Fence Building Tips

Tired of those nosy neighbors popping up in your backyard? Tired of chasing the family dog six blocks down the street after he escapes the leash? Tired of trimming shrubs in your garden every time they grow over your property line?

Then a backyard fence is the solution for you.

Fences are easy to plan and construct. For starters, pick a lumber that is durable and resistant of insects and rot. Lumbers with these characteristics include pine, spruce, cypress, cedar, and red wood, but any lumber wholesaler would be happy to help you find the lumber that’s best for your needs and climate. Consider what will add ambiance and solitude to your backyard, assemble the necessary tools, and then follow the tips below.

Step One:

Decide exactly where you want your fence to go, and mark these spots with wooden stakes. Typical fence panels are six feet wide by six feet tall, so space your wooden stakes out every six feet. Fencing material can be found at your local home improvement store. Once you have determined the spacing of your fence posts, dig holes for the posts with a hole digger. Each hole should have a depth of 18-24 inches, but it’s important for you to check with your local government for building codes for depth for you location based on the terrain and weathering of the land.

Step Two:

The post is ready to go into the hole. Place it into the ground, and secure it with wooden stakes. Make sure the post is level, and then pour mixed concrete into the hold until it is flush with the top of the ground. Verify the levels of the post, and carefully adjust them as needed before the concrete dries. Once you are certain that everything is level, simply wait for the concrete to dry.

Step Three:

Plan exactly where the screws will be placed to secure the panel to the post. Once you determine each location, drill pilot holes into the panels and posts. Be sure to use the proper type and size screw for each panel and post. Then attach the rail brackets to each post where each fence panel will attach.

Step Four:

Place the fence panels into the rail brackets. This will be a two or more person job, so be sure to have a strong friend nearby to assist you. Secure the panels to the hangers with the screws. Be sure to secure all corners and end panels before the middle panels, as the corner and end panels can often be tricky if all surrounding panels have already been built.

Step Five:

Add a sealer or paint to your newly constructed fence. A paint or sealer will protect the lumber from insects, rot, and weather. It is important to continually update the finish of the wood to ensure long-lasting protection. Finally, don’t forget to sit back and admire your hard work!

Backyard fences add privacy, ambiance, and security to a home. Building a fence on your own can be a tricky, but it is a very rewarding task that can save you money over paying a contractor to build one for you. The lumber experts at J. Gibson McIlvain, one of the nation’s top lumber wholesalers, are fully equipped to help you review the features of different lumbers and help you to find the best wood for your next project. For more information, visit their website, or check out the following selections from their lumber blog: