A broken fence panel can often be replaced between the existing posts. Before you buy one, check that both posts are sound, identify how the old panel is held in place and measure the opening. A panel advertised as 6 ft can be nearly 29 mm wider than one advertised as 1.8 m. In a fixed opening, that difference can stop the job before you start.
Decide whether you can reuse the posts
Look at both posts from ground level. On timber posts, check for splits where the fixings go and soft or crumbling wood where the post meets the ground. On concrete posts, check for cracks, broken slot edges and exposed reinforcement. Look along the fence for a lean or a bay that has twisted. If a post is already moving or the section looks unstable, keep clear and arrange to repair the support first. Agree access and ownership with your neighbour where needed.
Measure the gap and check how the panel will fit
- Panels held with clips or screwed between plain posts. Measure between the faces of the posts at the top, middle and bottom. Take the smallest measurement and tell the supplier which clips or brackets you’re using so they can allow for the fittings.
- Panels that slide into slotted posts. Measure across the opening between the backs of the slots at several heights. Also record the clear gap between the slot mouths, the depth of each slot and how wide the slot opening is front to back. The frame needs to fit inside the grooves while still sitting far enough into both slots. Check for retaining screws, caps or trellis above the panel.
- Either type. Measure the available height above the gravel board or existing support. Measure the frame thickness and check the board beneath it is still sound.
For example, a clip-fixed opening measures 1,824 mm at the top, 1,818 mm in the middle and 1,814 mm at the bottom. A panel whose actual width is 1,830 mm is too wide. A 1,800 mm panel leaves 14 mm at the narrowest point, so ask whether your clips and fitting clearance will work with that gap. For slotted posts, use your own post specifications. One UK supplier lists a 54 mm slot for a 50–51 mm frame, which illustrates why frame thickness matters as much as width. Jacksons Fencing’s slotted post dimensions.
| Measurement | What to record |
|---|---|
| Clear gap | Measure across the faces of the posts or mouths of the slots at the top, middle and bottom. |
| Slot-back distance | Measure between the backs of the two grooves and note whether the distance changes with height. |
| Slot opening | Measure the front-to-back opening of each slot and compare it with the actual frame thickness. |
Replace a clip-fixed panel
Have a tape, level, driver, suitable exterior fixings and a helper ready. Choose a calm day and clear space to set the panel down. With your helper supporting the panel, remove the clips or screws and take the panel out. Replace bent or corroded fixings with ones compatible with the post and panel. Set the new panel on its intended support or temporary blocks, check it is level, then secure it according to the fixing instructions. Avoid using old screw holes where the timber has split or the screws no longer grip.
Replace a panel in slotted posts
Check overhead clearance before moving anything. Remove the retaining fixings or trim specified by the system. With suitable help and safe access, lift the old panel evenly until it clears both slots. Leave the lift to an installer if the panel is too heavy to control, the ground is uneven or you would have to handle it from a ladder. Clear loose debris from the slots, then lower the new panel evenly. If it binds, stop and recheck the alignment and frame thickness. Forcing it can damage the frame or chip the concrete.
What to do if the replacement won’t fit
- The gap narrows at one end. Check whether a post has moved. Correct the post if it’s leaning or loose. For an otherwise sound opening, ask about a made-to-measure panel.
- A slot is chipped or cracked. Ask an installer whether the post can still support the panel before buying a replacement.
- There’s no space to lift a slotted panel. Ask the supplier or installer which fitting options suit the site. Confirm that a panel can be cut and reframed before modifying it.
If the damage extends to several bays or posts, use the fence panel and post calculator to estimate the materials for the whole run.
Further Reading
