SLOTTED CONCRETE FENCE POSTS & GRAVEL BOARDS FOR UK GARDENS
GET IN TOUCH
FP McCann’s slotted concrete fence posts and gravel boards represent the gold standard in durable, low-maintenance fencing solutions for residential gardens, parks, and commercial properties throughout the United Kingdom. Manufactured at our Cadeby facility in Warwickshire to exacting British Standards, our slotted posts and concrete gravel boards (also known as concrete fence panels or base panels) provide the perfect foundation for timber fence panels while delivering decades of maintenance-free performance in the UK’s challenging climate.
Unlike traditional wooden fence posts that rot and deteriorate in Britain’s wet weather, our precast concrete slotted posts remain structurally sound for 50 to 100 years, making them the intelligent long-term investment for any fencing project. The innovative slotted design allows for straightforward DIY installation and easily accommodates uneven or sloping ground – a common challenge in UK gardens and landscapes.
Whether you’re a homeowner planning a garden boundary, a contractor working on a residential development, or a landscaper seeking reliable fencing materials, our comprehensive range of slotted posts and gravel boards delivers the strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal your project demands.
Why Choose FP McCann Slotted Posts and Gravel Boards?
Over 30 Years of Manufacturing Excellence
With more than three decades of experience in precast concrete manufacturing, FP McCann has refined and perfected our slotted post and gravel board production processes. Every product leaving our Cadeby depot represents decades of engineering expertise and our unwavering commitment to quality.
Manufactured to British Standards
All FP McCann slotted concrete posts and gravel boards are manufactured to meet or exceed relevant British Standards. This ensures guaranteed structural integrity, dimensional accuracy, and long-term performance. Our rigorous quality control processes mean you can confidently specify our products.
Engineered for the UK Climate
British weather is notoriously unpredictable and often harsh on outdoor structures. Our concrete fencing products are specifically engineered to withstand everything the UK climate can deliver – from prolonged wet periods and flooding to freeze-thaw cycles and high winds. Unlike wooden posts and gravel boards that deteriorate rapidly in damp conditions, our concrete products remain unaffected by moisture, maintaining their strength and appearance for decades.
Comprehensive Product Range
We offer one of the most extensive ranges of slotted posts and gravel boards in the UK market:
Slotted Posts Available: – Standard intermediate posts (5’ to 10’ lengths) – Corner posts for 90-degree fence corners – End posts for fence termination points – Heavy-duty slotted posts for demanding applications – Various heights to suit all standard fence panel sizes
Gravel Boards Available: – Plain faced (150mm and 305mm heights) – Recessed (150mm and 305mm heights) – Rock faced in multiple profiles (305mm height) – Hedgehog-friendly options (GB only)
Convenient Online Ordering
You can quickly and conveniently order your slotted posts and gravel boards through our dedicated Easi-Order Portal. Browse our complete range, check product specifications, and place your order 24/7. Our knowledgeable sales team can always assist with larger projects or provide technical advice.
Nationwide UK Delivery
We deliver concrete fencing products to locations throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Our experienced logistics team works with you to schedule a delivery that suits your project timeline.
Expert Technical Support
Choosing the proper post lengths, gravel board heights, and quantities for your project. Our technical team is available to guide product selection, calculate quantities, advise on installation methods, and answer any questions about specifications or suitability.
Applications and Uses
FP McCann slotted concrete posts and gravel boards are versatile products suitable for a wide range of fencing applications throughout the UK:
Residential Garden Boundaries
Create attractive, long-lasting garden boundaries that combine the natural aesthetic of timber fence panels with the durability and longevity of concrete posts and gravel boards. Perfect for rear gardens, side passages, front boundaries, and property perimeters in homes throughout Britain.
Sloping and Uneven Gardens
The full-length slots in our posts make them ideal for gardens with slopes or uneven ground. By positioning fence panels at different heights in the slots, you can create an attractive stepped fence that follows the natural contours of your land – a common requirement in UK properties.
