Featheredge Bays

Featheredge bay fencing is a traditional fencing system built from individual components rather than pre-made panels. A typical bay uses vertical featheredge boards fixed to horizontal arris rails, supported by fence posts, with a gravel board at the bottom. It creates a strong, continuous fence run and is popular for garden boundaries, privacy fencing and longer installations where durability matters.

A featheredge bay usually includes featheredge boards, arris rails, fence posts and a gravel board. The exact components depend on whether you are building with timber posts or concrete posts. Timber systems often use morticed timber posts with arris rails, while concrete systems may use slotted concrete posts, concrete gravel boards and suitable rails or fixings depending on the setup.

Timber posts are easier to cut, drill and fix into, and they give the fence a traditional all-timber look. They are commonly used with morticed posts, arris rails and timber gravel boards. Concrete posts are heavier but more durable and resistant to rot, making them a better choice for a longer-lasting, lower-maintenance fence. The best option depends on budget, appearance and how long you want the fence to last.

Yes, timber gravel boards are commonly used with featheredge bay fencing, especially when the fence is built with timber posts. They help lift the featheredge boards away from soil and standing water, reducing the risk of rot at the bottom of the fence. Timber gravel boards are lighter, easier to cut on site and give the whole bay a consistent timber appearance.

Yes, concrete gravel boards can be used with featheredge fencing, especially when paired with concrete posts. They provide a strong, rot-resistant base and help protect the bottom of the timber boards from ground moisture. Concrete gravel boards are heavier to handle, but they are a good option where durability and low maintenance are more important than an all-timber finish.

Arris rails are the horizontal support rails that run between the posts and hold the featheredge boards in place. They usually have a triangular profile, which helps shed water and provides a strong fixing point for the boards. In traditional featheredge bay fencing, the arris rails are fitted into morticed posts or fixed using suitable brackets, depending on the post type.

The number of featheredge boards depends on the bay width, board width and overlap. A standard bay is often around 3m wide, but spacing and overlap can vary. Because featheredge boards are fitted vertically with an overlap, you need to allow for the visible cover width, not just the full board width. Always check your planned overlap before ordering. As a general rule of thumb, there should be a 25% overlap, so for a 3m bay, you'd need 40 if you're using a 100mm wide feather, or 30 if you're using a 125mm feather.

Featheredge bay fencing is often stronger than standard budget fence panels because it is built as a continuous system from individual posts, rails and boards. It can be adjusted more easily for slopes, uneven ground and longer runs. When installed with strong posts, suitable gravel boards and properly fixed rails, it creates a robust and long-lasting garden boundary.