Palisade Fencing UK — Complete Buyers Guide
Palisade fencing is the UK's most widely used permanent security fencing system. You'll find it around schools, industrial estates, utility infrastructure, farms, and commercial premises across the country — robust, cost-effective, difficult to climb, and built to a recognised British Standard. This guide covers everything you need to choose the right product: profile types, heights, galvanising, installation methods, applications, and how to calculate exactly what you need.
What Is Palisade Fencing?
Palisade fencing consists of vertical steel pales bolted between horizontal rails, which are fixed to steel posts set into the ground or onto base plates. The pales have a pointed or shaped top — either triple-pointed or rounded — to deter climbing and act as a strong visual deterrent.
In the UK, palisade fencing is manufactured and specified to BS 1722 Part 12 — the British Standard for steel palisade security fencing. Buying to this standard ensures the product meets defined structural requirements for post size, rail dimensions, pale gauge, and galvanising specification.
D Section vs W Section Palisade Fencing
The two main pale profiles used in the UK are D section and W section. The choice affects security level, cost, and specification:
D Section Palisade
D section pales have a semicircular cross-section with a triple-pointed top. At 3mm thick mild steel, D section is the heavier and more secure profile — the standard choice for commercial and high-security applications including schools, industrial estates, warehouses, car parks, council depots, and utility sites. The triple-point top deters scaling and the 3mm wall resists cutting and impact.
W Section Palisade
W section pales have a corrugated W-shaped profile, 2mm thick. The W profile gives good rigidity at lower material weight and cost, with a notched top. W section suits lower-risk perimeters, domestic applications, and budget-driven specifications where D section is not required. For most commercial and industrial work, D section is the correct spec.
Standard rail widths are 65mm or 85mm. For 2.4m fencing, 85mm rails are recommended for rigidity.
Standard Heights — Which Do You Need?
1.8m Palisade Fencing
The minimum meaningful security height. Suitable for domestic boundaries, school playing fields, garden centres, and low-risk commercial perimeters. 1.8m is commonly referenced in residential planning guidelines and widely specified for lower-bound commercial boundary fencing.
2.0m Palisade Fencing
One step above 1.8m — greater deterrent while remaining within typical commercial planning limits. Used for retail parks, car parks, light industrial units, and business parks where 1.8m feels marginal.
2.1m Palisade Fencing
Common in school, council depot, and semi-commercial specifications. Widely used where a slightly taller fence is needed without stepping up to full 2.4m commercial spec.
2.4m Palisade Fencing
The UK trade standard for commercial and industrial security perimeters. 2.4m is the height referenced in most security standards and insurance requirements for commercial property — used across warehouses, distribution centres, manufacturing facilities, utility infrastructure, and industrial estates. If you're buying palisade for a commercial site, 2.4m D section is almost certainly the correct spec.
3.0m Palisade Fencing
High-security specification for critical infrastructure — substations, water treatment facilities, MOD sites, prisons, and high-value commercial perimeters. Planning permission required in most situations. Typically specified by security consultants or facilities managers.
Galvanising — Why It Matters
All structural palisade fencing for outdoor UK use should be hot-dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461. This immerses fabricated steel in molten zinc, creating a metallurgically-bonded coating that protects against corrosion for 25–40 years in standard UK conditions — far longer than paint-only or electro-galvanised finishes.
When comparing products, always confirm BS EN ISO 1461 compliance. Powder coat finishes (green BS 10E53, black, other RAL colours) must always be applied over a galvanised substrate — powder coat over bare steel will fail prematurely outdoors.
Palisade Fencing Applications
School Security Fencing
Palisade is one of the most commonly specified boundary treatments for UK schools. Triple-point pales provide strong visual deterrence and meet safeguarding requirements for site perimeter security. 1.8m to 2.4m heights are typical depending on security assessment. D section in green powder coat is the standard school specification — effective perimeter control with a less intimidating appearance than industrial galvanised.
Farm and Agricultural Security
Agricultural sites face significant theft risk — plant machinery, fuel, livestock, and copper cable. Palisade provides a perimeter far harder to breach than post-and-rail or post-and-wire alternatives. Galvanised steel performs well in agricultural environments. 2.4m D section is the standard specification for secure farm compounds and high-value storage.
Commercial and Industrial Premises
Warehouses, distribution centres, manufacturing facilities, and industrial estates across the UK use palisade as the standard perimeter treatment. 2.4m D section in galvanised or powder-coated finish with concrete-in posts is the typical specification. Combined with security lighting and CCTV, correctly installed palisade meets most commercial insurance requirements for perimeter security.
