Quick answer: For standard 100mm feather edge boards with a 25mm overlap, you need approximately 13 boards per metre of fence run. To work it out: divide your fence length (in mm) by 75mm (the exposed face of each board after overlap). Add 10% for waste and cuts. A 6-foot (1.83m) tall fence run of 10m needs around 130 boards, plus posts every 1.8m and 3 horizontal arris rails per bay. Use the calculator below for an exact count based on your dimensions.
Feather edge fencing — sometimes called closeboard or featherboard — is one of the most durable styles of timber fencing in the UK. It uses tapered vertical boards fixed to horizontal arris rails, overlapping each other to create a solid windproof barrier. Calculating quantities accurately matters because over-ordering wastes money and under-ordering means a return trip to the timber yard mid-build.
How to calculate feather edge boards
The calculation depends on three numbers: fence length, board width and overlap. Standard UK feather edge boards are 100mm wide at the wide edge, tapering to about 6mm at the thin edge. The recommended overlap is 25mm, which leaves 75mm of exposed face per board.
The formula:
- Fence length in mm ÷ 75mm exposed face = number of boards
- Add 10% for cuts, splits and waste
- Round up to the nearest whole board
Example: A 10m run = 10,000mm ÷ 75mm = 133 boards. Add 10% waste = 147 boards.
Boards per metre of fence
| Board width | Overlap | Exposed face | Boards per metre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100mm | 25mm | 75mm | ~13.3 |
| 125mm | 25mm | 100mm | ~10 |
| 150mm | 25mm | 125mm | ~8 |
100mm is by far the most common UK feather edge size. 125mm and 150mm are used on taller fences (6ft+) where wider boards reduce labour time and post count.
Posts, rails and gravel boards
Boards are only part of the fence. A standard UK closeboard fence also needs:
- Fence posts — 100mm × 100mm, set every 1.83m (6ft) bay. For a 10m run, that's 6 posts.
- Arris rails — triangular horizontal rails. Use 3 per bay for fences over 1.5m tall, 2 per bay for shorter fences.
- Gravel boards — 150mm × 22mm, fitted at the base to keep feather edge boards off the ground and prevent rot.
- Capping rail — optional, fitted along the top to protect end grain.
Common fence heights and board lengths
UK feather edge boards are sold pre-cut to the most common fence heights so you avoid waste from cutting down longer lengths:
- 1.2m boards — 4ft fence (low boundary, front gardens)
- 1.5m boards — 5ft fence (general garden boundary)
- 1.65m boards — 5'6" fence
- 1.8m boards — 6ft fence (most common UK garden boundary, the legal max for rear gardens without planning)
Treated vs untreated
All feather edge boards we stock are pressure-treated to UC3 (above ground, exterior). Treatment penetrates the timber under pressure and protects against rot, fungal decay and insect attack for 15+ years in normal UK weather. Untreated feather edge will rot within 2-3 years of ground contact and is not recommended for fencing.
FAQ
How do I calculate how many feather edge boards I need?
Divide your fence length in mm by 75mm (the exposed face of a 100mm board with 25mm overlap), then add 10% for waste. A 10m fence needs approximately 147 boards. Use the calculator below for your exact dimensions.
How many feather edge boards per metre?
For 100mm boards with 25mm overlap, you need approximately 13.3 boards per metre of fence run. Wider boards reduce the count: 125mm boards = 10 per metre, 150mm boards = 8 per metre.
What overlap should feather edge boards have?
25mm is the standard UK overlap. This is enough to keep the fence weatherproof when boards shrink slightly in dry conditions. Less than 20mm risks gaps appearing in summer; more than 30mm wastes boards.
How many fence posts and arris rails do I need?
Posts go every 1.83m (one 6ft bay), so a 10m fence needs 6 posts. Use 3 arris rails per bay for fences over 1.5m tall, 2 rails per bay for shorter fences. A 10m × 1.8m fence needs 6 posts and 15 arris rails.
Should feather edge boards be pressure-treated?
Yes — always use UC3 pressure-treated feather edge for outdoor fencing. Untreated boards will rot within 2-3 years. All Nottage feather edge stock is pressure-treated as standard for 15+ years of service.
Browse our feather edge boards in 1.2m, 1.5m, 1.65m and 1.8m lengths, plus matching fence posts, arris rails and gravel boards. All pressure-treated, ready for next-day delivery to South Wales and Bridgend.
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All quantities include a 10% allowance. Prices are per unit. Contact us if you need help with your order.