Everything You Need To Know About Gravel Boards

We have been manufacturing and supplying fencing and garden products for over 25 years. We pride ourselves on providing a unique range of products to suit your individual needs, whether that be concrete posts, gravel boards, or accessories. We have everything you need to begin building a garden to be proud of.

In that time, we’ve had loads of questions from customers wondering, “What do gravel boards do?” and “Are gravel boards essential for my fence?” and “What materials of gravel board are best?

In the article, we will answer all those questions and much more. When it comes to gravel boards, it’s important to understand what they are and what they do before you start working out what type and where to use them.

What are gravel boards?

Normally, the typical height of a gravel board is about 150 mm, and its length is 1000 mm. They are placed under your fencing to prevent it from being damaged by moisture or dampness on the ground. Properly fitted, gravel boards will prolong the life of your fence and save you the expense of repairing or replacing it as frequently as possible.

Are gravel boards necessary?

Although you can do without them, gravel boards are very helpful when trying to extend the life of your fence panels. These boards will also make your fence more durable and save you a lot of money on regular maintenance.

They will also fill any openings at the bottom of your fence instead of leaving them exposed. On top of this, they also protect your fence while you perform garden maintenance chores like mowing the lawn, strimming, or digging.

What are they made from?

In most cases, gravel boards are made using three main materials: wood, concrete, or composite. Each of these materials has a unique style as well as pros and cons that come along with them.

Therefore, it would go without saying that the type of material used can either break or make your garden, in the sense that it might be similar to fence posts to maintain some form of uniformity throughout your garden. Factors like cost and durability are really important when people make decisions.

Timber Gravel Boards

Our Timber Gravel Boards capture the natural feel of timber fencing while standing strong against the British weather all year round. Crafted from specially selected timber and pressure-treated, our gravel boards are built to last and tailored to suit your home and garden.

Benefits

Affordable: Timber gravel boards offer a pocket-friendly alternative, giving you sturdy fencing without breaking the bank.

Environmentally friendly: sourced from local sawmills and suppliers. Timber gravel boards are kinder to the environment and are good at reducing the eco-footprint of your fencing.

Stylish: With a natural finish that complements your fencing, our gravel boards enhance the visual appeal of your property. Something you might not get from composite or concrete.

Customisable: Timber gravel boards let you add your personal touch, ensuring your fence reflects your garden style.

Negatives

Maintenance: One thing that timber gravel boards have against them is the increased maintenance costs. Even with an initial stain and protection, you will need to repeat this in future to protect yourself from rot and water damage. 

Lifespan: Because of maintenance and other factors this means the lifespan of wooden gravel boards is less than concrete or composite. But still has a massive benefit over replacing your fence regularly. When stacked up against concrete gravel boards, timber options win on looks, blending in beautifully with decorative fence panels to maintain that traditional garden feel.

However, concrete gravel boards have an edge when it comes to longevity and low maintenance. While they might not have the same natural charm as timber, they'll likely last longer with less effort required to keep them in top condition.

Concrete Gravel Boards

Our concrete gravel boards are ideal for fence panels to protect against the risk of rot. The boards separate the fence panel from ground contact so that it prevents any water ingress or rot from occurring.

Benefits

Very low maintenance and strong: Our gravel boards are made to last, and with up to a 15-year guarantee, they will keep your fence looking new for longer.

Durable and secure: Our gravel boards will add an extra layer of protection to your garden. The durable features will also increase your fence height by around 200mm, adding that extra layer of privacy to your garden.

Drawbacks

Not Pleasing to Look At: This does feel like one of those drawbacks that not everyone will agree with. But concrete gravel boards can look out of place in some gardens where composite might be more suitable.

Not Environmentally Friendly: Concrete gravel approaches will never be as friendly to the environment as timber is. But it shouldn't be something to persuade your decision-making.

They are more expensive, both to buy and to install (you’ll need more than one labourer to help install them because of their weight), but they won’t need to be replaced for many years.

Composite Grval Boards

Lightweight, low-maintenance, and durable, our Durapost gravel boards come in a range of colours to match the rest of the Durapost fence post system that we sell online. Made from a mix of composite galvanised steel, they won’t warp or rot, and are especially great if you’re aiming for a clean, contemporary look in your garden.

Benefits 

Composite Technology: Our DuraPost® composite gravel boards are created with durability in mind. They are created using a mix of wood and plastic materials which are 100% recyclable. Creating a lightweight yet exceptionally durable product.

UV Resistance: The combination of wood and plastic materials means that, unlike standard composite, our gravel boards won't fade away over time. They can withstand the UV rays in the UK.

Versatile Colour Options: At Hillsborough Fencing, we offer a range of colours to fit your garden needs.

Compatible with the DuraPost® System: DuraPost® gravel board seamlessly integrates with the DuraPost® system, offering a complete fencing solution that is both stylish and functional.

Negatives

Value: When it comes to composite fencing. The more you spend. The more it will cost you. This applies to all products these days. The more you spend, the higher quality product you will receive.

DuraPost systems: Just like with the other DuraPost features we sell, we recommend buying them together as it is an all-in-one system.

When it comes to choosing the right gravel boards for your home and garden, It is worth taking into account all the factors we have mentioned above. Including price, colours, your home, and much more.

When it comes to choosing the right gravel boards for your home and garden. It is worth taking into account all the factors we have mentioned above. Including price, colours, your home and much more.

We offer a range of concrete gravel boards online. They will fit with any fencing sold by us online. Head over to our website and take a look.