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How to Build a Wooden Fence That Will Last A Longtime

5/17/2016

18 Comments

 

Updated: 02/07/2018

How to Build a Wooden Fence That Will Last a Longtime

Installing a new fence can be a very daunting task. This is a step-by-step guide to help you Do It Yourself. It is crucial to use the right materials to build the best wooden fence in the neighborhood. Use metal posts instead of wooden 4 by 4's. Metal posts with proper foundations are designed to outlive all of us. For pickets and planks, use cedar wood instead of pressure treated wood. Cedar naturally absorbs moisture and can last for 20 years or more with regular pressure washing, cleaning, and staining.

Tools

1. Spade Shovel
2. Post Hole Digger
3. Pencil Point Digging Bar
4. Wheel Barrow
5. Miter Saw
6. Cordless Impact Wrench
7. Measuring Tape
8. Leveler
9. Triangle
10. Pencil
11. Knife Sharpener
12. Steel Stakes and Tie Downs
13. Roller

CAUTION: Please practice extreme care. Check with your local authorities for gas, oil, water, electric, or other below ground utility lines before digging. Always use safety glasses, safety gloves, knee pads, and a lot of common sense.


CALL BEFORE YOU DIG.



Materials

1. 2-3/8 by 2-3/8 8 ft. Metal Tube Post
2. 2-3/8 Grip Tie and Cap
3. 1-1/4" Deck Screws
4. 2 x 4 x 8 Lumber
5. Appropriately-sized Pickets
6. Fast-setting Cement
7. Wood Stain

Step 1: Planning

Begin by taking photos and detailed notes of the existing fence line's location. This is very crucial, as this will be your only guide moving forward. If you are building a new fence, mark where you want your fence to start and end. Make a rough sketch of the completed fence's shape and a general idea of how you want it to look like. Use your imagination. You can add more complex and interesting twists. This guide will only focus on building a fence line that you won't need to touch for a very long time.

Step 2: Marking

Use the spade to mark where you want your first post to stand. Maintain a gap of 7-3/4' to 8' between every fence post's center. Repeat this step until you have completely marked the entire fence line.

Industry Tip

You may mark your first post and directly proceed to step 3 and 4. Then, repeat the steps 2-6 for each and every fence post until you have completed your entire fence line. This makes it easier to make adjustments especially if you are not used to carpentry.

Fence Post Foundation Depth

Step 3: Foundation

Remember, take your time and be consistent. Some areas are much more easier to dig than others. Use your spade to start digging the marked locations. If the soil is too dry, consider watering until moist. Use your post hole digger to remove the soil debris. Repeat until you have reached 24" in depth. Do not shortchange yourself. You have gone this far. Go by the book, and you will be pleased with the results. For fences taller than 6', you will need to dig deeper. As a general rule, the foundation's depth tend to be 1/3rd of the total height of the fence above ground. If tree roots are on the way, use your digging bar to breakthrough them. Note that moving the post to another area usually do not help. It is not uncommon for trees to have multiple main root lines not too far from where you have already dug.

Industry Tip

Check for post foundation alignment by either using a laser or a fish line. If these tools are not immediately available in your tool box, you may also eyeball the holes to get the approximate alignment and simply make small adjustments to line up the posts when you start setting them up. Also, make sure your spade, post hole digger, and pencil bar are sharp. They do get dull after a couple of holes.

Step 4: Set-up Posts

Place your post in the center of the hole.

Step 5: Mix Cement

Open a bag of concrete and put it in your wheel barrow. Water and mix until you get a muddy texture. Avoid over watering as this will weaken the concrete. Make sure to mix the concrete thoroughly using your spade before pouring in the hole.

Industry Tip

Only open a bag you know you will use. Fast setting concrete may dry up in as little as 5 minutes. If it ever dries up while still in the wheel barrow, add more water and re-mix thoroughly.

Step 6: Leveling

Level the post by making sure you have center bubble all the way around (front, back, and sides). For posts higher than 6' above ground level, tie down using stakes to maintain desired leveling. For 6' posts or shorter, the weight of the concrete is enough to hold it in place. Make alignment adjustments as needed before the concrete dries up.

Step 7: Curing

Let the concrete cure for 4-6 hours. Note that even fast setting concrete will have a hard time curing during wet and cold weather.

Step 8: Grip Tie and Cap

Install grip ties a foot above ground and at the very top of the fence post. Tighten up until snug. Place two or three levels. If you're going with three levels, place the third grip tie exactly in the middle of the top and bottom grip ties.

Step 9: Plank

Install your planks by screwing one side first unto the grip tie and then the other. Use two or more planks between posts. Screw in 2 screws per side or 4 screws per plank.

