Picket fencing
Picket fencing is the front-garden fence. Low, decorative, defines a boundary without walling anything in. Properly treated posts concreted in the same as any other fence. Painted white or left in natural timber, often with a matching garden gate.
What it is
A picket fence is a low, vertical-board boundary fence, usually 900mm to 1200mm high, with gaps between the boards (the pickets) so you can see through it. Traditional cottage-garden look. Common on front gardens and on side returns between houses where a tall fence would be too much.
It's a decorative fence, not a privacy fence. It says: this is the edge of the garden, not: keep out. Paired with a matching gate, it's one of the nicer bits of joinery on a domestic frontage.
When a picket is the right call
- You've got a front garden on a traditional East Sussex cottage or terrace, and you want a boundary that fits the style.
- You want to keep a small dog or young children in the front garden without blocking the view from the pavement.
- You're replacing a picket run that's gone over and want to match what was there.
- You want a low boundary with a garden gate, and a close-board or panel would look out of place.
How we build it
- Properly treated posts, concreted inEven on a low fence, the posts are what hold it up and what give up first. Properly treated every time.
- Pickets cut to a matching profileFlat-top, round-top, pointed-top, or a decorative arched run. Cut in batches from pressure-treated timber so they match. Spacing typically 30 to 40mm between pickets.
- Rails on the back faceTwo horizontal rails between the posts, pickets nailed to the rails.
- Paint or stainIf you want it painted, we'll prime and paint on site or quote for it unpainted so you can finish it yourself. White's traditional. Black and dark green also common on East Sussex cottages.
- Gate integrationA matching picket garden gate, hung on galvanised hinges with a drop latch or a Suffolk latch, is nearly always part of the job.
What we won't do
We won't fit a picket run with untreated posts, even though the spec is low-impact. The posts are still in the ground and still need to be properly pressure-treated. We also won't paint over rotten timber to make a tired fence look fresh; if the run has gone, we'll say so and price a replacement instead.
What picket fencing costs
Priced per metre after a site visit. Height, spacing, whether you want painting, gate integration and any curved or decorative top profile all move the number. A simple painted picket run with a gate is a tidy half-week job. We put a written quote in front of you within two working days.
See how we price every job, across tree surgery and fencing →
Reviews from fencing work
★★★★★“Josh did an outstanding job installing a new fence and gate at my house. From the initial quote right through to the finished work, he was professional, reliable, and a real pleasure to deal with. The quality of the workmanship is excellent. I couldn’t recommend Josh more highly if you’re looking for fencing work — he delivers a first-class result.”
★★★★★“Highly recommend Josh for tree surgery and fencing work - he has made a big positive impact to our farm in Kent on the back of his hard work and high standards.”
Related work
Have a look at recent fencing jobs we've done nearby.
Picket fencing across East Sussex
We cover about twenty miles around Heathfield, which takes in Hastings, Battle, Bexhill, Rye and the villages between. Each town page has what the ground and the trees are actually like there.
Fence line had its day?
Fill in the quote form or give us a call and we'll come and have a look. No charge for the visit, no hard sell.