Choosing the right garden fence can make a big difference to the appearance, privacy and overall feel of your outdoor space. With so many styles available, it can be difficult to know which option is best for your property. Two popular choices are closeboard fencing and Venetian fencing, both offering different benefits depending on your garden’s layout and how you want to use it.
At DH Landscapes, we install quality fencing for homeowners across Taunton and Somerset. As Jacksons Fencing Approved Installers, we understand the importance of choosing fencing that combines attractive design with long-term performance. In this guide, we’ll compare closeboard and Venetian fencing to help you decide which is right for your garden.
What Is Closeboard Fencing?
Closeboard fencing, sometimes called featheredge fencing, is a traditional style made from overlapping vertical timber boards. This creates a solid, continuous boundary with very few gaps, making it a popular choice for homeowners who want privacy and a practical, robust garden fence.
One of the biggest advantages of closeboard fencing is its versatility. It works well in a wide range of gardens, from traditional properties to more contemporary outdoor spaces. Its straightforward appearance also makes it easy to combine with lawns, patios, planting borders and other landscaping features.
Closeboard fencing is particularly useful where privacy is a priority. Whether you want to create a secluded seating area, screen neighbouring properties or provide a secure boundary for children and pets, a well-installed closeboard fence can be an excellent solution.
Quality materials and proper installation are important, particularly in Somerset, where fencing must cope with heavy rain and strong winds. Choosing suitable posts, fixings and a reliable fencing system can help ensure your new boundary performs well over time.
What Is Venetian Fencing?
Venetian fencing offers a more contemporary appearance, typically featuring horizontal timber slats with deliberate gaps between them. The design creates clean lines and a modern finish, making it particularly popular in gardens with contemporary patios, outdoor seating areas and minimalist planting schemes.
Unlike a solid closeboard fence, Venetian fencing allows some light and air to pass through the gaps between the slats. This can help a garden feel more open, especially where boundaries are close to the house or where a large, solid fence might otherwise feel imposing.
Venetian fencing can also create an attractive backdrop for raised planters, ornamental grasses and modern garden furniture. Its horizontal lines can complement contemporary landscaping and help bring different elements of a garden design together.
However, the level of privacy depends on the specific panel design and spacing. Some styles offer more screening than others, so it’s important to consider the view from neighbouring properties and the angle from which the fence will be seen before choosing a particular product.
Privacy: Which Fence Is Better?
If privacy is your main concern, closeboard fencing will often be the stronger choice. Its overlapping boards create a more solid screen, making it suitable for gardens overlooked by neighbours or properties that back onto busy footpaths.
Venetian fencing can provide a degree of screening while maintaining a lighter, more open appearance. However, because it has gaps between the slats, it may not provide the same level of privacy as a solid fence.
Think about where privacy matters most. If you want to screen a patio or seating area, a solid fence may be ideal. If you’re looking to define a boundary while preserving a sense of openness, Venetian fencing could be a better fit.
It’s also worth remembering that privacy varies according to the height, design and spacing of the panels. Looking at samples or examples of the finished fence can help you understand how much screening a particular style provides.
Light and Airflow
The amount of light entering your garden is another important consideration.
A solid closeboard fence creates a clear boundary and blocks direct views through the panels, but it can also cast more shade depending on its height, position and the direction of the sun. This is worth considering if you have narrow garden borders or plants that need plenty of sunlight.
Venetian fencing allows some light and airflow through its slatted design. This can create a less enclosed feel and may be particularly effective in smaller gardens where maintaining a sense of space is important.
That said, the amount of light and airflow will depend on the slat spacing and the fence’s orientation. If your garden is already shaded, it is worth considering how any new boundary might affect planting and outdoor seating.
Appearance and Garden Design
Both fencing styles can look excellent, but they create quite different effects.
Closeboard fencing offers a classic, understated appearance. It works well as a practical boundary and provides a consistent backdrop for planting, artificial grass, lawns and patios. It’s also a useful option if you want the rest of your landscaping to remain the main focus.
Venetian fencing has a more distinctive, architectural look. Its horizontal lines can complement porcelain paving, raised rendered planters, contemporary outdoor furniture and modern garden lighting.
When planning a garden transformation, consider how your fence will work alongside the other materials you intend to use. Matching timber tones, coordinating paving and carefully positioned planting can help create a cohesive design.
Durability and Maintenance
The lifespan of any timber fence depends on the quality of the materials, the design, the installation and the conditions it faces.
With closeboard fencing, overlapping boards create a practical, solid boundary. With Venetian fencing, the open slatted design provides a different appearance and allows air to move through the panels. Neither style is automatically the better choice in every garden, as overall performance depends on the specific product and how it is installed.
For both options, properly installed posts, suitable fixings and attention to ground conditions are essential. In exposed locations, wind loading should also be considered when choosing the fencing system.
At DH Landscapes, we believe investing in quality fencing can offer better long-term value than choosing a product based on price alone. As Jacksons Fencing Approved Installers, we can help homeowners explore premium fencing options designed for long-term performance. Jacksons offers selected fencing systems with an industry-leading 25-year guarantee against rot and insect attack, subject to the relevant product terms and conditions.
Which Fence Is Best for Your Garden?
The right choice ultimately depends on your priorities.
Closeboard fencing may be best if you want:
- A solid boundary with a high level of privacy.
- A traditional, versatile appearance.
- Screening around patios, lawns and family gardens.
- A practical fence that works with a wide range of landscaping styles.
Venetian fencing may be best if you want:
- A modern, contemporary garden finish.
- Horizontal lines that complement modern landscaping.
- Some light and airflow through your boundary.
- A stylish backdrop for patios, seating areas and raised planters.
You don’t necessarily have to use the same style throughout your entire garden. Depending on the layout and available products, combining different fencing styles can help balance privacy with openness. For example, a more solid fence along a boundary overlooked by neighbours could be paired with a slatted feature screen near an entertaining area.
Professional Fencing Installation in Taunton and Somerset
Choosing the right panels is only part of the process. Correct measurements, secure posts, suitable foundations and careful installation all contribute to a neat, reliable finish.
At DH Landscapes, we provide professional fencing and landscaping services across Taunton and Somerset. Whether you’re replacing old fence panels, improving privacy or planning a complete garden transformation, we can help you choose an option that suits your property and your budget.
With over 15 years of experience, more than 30 five-star reviews and our status as Jacksons Fencing Approved Installers, we’re committed to delivering quality workmanship and attractive, practical outdoor spaces.
If you’re considering new closeboard or Venetian fencing, get in touch with DH Landscapes for a free, no-obligation quote.
