Description
DuraPost VENTO is a premium hit-and-miss composite fencing system for contemporary gardens where privacy is wanted without creating a completely flat, solid boundary. The alternating vertical slats create depth, shadow and movement across the fence while the composite material keeps routine maintenance low.
Who is VENTO for?
VENTO suits homeowners investing in a designed garden, garden designers looking for a more architectural alternative to standard fence panels, and installers who want a coordinated hit-and-miss system without constructing the fence from separate timber battens.
What are these slats?
Each pack contains 8 composite slats, 1795mm long. A full approximately 1.8m × 1.8m VENTO bay uses 16 slats — 2 packs.
The slats sit vertically within the dedicated VENTO rail system. They alternate through the rails to create the hit-and-miss effect.
What do I need for one complete VENTO bay?
- 2 packs of VENTO slats — 16 slats total
- 1 × VENTO rail pack — bottom, middle and top rails
- DuraPost posts for the complete fence run
- 6 × M4 × 30mm square-drive self-drilling screws for Birkdale's standard full-height assembly
Adjoining bays share posts, so calculate the whole run rather than ordering two posts for each panel.
How does VENTO go together?
- Set the posts using the bottom rail as the spacing gauge.
- Position the middle rail inside the post reveals.
- Fix the top rail using the outer slats to hold it at the correct height.
- Slot the composite slats through the bottom, middle and top rails. The boards flex sufficiently to insert them into the rail slots.
- Raise the middle rail to the centre position and fix it at both ends.
Why choose VENTO?
- Architectural hit-and-miss appearance with strong shadow lines
- 16-board vertical system creates depth rather than a flat panel face
- Composite slats avoid routine painting, staining and treating
- Dedicated powder-coated galvanised-steel rails
- Compatible with DuraPost and, according to Birkdale, suitable timber or concrete posts
- Board and frame colours can be combined to create different design effects
Which face goes outward?
Birkdale recommends presenting the textured face outward, although the final orientation is a design choice. Decide the preferred face before inserting the slats so the whole run remains consistent.
Can I build a lower VENTO fence?
Yes. Birkdale specifies that fences of 900mm or lower use a two-rail arrangement because the middle rail is not required. The standard 1829mm rail pack on this page is the three-rail set for the full-height system.
How strong is the system?
Birkdale's VENTO technical sheet records testing to EN 1794-1:2018 using an 1800 × 1800mm bay with 2.4m DuraPosts set 600mm into the ground, including stated wind speeds up to 110mph and a 625kg static load. The result relates to the complete tested assembly rather than an individual slat.
Storage before installation
Store the composite slats flat, dry and off the ground with even support underneath to reduce the risk of bending before installation.
Installation manual
Use the official DuraPost VENTO technical sheet and installation guide for the full manufacturer assembly sequence.
Browse the complete DuraPost system for posts, rails and finishing accessories.