The purpose of gravel boards

A gravel board sits at the base of a fence. It sits between the panels and the ground. This position keeps timber panels off damp soil. It also protects the panel base from mower and strimmer damage.

These boards help keep your panels level. They also limit soil erosion around the fence line. Because they reduce moisture contact, they help prevent rot in timber panels.

However, concrete materials have some practical downsides. They weigh significantly more than timber. They can also chip or crack over time. Wind and rain might cause these cracks to appear.

However, some people find that concrete looks out of place next to timber. You should consider the visual style of your garden. You can compare local quotes to see which material fits your budget.

Concrete gravel board costs

Retailer prices for concrete gravel boards vary. A 1.83m x 150mm board costs £13.25 at A&P Fencing. In contrast, Wickes lists a similar 1.83m x 150mm recessed board for £22.50. This equates to £9.38 per metre at Wickes.

For wider boards, prices increase. For example, David Musson Fencing lists a 1.83m x 300mm board at £18.22 inc VAT. Wickes lists a 1.83m x 300mm recessed board for £38. You can use our fence cost calculator to plan your budget.

In contrast, timber options often cost less than concrete. Wickes sells treated timber boards from £8. Less.co.uk lists a 1.83m gravel board at £5-10 (material not stated). Trade2Base notes that concrete boards cost between £12 and £20.

Material & Size Retailer Price
Concrete (1.83m x 150mm) A&P Fencing £13.25
Concrete (1.83m x 150mm) Wickes £22.50
Concrete (1.83m x 300mm) David Musson £18.22 inc VAT
Timber (1.83m x 150mm) Wickes From £8

Concrete fence post costs

Concrete posts add extra cost to a fence installation. For example, Best Builders estimates this upgrade at £12-20 per post. BookaBuilderUK notes that installed closeboard costs £130-160 per metre with concrete posts and gravel boards. This compares to £110-140 per metre with timber posts.

Intermediate concrete posts have different prices depending on the merchant. AVS Fencing lists a 2.44m slotted intermediate post at £26.94 inc VAT. Bendrey Bros lists a 2.4m intermediate post at £25.43 inc VAT.

As a result, end and corner posts cost more than intermediate ones. Bendrey Bros lists a 2.4m end post at £39.43 inc VAT. Trade2Base suggests corner or end posts cost between £20 and £35.

Finally, timber posts generally cost less than concrete ones. Less.co.uk lists a 2.4m timber post at £12-20. In contrast, they list a 2.4m slotted concrete post at £18-30. Best Builders lists concrete posts at £25-40.

Post and board specifications

Concrete posts come in various lengths. For example, David Musson Fencing offers slotted posts from 1.5m up to 3.0m. These posts have 50mm slots to hold panels. David Musson recommends installing its slotted posts 600mm (2ft) into the ground.

Standard concrete gravel boards usually measure 1.83m. They often come in heights of 150mm or 300mm. While most match standard panels, some boards for recessed posts can be longer. The Timber Group lists a 2.885m board for morticed posts.

Additionally, consider the durability of your materials. George Hill Timber says concrete posts can last around 25 years with minimal maintenance. Wickes' page says wooden gravel boards typically last 5-20 years and concrete 20-30 years (unsourced retailer figures). Jacksons guarantees its treated timber boards for 25 years.

Sources