How to Build a Cedar Lattice Fence
Install a cedar lattice fence to hide landscape imperfections, provide privacy and improve the appearance of the landscape. Train vines to climb the lattice to make a natural privacy screen. Lattice fences are not extensively used, so they help to set the home apart from other houses in the neighborhood and increase curb appeal. Install a cedar lattice fence yourself to save on costly contractor fence fees. Consult with the local code enforcement to determine whether there are any codes and regulations regarding fences and fence materials. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 4-by-8-foot cedar lattice sections
- 4-by-4-inch pressure-treated posts
- 2-by-4-inch pressure treated boards
- Tape measure
- String line
- Metal stakes
- Hammer
- Post hole diggers
- 4-foot level
- Crushed gravel
- Concrete
- Circular saw
- 16d galvanized nails
- 10d galvanized nails
Instructions
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1
Hammer one metal stake into the ground 1 foot past where the fence will end; you'll need one stake for each end of the fence. Tie a string line to the stakes to keep the posts straight and square.
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2
Dig holes with a post hole digger spaced 8 feet apart and 32 to 36 inches deep or below your area's frost line.
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3
Place the posts in the holes and square them up to the string line. Use a 4-foot level to plumb the posts and add 2 inches of crushed gravel to the bottom of the post holes. Keep the posts the same height.
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4
Add 2 inches of crushed gravel to the bottom of the post holes, place the posts in the holes and square them up to the string line; use a 4-foot level to plumb the posts. Keep the posts the same height.
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5
Fill the post holes with concrete up to ground level and let the concrete cure overnight.
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6
Measure the space between the insides of the posts and cut two pressure-treated 2-by-4 boards to fit with a circular saw. You'll need two 2-by-4 boards between all the posts.
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7
Measure 2 inches up the post from the ground and mark the insides of the posts with a pencil.
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8
Measure down 1 foot from the top of each post and mark the inside of the posts with a pencil.
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9
Toenail 2-by-4-inch boards in place between the posts with galvanized 16d nails; drive in each nail at an angle through the 2-by-4 and into the post. Line up the top of the 2-by-4 with the 1-foot mark on the top of the posts. Install the boards with the narrow edge facing out and the wider, 4-inch sides facing up and down.
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10
Toenail pressure-treated 2-by-4-inch boards between posts with galvanized 16d nails at the bottom; line up the bottom of the 2-by-4 up with the 2-inch mark on the bottom of the post. Again, the wide sides of the boards should face up and down.
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11
Measure the inside distance from the top and bottom 2-by-4 rails, cut 2-by-4-inch boards and nail them to the sides of the fence posts. The 2-by-4s on the top, bottom and sides provide support for the cedar lattice.
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12
Nail a 4-by-8-foot section of cedar lattice to the bottom and side 2-by-4 rails with 10d galvanized nails and a hammer. Place the lattice with the 8-foot side running horizontally and the 4-foot side running vertically.
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13
Place another 4-by-8-foot section of cedar lattice sheet on top of the bottom sheet and nail it to the side and top 2-by-4 rails with 10d galvanized nails. Continue installing the sheets in this way between all the posts.
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14
Seal the cedar lattice fence with a water sealer. Water sealers can be sprayed or brushed on.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure all the posts are measured correctly, spaced evenly and are the same height. If all measurements are accurate, you can make one measurement for the 2-by-4-inch boards and cut them all the same size, rather than measuring between each set of posts.