Parks and Recreation Grounds
Durable, low-maintenance fencing for public parks, playing fields, recreation grounds, and community spaces. Concrete posts and gravel boards withstand heavy public use and require minimal ongoing maintenance, making them cost-effective for local authorities and facility managers.
Schools and Educational Facilities
Safe, secure boundary fencing for primary schools, secondary schools, nurseries, and educational facilities. The maintenance-free nature of concrete posts means more of the budget can be directed to educational priorities rather than fence repairs and replacements.
Commercial Properties
Professional-looking perimeter fencing for business premises, office parks, retail sites, and light industrial properties. Concrete posts and gravel boards provide a neat, well-maintained appearance that reflects positively on your business.
New Build Developments
Ideal for housing developers and construction companies working on residential developments. Concrete posts and gravel boards provide new homeowners with maintenance-free fencing that will last decades, adding value to the properties.
Allotments and Community Gardens
Durable boundary fencing for allotment sites and community gardens. Concrete posts won’t rot in the heavily fertilised, frequently watered soil conditions typical of growing areas.
What are Slotted Concrete Fence Posts?
Slotted concrete fence posts are engineered precast concrete posts featuring continuous vertical grooves (slots) that run along the full length of the post. These precision-formed slots are designed to accommodate both concrete gravel boards at the base and timber fence panels above, creating a secure, professional-looking fence installation without additional brackets, fixings, or fasteners.
The slotted design makes these posts so popular with DIY homeowners and professional installers. Fence panels slide into the vertical grooves, which are held firmly in place by the slot’s dimensions. This eliminates the need for screws, nails, or panel clips, significantly speeding up installation and making panel replacement remarkably straightforward when required.
Key Advantages of FP McCann Slotted Concrete Posts:
Exceptional Durability and Longevity
Concrete fence posts are inherently stronger and more durable than wooden alternatives. They exhibit substantial resistance to all weather impacts – from heavy rain and flooding to frost and high winds – and can last 50 to 100 years without maintenance. This makes them particularly suitable for the UK’s unpredictable climate, where wooden posts typically fail within 10 to 15 years due to rot and moisture damage.
Remarkably Easy Installation
The slotted design facilitates uncomplicated assembly that’s achievable for competent DIY enthusiasts. Fence panels slide effortlessly into the pre-formed grooves, and the process requires no specialised tools beyond those needed for setting the posts in the ground. Installation is faster than traditional methods, and panel replacement is equally straightforward – lift the old panel out and slide a new one in.
Perfect for Uneven and Sloping Ground
One of the most significant advantages of slotted posts is their suitability for uneven terrain. The continuous full-length slots allow you to position fence panels at different heights on each post, creating a stepped fence that follows the natural contours of sloping ground. This is a common requirement in UK gardens, making slotted posts far more versatile than many alternatives.
Virtually Maintenance-Free
Unlike wooden posts that require regular treatment, painting, or replacement, concrete slotted posts are impervious to rot, insect damage, and warping. Once installed, they require no ongoing maintenance, saving you time and money for decades. This makes them ideal for locations where access is difficult or maintenance would be inconvenient.
Suitable for Multiple Applications
While slotted concrete posts are most commonly used in residential gardens for boundary fencing, they’re equally suitable for parks, playing fields, commercial properties, schools, and light industrial applications. Slotted concrete posts are the optimal choice anywhere you need a robust, long-lasting fence with timber panels.
