I also double-check level periodically as a failsafe. Space them approximately 8 feet apart. %%EOF

How much cement do I use, and how deep should the hole be? Sawhorses and stickers work, but the JawHorse worktables that I make work better—just clamp a 2-by-4 on edge in the jaw of each one for a massive but stable work surface. Space the other two stringers evenly apart. 0000057837 00000 n Set the stringers into their brackets one by one, securing each with 2-inch nails until all stringers are installed between all posts. Nail treads in place using #8 framing nails (Image 1). A good rule of thumb is to dig holes for fence posts deep enough to bury 1/3 the overall height of the posts (2 ft. deep at a minimum). Clement Carpentry Trick: Once you have the bottom rail set level, use cleats (aka guide blocks) for the rest of your layout. Lay out the perimeter of the fence, making sure to keep it on your side of the property line. All Right Reserved. Install the pickets by screwing them to the top and bottom rails with 1 1/2-inch exterior wood screws. Several common methods exist for attaching fence stringers to posts, including brackets, toenailing and screwing straight through the stringer and into the post. 0000005849 00000 n x�bbrb`b``$ � q The alternative is a privacy fence built to closely follow the grade of the yard. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This string will guide placement for each post between the corners. 0000018552 00000 n Pour the dry fast-setting concrete mix into the post holes. Remove the stringer and take to the cutting table. 0000052586 00000 n Install a bottom and top rail to attach to the fence posts.

Create a rail frame with 2-3 rails perpendicular to your posts depending on your fence's height, then screw it in place. The complication I think I'll have is attaching the stringers to the front facing side of the posts. So, I set 3 to 5 posts, and then pour. Full or close-to-full panels are what you’re after. Detailed here is a privacy screen designed to beautify a back yard and erase a poorly maintained rental on the adjoining property. Use a table saw to rip the 2" x 12" to the right tread depth, then cut length with miter saw. And, measuring four posts ahead lets me see if I need to recalculate the panel width to fit the space (knocking them down to 6-1/2 or 7—or up to 9 feet—works to trick the eye). xref Leave the braces in place while the concrete sets. 0000211139 00000 n 0000211251 00000 n To be on … Unlock this expert answer by supporting wikiHow, https://www.illinois1call.com/7-things-to-consider-before-installing-a-fence/, http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20392301,00.html, https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/animals-and-wildlife/deer-fence-diy/, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-install-picket-fence, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ptcRhU9BgA, http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/lawn-and-garden/garden-gate-with-arbor-and-fence/project#noop, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If the fence will be built on a shared property line, then try talking with your neighbor to find out if they’d be willing to share the cost of the fence with you. Furthermore, I like my concrete to be in the hole drying while I advance down the line. Corner or End Posts. Nail a riser on each upright face of the stringers – all the way down. 0000017096 00000 n 0000210832 00000 n A fence can have multiple gates, such as a single-door gate and a two-door gate for a pickup truck. This can help you avoid digging through a cable and possibly disrupting telephone service for the entire neighborhood. Use 3-in. Laying Out a Graded Site.

With all stringers in place, use a reciprocating saw to cut the tops of the posts so they’re all the same height. Mark the spot on the post where the bottom of the pickets will hit, using a pencil. Jan 1, 2013 - Fence stringers are the two or three horizontal wooden rails that run between fence posts and that hold the boards or pickets. Posts and Slats Wild. To achieve a uniform step, I measure final post height—4 inches above the high-side post cap—and cut. 0000012901 00000 n A knot called a Trucker’s Hitch works on more than just mason’s line for laying out fences. 0000002901 00000 n Set the remaining posts in the same manner, making sure the outside faces of the posts are plumb and line up exactly with the string to keep the fence straight. It’s a good idea to purchase the beefiest hinge hardware available at the hardware store, because gate hinges are notorious for failure over time. For calculating materials, each panel takes 18 full slats and one ripper. %PDF-1.4 %���� (Note: This measurement is also crucial for the sake of your materials, because dimensional lumber is sold in standard sizes. Longer stringers can span two or more posts. Portable Burn Barrels Safely and thoroughly incinerate yard and non-hazardous household waste & documents, Easy DIY Upgrade for the Modern Bathroom  GROHE, the leading global brand for bath and kitchen water solutions, introduces the GROHE Rainshower 310 SmartConnectTM shower head with wireless remote control. "wikiHow always gives a good, simple overview of a project. Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. Mark the corners with stakes. 0000001556 00000 n

He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. Because it is recy6clable and nontoxic, it is a wise environmental choice as well.

