How to reduce the size (width) of a fence panel

How do you reduce the size (width) of a fence panel?

Sometimes, fence panels require cutting to a smaller width to fit a specific gap, such as the end of a fence run where only part of a panel is needed to finish.

Every fence panel design is different, so the process of cutting each panel to reduce the width will be slightly different. Many fence panels are readily available in a range of heights, but most fence panels will be 6ft (1.83m) wide and this is due to keeping the integrity of the panel strong and fitting with the standard size available on the market. The narrower the panel, the more posts you would need to install (which is the part of installation that takes the longest). Any wider and the timber within the panel would need an increased amount of support in the panel itself and from the fence posts.

Most fencing manufacturers should provide kits and instructions to correctly reduce the width of a fence panel in your garden.

View our fence panel cut down instructions via the button below.

Reducing the width of a fence panel instructions

Do fence panels come in standard widths?

The standard width of a fence panel is 6ft (1.83m). Bespoke or made to measure widths can be made by fencing manufacturers, but this will often be at an increased cost. The alternative and most common solution to create a shorter fence panel is by cutting the fence panel down yourself, or by getting a fencing installer to do it for you.

How do you reduce the width of a fence panel?

It is important to distinguish between framed and non-framed. Framed fence panels, as the name suggests will have a timber frame around the 4 sides therefore cutting down a framed panel will be different to an unframed fence panel as it won’t require a frame to be cut as well.

Fencing which is made up of individual pales is relatively easy to cut down to size. Reducing the width of the fencing is achieved by removing the pales from the rails which it is fixed onto. This will leave the rails exposed. The rails then need to be cut at the desired length. Please note that when any timber is cut, Jakcure cut and treat needs to be applied to comply with our 25 year Jakcure guarantee terms and conditions. 

Non-framed fencing tends to be in kit form such as Featherboard or Palisade fencing in which case you will just use as many pales as fits your space and cut rails and gravel boards to size which is a simple process

Kit form fencing is ideal for gardens or areas of non-straight boundaries with lots of corners or angles. As the fence panel is not premade you have control over how many pales you attach and can therefore create a fence to fit the space. We do recommend fence posts are still spaced at specific intervals; every 7 ½ feet (2.4m).

For framed fence panels, every panel design will differ and as mentioned, cutting down the fence will also differ. Most commonly, the top and bottom frame in a ‘cut down kit’ should be notched to receive the new timber battens at the new desired width of the fence panel. Timber battens should be supplied by the fencing manufacturer and will be included in a cut down kit. Timber battens should then be attached to the fence panel sandwiching the pales. The panel should then be cut down on the outside of newly placed timber battens.

With some fence panel designs the end frame can be removed from the pales, pales can then be cut down and the end frame reattached.

For detailed instructions view our reducing the width of a fence panel guide -  

Reducing the width of a fence panel instructions

Cutting the width of a gravel board

For all our timber fencing we recommend using a gravel board to sit beneath the panel. Gravel boards are essential to qualify for the 25 year guarantee, as they stop the fence panel coming into contact with the ground and protect the fence panel against rot.

If you ever need to modify the width of a fence panel, you will also need to cut down the width of the gravel board to match.

Similar to our fence panels, gravel boards are 1.83m in width. Gravel boards can be cut down without the use of a cut down kit. Our gravel boards include two spacer blocks stopping the gravel board from being able to move when installed in the slotted posts. These spacer blocks can be easily removed using a claw hammer and carefully levered off and reused, but they can also be purchased separately if spares are needed (667601). Once the length of the board is cut you will need to reattach the spacer blocks at the end of the gravel board allowing it to be re-inserted back into the slotted fence post. We also supply a hedgehog friendly version of this gravel board (667610) and if this needs cutting down, then the opposite end of the hole should be cut.

Again, whenever cutting any timber, you must apply our Jakcure cut and treat to any newly exposed timber. This will ensure it is properly protected against rot and insect attack. If you do not, you risk your panel or gravel board not being covered by the 25 year guarantee.

Should you require more information relating to gravel boards such as how to install them or why they are required in a run of fencing, we recommend reading our blog: What is a Gravel Board and is it Essential?

How do I know if I will need to reduce the width of a fence panel?

To work out how many fence panels and fence posts you need you must first calculate the overall distance you will need to secure.

The standard width of a fence panel is 1.83m but in this calculation you must consider the width of one fence post per panel for an accurate measurement. The overall width of our standard slotted posts is 100mm but as they are slotted the fence post sits into the post itself, therefore the measurement you need to add to your fence run is 50mm per post (nominal). Factor in the ends of the run, whether you require an end post at each end or a corner post, depending on the area you’re covering.

Here is the equation you need to use to calculate how many fence panels you need:

Total fence run length /( fence panel width + fence post width)

10m / 1880mm = 5.32 panels, therefore you need to buy 6 fence panels, and cut the width of one panel on site.

Alternatively, use our fence calculator online, where you can input your meterage to cover and it will tell you how many panels you require. If you need any further information relating to our panels, reducing their width or gravel boards, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly sales team.

If you need any further information relating to our panels, reducing their width or gravel boards, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly sales team