If you love the idea of adding a wooden privacy fence to your backyard but dread the expense of having it installed, follow this step-by-step process for installing it yourself.
First, check with your local building department to see if a permit is required for your fence. Most likely, it won’t be, but the department will also provide you with important information like height specifications and set-back distance.
You can install wooden fences to replace an old fence; plus, it offers more privacy. Once the old fence is out of the way, the area is leveled to create an excellent, level site for working.
Tip: It’s always a good idea to get a property survey, especially if you want to install the right. Without a survey, you can’t be sure your new fence is in the right place or are you choosing the right fence designs. Consider choosing New Orleans residential wood fence designs by BigEasyFences.com.
How to Install
Attach a string around the area’s perimeter to be fenced, about a foot above the ground, pulling it taut. This helps keep the posts aligned throughout the post-setting process.
There are many material options when it comes to fencing, from wood to metal to plastic. Del Grande and his crew use pressure-treated wood since it offers long-term endurance. Many manufacturers rate their pressure-treated wood to last up to 40 years. The pine pickets featured here are attractive on both sides; this will likely help score points with the people next door — a right neighbor fence.
Don’t worry too much about figuring out how much material you’ll need. Just take the exact (and accurate) dimensions of your property to the experts at the lumberyard — they’ll figure out the right amount for you.
Important Tip: Make sure someone instructs you on how to use the tool, and carefully follow all safety precautions — especially the use of safety glasses.
Regardless of the type of wood you use, the nails should last as long as the fence, so choose hot-dipped galvanized nails if at all possible. The distance of your fence will determine the number and placement of the posts you use. A good rule of thumb is to space them 6′ to 8′ apart.
When placing the top rail, keep in mind that a typical right height is between 58″ and 66″ from the ground. The middle and lower rails should be spaced evenly below. The rail length is determined by measuring from the center of one post to the center point of the next. Use two 10-penny nails to fasten each rail’s end to each post, making sure that all the rails are on the same horizontal plane and the same distance from the ground.
To speed up the building process:
- Make sure all the rails are in position before starting to attach the pickets.
- Place a picket on the first post, with the bottom approximately 1″ above the ground.
- Make sure it’s plumb, then nail it in place.
Repeat the process with a picket on the next post, but only nail it in place with one or two nails. Then add a nail to the top of each picket and run a string between them, placing it a half-inch above the pickett’s top. The top of each picket should then be positioned a half-inch below the string. This allows the pickets to follow the contour of the yard gradually.