Fence Panel Backing Rails, 1.83m x 32mm x 75mm, Rough Sawn Softwood, Green or Brown Pressure Treated

Backing rails are the slim horizontal timbers that feather edge boards are nailed to when you build a closeboard fence or make up your own closeboard panels. These rails are 1.83m long, 75mm wide and 32mm thick. They are cut from rough sawn softwood and pressure treated in either green or brown, so you can match the boards and posts already on your job. They are sold individually. Fencing contractors, landscapers, builders and homeowners use them to make panels on site, to repair a panel whose rails have failed, and to add an extra rail to a tall fence.

Why it works

The right section for nailing boards

At 75mm wide, the rail gives a feather edge board a broad face to nail into. That makes it easier to keep nails away from the edge of the rail and to set each board straight. At 32mm thick, there is enough timber to hold a nail without the rail splitting, while staying light enough to handle and fix on your own.

Pressure treated against rot and insects

Both colours are pressure treated to help the timber resist rot and insect attack outdoors. Green treated timber starts with a green tint that weathers over time. Brown treated timber starts a mid brown that suits brown boards and posts. The use class for this line is not published, so keep the rails off the ground and use a gravel board below the boards.

A standard 6ft panel length

The 1.83m length matches the common 6ft panel width, so a rail spans one bay between posts without joints. A typical closeboard panel uses two or three rails, depending on its height.

Rough sawn finish

The surface is left rough sawn rather than planed. This is normal for fencing timber and gives a good grip for stain if you choose to colour the fence later.

Where it's used

• Making up closeboard and feather edge panels on site
• Repairing panels with split or rotten rails
• Adding a middle rail to tall boarded fences
• Framing bin stores, log stores and screens
• General garden and outbuilding joinery outdoors

Specifications

Choosing the right option

Both treatments share the same size, timber and rough sawn finish, so the choice is about colour.

Green Treated suits fences built from green treated feather edge boards, posts and gravel boards. The green tint fades with weathering, so new rails on an older green fence will blend in over time.

Brown Treated suits brown treated boards and posts and gives a finished brown look from day one. Choose it when you want the rails to match brown panels straight away, or when the fence will be stained a dark colour.

As a guide, plan two rails per bay for fences up to about 1.2m high, and three rails per bay for taller fences, so the boards stay flat.

Installation, use & care

Fix the rails between posts, or to the back of the boards when making panels flat on the ground, keeping them level and square. Nail each feather edge board to every rail, overlapping the boards evenly. Use galvanised or stainless nails to avoid rust marks. Treat any cut ends with a suitable end-grain preservative, as cutting exposes untreated timber. Keep the bottom of the fence off the soil with a gravel board, and check fixings each year.

FAQ

How many rails do I need per panel?

Two rails are usual for low panels and three for panels around 1.8m high. Add a rail if boards are long enough to bow between rails.

Can I cut the rails to a shorter length?

Yes. They cut easily with a hand saw. Treat each cut end with an end-grain preservative before fixing.

Are these rails planed?

No. They are rough sawn, which is the normal finish for fencing timber and takes stain well.

Can these rails go in the ground?

The use class is not published for this line, so we do not recommend ground contact. Use posts and gravel boards for parts that touch the soil.

Ordering & delivery

Rails are sold individually and priced per rail. A minimum order of 39 rails applies, shown when you add to basket. Delivery charges and lead times are shown at checkout.