Building a Wooden Fence

Wooden fences have beautified many farms, gardens and yards. Although sometimes expensive in terms of materials, these fences are arguably the most cost-efficient way to improve the green space of a property, and are more attractive than post-and-wire or chain fences. Whether it be to enclose an animal paddock, a field, home or the perimeter of a property, a proper post-and-plank fence will work well.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chainsaw or handsaw
• Tamping rod
• Post hole digger
• Level
• Spool of twine
• Hammer
• Mattock
• Nails
• Stakes or other ground markers
• Lumber and fence posts

Setting Posts

1. Measure and mark the fence line. If the fence is meant to mark a property boundary, get it surveyed first.

2. Using the mattock, shovel and post hole digger, dig your fence post holes. These should all be a little wider than the fence post, and the holes should be at least 1 foot deep.

3. Set your post, using the level to keep it perfectly straight, and refill the empty space in the hole with dirt. Tamp the dirt using your tamping rod for a firm hold.

Setting Planks

4. 
   A post-and-plank fence that is joined, rather than nailed

   Decide how many lines of horizontal planks you are running across the face of the fence. For a picket or privacy fence, which will feature a second set of planks running vertically across the face, this may be as few as two lines. For a post-and-plank fence, this may be anywhere between two and four.

5. 
   Privacy fence

   Nail your horizontal planks. Some planks will be a little off, and will need to be cut to fit accordingly. Each plank should be nailed twice on each end and twice more in the middle. The plank lines should also alternate.
   In a three-plank fence, if the top and bottom plank lines are on a post where the plank ends meet, the middle plank should be in its center. This alternation gives added strength to the fence. Use a level to keep the planks in line. If you are building a post-and-plank fence, you are now finished.

6. 
   Picket fence

   Nail your vertical planks into place if you are building a picket fence or privacy fence. Align each plank using a level, and nail them to the horizontal planks. A picket fence should feature pickets nailed at an even, set interval between posts for a pleasing, continuous appearance. Privacy fences should have the planks running continuously across with no gaps, and this may require sawing the edge off a final plank or two to reduce its width for better fit.

7. Remove the tops of the posts after the planks are placed, using either a handsaw or chainsaw.

Tips & Warnings

• A joined post-and-plank fence will involve setting planks into holes that are bored into the post, rather than nailing them to the post face. In this design, planks and posts meet at set and constant intervals, rather than alternating for added strength. Most home improvement superstores will sell pre-fabricated kits for privacy and picket fences, making setting these fences up much easier.

Resources

• Lowes
• Home Depot