palings

Palings are vertical boards or stakes that form part of a fence or boundary. The term derives from pale, meaning a stake or post, and each individual board in a fence is called a paling. A paling fence typically consists of vertical palings fixed to horizontal rails between posts, creating a continuous barrier along a property line.

Palings are commonly made of timber such as pine, cedar, or hardwood, and may be treated to resist decay. While traditional fences use wooden palings, modern variants can employ metal palings or composite materials. Palings can be arranged with tight alignment for privacy or with small gaps for ventilation and visibility; some designs feature overlapping or shadowline joints to influence appearance and durability.

Palings are used to demarcate property boundaries, contain livestock, and provide security or privacy for homes and gardens. They are widely found in rural and suburban settings, and are particularly associated with Australia and New Zealand, where the term paling fence is a common part of the built landscape and local vernacular.

Maintenance focuses on protecting the timber from rot and insect damage, typically through surface treatments or repainting, and replacing damaged palings while leaving the rest of the fence intact. In damp or exposed climates timber palings require more frequent maintenance.

See also: palisade, fence, picket fence.