Slatted Fencing in Devon

A clean, modern line for the garden

Slatted fencing uses horizontal timber slats with a small, even gap between each one. It gives a sharp, contemporary look that suits newer homes, renovated gardens and patio areas, and the gaps let wind through, which helps on hillside and clifftop plots along the coast between Dawlish and Torbay. It works as a full boundary or as a short screen to hide bins, a hot tub or an oil tank.

Where it works best

Modern and renovated homes wanting something sharper than feather edge
Patios and decking that need a screen without feeling boxed in
Windy, exposed gardens where a solid fence would take a battering
Hiding bins, oil tanks or a utility corner

At a glance

Typical job: one to three days depending on length and height
Included: survey, posts, slats, a capping rail where wanted, clear-up
Timber: treated softwood, or a smoother planed timber for a finer finish
Price: given after a free site visit

The finish is in the gaps

Slatted fencing shows every mistake, because the eye runs straight along the lines. We set the posts plumb and in a true line, fix each slat with spacers so the gap stays the same top to bottom, and line the ends up on the posts. Exposed screw heads are kept in neat rows, and on longer runs we add a centre support so the slats don’t bow over time.

Slats that stay in line, and slats that drift

Picking the timber: knotty or wet boards twist as they dry, and on a horizontal fence one twisted slat is all you notice. Straight grain is worth sorting for.
Cut ends: raw ends drink water faster than the faces and edges of a board, so every cut gets treated. Skip that and the slat starts to fail from where it meets the post.
Screws: stainless or properly coated. Plain ones can leave dark streaks running down the face, and salt air makes that happen sooner.
Top and bottom: a capping rail sheds rain off the top edge, and the lowest slat stays clear of soil so it can dry out between showers.

How slats behave in an exposed garden

A solid fence stops the wind dead, which sends gusts up and over and down into the seating area behind it. Slats filter it instead, so the air on the sheltered side tends to be calmer rather than whipped about. That suits plots that sit high above Teignmouth or look out towards the bay, where you want shelter and don’t want to lose the light. Horizontal lines can also frame a view well, if the gap is chosen with the view in mind.

Sun has its say as well. A dark stain on a south-facing screen takes more heat, and sun-baked timber moves more than timber in shade, so a slightly closer fixing pattern pays off there. Height rules apply to slatted fences as they do to solid ones: generally up to two metres, or one metre where it borders a road. A screen on a raised patio can be treated differently, so ask the council before building up there.

How a slatted fence goes up

We visit, measure and talk through slat size and gap
Written quote
Posts set and lined up
Slats fixed with spacers, capping fitted
We clear the site and take the waste away

Questions about slatted fencing

How private is it?

With a small gap it screens well from most angles while letting light and air through. A wider gap gives a more open, airy look. We can show you examples before you decide.

Will it warp?

Any timber moves a little. Fixing each slat at every post, adding support on longer spans and using well-seasoned timber keeps movement to a minimum.

Can it be stained a dark colour?

Yes. Charcoal, black and grey finishes are popular with slatted fences. We can advise on a stain that suits the timber.

What gap width should I go for?

Often somewhere around 10 to 20mm. Narrower gives more privacy, wider feels more open. Holding a couple of offcuts up where the fence will go shows you the difference better than any drawing.

Can a slatted screen hide an oil tank?

It can, but tanks have clearance rules around nearby timber. Ask your oil engineer what gap yours needs before anything gets built, and we’ll set out the screen to suit.

How much upkeep does it take?

Treated softwood wants re-staining every few years, sooner on a sunny or exposed run. Brushing out the gaps when green starts to build up helps the slats dry and keeps the lines looking crisp.

Thinking slatted for a garden by the sea? See slatted fencing in Dawlish or slatted fencing in Teignmouth for what changes close to home.

Picturing a slatted screen for the patio, or the whole boundary? Tell us where it’s going and how long it is, adding any photos you have, and we’ll come out to discuss slat width and spacing. Nearby, we’ve got pages for Dawlish and Teignmouth.