The T&G siding came in 16′ lengths and needed to be trimmed to size. hot-dipped ring-shank nails for all framing members. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. However, not all vinyl fences are constructed equally. 0000010134 00000 n 0000013317 00000 n amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";

Copyright 2020 Extreme How To. There are a wide variety of options for every budget and aesthetic taste. Hold a sample picket up against a fence post to determine where they'll be installed. To get a stepped effect I treated the posts as pairs, using the uphill post as the control point for positioning the bottom rail—8 inches from grade to the rail bottom. The screws enter the stringer at a diagonal so that they anchor into the fence post. Use a sledge hammer to pound the posts into the ground once they’re surrounded by concrete, then recheck for plumb and adjust if necessary. Can I attach posts to the side of fencing? This creates the illusion of full panels, without having to make very detailed measurements. Install stringers using the "T Bar" method, as this design is the proper foundation for most picket styles.

For large doors, skip the conventional. The depth of each hole should be 1/3 of the height of the post that goes in it. Allow the posts to set. Dig the hole for each post with a post hole digger. Only build along or within your property line. Let the concrete set for 24 to 48 hours. Fencing can be an important part of your home’s exterior design.

Be prepared for a lot of digging. 0000211411 00000 n The pickets can install along one side of the fence, or you can install a shadowbox style fence, which alternates the position of the pickets from one side of the stringer to the other. 0000210470 00000 n amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Mark this spot with a pencil, as you will place the top fence stringer here. The treated posts should be approved for ground contact. All stringers should be placed at the same measurement to the ground and to one another on a horizontal plane, regardless of minor grade changes in your building area. 0000013042 00000 n Portable Burn Barrels Safely and thoroughly incinerate yard and non-hazardous household waste & documents, Easy DIY Upgrade for the Modern Bathroom  GROHE, the leading global brand for bath and kitchen water solutions, introduces the GROHE Rainshower 310 SmartConnectTM shower head with wireless remote control.

Copyright 2020 Extreme How To. When it comes to nailing the fence together, expect a lot of it. 0000210439 00000 n The screen delivers succulent lines for the interior and a crisp, but solid, wall from the outside. Jig It.

Fence materials range from metal and wood to vinyl and wood-plastic composites. The fence will be easier to paint if you do this, and there will be less bare wood between pickets and rails to rot. The next post I lay out and set is an end-post that is in-line with my control post. You can tackle the problem of sloped ground with two different designs. How would a professional handle a 135 degree corner?

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. That was no problem on this fence because it was planned to be stained anyway. I set my combination square to mark rail layout–again, it’s more accurate than measuring every time. Spreading out the material so you can get to it with a paintbrush requires maximum workspace (and you want to brush it; no rolling). It is also important to seal the tops of posts to protect them from rainwater damage. Shooting my eye down 100 feet of pitch-perfect, parallel fence posts rising true and straight from the earth speaks to my inner carpenter. <]>> Installing Fence Stringers. 0000007292 00000 n Kathryn Jones is a versatile style writer and passionate gardener with nearly 15 years’ experience in both fields. Install posts high or “wild” and trim to final height after the fence is installed. The lumber should be long enough to overlap each post.

The hole should be 3 feet deep for a 6 foot high fence. The top of the picket should be flush with the top of the post, and you should be able to see all three of your pencil marks on the post. Drive the screws through the edges of the rail and into the posts. Post Detailing. Place the spacing block next to the first picket and position the second picket against it. If the stringer needs to be cut down to size, mark the spot with a pencil where you will cut.

To get a stepped effect I treated the posts as pairs, using the uphill post as the control point for positioning the bottom rail—8 inches from grade to … Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. 0000002080 00000 n Make sure to call the Digline at 811 before you start digging. 0000211336 00000 n Show is the completed fence, constructed from Western Red Cedar. Fencing not only adds privacy and security to your home, it also increases its value and (normally) aesthetic appeal. 0000210641 00000 n