Fitting a fence panel between slotted concrete posts is a different job from fixing a panel to timber posts. Instead of using fence panel clips, the gravel board and timber panel sit in the concrete post slots and are lowered into position from above.
Browse our Concrete Fencing range and Fence Panels before planning the installation.
Check which type of concrete post you have
Wern-Wood stocks several concrete post types, including Intermediate Concrete Fence Posts, Concrete Fence End Posts and Concrete Corner Fence Posts.
Before ordering replacement panels or building a new bay, identify the post system you already have. A slotted post system and a recessed closeboard system are not the same arrangement, so do not assume every concrete post takes every fence panel in the same way.
Measure the gap before ordering the panel
If the concrete posts are already installed, measure the clear opening available for the panel rather than ordering on the description “6ft” alone.
Our fence panel range contains products listed at both 1800mm and traditional nominal 6ft / 1830mm dimensions. That difference matters when the posts are already fixed and the panel has to fit the existing bay.
See Fence Panel Sizes: How to Measure and Choose the Right Size for the wider explanation of 1800mm, 1830mm and nominal 6ft sizing.
How we replace a fence panel between existing concrete posts
If the posts are sound and the replacement panel is the correct size, the process is straightforward:
- Remove the old fence panel.
- If the gravel board is also being replaced or added, lower the new gravel board into the post slots first.
- With another person helping, lift the replacement fence panel high enough to enter the slots.
- Lower the panel evenly down between the posts until it sits above the gravel board.
We prefer a little clearance in the bay rather than a panel being wedged tightly into the concrete slots. If the panel has to be forced, stop and check the measured opening and the actual panel width.
For a new concrete-post fence: post, gravel board, then panel
For a new slotted concrete-post run, our sequence is post → gravel board → fence panel.
You can use a Concrete Gravel Board, or use a Timber Gravel Board if you want to keep the timber look. Compare both options in our Gravel Boards range.
Check the posts before fitting a replacement
A new fence panel will not correct a damaged or badly aligned concrete post. Check that the posts and slots are suitable before lifting the replacement panel into place.
If a post or slot is damaged, deal with that problem first rather than forcing a new panel into a bay that is no longer suitable.
Do not make the panel too tight
The main thing is choosing the right-size panel for the gap. We do not normally see many fitting issues when the opening has been measured correctly and the panel has a little clearance in the slots.
Do not assume 1800mm, 1830mm and “6ft” mean the same thing. Check the exact panel dimensions before ordering.
Lifting the panel is a multi-person job
The awkward part is often getting the panel high enough to lower it into the concrete posts. We treat this as a multi-person job. A full fence panel can be difficult to lift, control and lower evenly on your own.
Choose the panel before you start
Compare our current Fence Panels before ordering. If you are deciding between panel types as well as post systems, see How to Choose the Right Fence Panel for Your Garden.
If you are installing panels between timber rather than concrete posts, use our separate guide to installing fence panels between timber posts.
