Fence Panel Height vs Finished Fence Height: A Guide to Gravel Boards

By Luke Clarke — over 10 years’ experience installing and supplying fencing.

A 6ft-high fence panel and a fence that finishes 6ft above the ground are different measurements. If a gravel board sits underneath a panel, its exposed height adds to the finished fence height. Decide the finished height first, then choose compatible panels, gravel boards and posts.

What does 6ft mean when buying a fence?

A 6ft × 6ft fence panel is a prefabricated unit sold as approximately 6ft wide and 6ft high. A 6ft finished fence describes the height of the installed fence above ground, including any exposed gravel board beneath it. Check the actual dimensions on the product listing: nominal imperial sizes and metric manufacturing sizes can differ.

This guide concerns prefabricated fence panels, including closeboard panels and lap panels. Continuous closeboard fencing is built on site from posts, rails and individual featheredge boards. Its board lengths, rail positions and gravel-board arrangement must be planned as a separate system; a “6ft closeboard fence” does not automatically mean a 6ft-high panel.

Panel and gravel-board height examples

For a level installation with the whole gravel board above ground, these are two illustrative combinations:

• 5ft 6in panel + 6in gravel board: approximately 6ft finished height. Using example trade dimensions of 1,680mm + 150mm gives 1,830mm.
• 6ft panel + 6in gravel board: approximately 6ft 6in finished height. Using example trade dimensions of 1,830mm + 150mm gives 1,980mm.

1,980mm is 1.98m, not 2m. These sums illustrate the difference; they are not a specification for every product. Allow for the actual panel and board sizes, any gap below the board, capping or trellis, and changes in ground level. On a slope, the height above ground can vary along a stepped fence.

What does a gravel board do?

A gravel board separates the timber panel from direct contact with the ground and can reduce moisture exposure at its bottom edge. It does not guarantee that timber will never rot. Choose a board compatible with the posts and panel fixings, and avoid banking soil against untreated or unsuitable timber.

Choosing a suitable post length

Select posts for both the required height above ground and the embedment specified for the site and fencing system. As arithmetic examples, 1.83m above ground plus 0.60m embedment needs about 2.43m of post; 1.98m plus 0.60m needs about 2.58m, before any required projection above the fence.

The 600mm figure is an example, not a universal foundation design. Soil, exposure, fence height and post type can require a different depth or foundation. Do not assume every 6ft panel needs a 9ft post, or that an 8ft post suits every finished fence. See our fence-post depth guide and check the manufacturer’s installation requirements.

Check the finished height and planning rules

For England, the usual permitted-development height limits are 1m beside a highway used by vehicles (or its footpath) and 2m elsewhere. Listed buildings, planning conditions and other restrictions can change what is allowed. The overall installed height matters, including gravel boards and toppers. Check the Planning Portal guidance and your local planning authority before ordering if the boundary position, ground levels or permissions are unclear. Other UK nations have their own rules.

Check these details before ordering

Measure the existing fence and ground levels, decide the finished height, then confirm the actual panel height and width, exposed gravel-board height, post length and compatible fittings. Replacing a panel between existing posts also means checking the opening and post condition; “6ft wide” alone is not enough to confirm the fit.

Browse our fence panels or ask about our fence installation service. Tell us whether you need prefabricated panels or continuous closeboard fencing, and the finished height you want.