How to Build a Featheredge Fence

Straightforward garden fencing guide – from Wood Green Timber

Featheredge fencing is one of the most reliable and long-lasting ways to secure your garden. It’s strong, smart-looking, and easy to customise to the size and layout of your space. If you’re planning to build one yourself, this guide walks you through the process — start to finish.

At Wood Green Timber, we stock everything you need for a proper featheredge run: treated posts, rails, gravel boards, featheredge boards, fixings, and caps.

What You’ll Need

From Us:

• Treated fence posts (100x100mm or 75x75mm)

• Treated arris rails

• Treated featheredge boards

• Timber gravel boards

• Post mix

• Galvanised nails or screws

• Brackets or rail fixings

• Optional: post caps and fence capping

Tools:

• Spade or post hole digger

• Tape measure

• String line and pegs

• Level

• Hammer or cordless drill

• Saw

Step 1: Plan and Measure

• Mark out your fence line with string and pegs

• Decide on your post spacing — usually either 3.0m or 1.8m centres (edge to edge)

• Work out how many bays you’ll need, and measure for posts, rails, and boards

Step 2: Set the Fence Posts

• Dig post holes at least 600mm deep

• Drop in posts and check they’re upright using a level

• Pour in post mix, tamp it down and let it set

• Space your posts evenly along the line (standard bays are 1.8m)

Pro Tip: Use our planed smooth posts for areas near schools or public footpaths

Step 3: Fix the Rails

• Fix three arris rails between each pair of posts: top, middle, and bottom

• Use notches, rail brackets, or screw straight into the post face

• Make sure they run straight and are secure — they support the boards

Step 4: Add a Gravel Board

• Fix a timber gravel board along the bottom to keep the featheredge off the ground

• This protects the boards from moisture and rot

Step 5: Fix the Featheredge Boards

• Start at one end and overlap each board by around 20–25mm

• Fix to all three rails using galvanised nails or screws

• Keep the tops in line using a string or level

• Trim the last board at the end of each bay for a clean finish

Step 6: Finishing Touches

• Fit post caps to protect the top of each post

• Add fence capping for a neater finish and extra rain protection

• Optionally treat or stain if you want to change the colour

Materials In Stock, Advice On Tap

We stock everything you need to build a proper featheredge fence — with fast local delivery across North London and Hertfordshire.

• Treated posts, rails, featheredge boards, gravel boards

• Smooth finish options available

• Post mix, fixings, caps, and capping

• Friendly advice from people who actually know fencing

Pop in, call us, or order online — we’ll help you build it right.