Slotted Posts vs. Wooden Posts: The Comparison
Many homeowners and contractors choose traditional wooden fence posts and modern concrete slotted posts. Here’s how they compare:
| Feature | Concrete Slotted Posts | Wooden Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 50-100+ Years | 10-15 years (treated), 4-7 years (untreated) |
| Maintenance | None Required | Regular treatment and painting are needed |
| Weather Resistance | Completely unaffected by moisture | Prone to rot in wet conditions |
| UK Climate Suitability | Ideal- impervious to rain and damp | Poor – moisture causes rapid deterioration |
| Installation | Easy with a slotted design | Requires brackets or nailing |
| Ground Level Durability | Excellent – full-length slots allow stepping | Difficult to accommodate slopes |
| Uneven Ground | Excellent – full-length slots allow stepping | Difficult to accommodate slopes |
| Long Term Cost | Lower – one-time investment | Higher – requires multiple replacements |
| Environmental Impact | Lower – lasts for generations | Higher – frequent replacements needed |
| Strength | Superior – concrete is inherently stronger | Adequate but weakens over time |
What are Concrete Gravel Boards?
Concrete gravel boards (also called base panels, concrete fence panels, or kickboards) are long, flat precast concrete panels that sit at ground level at the base of your fence. Their primary function is to elevate timber fence panels above the ground, creating a crucial barrier between the wood and the soil or landscaping materials below.
This elevation is essential because timber fence panels that sit directly on or near the ground absorb moisture from the soil, leading to rapid rot and decay – often the first part of a fence to fail. By installing concrete gravel boards, you create a durable, moisture-resistant barrier that can extend the life of your timber fencing by many years, often doubling or tripling its lifespan.
Why Concrete Gravel Boards Are Essential for UK Fencing:
Protection from Ground Moisture and Rot
The UK’s wet climate means ground-level moisture constantly threatens timber fencing. Concrete gravel boards prevent direct contact between timber panels and damp soil, dramatically reducing moisture absorption and the resulting rot. This is particularly important in areas with heavy clay soil, poor drainage, or locations prone to standing water after rainfall.
Prevents Soil and Landscaping Material Contact
Gravel boards effectively prevent soil, gravel, bark mulch, and other landscaping materials from directly contacting your fence panels. This protects the timber and maintains a neat, professional appearance at the base of your fence line.
Significantly Extends Fence Lifespan
By protecting timber panels from ground-level moisture and soil contact, concrete gravel boards can double or even triple the lifespan of your wooden fencing. This represents substantial cost savings over time, as you’ll replace fence panels less frequently. The gravel boards will outlast multiple timber panels, making them a genuine one-time investment.
Available in Multiple Heights and Finishes
FP McCann concrete gravel boards are available in two standard heights – 150mm (6 inches) and 305mm (12 inches) – allowing you to choose the appropriate height for your specific requirements. They measure 1830mm long (6 feet), matching standard UK fence panel widths.
We offer gravel boards in several attractive finishes to complement your fencing aesthetic:
- Plain Faced: A smooth, clean finish ideal for contemporary gardens
- Recessed: Features a subtle vertical groove pattern for added visual interest
- Rock Faced: An attractive textured finish that mimics natural stone, available in multiple profile variations (medium, semi-dry, high profile, wet cast)
Hedgehog Friendly Options
FP McCann is proud to offer hedgehog-friendly gravel boards in plain-faced and recessed finishes (available in Great Britain only). These specially designed boards feature small access gaps that allow hedgehogs and other small wildlife to move freely between gardens while maintaining the protective function of the gravel board. This supports UK wildlife conservation efforts and helps maintain healthy hedgehog populations in residential areas.
Order Your Slotted Posts and Gravel Boards Today
Ready to start your fencing project with products that will last for generations? FP McCann makes it easy to get the slotted concrete posts and gravel boards you need.
Order Online via Easi-Order Portal
Browse our complete range of slotted posts and gravel boards and place your order 24/7 through our convenient online portal. View product specifications, check availability, and order exactly what you need for your project.
Request a Quotation
For larger projects or bulk orders, contact our sales team for a detailed quotation tailored to your requirements. We’re happy to provide competitive pricing for contractors, developers, and trade customers.
Get Expert Advice
Are you unsure which post lengths or gravel board heights you need? Our technical team can provide guidance on product selection, help calculate quantities, and answer any questions about installation or specifications.