Step 10: Picket

Place the first picket a quarter inch above ground. Screw in your first screw. Level to center bubble before screwing in your second screw. Install 4 screws per picket. Repeat the steps until the entire fence line has been completed. You may maintain an eight of an inch gap between pickets by placing a nail in between or by eyeballing the gap. The gap, however, is not necessary. Your fence will be fine with or without it.

Step 11: Staining

Use your roller and carefully stain with even strokes. Thoroughly saturate one area before moving to the next. For best results, stain both front and back of the fence line. Repeat every 2-3 years.

Follow these steps and you will be on your way to a great looking fence that will last a very long time.

We hope our article has helped you better understand how to properly install a wooden fence that will last a long time. If you need professional lawn care assistance in Austin or around Travis County, please don't hesitate to contact us at 844-50K-LAWN (844-505-5296).

DISCLAIMER: This general guideline is meant for educational purposes only. We will not be responsible for damages caused by you for following any of our suggestions. Every situation is different. Please consult 50K Professional Lawn Services LLC for professional help.

50K Professional Lawn Services LLC. 844-505-5296. Austin, Texas.
18 Comments
Stephen Smith link
4/13/2017 03:55:50 am

Like all other fences, wood fence also needs maintenance when it is damaged or rotted out. It needs to be re stained or sealed. They often rot quickly because of the prolonged exposure to moisture in the soil. It is also a fact that without a stable post a fence may fall and it may need a full replacement within a quick interval. So, following maintenance tips must be adopted in order to take care up wooden fence properly.
1)Caulk: It will keep out the moisture and help give the wooden fence a much longer life.
2)Pickets:It is a good step to check the pickets of the fence to make sure no nails have come out or non of them have started to rot.
3)Cleaning:Clean the wood fence periodically by scrubbing for better longevity.
4)Paint and stain:Staining and painting, both play vital role in wood fence maintenance. It not only gives a new look to the fence but also saves it from environmental damage. Etc.
Thanks for such nice blog.

Reply
Buddy Pratt link
1/14/2019 05:47:21 pm

Spot on! Always good to see good info out there and companies that do great work. Keep it up.

Buddy - <a href="http://wakeforestfence.com">Wake Forest Fence Company</a>

Reply
Gary Unger link
1/31/2019 07:39:33 am

Great tips for anyone looking to install a wooden fence!

Reply
Jon link
5/9/2019 08:53:55 pm

Fantastic article for everyone.

Reply
fence company Ann Arbor link
11/28/2019 12:20:04 pm

Great article and advices ! Keep up the work!

Reply
Wood Fence link
12/15/2019 05:05:19 pm

good info! thanks for taking the time to organize all of this

Reply
rachel frampton link
2/7/2020 03:34:14 am

I've been wanting to have a wooden fence installed in my yard because the kids from my neighborhood are intruding on my property. Although, I never knew that DIY fence installation can be this complicated, such as I would have to cure the concrete for four to six hours. Maybe it'll be best if I'll just hire a wood fencing service that'll be able to the job successfully.

Reply
Diyany.net link
3/6/2020 02:29:48 pm

Here's how I made the fence https://www.diyany.net/making-a-wooden-fence/

Reply
Site link
4/3/2020 12:26:46 pm

Thanks for sharing thees tips !
Great article post !

Reply
www.miltonfencepros.com link
7/2/2020 11:03:24 am

Great article! Very well written!

Reply
Retaining Walls Tauranga link
7/20/2020 04:53:16 am

It is a wonderful article stating about how to build a wooden fence that will last a longtime. Content here based on facts right. Anyone searching for same topic may find their shelter here. I am sure many people will come to read this in future. Great blog indeed, will visit again future to read more!! Come across Groundworkslandscaping.co.nz and hope you can visit this too to get more information.

Reply
www.fencecompanyhingham.com link
8/6/2020 11:34:08 am

Such a great article! So detailed and on point, keep it up guys!

Reply
site link
8/11/2020 10:52:16 am

Nice content! Also very nice to see how well people react to it, you're doing something right!

Reply
website link
9/3/2020 04:59:33 pm

Everything you need to know in 11 steps. Great post. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Deck Builder link
9/12/2020 01:56:49 pm

I like that you explained everything in 11 steps. Thanks for the advice!

Reply
Quincy Fences link
9/20/2020 10:14:35 am

I like that you explained everything in detail. Great work!

Reply
https://www.fencingcompanyokc.com/ link
12/23/2020 01:51:52 am

The most popular woods used for fencing are pine and cedar, though cypress and redwood are also good options. Pine wood is common because of its relatively inexpensive cost and longevity.

Reply
https://www.fencingcompanyokc.com/ link
1/15/2021 02:16:42 am

Start with pressure treated lumber for the posts and framing. Pressure treated lumber is chemically infused and will last significantly longer when exposed to moisture and wood destroying organisms in the soil.

Reply



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