Feather edge boards are one of the most popular timber claddings in the UK. From fences to sheds to bird boxes, they are a versatile board for all sorts of exterior work. They are also one of the trickiest to order, because nobody tells you how the overlap changes how many you actually need. So here are the questions we get asked at the yard, answered straight.
What are feather edge boards?
A feather edge board is tapered across its width: thick down one edge, thin down the other. You fix them so each board overlaps the one before, thick edge over thin, which sheds water and gives you a solid, gap-free finish. They are most commonly used for closeboard fencing and shed or outbuilding cladding.
The boards we stock are 125mm wide, sawn and tanalised (pressure treated), so they stand up to the weather without you having to treat them first.
How many feather edge boards do I need?
The whole thing comes down to one sum: the width of the board, minus the overlap, is how much each board actually covers.
With our 125mm boards and the recommended 25mm overlap, each board covers 100mm. So every metre of fence or wall needs 10 boards. Work out your total run, divide by the coverage, and round up. Always add a few extra for cuts and the odd split board.
Worked example: a 6 metre fence run at 100mm coverage needs 60 boards per side. If you are boarding both sides, double it.
How many feather edge boards per metre?
It depends on board width and how much you overlap. At the standard 25mm overlap:
| Board width | Coverage (25mm overlap) | Boards per metre |
|---|---|---|
| 100mm | 75mm | 14 |
| 125mm (our stock) | 100mm | 10 |
| 150mm | 125mm | 8 |
Increase the overlap and each board covers less, so you need more of them. That is exactly the sort of fiddly sum our feather edge calculator does for you in seconds.
How many feather edge boards per foot?
For our 125mm boards at 100mm coverage, that is roughly 3 boards per foot. Handy for a quick estimate, but for a real order work in metres and use the calculator, because rounding per foot adds up wrong over a long run.
How much should feather edge boards overlap?
Overlap each board by at least 25mm. Less than that and you risk gaps opening up as the timber moves and dries. More overlap is fine and gives a heavier, more solid look, it just means you use more boards. Always fix with the thick edge downward so water runs off the face rather than sitting on it.
Which way up do feather edge boards go?
Thick edge down, thin edge up, with the next board lapping over the top. On fencing, fix the boards vertically to the arris rails, start at one end, and check every few boards that you are still running plumb. It is easy to drift over a long run and end up with a lean by the far post.
Work out your order in seconds
Put in your fence or wall measurements and our feather edge calculator tells you how many boards you need, overlap and wastage included. When you know your number, you can order tanalised feather edge boards for delivery across South Wales or collection from the yard in Pyle.