A wooden fence in your backyard is one of the most overlooked yet important parts of a secure home. Not only does it provide you with a touch of solitude and privacy, but it also impedes potential intruders, prevents pets from escaping, and keeps children safe while playing outdoors. On top of that, installing a wooden fence is also a way to increase the curb appeal of your home, which adds further value to it. It’ll show would-be buyers how you take care of your home and maintain your property.
You’re probably wondering how to build a wooden fence around your backyard. If so, then you’re on the right page. This article will help you learn and understand the DIY process of building a wooden fence to keep your home private, secure, and pleasing to the eyes. However, if the task seems too much for you to handle, don’t hesitate to visit fencing companies in your area or check out their site to ask for professional help. Here are the steps for building your wooden fence.
Consult Your Local Authorities And Associations
Before you start digging, it’s best to do some research about your local area. Keep in mind that building a backyard fence can be regulated by different regulatory bodies. These could be your neighborhood association or your local city, which might impose rules on certain fence features, such as style, width, and height.
Also, check your property lines to determine where to install your fences legally. This can be found in the plat of your home—a legal map that shows the measurements and boundaries of your property. You can get a copy of this from your local city administrator or surveyor. Once the research has been done, review your fencing plans with your neighbors. Make sure they fully understand the coverage of your plan and agree with it to avoid conflict.
Measure And Mark The Layout
Installing your wooden fence begins with accurate and precise measurements. Below are the steps you may follow to measure and mark the layout of your fence appropriately.
- Measure The Fence Line: Include your gates when measuring the fence line. This can be done with the help of a measuring wheel. Then, create an outline of your fence using spray paint or chalk. Label the locations where your gate will be installed.
- Determine The Number Of Panels: Deduct the length of the gate from the length of the fence. Then, divide the number by the length of the panel of your fence. This will show you the number of panels you need. The remaining gaps will be filled in with pickets or partial panels.
- Determine The Number Of Fence Posts: This can be determined by dividing the total length of your fence by the average fence spacing, typically around six to eight feet.
Gather The Materials You Need
After all the measurements and outlines, the next thing to do would be to gather all the necessary tools and materials. These often include the following:
- Wood fence panels
- Four-by-four wood fence posts
- All-purpose gravel
- Quick-setting concrete mix
- Exterior screws
- Marking paint
- Circular saw
- Cordless drill
- Miter saw
- Post-hole digger and shovel
- Hammer
- Hearing and vision protection
- Bubble level
- Tape measure or ruler
Dig The Post Holes
Using a post-hole digger, start digging the first post hole, but follow the depth imposed by your local city or community. If no requirements are imposed, dig a hole three times wider than the post’s width and a depth of half of the post’s length. After that, start digging for the second hole in a location six to eight feet away from the first. Continue digging until you reach the number of posts needed.
Add Base Fill, Concrete, And Attach Wooden Panels
Add all-purpose gravel to the post hole until the depth reaches four inches—use a ruler to measure the depth. Then, use a post to push it down and flatten it. Continue this for the remaining holes. After that, brace all posts and fill them with a dry concrete mix to a depth of three to four inches below the ground. Then, fill all post holes slowly with water using a hose and let it cure for around 30 to 40 minutes.
Once the concrete has been cured perfectly, it’s time to place and attach the wooden panels. Ask someone to help you lift and install a fence panel between posts. You can add blocking underneath if you want to raise it slightly above the ground. Then, attach that panel using your cordless drill and a couple of screws. Continue until all panels are installed properly. That’s how you build a wooden fence across your backyard. All you need to do is maintain and keep it in good condition to prolong its lifespan.
Final Words
A wooden fence is a great way to bolster the security and privacy of your home. It allows your children and pets to play freely without worrying about anything. Also, it discourages intruders from entering your home. If you need one, call your local fencing company right now. Or you may refer to the discussion above if you want to do the task yourself.
