How to Install a Wood Stockade Fence

A stockade fence is an easy fencing solution.

Wood stockade fencing has replaced the little white picket as the symbol of suburban living. Providing superior privacy and containment for pets and young children, stockade fence is also one of the easiest fences to install. The three primary woods used for stockade fences are cedar, treated pine and untreated pine. Treated 4-by-4 lumber posts are one of the longest-lasting and most cost-effective methods of hanging stockade fence. Metal posts are also used. Correctly installed posts are the biggest factor in getting the most life from your stockade fence.

Things You'll Need

• Wood stakes
• Mason's twine
• Tape measure
• Yarn
• Post hole digger
• 4-by-4 treated lumber posts
• Metal posts (optional)
• Level
• Stockade panels
• Treated deck screws 3 inches long
• Drill or impact driver
• Metal U brackets (optional)
• 1-by-3/8-inch lag bolts

Instructions

Installing Wood Posts

1. Lay out your fence using wood stakes and mason's twine. Drive in a wood stake in each corner post position. String mason's twine between the stakes and tie off.

2. Use a tape measure to measure from your first corner to a point equal to the width of your stockade fence panels. Typical stockade panels are 6 feet high and 8 feet wide. Mark the twine by tying on a piece of brightly colored yarn. Measure to the end of the next panel and mark. Continue marking until you reach the opposite corner.

3. Dig a post hole directly under each piece of yarn. Post holes should be 10 to 12 inches wide and 24 inches deep.

4. Place an 8-foot post in each hole. Fill each hole with half of an 80 pound bag of concrete. Add water in the hole with a garden hose and mix using a wooden stake.

5. Make sure your posts are plumb. Use a level to check plumb front to back and side to side. Adjust the post until the bubble is between the lines.

Install Stockade Panels

1. Set your stockade panels in position. Make sure your panels run from the center of one post to the center of the next. Make adjustments in post position to make your panels line up in the center of each post.

2. Install your stockade panels using 3 inch treated deck screws. Drive at least two screws through each runner in your stockade panel. Be careful not to sink your screws too deep to prevent moisture from gathering on the screw heads, which can cause corrosion.

3. Fill your post holes the rest of the way with fill dirt and pack in tightly. Drive stakes in along the fence every 2 or 3 panels on each side, about 2 feet out. Use 2-by-4 or other lumber to attach to the stake and lean into the fence as a brace until the concrete dries.

Install Metal Posts

1. Space metal poles in the same fashion. Dig your holes 1/3 as deep as the height of your pole above ground.

2. Bolt your panels to the pole using U brackets that wrap around the pole and attach to the panels on either side. Use 1-by-3/8-inch lag bolts. Drive them in using a nut driver and impact gun or drill.

3. Install a cap on each pole to prevent water running down to fill the pole. This will prevent corrosion from the inside of the pole and protect the concrete.

References

• Home Depot: Installing Prefab Fence Panels