| Any one who owns property will probably need to | | | | need to add a third rail in the middle if you go |
| build or repair a wooden fence at some point in | | | | with 8 feet between posts. If you decide on |
| their lives. As rewarding as building a fence may | | | | metal posts, you will also need extra 2 x 4's to |
| be, you'll want to do it correctly the first time so | | | | bolt to the sides of the posts. |
| there will be no need for additional work or repairs | | | | 3. 6' fence boards - enough to cover the length |
| after the first mild storm. | | | | of the fence. If you prefer the overlapping look |
| Planning Stage | | | | to avoid gaps when the wood shrinks, you'll need |
| Decide on the type of material you wish to use | | | | to purchase additional boards. |
| for the fence boards. Popular favorites are | | | | 4. Large box of 3" rust-proof wood screws to |
| Redwood and Cedar. The fence rails should be | | | | attach rails. |
| pressure-treated 2 x 4's and the posts can be | | | | 5. Large box of 1" rust-proof wood screws to |
| either pressure-treated 4 x 4's or aluminum posts. | | | | attach fence boards. |
| Most people use fence post concrete to set the | | | | 6. Fence post concrete or crushed angular gravel |
| posts but crushed angular gravel is also another | | | | for each post hole. |
| very good solution. Since the gravel is angular, it | | | | 7. Galvanized carriage bolts, nuts and washers if |
| actually locks itself together when compacted. | | | | using aluminum posts. |
| And if you need to move or replace the post for | | | | Construction |
| any reason, gravel is a lot easier to remove than | | | | 1. Dig the post holes with a post hole digger. Go |
| concrete. | | | | to a depth of at least 2.5 feet. One third of the |
| Quick story, I built a fence years back and just | | | | length of the fence post is the recommended |
| by chance, one of the pressure-treated fence | | | | distance. |
| posts snapped about 4 inches above the ground | | | | 2. If you are using aluminum posts, you'll need to |
| during a very strong wind storm. I had used 2.5 | | | | add sections of 2 x 4's to the posts at this stage. |
| feet of concrete in the post hole and I was not | | | | Decide how far apart you want the rails to be |
| about to try to dig all of that out to replace the | | | | and use that distance for the length of wood |
| post. I decided to dig two additional post holes 2 | | | | added to the metal post. Use carriage bolts to |
| feet on either side of the broken post and I used | | | | attach the wood to the aluminum posts. |
| aluminum posts set in 2.5 feet of crushed gravel. I | | | | 3. Place one post into a post hole and add the |
| did this so I would not have to worry about the | | | | concrete (plus recommended amount of water) |
| new fence post snapping during a violent wind | | | | or crushed gravel, leveling the post as you go. |
| storm and having to do the work over again. I | | | | Slope the top of the concrete down from the |
| didn't realize the winds here were so strong when | | | | post to prevent water from collecting next to the |
| I put up the original fence else I would have used | | | | post. If adding the gravel, be sure to fully |
| metal posts the first time. | | | | compact it about every 8 inches or so. Complete |
| Once you've decided where the fence will be, | | | | for each post, one at a time. |
| mark the ground where the posts will go. If your | | | | 4. If using concrete, let the concrete harden for a |
| situation is like mine where you have strong | | | | day or two and then proceed to add the top and |
| winds, I recommend placing fence posts every 6 | | | | bottom rails. If using gravel, you can add the rails |
| feet to add stability else you will be able to get | | | | anytime. |
| away with one post every 8 feet. If you go with | | | | 5. If you go with 8' between posts, you may |
| 8 feet between posts, be sure the holes are just | | | | need to add a vertical rail in between the |
| under 8 feet apart. Because if you go over, you | | | | horizontal rails as an 8' rail will sag over time. |
| will have to buy 10' long rails as the 8' long pieces | | | | 6. Add some string from one end of the top of |
| will be too short. | | | | the fence to the other to create a level line. This |
| Materials List | | | | will be your reference line when adding the fence |
| 1. 8' x 4" x 4" pressure-treated posts or 8' | | | | boards. |
| aluminum posts - based on number of post holes | | | | 7. Attach all the fence boards. |
| you have marked. | | | | 8. Stain the fence boards to add color and |
| 2. 8' x 2" x 4" pressure-treated rails - length of | | | | longevity. |
| fence times 2 for top and bottom rail. You may | | | | |