It is the most common question we get asked during site visits across Bristol: "Should I go for the cheaper panels, or is it worth paying extra for featheredge?"
The answer depends entirely on how long you want your fence to last and what kind of garden you have.
At Joe's Fencing, we believe in transparency. We install hundreds of both every year, so here is the honest, no-nonsense comparison to help you decide.
The Contenders
1. Panel Fencing (Waney Lap)
The "Budget-Friendly" Option
You’ve likely seen this everywhere. It is the classic British fence panel, made from horizontal wooden slats sandwiched inside a frame.
- Pros: It is cost-effective and quick to install (since it comes pre-made).
- Cons: It is less robust. In high winds, the entire panel acts like a "sail" and can pop out of the posts.
- Best for: Rental properties, quick fixes, or sheltered gardens where budget is the main priority.
2. Featheredge Fencing (Closeboard)
The "Forever" Fence
This isn’t a pre-made panel. We build featheredge fences from scratch on-site. We set the posts, attach horizontal rails, and then nail vertical overlapping boards (the "feathers") one by one.
- Pros: Incredible strength. It forms a solid, continuous barrier. If a board breaks, you replace just that one board, not the whole fence.
- Cons: Higher upfront cost due to the labor involved in building it.
- Best for: Homeowners planning to stay put for 10+ years, windy areas, and uneven ground.
The Head-to-Head Comparison
Round 1: Wind Resistance
Bristol can get gusty, especially if you are up high in Totterdown or Clifton.
Panel: The "sail effect" is a real issue. If a storm hits, the wind pushes against the flat panel. If the pressure is too high, the panel snaps or dislodges.
Featheredge: Because it is built with vertical boards nailed to sturdy rails, it is structurally tighter. It handles wind load significantly better than panels.
Winner: Featheredge (by a mile).
Round 2: Handling Slopes (The "Bristol Factor")
This is huge for our city. Bristol is rarely flat.
Panel: Panels are square. If your garden slopes, we have to "step" the panels, leaving triangular gaps at the bottom that need to be filled with gravel boards (or left for the hedgehog escape artists). It can look jagged.
Featheredge: Since we build it stick-by-stick, the fence flows with the ground. We can follow the contours of your hill perfectly, keeping the top line level or parallel to the ground.
Winner: Featheredge.
Round 3: Maintenance & Repair
Panel: If a football or a falling branch smashes a hole in a lap panel, you usually have to replace the entire 6ft panel. It’s hard to patch up neatly.
Featheredge: If a board rots or snaps, we just pop it off and nail a new one on. It costs a few pounds and takes ten minutes.
Winner: Featheredge (for long-term ease).
Round 4: The Cost
Panel: The materials are cheaper, and the installation is faster. If you need 30 meters of fencing done on a tight budget, this is the way to go.
Featheredge: You are paying for a premium construction method. It typically costs 20-30% more than panel fencing.
Winner: Panel Fencing.
The Verdict
Choose Panel Fencing if:
- You are on a strict budget.
- You are selling the house soon and just need it to look tidy.
- You live in a sheltered area with no strong winds.
Choose Featheredge if:
- You plan to live in the house for a long time and want an investment.
- Your garden is sloped (very common in Bristol!).
- You want a seamless, premium look without gaps at the bottom.
- You want a fence that is secure and solid.
Ready for a Quote?
Whether you decide on the economy of panels or the durability of featheredge, we install both to the highest standard.