How to Build a Wood Fence

It has been said that good fences make good neighbors, and whether or not this is true, a well built wooden fence can afford a measure of security and privacy. It will also keep the neighbor's pets out of the flower beds.

-STEPS-

1. Lay out a line where the fence is to be installed. Usually this will be along the property line, so be careful it doesn't encroach on your neighbor's property, or you will be relocating it later.
2. Determine the height the fence should to be to meet your needs. Six foot is normal for a privacy fence, a live stock fence four feet high is usually sufficient, and picket fences are often three feet high.
3. Set your "end posts". These are the posts located at either end or any corners along the fence.
   • Use a set of "post hole diggers" to dig the holes.
   • Dig your post holes deep enough to support the fence structure. Because soil conditions vary, and the height of the fence, the type of fencing, and other factors must be considered in determining how deep the post should be, we will use 30 inches as a median depth for the post holes.
   • Place the endposts in the holes, and fill in around the posts with dirt, packing it as you do. Check the post for "plumb" before they are completely filled and packed, and adjust as needed.
4. Pull a builder's line from one end post to the other, at an equal height above the ground. This will allow you to dig the intermediate holes in alignment with the fence, and give you a depth so that the posts will all be the same height.
5. Lay out the post holes between the end posts eight feet center to center, and dig the rest of your holes.
6. Set the remaining posts, measuring the same distance from the top of each one to the building line, and plumbing them as you go.
7. Pack the backfill around all of the posts firmly.
8. For a privacy fence, nail a 2X4 board (stringers) with 12 or 16d galvanized nails, from post to post along your fence line at the top, the center, and about a foot from the bottom of each post.
9. Nail the vertical boards, usually 1X6 rough sawn lumber, leaving a space between each board to each of the stringers with 8d spiral shanked galvanized nails.
10. Paint the finished fence with a good quality waterproofing sealer. This will usually either contain silicone solids, or linseed oil. If you plan on painting a finish paint, stick with an oil based sealer, and use an oil based polyurethane paint or exterior enamel for the finish paint.

-TIPS-

• If you are building your fence on the property line, discuss it with your neighbor prior to building, to determine if he has objections which can lead to legal action later, or to find out if he is willing to help in the labor and cost of the project.
• Installing a fence on hilly, or steep land can be tricky. Set posts at locations where the grade or slope changes, and average the height of the fence for best appearance.
• Use suitable wood for your posts and fencing. CCA Pressure Treated lumber is insect and rot resistant. Aromatic Cedar, Juniper, and Cypress lumber all resist rot to some degree.
• Soaking the bottom of the posts in linseed oil or sealer may extend the life of the wood somewhat.
• Bevelling the tops of posts or capping them with vinyl or metal caps to prevent them from absorbing moisture will help preserve them to some degree.
• Vinyl fencing, posts, and related materials are available which are maintenance free and weather proof.

-WARNINGS-

• Check in your jurisdiction for permit requirements prior to building your fence. Some homeowner's associations have guidelines or ordinances governing fence construction.
• Make sure you know where your property line is prior to constructing the fence.
• Digging post holes by hand in hard or rocky soil can be a challenge. Power hole "augers" are available at tool rental stores, but they can be dangerous.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves when they are needed.
• Locate your utility and/or sprinkler system lines prior to digging the fence post holes. You may have to call all the utility companies separately to come locate their lines, however some areas have a common number to call that works for all utilities.