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Fence Basics
Wood fences are the most common type of fence we build today, because of wood’s availability, its aesthetic versatility, and its relative low cost of building and maintenance. While it is possible to purchase prefabricated wood fence panels, stick building your fence offers more flexibility, greater control over the quality of materials you use, and, often, a more aesthetically pleasing fence.
Wood Fences
The most common species used for stick-built wood fences include pine, spruce, fir, cypress, red cedar, white cedar, and redwood. When selecting the wood that will make up your fence it is preferable to use heartwood rather than sapwood. Heartwood, which is an older wood taken from the inside of a tree, will typically have fewer knots and won’t decay as quickly as sapwood, which is a younger wood taken from the outside of a tree. The wood materials that make up a fence include pickets, rails, and posts.
Parts to the Fence
Pickets are the vertical boards that make up the finished surface of a fence. They are typically 1/2″ – 1″ thick, by 4″ – 6″ wide. Rails are the horizontal members to which the pickets are fastened. They are commonly 2″ thick by 3″ – 4″ wide. Posts, which are partially buried underground, are the vertical structural members that support the rails and pickets of a fence. They are typically 4″ – 6″ thick by 4″ – 6″ wide. Stick building a wood fence offers the opportunity to be creative; however, it should be noted that several traditional styles of fence are well received by neighbors. Picket fences will generally have two rails, with evenly spaced pickets on one side of the fence. They range in height from 3′ to 4′. Shadowbox fences will have three rails, with evenly spaced pickets on two sides of the fence. Shadowbox fences feature a picket on one side placed alternately to a picket on the opposing side. They are typically 6′ tall. Board on board fences (see image above) have two or three rails, depending on the height of the fence. Pickets are butted tightly together on one side of the fence. They typically range in height from 3′ to 6′. Creative touches can be added to traditional fences, such as decorative Gothic pickets, curved picket tops, and/or decorative post caps. These details will add flair to what would otherwise be a flat-topped wood fence. Prior to building a fence on your property, you should have an accurate understanding of where your property lines are located. You will need to contact your local utility companies to mark the location of any underground utility mains that may be located on your property. Be sure you obtain any necessary building permits, consult your local zoning requirements, historic district guidelines, and/or your neighborhood association rules and regulations regarding fences on your property.
Finish and Maintenance
Once the pickets have been attached, your fence has been built, but it is not quite complete. Allow time for the wood to dry. The duration of dry time will vary depending on the species of wood, time of year, and your location, so it is best to follow the dry time recommendation of the lumber manufacturer. Once the recommended time has passed, clean the surface of the wood by using a cleaner that removes dirt, debris, and mill glaze. It is neither necessary nor recommended to use a gasoline-powered power washer. Rather, you should clean the surface of the fence with water and a cleaning solution that can be applied with a plastic pump sprayer, brush, or roller and that then can simply be rinsed off with a garden hose. After the fence has been cleaned you should apply one of the three different types of protective finishes (waterproof sealer, paint or stain), as recommended by the finish manufacturer. A high-quality, protective finish will extend the lifetime of your wood fence and protect your investment. The type of wood you selected and the finished appearance you desire will determine whether waterproof sealer, paint, or stain is appropriate.