Feather Edge (Close Board Fencing)

Basic Procedure4

Close board fencing is fencing which is made up of

Posts, Arris rails, Gravel Board with feather edge boards fixed vertically to the rails. The posts should ideally be 4 x 4 inch treated timber, set into the ground in a hole 2 ft (600mm) deep and concreted with a concrete mix.

 The picture above shows both the inside of the fence (left) and the outside (right) to demonstrate how the fence is assembled. It is an accepted rule that the outside (good side) of the fence is shown to neighbours.

First the posts are concreted into the ground, then the gravel boards are fixed to the outside of the posts. Try and get the gravel boards as level as possible and if your garden slopes you may need to "step" the gravel board

Once the posts are secure, the rails need to positioned.

The rails can be flush with the front of the posts, which will allow the feather edged timbers to sit on the gravel board and be fixed easily for the length of the fence. Some people like to set the gravel board & rails back so the feather edged timbers sit a little inside the posts. The choice is yours.

The rails can be screwed into the posts through the sides and supporting brackets can be used to give extra strength. 3 inch number 8 screws are usually needed for this, all timber should be treated.

Close board fencing can also be done using proprietary concrete posts.

These posts have slots in them in which the rails can be inserted.

 

The first feather edge board can then be fixed on the outside of your fence. Use a spirit level to make sure this is absolutely upright.

Each subsequent board can then be fixed to the one below it as shown above and to get the spacing right a small block can be used to ensure an even overlap. The overlap should be at least 15mm. Nails should be 50mm lost head nails or 50mm ovals.

Featheredge (Close Board ) Fencing   Featheredge fencing consists of posts, post supports, arris rails and brackets, and gravel boards, plus featheredge boards.

 

 

 

The arris rails are available in 2.4m lengths.

Although sections of fencing can be made up to this length it may be considered better to work in 1.8m runs in particularly exposed

windy areas so that there is a shorter span between posts.

 

The featheredge boarding is available in 1.5,1.8, and 2.4m lengths packed in bundles often, or sold singly. If a 1.2m high fence

should be required the 2.4m lengths are cut in half. Similarly, if a 0.9m high fence is required, perhaps on top of walling, 1.8m lengths are cut in half.

For fences 1.5 metres high, three Arris rails are required, for 1.8m high fences, four arris rails are required and for a 2.4m high fence five.

The fence posts should be tall enough to cope with the height of the gravel board (150mm) and the featheredge boarding.

These should be 100 x 100mm and need to set 600mm into the ground.

Unlike panel fence construction which is done section by section, featheredge fencing is done by erecting the main framework for

the entire run before the boarding is fitted.

 

Start by marking the fence line.

Dig your post hole, or use a purpose built post socket  at the starting point. Fit a post.

Using a length of arris rail as a guide to spacing, drive in a second post socket and fit another post.

Connect the two posts with arris rails and arris rail brackets. The rails should be set back from the front face of the post by at least the thickness of the featheredge boarding.

You should check that all your arris rails are exactly the same length, and are fitted perfectly horizontally. They should be positioned about 200mm from the top and bottom edges of the intended position of the featheredge boards.

 

Fit the first gravel board between the posts, the featheredge boarding can now be fitted.

For a 2.4 metre run you will require 32 pieces of boarding. For a 1.8 metre run you will require 24 pieces of boarding.

Each length overlaps the previous one by a minimum of 19mm. Start by securing the first length with it’s thick edge against the post at

one end of the section. Use 38mm galvanised wire nails and ensure that they go into the centre of the arris rail.

 

Since it can be difficult to space out the lengths with equal overlaps and achieve a perfect fit at the opposite end it is suggested that all the remaining pieces are initially only lightly pinned to the top arris rail.

Adjustments can then be made before the lengths are finally fixed.

At overlaps the nails should be driven in through the thick feather-board edge to miss the thin edge of the board behind, which could split.

 

 

PROJECT SHOPPING LIST