Wood Fence

Wood fences can be built in any possible configuration due to the flexibility of its main material. This reference will focus on the most popular wood fence styles listed below. It is also importaint to point out that wood fence must be build differently in different climate regions.

Building a Wood Fence

Many kinds of fence are best built and installed by professionals, but the do-it-yourselfer can manage some wood fence installations. The first step is to decide where posts should be placed. Use a rope to keep lines straight, and dig post holes at least two feet deep to keep the fence posts stable. Plan and carefully pre-cut all components. Install the rails next, and finally the pickets. A pneumatic nailer is the easiest way to attach pickets when you are building a fence. Painting or staining can come last or can be done ahead of time.

Common Wood Fence Styles

Privacy Fence

Dog Ear
Shadowbox
Stockade
Lattice Top

Post and Rail Fence

Picket fence
Corral fencing
Post and Rail

Wood Fence Tree Species

Western Red Cedar
Northern White Cedar
Whitewoods
Misc. Treatednbsp;

Cedar is among the most popular wood used in fencing. Cedar fencing is a bit more expensive than pine, but the wood is naturally resistant to warping, insect damage, and rot. Cedar fence posts should not be set in concrete, but directly into the ground to improve drainage. Cedar is a good candidate for painting or staining, or it can be allowed to age naturally into a pale silver color.

Wood Privacy Fence

For those who feel like they are in a fishbowl when trying to enjoy their backyards, installing a privacy fence can be a great option. Privacy fencing can range from vinyl lattice patterns that don’t completely close off neighboring yards to tall wooden fencing that can act as a barrier to not only sight but also sound. Cedar is one popular material for such fencing. Six feet is generally tall enough for an effective privacy fence; check local restrictions before installing anything higher.

Wood Picket Fence

The white, wooden picket fence may be the quintessential American fence. Such fences are short with evenly spaced vertical slats that generally end in some type of point. Picket fences come in a variety of materials and styles to suit any homeowner. They are traditionally made with wood, but can also be fabricated from vinyl made to look like wood or even wrought iron or aluminum. The fences come in not only white, but also natural wood and metallic tones.

Wood Fence Post

Wood fence posts are generally set about six to eight feet apart, depending on the type of the fence and the terrain. The corner or end posts should be set first, and a line should be stretched between them to line up all the posts evenly. Wood fence posts need to be set with about one-third of their height underground. The underground portion of the wood needs to be treated to make it erosion- and pest-resistant. Make sure the posts are perfectly vertical, and brace them until the concrete sets. Allow the posts to stand for several days before adding the rest of the wood fence.

Keeping Gate Posts Straight

Gate posts for a wood fence need to be set in at least two feet of concrete, but even then the demands of supporting the gate can cause them to tilt inward. If this occurs, the gate will not swing open and shut properly and may not latch correctly.

Digging a Proper Post Hole

Many do-it-yourself fence installers make one of two common mistakes that can cause frost heaves to push their fence posts right back out of the ground. Whether you’re doing a wood or vinyl fence installation, do it right the first time so that your hard work will survive its first hard winter. First, make sure you sink the bottom of the post below the frost depth. Second, make sure the bottom of the post hole is wider at the bottom than at the top and fill it with concrete. Done correctly, your fence posts will withstand the harshest winters. One solution is to construct a cross-member between the gates, either out of another 4×4 fence post or out of concrete. If using a timber fence post, run it from post to post just below ground level. If using concrete, pour it so that it connects just below ground level to the concrete in which the two fence posts were set. It’s also a good idea to install a spreader that keeps the gate posts upright somewhere above head height of the fence. This can be an attractive arbor or some type of gabel roof.

Period Wood Fence

At its height in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Arts and Crafts period influenced British and American architecture, wood work, and garden designs. The emphasis in this movement was on rustic, handmade designs, using natural materials such as wood. For gardens, an Arts and Crafts look would include borders made of hedges, stone, or other natural fence material.

Wood arch top fence.

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