Building a Wood Fence

Do you need to fence in your yard but are unsure of exactly how to go about it? Well, here are some simple tips to building a wood fence.

The first task is to saturate the bottom third of each fence post in wood preservative. This way, the section of the post that is underground will not erode. Then you will need to meticulously space your fence posts. Proper measurements are vital; any mistakes here can have irreversible consequences later.

Fence posts, as a rule, should be spaced 6’ to 8’ apart. Before spacing the posts, you’ll want to set the corner post however – this will help you align the rest. Draw a line out from the end post and then place stakes every 6’ to 8’.

After you’ve spaced the posts, you can then set them. When digging the holes where you placed the stakes, you’ll want to make it to where the bottom of each hole is wider than the top. This easy step will help anchor your posts. Also, by putting a large stone at the bottom of each hole you can make the foundation much stronger for your fence. The stone will absorb moisture that threatens to weaken the soil. Now you are ready to dig the posts into the ground.

Make sure they fit firmly into the soil and are perfectly erect. Use a level for help here. Proceed to brace each post with stakes – especially the corner posts. As the posts settle, you can gradually remove the nails of the braces. Wait several days before continuing construction on your fence. While you’re influx why not round out the heads of your posts? This might take a little extra effort, but it will ensure that your fence endures the elements.

After you’ve waited about a week, you can add rails. Simply nail a bottom and top rail to each post. This step is fairly simple, unless you plan to place the rails in more creative ways. In this case, consult your options and investigate more techniques.

Now is the time to figure out what kind of fence you want specifically. Do you want to build a simple wire fence? A fancy, decorative, private fence? Whatever your purposes, you’ll discover that there are hundreds of styles to choose from and for each style, you’ll want to use very specific construction material. You’ll definitely need to research this and ask an expert or read a manual for help. Just make sure you choose a style that is most suitable for your needs!

Of course, before actually building a wood fence, you’ll need to abide by your city’s construction codes and talk to your neighbors to make sure you’re not interfering with their property.