A Post & Rail fence is known for its natural, robust appearance. But did you know that there is a significant difference between a fence where only the rails are split and one where the posts are also split? We deliberately opt for fully split Post & Rail: not only the rails, but also the posts are split rather than sawn. And we have a good reason for this.

What does ‘split timber’ mean?

With split timber, the log is not simply cut into posts with a saw. The timber is split along the natural grain. This ensures that the wood fibres remain as intact as possible and that the timber retains its natural structure.

This gives split timber its characteristic, authentic look: not a clean, smooth sawn edge, but a vibrant surface showcasing the wood’s natural shapes and fibres.

Not just the rails, but the intermediate posts too

In many Post & Rail designs, the rails are split, whilst the intermediate posts are sawn on one side.

We believe that the intermediate posts are an integral part of the character of a split timber fence. That is why we also split these posts.

But there is another important technical advantage: by splitting the intermediate posts, we follow the natural grain of the wood.

Cracks where the wood naturally forms them

Wood is a natural material and will always continue to move after installation. Changes in humidity and temperature can cause wood to shrink and expand. As a result, cracks may develop over time.

When a sawn intermediate post is cut, the wood fibres are severed. As the wood subsequently dries further and moves, stresses may develop which manifest themselves at various points along the post. This can lead to unwanted cracks forming in places where the wood would not naturally split.

With a split post, we follow the natural line of the wood fibres. The post is, as it were, extracted from the log in its natural way. This allows any cracks or movement to follow the natural grain much more effectively, rather than moving randomly through the post.

That is one of the reasons why we make a conscious choice to split our posts as well.

A conscious choice for quality

We make a conscious decision not to take the easiest or most uniform route. A fully split Post & Rail system requires attention to the material and respect for the natural properties of the wood.

So why are it not just the rails that are split in our products?

Because we believe that a genuine split Post & Rail fence deserves split posts as well. This allows us to preserve the natural wood grain, minimise the risk of unwanted cracking, and ensure that the beams and posts together form a single attractive, strong and rustic whole.