Close board vs panel fencing

What each one actually is

A fence panel is a prefabricated unit, made in a factory to a standard width, dropped into slotted concrete posts or fixed between timber posts. A close board fence is built on site: posts, arris rails, gravel board, then feather edge boards nailed on one at a time.

That difference in construction explains every other difference between them.

Head to head

Where each one wins:

• Cost: panels win clearly, both in materials and installation time
• Speed: panels win — a panel run goes up far faster
• Strength and lifespan: close board wins, usually by a wide margin
• Sloping ground: close board wins — it can be scribed to the ground line
• Repairability: close board wins for boards, panels win for whole-bay replacement
• Appearance: subjective, though close board with a capping rail generally reads as a higher-quality boundary

How to choose

Choose panels if the boundary is sheltered, the ground is reasonably level, and budget is the deciding factor — but specify concrete posts and gravel boards so you get the full life out of them.

Choose close board if the boundary is exposed, the ground slopes, the fence needs to resist being pushed or climbed, or you simply want to do this once rather than twice.