A fence run with Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Lap Fence Panels and plants in front

Most fence panels will have a standard width of 6ft. But when it comes to fence height, there can be a lot of variety. In this article, we’re going to explore what points to bear in mind when choosing the right fence height for your garden and what your options are.

Identifying the Right Height for You

There are numerous factors to take into account when choosing an appropriate fence height for your garden. Here are some of the key points you may want to consider:

  • Intended use: If you’re looking to replace a fence line in your back garden, then you’re probably going to want a taller fence. However, if you’re looking to create zoning within the garden’s interior, or add a border to your front garden, then a smaller fence that doesn’t obstruct views could be the better choice.
  • Privacy: Taller fences bring extra levels of privacy, allowing you to enjoy your garden without being overlooked by neighbours or passersby. This can be particularly important in urban areas, where houses are built in close proximity to one another.
  • Safety and security: Adding a taller fence line around your property can help to deter thieves and keep your property safe. It can also help to keep children and pets safely enclosed within your garden.
  • Design: If your heart’s set on a specific design, material or colour, then you may find that this restricts the pool of fence panels – and heights – you have to choose from.
  • Cost: Generally speaking, taller fence panels are likely to be more expensive than shorter ones, while style and materials can also have an impact on your bottom line. Thankfully, our substantial range of panels is competitively priced, so you’ll be able to pick up a great deal regardless of the height you choose.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the different fence heights we have available at Buy Fencing Direct.

6ft Fences

6ft fence panels (also know as 6x6 panels) are the tallest that we sell and a common sight across the UK. They’re a popular choice for back gardens as they provide high levels of security and privacy for properties.

While you can get taller fence panels, such as 7ft and 8ft, back garden fences over 2 metres in height can be subject to planning permission. You can find out more about the rules governing fence height in the UK on our blog.

Product Spotlight

Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Contemporary Double Slatted Fence Panel
Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Contemporary Double Slatted Fence Panel

Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Contemporary Double Slatted Fence Panel

  • 15-year anti-rot guarantee
  • Pressure-treated and PEFC-certified wood
  • 45mm x 8mm slats
  • Premium materials and an intelligent design
  • Matching gate available
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Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Contemporary Double Slatted Fence Panel
Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Contemporary Double Slatted Fence Panel

Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Lap Fence Panel

  • 15-year anti-rot guarantee
  • Pressure-treated and FSC®-certified wood
  • 5 vertical battens and a 44mm frame
  • Straight-cut boards
  • Matching gate available
  • 3ft, 4ft, 5ft and 6ft versions available
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5ft Fences

5ft fence panels provide back gardens with a good level of security and privacy too, and can also be used to help partition off interior sections. These 5x6 panels include a range of decorative and traditional options for you to choose from, helping you to bring a personal touch to your garden.

Product Spotlight

Forest 6' x 5' Kyoto Decorative Fence Panel with plants in front
Forest 6' x 5' Kyoto Decorative Fence Panel with plants in front

Forest 6' x 5' Kyoto Decorative Fence Panel

  • 15-year anti-rot guarantee
  • Pressure-treated and PEFC-certified wood
  • Horizontal-mounted slats on vertical battens
  • Slatted fence topper
  • Mortise and tenon jointed
  • 4ft, 5ft and 6ft versions available
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Forest 6' x 5' Pressure Treated Vertical Closeboard Fence Panel in a garden
Forest 6' x 5' Pressure Treated Vertical Closeboard Fence Panel in a garden

Forest 6' x 5' Pressure Treated Vertical Closeboard Fence Panel

  • 15-year anti-rot guarantee
  • Pressure-treated and FSC®-certified wood
  • Thick, square-cut, overlapping 8mm boards
  • Robust perimeter frame and profiled panel cap
  • 2 x 45mm central battens
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4ft Fences

64ft fence panels strike a good balance between privacy, security and affordability, and are well-suited for marking boundaries in both front gardens and back gardens alike. These 4x6 panels can also be an effective and attractive way to hide any unsightly areas of your garden that you’d like to keep tucked away, like a compost heap.

Product Spotlight

Forest 6' x 4' Paloma Pressure Treated Decorative Fence Panel in a garden with plants and a lawn
Forest 6' x 4' Paloma Pressure Treated Decorative Fence Panel in a garden with plants and a lawn

Forest 6' x 4' Paloma Pressure Treated Decorative Fence Panel

  • 15-year anti-rot guarantee
  • Pressure-treated wood
  • 45mm x 40mm mortise and tenon jointed
  • Matching gate available
  • 4ft, 5ft and 6ft versions available
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Forest 6' x 4' Straight Cut Overlap Fence Panels in a garden
Forest 6' x 4' Straight Cut Overlap Fence Panels in a garden

Forest 6' x 4' Straight Cut Overlap Fence Panels

  • 10-year anti-rot guarantee (with annual retreatment)
  • Dip-treated and FSC®-certified wood
  • Golden-brown finish
  • Straight-edged, overlapping, horizontal boards
  • Robust perimeter frame and two central battens
  • 3ft, 4ft, 5ft and 6ft versions available
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3ft Fences

3ft fence panels are the smallest that we sell and are ideal for creating boundaries in your front garden or zones in your back garden. Picket fence or metal 3x6 panels have the added benefit of maintaining sight lines, so you’ll still be able to enjoy the full beauty of your garden once your new fence line has been installed. Plus, you’ll be able to easily keep an eye on pets or children!

Product Spotlight

Forest 6' x 3' Wooden Pale Picket Fence Panel with plants in the background
Forest 6' x 3' Wooden Pale Picket Fence Panel with plants in the background

Forest 6' x 3' Wooden Pale Picket Fence Panel

  • 10-year anti-rot guarantee (with annual retreatment)
  • Dip-treated timber
  • Slatted palisade design
  • Vertical square edge boards separated by 90mm of space
  • Durable and stable
  • Comes pre-assembled
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Panacea 4' x 3' Triple Arch Black Metal Fence Panel with green plants, a lawn and paving slabs
Panacea 4' x 3' Triple Arch Black Metal Fence Panel with green plants, a lawn and paving slabs

Panacea 4' x 3' Triple Arch Black Metal Fence Panel

  • Powder-coated galvanised steel
  • Three arches and enclosed finials
  • Quick and easy to install
  • Resistant to rust and UV rays
  • Designed to be used with the Panacea black metal gate, fence post and mounting brackets
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Fence Toppers

If you want to increase the height of an existing fence without having to replace the whole thing, then a fence topper could be the most economical way to go. These additions will fit neatly onto the top of existing flat-topped fence panels, increasing your level of privacy and security, and tend to range from 1ft to 3ft in height.

They often have a lattice design, as seen with the Forest 6’ x 1’ Diamond Lattice Trellis Fence Topper, giving you the opportunity to add a natural touch to your fence line by encouraging plants and flowers to grow along the top.

To find out more about fence toppers and other fence extension ideas, check out our blog article on the topic.


That concludes our exploration of fence heights – we hope you’ve be able to identify the right height for your garden! Once you have, head on over to the fencing panel section on our website to explore the great value options that we have on offer.