Closeboard: the full screen
Closeboard fencing uses overlapping vertical boards fixed to rails, so there are no see-through gaps. If you want the most privacy, this is the usual choice. It suits gardens in Stourbridge where neighbours are close, or where a patio sits near the boundary and you want a firm sense of enclosure from the moment you step outside.
The trade-off is wind. A solid wall of boards catches a lot of air, so posts need to be set properly and rails fixed securely. Closeboard also throws more shade along its length, which matters in a small garden. It is a sturdy, long-lasting style when built well, with a gravel board at the base to keep the boards out of damp soil. If you have a sloping plot, closeboard can be stepped down in sections so the bottom edge follows the ground without leaving wide gaps.
Slatted: softer and airier
Slatted fencing has horizontal or vertical slats with narrow, even gaps between them. It gives a more modern look that often suits newer estates and tidy, contemporary gardens. The gaps let air through, which eases wind pressure, and they let some light into the space beside the fence.
The honest downside is that the gaps never fully close. From certain angles, and when it is bright on one side, people can see through. For privacy that matters, slats can be set closer together, but at that point you are close to a solid fence anyway. It is worth standing back and looking from the neighbour's side before choosing the spacing. Slatted styles also tend to look neat beside modern houses, where clean lines suit the architecture of the street.
Picking the right one for your garden
For a seating area close to windows, or a garden overlooked on several sides, closeboard is usually the safer pick. For a larger garden where you want privacy but also airiness, slatted can work well, or you can use closeboard near the patio and slats further along. In older Stourbridge streets, a traditional closeboard fence often fits in neatly.
Whichever you choose, the height should suit your sightlines, and you should check general height limits with your local council, as this is not legal advice. A trellis top or some planting can add cover to either style. Good posts matter more than the style, so insist on firm, well-set uprights.
Quick tips
- Choose closeboard where you want the fullest screen, and accept that it needs strong posts and casts more shade.
- Slatted fences ease wind pressure, but check from the neighbour's side to see how much shows through the gaps.
- A mix of closeboard near the patio and slatted elsewhere can give privacy where it matters and light where it helps.
- Whichever style you pick, ask your local council about height limits; this is general information, not legal advice.
If you are choosing a privacy fence in Stourbridge, DY8 or DY9, call us or send a photo with the fence location and we will talk through both styles. We also work in Kinver and Wollaston, and there is no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between closeboard and slatted fencing for privacy?
Closeboard uses overlapping vertical boards with no see-through gaps, so it gives the fullest screen but catches more wind and casts more shade. Slatted fencing has narrow, even gaps that ease wind and let in light, though people can glimpse through at certain angles.
Which style suits a Stourbridge garden overlooked on several sides?
Closeboard is usually the safer pick for a seating area near windows or a garden overlooked on several sides. In a larger Stourbridge garden you could use closeboard near the patio and slats further along, so you get privacy where it matters and airiness elsewhere.
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