How to Build a Wood Board Fence

A wood board fence can define your property line in an attractive way, and offer you a degree of privacy. Having a fencing company install one for you is one way to do it, but it's usually an expensive proposition. Building one yourself is certainly a lot of work, but it's really not that complicated. Here's how to accomplish this rewarding DIY project.

Things You'll Need

• Stakes
• Post hole digger
• Concrete mix
• String
• Level
• 1-inch by 6-inch wood boards
• 2-inch by 4-inch wood rails (8-feet long)
• 4-inch galvanized nails
• 4-inch by 4-inch posts in (12-feet long)

Instructions

1. Decide where you want your fence to go and stake out the position of the first corner post. Stake out the position of the next corner post and connect them with a piece of string. Make sure that the string is kept taut so it can help you accurately align all of your posts and result in a nice straight fence.

2. Use a tape measure to make a mark 8 feet from the center of the first stake and insert your next stake at this spot, making sure that the stake sits against the string you just attached. Repeat until you have marked the positions of all of the remaining posts.

3. Using a post hole digger, dig the first fence post hole. Ideally, the hole should be deep enough to accommodate 1/3 of the post. To assist with drainage, add about 6 inches of gravel to the hole. Repeat this for the rest of the post positions as staked out in the previous step.

4. Add water to your concrete mix, making sure that you follow the instructions on the bag, and pour concrete into the first post hole. Tap down a fence post into the hole so that the bottom of the post rests on the layer of gravel you just added. Use a level to check that the post is plumb and then move to your next post and repeat the procedure. Remember to revisit each post as the concrete sets, checking with your level in order to make any final adjustments, should they be necessary.

5. When all of the posts have been set in position and the concrete is fully set, it's time to add the horizontal rails. You'll be setting the first rail about 12 inches or so from the top of the posts and attaching it with galvanized nails; the next one about the same distance from the bottom of the posts, and the last one right between the two.

6. With all rails attached it's time to attach your fence boards. Attach a board to the first corner post with the galvanized nails, and run another line from the top of this board to the next post. You can use this as a guide to line up the rest of the boards on your fence so that the height of the fence is consistent.

Tips & Warnings

• For more privacy, consider a board-on-board fence. You'll still be adding fence boards to your rails, but you'll be using a 4-inch spacer to separate them. Then, you'll cover these spaces with another board, which will block out any and all spaces between the boards. It's always a good idea to consult your neighbors about any fence building plans; not only as a courtesy, but also so that property lines can be verified. If you live in a deed-restricted community, make sure that your fence plans are in keeping with any locally enforced regulations.

• Do not start digging any post holes before checking with your utility companies about the location of any underground cables or pipes on your property.

Resources

• Fencing 101
• Fencing materials video