| Building a wood fence can be a fun and rewarding | | | | sand and 3 parts gravel. Add water and mix to a thick |
| project. In addition to providing value to your home it | | | | consistency but at the same time wet enough to pour |
| increases your security and privacy. You'll find it's not a | | | | all the way around the posts. Fill each hole 6 inches |
| difficult job and I will show you the easy method of | | | | deep. Now it's time to place the posts in every hole. |
| building your fence. | | | | Use a level to make sure each post is plumb and |
| Materials Needed: | | | | barely touching the string. Finish filling each hole to |
| Treatment preservative | | | | about 2 inches below ground level. Double check each |
| Concrete | | | | post making sure it's plumb. |
| 4x4 posts 8 feet in length. | | | | After the posts have set it's time to add the railings. |
| 2x4 for railing in either 8 or 16 feet in length | | | | Make sure to set the bottom rail 8 inches above |
| 1x6 or 1x8 fence boards (your preference) | | | | ground and be careful to have both ends the same |
| 3 1/2" galvanized nails | | | | height from the ground. Fasten the top rails by |
| 2 1/2" flat head galvanized nails | | | | measuring from the bottom rail up to the desired |
| Hardware for gate (hinges and latch) | | | | position. Finally attach the middle rail central between |
| Before you get started you must first figure out your | | | | the bottom and top rails. |
| fence line. This will help you calculate the materials | | | | Before you nail the boards to the railings you might |
| needed to build your fence. When determining your | | | | want to consider staining or painting them first as it is |
| fence line the best thing to do is talk to your neighbors. | | | | easier than doing this after they've been fastened. If |
| If you're in disagreement you can look for the property | | | | you decide to go this route you should also stain or |
| survey markers or if all else fails have your property | | | | paint the posts and rails prior to attaching the boards. |
| surveyed. It's best to keep the entire fence on your | | | | Using a spacer to maintain equal gaps you can begin |
| property. Once you know the fence line mark it with a | | | | nailing the boards to the rails, using 2 of the 2 1/2 inch |
| string line. Using stakes hammered into the ground run | | | | nails hammered on each rail. Use a level to make sure |
| the line 2 feet past each end of the fence line. Secure | | | | the boards are vertically plumb. |
| the string tightly to the stakes. | | | | Now that your fence is up you probably want a gate. |
| Next you need to treat your posts by following the | | | | First you need to determine the size of the gate. I |
| manufacturers recommendations. I would suggest | | | | would recommend a gate no less than 3 feet wide. |
| treatment at least 8 inches above ground level. You | | | | You should build a frame with the 2x4's overlapping |
| can also purchase posts that are pre-treated from | | | | and attach a middle rail for durability and strength. To |
| your lumber store if you wish. | | | | allow room for the hinges and latch make sure the |
| Measure your post holes 8 feet apart. I wouldn't | | | | gate frame is built allowing 1 inch narrower between |
| recommend any further apart as through time your | | | | the gate posts. Next attach the fence boards and |
| fence may sag or lean. Dig the holes about 28 inches | | | | finally install the hinges and latch. |
| deep. Make sure all posts are of equal distance apart. | | | | That's all there is to it. Now it's time to take a break |
| It's now time to prepare your concrete for setting the | | | | and enjoy the beautiful fence you've just built. |
| posts. Mix your concrete with 1 part cement, 2 parts | | | | |