How to Install a Split Rail Fence

Split rails are the fence of choice for large areas. It is also chosen for aesthetics, visual property lines and ease of installation. They come in a variety of wood (cedar is suggested) and can be treated for appearance and durability. Whether you need a yard fence or a horse fence, a split rail wooden fence is a good choice.

There are several variations of the split rail, including stacked and snaked (like those you see in Civil War battlefields). This article is for the more typical design. A split rail is generally 4 feet tall, with 2 or 3 rails up to ten feet long; with 6 foot rails usually used for residential purposes. These same instructions apply to all rail and post fences.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Level
• post hole digger (manual)
• shovel
• gravel

1. 
    
   Staking the Fence Line

   Carefully measure the area where you will install your fence. Mark the fence line with string and stakes. Place a stake the location of all fence posts.

2. 
    

   Dig your first fence post hole. Using your stake as the middle of the hole, dig the fence post hole with a manual post hole digger. The circumference should be equal to the width of your post to disturb as little of the hard packed soil as possible. You can make the hole wider, but the wider the hole, the more difficult it is to center the post, and the more careful you will need to be to properly tamp the ground. The deeper the fence post hole, the closer to the ground the rails will sit. If the soil is moist, place a layer of gravel in the bottom of the hole.

3. Place the fence post in the center of the hole, ensuring that the fence rail holes are correctly oriented (that is, they face the direction the rails will run). Use the level to be sure the fence post is straight. If necessary to level fence rails, raise or lower the fence post to adjust the fence rails. If your location is gently sloped, follow the lay of the land. Back fill dirt around the post and tamp the ground all the way around. Check the post to be sure it is solid.

4. 
    
   Fence post with Tempoary Supports

   If your soil is sandy or you are installing a fence post taller than 4 feet, dig the hole at least 6 inches wider than the post. Put gravel in the hole, center the post, and temporarily stake the post (check for level). Add quick mix cement to hole surrounding the post. When well set, remove the supports.

5. Insert the fence rails and dig the next fence post hole so that the fence rails will rest securely in the holes of that fence post. As you place this post, angle it in slightly and place the rail ends into the holes. Back fill and tamp the ground. Move on in this manner until you have completed your fence.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your property lines
• When using longer rails, a post can be placed midway with the rails passing through
• Decide whether you want or need to treat the wood
• If you want to restrict animals or children from going through the fence, tack up chicken wire or a similar type material
• Get a permit if required in your locale

Resources

• Choose the right wood for your fence

[agman55]

on 11/15/2009 Good article for residential use, I would use nails to secure the rails at each post in a urban or animal fence situation. It would also be helpful to explain how to create the holes for the rails, i.e. drilling, using chisels, etc. and what type of wood is best for posts, and for rails. otherwise good article. I gave it 4 stars for a good job, well done.

[dorjeone]

on 3/5/2009 Thanks for the comment, and the article idea - look for it over the next day or 2.

[dlcass]

on 3/4/2009 This is a great article. I would like to know what kind of wood to use for a split rail fence though. Are there different kinds?