to carry through a house or along a narrow passage, though they can be handled by two people when the route is clear. If the route is tight, say so when you get in touch, so the materials can be planned around it rather than discovered on the day.
Closeboard is built from individual lengths of timber, which are easier to carry through a tight space in Sparkhill. The boards, rails and posts are assembled in the garden itself, so access to the rear matters far less. This is a real advantage for terraced properties.
Privacy between close neighbours
When your windows and your neighbour's are only a short distance apart, a fence that stays closed is valuable. Closeboard keeps its overlap as the timber moves, so gaps stay small and the screen stays solid along a long, narrow run. Many terraced gardens also have a rear alley gate, and the boards beside it should be fixed solidly, because that spot takes the most daily wear.
Lap panels screen well when new, but the thin strips can shrink and the frames can sag over time. In a narrow garden where the boundary is always in view, those small changes become more noticeable than they would in a larger plot. Take care along the house wall and at the back of the garden as well, because the corners are where a long narrow fence usually shows its first signs of movement.
Choosing for a long boundary
Narrow gardens mean long runs of fence along each side. On a run like this, a single damaged section is simpler to deal with in closeboard, where one board can be replaced. With lap panels you generally replace the whole panel. Do not rush the discussion with neighbours, since long shared runs mean both gardens are affected and everyone benefits from agreeing the height and finish.
Lap panels do keep the job quick and uniform if access allows and the ground is level. Before choosing, check who owns each boundary and look at your deeds, as this is general information only. A word with your neighbour first often makes the whole project smoother. Ask for the finished height to be agreed beforehand, and keep a record of what was decided so that every household on the street knows what to expect.
Quick tips
- Think about how timber will reach the back garden before choosing, because large panels may not fit through a narrow passage.
- For a long, narrow garden, closeboard keeps a consistent screen along the whole run.
- Agree the plan with neighbours on both sides before any old fence is taken down.
- Check your deeds to see who owns each boundary before spending money on a replacement.
If you have a narrow garden in Sparkhill, B11, send us a photo and a note of where the fence goes, and we will say honestly which style works. We also cover Hall Green and Sparkbrook. Ring when you are ready, with no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How do materials get into a narrow terraced garden?
Lap panels are large and awkward to carry through a house or passage. Closeboard is built from individual lengths of timber that are easier to carry, then assembled in the garden. Tell us about any tight access in Sparkhill so we can plan around it.
Which style keeps a long, narrow boundary looking solid?
Closeboard keeps its overlap as the timber moves, so gaps stay small along the whole run. Lap strips can shrink and frames can sag, which is more noticeable in a narrow garden where the fence is always in view.
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