Why Are Gaps Appearing and Pales Bending in My Closeboard Fence Panels?
Closeboard fence panels are a reliable and popular choice, valued for their strength, privacy and long-lasting appeal. But even the best fences can show signs of wear over time. If you’ve noticed gaps forming or pales starting to bend, it’s worth understanding why it happens and what you can do to put it right.
Natural Movement in Timber
Timber is a natural product, and even after it’s been cut and treated, it still reacts to the weather. As the seasons change, timber expands during wet periods and contracts in dry spells. This natural movement can cause:
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Gaps between pales, especially during warm, dry weather
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Pales to bend or twist, particularly when one side of the board is exposed to more sun or moisture than the other
This is perfectly normal, but it’s more noticeable in panels made from thinner pales or cheaper species of timber. These tend to be less stable and are more prone to shrinking, warping and movement. Higher quality closeboard panels are usually made with stronger, slow-grown timber species that are less likely to distort, helping to maintain a neat and even finish for longer.
In very hot weather, particularly just after a new fence has been installed, you can try lightly watering the panels once a day to slow the drying process. This can help reduce movement in cheaper panels and give the timber more time to adjust gradually.
Loose Nails and Impact Damage
Sometimes pales start to move not just because of timber movement, but because they’ve come loose from the rails behind them. This can be caused by:
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Nails that weren’t long enough or not suitable for external use
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Regular impact from inside the garden, such as a football repeatedly hitting the same section of fence. Read our blog on tips and fence styles that can withstand garden football.
Over time, this type of pressure can push pales away from the rails, causing them to bend outward or appear misaligned. If this happens, it’s a good idea to re-secure the pales using galvanised screws, which offer a stronger and more reliable fix than nails.
Weak or Poorly Installed Rails
The rails behind your fence panels do the heavy lifting. If they start to sag or pull away from the posts, the pales fixed to them will move too. Common causes include:
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Rails spaced too far apart
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Timber rails that aren’t strong enough for the panel size
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Fixings that haven’t held up over time
A well-built closeboard fence will have solid horizontal rails that are properly fixed and spaced to provide stable support. If you suspect your rails are letting the panel down, it might be time for a closer inspection or a repair. Low quality fixings are a easy way to tell a low quality fence panels, often rusting quickly. Read our blog on preventing and removing rust marks from fixings on a fence.
Panel Quality Makes a Difference
Not all fence panels are built to the same standard. Budget panels may look fine at first, but if they’re made with lower grade timber or poor fixings, they’re far more likely to suffer from gaps and bending as time goes on.
Higher quality closeboard panels are built using robust construction methods, pressure-treated timber and carefully selected pale sizes. Many are backed by long guarantees, often up to 25 years, which reflects the confidence manufacturers have in their materials. It’s well worth the investment if you want your fence to remain strong and smart for years to come.
Simple Ways to Prevent Issues
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Inspect your fence regularly, especially after storms or heavy wind
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Re-fix any loose pales with galvanised screws to keep them firmly in place
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Replace any damaged or badly warped pales to maintain the overall look
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Apply a good quality wood treatment once a year to protect against weathering, unless your fence comes with a long-lasting guarantee like Jakcure, in which case additional treatment isn’t necessary
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Use a fence post cap or capping rail to reduce water ingress and improve lifespan
In Summary
Gaps and bent pales in closeboard fence panels are often caused by a mix of timber movement, loose fixings and, sometimes, regular impact from inside the garden. Choosing high-quality panels made with stable, well-treated timber can reduce these issues from the outset. And with a bit of regular maintenance, your fence will stay upright, secure and looking its best for many years to come. Jacksons are our go to type of Closeboard Fence Panels, they rarely move as they have thicker boards, look good and don't need retreating for 25 years.
If you need help diagnosing an issue or are planning to replace a damaged section, we’re always happy to offer advice.
