Slatted Fences: Styles, Privacy and What to Build Them From

A slatted fence is made of horizontal boards fixed across posts with a small, even gap between each one. It gives a garden a clean, contemporary line, lets air and some light through, and still screens most of the view. A venetian fence is the same idea with narrower slats and tighter gaps, so it reads as more solid and gives more privacy.

Slatted vs venetian fencing

The two names get used interchangeably, but there is a practical difference.

• Slatted fencing usually uses wider boards, often 70mm to 145mm, with gaps of around 10mm to 20mm. It feels open and suits dividing a garden, screening a seating area or topping a low wall.

• Venetian fencing uses thinner slats, often around 45mm, with gaps as tight as 5mm to 10mm. From most angles you can't see through it, so it works as a boundary fence where you want privacy without the heavy look of close board.

Both are normally built as a frame between posts, either as ready-made panels or as boards screwed to battens on site. Built on site, the slats can run continuously past the posts for an uninterrupted line.

How much privacy does a slatted fence give?

Privacy comes down to the ratio of gap to board. A 10mm gap between 70mm boards blocks most of the view from straight on, and almost all of it from an angle. Once gaps go beyond about 20mm, people walking past can see movement and shapes clearly.

If privacy matters on one boundary and not another, you can keep the same style and change only the spacing: tight venetian-style gaps along the neighbour's side, more open slats around a patio or bin store. The fence looks consistent and each section does its job. When we plan fencing and gates in Kettering, mixed spacing is often the answer for people who want a boundary that looks designed rather than bought off the shelf.

Why the gaps are good for wind

A solid fence takes the full force of the wind. A slatted fence lets some of it through, which reduces the load on the posts and is one reason these fences stay straighter in exposed spots. The gaps also let the timber dry out after rain, which helps it last.

The flip side is that a slatted fence gives less shelter than a solid one. If you want a still, sheltered corner for seating, solid close board or a slatted section with tighter gaps will feel noticeably calmer.

Timber or composite slats?

Timber is the classic choice. Pressure-treated softwood is the most affordable and can be stained any colour; hardwoods and thermally modified timber cost more but weather to an even silver-grey and move less. Timber needs re-treating every few years to keep its colour.

Composite boards are made from wood fibre and plastic. They don't need staining, won't splinter and keep their colour longer, which suits people who want a low-maintenance fence. They are heavier and more expensive, and they need closer support because composite can sag over long spans.

Aluminium slatted systems also exist. They are the most expensive and look the most architectural, and they are essentially maintenance-free.

Whichever material you choose, the posts and fixings decide how long the fence stays straight. We use stainless or coated screws so the fixings don't stain the boards, and concrete-set posts at sensible spacing.

Where slatted fences work best

• Contemporary back gardens, where the fence is part of the design rather than something to hide.

• Screening a bin store, oil tank, heat pump or side passage without closing it in completely.

• On top of a low wall as a raised privacy screen (check the overall height against planning limits).

• Around decking or a patio, where slats in the same material tie the areas together. We often build them alongside decking for exactly that reason.

A matching slatted gate finishes the look; our guide to choosing a side gate covers widths, locks and hanging.

Do you need planning permission for a slatted fence?

Usually not. The same rules apply as for any fence: up to 2m high without planning permission, or 1m where it sits next to a road used by vehicles or its footpath. Height is measured from ground level, and any trellis or topper counts towards it. Listed buildings, some new-build estates with open-plan conditions and areas under an Article 4 direction can be stricter, so check with the council if any of those apply.

Slatted fence questions, answered

Are slatted fences strong enough for a boundary?

Yes, if they are built properly. The strength is in the posts and the frame, not the slats, so posts need to be well set and spaced to suit the board length.

Can you put a slatted fence on top of an existing wall?

You can, using posts bolted to the wall or set behind it. The wall has to be sound enough to take the wind load, and the combined height still counts for planning.

Do slatted fences need maintenance?

Timber slats need a clean and a fresh coat of oil or stain every few years. Composite and aluminium only need an occasional wash.

If you're weighing up a slatted boundary against a traditional fence, we can show you both and quote each side by side. You're welcome to contact us to arrange a visit.