Ipe slatted fence review: our verdict on the 50 mm slats
- Ipe slats 50 x 21 mm, fitted horizontally with a 5 mm gap
- On 60 x 60 mm ekki (Azobé) posts, a full kit with posts, slats, clips and screws
- Heights 1.80, 2.00 or 2.10 m, one side or both sides clad
- From £328.55 per metre at 1.80 m, one side clad (price on 27 October 2026)
Our verdict, point by point
| What we looked at | Our verdict |
|---|---|
| Durability | Excellent. Ipe slats (class 1) on ekki posts. We expect 25+ years. |
| Looks | Fine, modern lines. Narrow slats give more rhythm and look lighter than wide ones. |
| Fitting | Clips with a drill point and click ends keep it simple, but there are a lot of pieces: about 18 slats per metre of height. |
| Maintenance | Essentially maintenance free. We recommend oiling. |
| Price per metre | £328.55 at 1.80 m, one side clad. Normally £376.45. |
| Delivery | From stock, 7 to 14 days. |
See the Ipe fence with 50 mm slats
What we like
- Crisp gaps. The fixing clip doubles as a spacer, so every gap is exactly 5 mm.
- No screws on show. The clips sit in the side groove of each slat and the black coated stainless screws stay hidden.
- Click ends, random bond. The slats click together end to end with a double V joint. You fit them in a random bond, so there is very little waste.
- One complete kit. Posts, slats, clips and screws arrive together, so there is no hunting for parts.
- Easy to add privacy. EPDM privacy membrane can go behind the slats to block the view and soften noise.
The downsides
- More fitting work. At 50 mm you need about 18 slats per metre of height, against 10 to 11 at 90 mm. That means more clips and more hours.
- Heavy, hard timber. Ipe weighs around 1,050 kg per m³ and blunts blades quickly. Cut with carbide tooling and extraction, as the dust can irritate skin.
- Turns grey without oil. Left untreated, Ipe goes grey over time. To keep the warm colour, you will need to oil it.
- One side clad has a back. With the one sided version the slats are on one face only. If you want a finished look on both sides, choose double sided, which costs nearly twice as much per metre.
- Horizontal only. The slats are fitted horizontally. If you want a vertical fence, this is not the product.
Who it suits, and who should skip it
A good fit for
- Modern gardens and town gardens where fine lines work well.
- Anyone after a fence that lasts 25+ years without compulsory maintenance.
- DIYers who have the time for a few more slats.
Less suited to
- Anyone who wants to finish fast with as few parts as possible. Go for 90 mm instead.
- Anyone who wants a vertical fence.
- Buyers choosing mainly on price.
Comparison: 50 mm or 90 mm slats
| 50 mm slats | 90 mm slats | |
|---|---|---|
| Slats per metre of height | about 18 | 10 to 11 |
| Look | fine, lots of rhythm | calmer |
| Fitting time | longer | shorter |
| Price at 1.80 m, one side | same per metre | same per metre |
| Price at 2.00 m and up | slightly higher | slightly lower |
So the choice is mostly about taste and time. At 1.80 m the finer look costs nothing extra. Have a look at the Ipe fence with 90 mm slats. Prefer to spend less with the same system? There is also teak fencing with 50 mm slats. It costs 10% less than the same build in Ipe, but teak is much softer, so it dents and scratches more easily.
For the maths behind it, read how many fence slats per metre. Real fencing projects from customers are in our Ipe wood reviews.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an Ipe fence with 50 mm slats last?
We say 25+ years. The slats are Ipe and the posts are ekki, both very durable timbers. Oil is an extra we recommend: like wax on a car, it makes the timber dirt and water repellent.
Can I make the fence fully private?
Yes. EPDM privacy membrane goes behind the slats. It stops people seeing in and dampens noise. You can also choose the double sided version.
How much extra should I order?
We recommend 1 metre extra for offcuts. Because you fit in a random bond, waste stays low.
Work out your fence in the calculator
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