Utility and Critical Infrastructure
Water treatment facilities, electricity substations, gas installations, and telecoms infrastructure are secured with 2.4m or 3m palisade to high-security specification, often referencing standards beyond BS 1722 Part 12 including utility company and government security standards.
Construction Site Security
Permanent or semi-permanent palisade is used on long-term developments and compound boundaries. Bolt-down post options allow installation on existing hardstanding without concrete foundations.
Domestic Boundary Fencing
Palisade is increasingly used for domestic driveways and rear boundaries where security is a priority. 1.8m in green or black powder coat provides effective deterrence. Always check planning permission requirements with your local authority before installing fencing adjacent to a highway.
How to Calculate How Much Palisade Fencing You Need
Palisade fencing is supplied in 2.75m run kits — the standard bay width between posts. To calculate what you need:
- Measure your total fence length in metres
- Divide by 2.75 to get the number of bays — round up
- Add one extra post for the final end post
- Account for corners and gates separately
Use the built-in online calculator for your required height — enter your fence length and get an exact component list added to your basket automatically:
- 1.8m palisade fencing calculator
- 2.0m palisade fencing calculator
- 2.1m palisade fencing calculator
- 2.4m palisade fencing calculator
- 3.0m palisade fencing calculator
Bolt-Down vs Concrete-In Posts
Concrete-In Posts
Posts are set into holes dug to a minimum depth of 600mm (1.8m fencing) to 900mm (2.4m and above), backfilled with concrete. The gold standard for permanent installations — maximum stability and security. Standard for all new ground installations.
Bolt-Down Posts
Posts fitted with a welded steel base plate, bolted to an existing concrete surface using anchor bolts. Suitable for car parks, hardstanding, and existing concrete pads where excavation is not practical. Base plate sizes:
- 1.8m–2.4m heights: 200×200×10mm base plate
- 3.0m height: 220×220×10mm base plate
Palisade vs Other Security Fencing Types
Palisade vs Mesh Panel Fencing
358 security mesh panels offer a less imposing visual appearance and good anti-climb properties. Palisade is typically more cost-effective at standard commercial heights and provides better impact resistance. Mesh is preferred where aesthetics matter more than cost, or where a tight mesh aperture is a specific requirement.
Palisade vs Timber Close-Board Fencing
Timber close-board is cheaper initially but requires regular maintenance, has a much shorter lifespan, and provides no meaningful security deterrent. Hot-dip galvanised palisade has a 25–40 year service life with zero maintenance — cheaper over its lifetime in any commercial application.
Buy Palisade Fencing at Rackerman
Rackerman supplies galvanised palisade fencing in 1.8m, 2.0m, 2.1m, 2.4m, and 3.0m heights — available as complete 2.75m run kits or individual components. All fencing is hot-dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 and manufactured to BS 1722 Part 12. D and W profile, bolt-down and concrete-in posts available across all heights.
Browse the full palisade fencing range at Rackerman →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need planning permission for palisade fencing?
Fencing up to 2m on a boundary not adjacent to a highway generally does not require planning permission under permitted development rights. Fencing adjacent to a highway, over 1m in height, or over 2m anywhere typically requires a planning application. Always check with your local planning authority — rights vary by site and may be restricted in conservation areas.
What is the standard height of palisade fencing in the UK?
The most common commercial specification is 2.4m. Schools and domestic applications typically use 1.8m or 2.0m. High-security sites specify 2.4m or 3.0m.
How long does galvanised palisade fencing last?
Hot-dip galvanised palisade (BS EN ISO 1461) has a typical service life of 25–40 years in a standard UK outdoor environment.
What is the difference between D section and W section palisade?
D section pales are 3mm thick with a triple-pointed top — the heavier, more secure option for commercial use. W section pales are 2mm thick with a notched W-shaped top — lighter, lower cost, suited to less demanding applications.
Can palisade fencing be powder coated?
Yes. Green (BS 10E53) and black are the most common powder coat colours. The steel must be hot-dip galvanised first — powder coat over bare steel will fail prematurely outdoors.
Is palisade fencing suitable for schools?
Yes. D section with triple-pointed tops in green or black powder coat at 1.8m to 2.4m height is the standard UK school specification.
What is the weight of palisade fencing per metre?
A standard 2.4m D section palisade run typically weighs approximately 25–35kg per linear metre including posts and rails.
What does a 2.75m run kit include?
Each 2.75m run kit contains 17 galvanised pales (D or W profile), 2 horizontal rails, 2 fish plates, 1 post (bolt-down or concrete-in), and 1 bolt pack. Additional posts, corner fish plates, end fish plates, and extra bolt packs are sold separately — the online calculator accounts for all of this automatically.