How to Build a Wood Fence
7 steps to build a wood fence
Step 1 Choosing Style
The first thing to do is choose what style of fence would best for your yard a redwood, western red cedar or a spruce (white pine) there are several different styles of pickets. Gothic (standard pointed) Dog Ear or Flat Top you can view photos of the different styles of fences in the photo tap on this page.
Step 2 Check your Survey
If your not sure if the existing fence is on the survey line call a survey company to come and survey your land you don't want to install a new fence on your neighbors yard. Next call your local utility companies and have them come out and check for buried lines before you do any digging its the law. Check with local city if permits are required.
Step 3 Lay Out The Design
Determine where you are going to build you fence once you have done this mark the area the fence will be and check out the layout before you do any digging for post ( remember don't dig before all utility companies have marked their under ground lines)
Step 4 Installing The Post
First dig your corner post holes @ 24'' deep for a 6' fence hole diggers are available at most equipment rental yards. If your installing a taller fence you will need to dig the holes deeper to support the fence. Next concrete the corner post in the ground making sure they are plumb after the corner post are set and stable run a string line to all your corner post @ 6'' off the ground and mark where the line post will be set line post @ 8' between each other where ever you decide to put your gates remember to set the post for the gate opening width, Next dig all the holes for the line post then run the string at the top of the post @ 12'' from the top of post now you will have a string top and bottom use the lines to install the post in concrete making sure to keep all post plumb and in a straight line, allow the concrete to set up @ 16 hours before continuing to build the fence.
Step 5 Installing The Rails
Ok the post are set now put on the 2x4 rails install the top rail @ 6'' below the top of a picket and the bottom rail @ 6'' off the ground and measure the distance between top and bottom that's where the middle rail will be install all the rails securely before installing your pickets.
Step 6 Installing The Pickets
Nail a picket at each end of the corners make sure they are level then run the string line across the top of the pickets, if your land isn't level find the highest spot and nail a another picket and put string line on top of all the pickets now check to see if the pickets will be level with the top string and the ground all the way down the fence line ( you might have to dig a little in some areas to keep the top of the fence level. Now go ahead and nail the pickets to the rails be sure and use galvanized nails to attach pickets. A nail gun comes in handy to do this you can rent them at your local equipment store. Be sure when you nail the pickets up that you leave gaps where the gates will be @1/4'' Hinge side and @ 2'' on the latch side.
Step 7 Building The Gates
Now that all the pickets are installed all you need is the gates go back to the gate area the two gaps you left install braces on the gate between the top and middle rails between the gaps, then one at a time cut the rail at the hinge side gaps and install your hinges top first then bottom now cut the middle rail and the latch side gaps and the gate will open install the latch hardware and your finished.
Tool List
Post Puller
Post Hole Digger
Concrete Mixer
Nail Gun
Air Compressor
Circle Saw
Reciprocating Saw
Hand Digger
Hammer
Drill
String Line
Level
Measure Tape
Safety Glasses
Jim's Fence Company
Amarillo TX
806-570-3535
Free Estimates
Safety First
Call 811
Before Digging
