Horizontal slatted fencing with no visible posts or screws

In short: our horizontal slatted fence uses Ipe hardwood slats, 2.1 cm thick and 5, 7 or 9 cm wide, fitted horizontally on 6 x 6 cm Azobé posts. The slats run across the front of the posts and are held by hidden clips, so from the front you see no posts and no screws, just timber with an even 5 mm gap. A 1.8 m horizontal fence costs from about £330 per metre, complete with posts, clips and screws. Ipe lasts 25+ years.

Which horizontal fence slats?

DesignLookPrice from (October 2026)
5 cm horizontal slatsFine lines, the cleanest lookabout £330 per metre
7 cm horizontal slatsIn betweenabout £330 per metre
9 cm horizontal boardsCalmer, fewer gapsabout £330 per metre
4x4 cm horizontal battensDepth and shadowabout £510 per metre

A fence with no visible posts

On a single-sided fence the posts are only visible from the back. The slats click together end to end with a tongue and groove, so a joint never has to land on a post and the run looks unbroken. For a freestanding fence that looks post-free on both sides, choose the double-sided batten fence, where the posts sit between two layers of timber. Every fence needs posts; the point is you do not see them.

Why horizontal slats stay straight in Ipe

Horizontal slats in softwood tend to sag and cup over time. Ipe is dense and barely moves, even in slim slats, so the lines stay straight and the gaps even. The clip doubles as a spacer, which is what gives the 5 mm gap all the way along. Add the black EPDM membrane behind the slats for full privacy and less noise.

Building a horizontal slatted fence

  1. Set the Azobé posts in line, a third of their length in the ground.
  2. Screw the hidden clips to the posts.
  3. Fit the first slat level at the bottom.
  4. Click the next slat in end to end and work up row by row.

Looking for loose slats only? See fence boards. For designs and inspiration, see fence ideas, or work out your fence with the fence calculator.

Horizontal slatted fencing FAQs

How much is a horizontal slatted fence per metre?

From about £330 per metre at 1.8 m high, including posts, clips and screws. Prices follow the exchange rate, so the basket shows the exact amount.

Can you see the screws?

No. The screws sit in the clips behind the slats.

Do horizontal slats sag?

Not in Ipe. The timber is heavy and stable, and the clips hold every slat at every post.

How long does an Ipe slatted fence last?

25+ years, even without maintenance. Oil keeps the brown colour; left alone it turns silver grey.

Written by Tom Wegter (team leader IT) and Marc Westerhuis (team leader communications) at Hardwood Discount · last updated: 20 October 2026 · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube · Pinterest