Fencing can be a beautiful and functional addition to a property. It can keep pets in and critters out, delineate property boundaries and improve privacy.
Before starting any fencing project, have a land survey done. This will ensure that you are building your fence within your own property lines and not encroaching on your neighbors. Contact Fence Installation Grand Rapids for professional help.
Posts are the foundation of your fence, providing the stability that holds on to your wire or boards. They come in a range of shapes, sizes and materials. Your choice will depend on a number of factors, including the type of fence you’re building and your budget.
Generally, fence posts are made of either wood or concrete. Concrete posts are more permanent and generally cost more than wooden ones. Concrete posts also need to be buried deeper in the ground than wooden ones, to prevent them from rot. If you’re on a tight budget, then wood is a great option. Wooden fence posts are typically made from pressure treated pine and will last for up to 30 years if they’re properly maintained.
Before you begin digging holes for your fence posts, it’s important to call the local utility company to find out where any underground cables or pipes are located on your property. This will help you avoid damaging them or cutting into anything else that could be hazardous during construction.
To set your fence posts, start by using a string line to mark where the centre of each post will be along your intended fence line. Then use a post hole digger to dig the holes at this point, making sure they’re as deep as possible. Once the hole is dug, fill it with gravel to help with drainage and compact the soil around it. Ensure that the top of each post is about 750mm above ground level.
Next, install a corner post, then place and level the other two posts. Once all the posts are set, install your notched rails. When installing the rails, make sure they’re tightened so they won’t move over time.
If you’re installing a wire fence, be sure to use galvanized or stainless steel nails to prevent corrosion. These are less likely to rust than regular nails, and will be able to stand up to the strain of your fencing material. If you’re using timber fence posts, make sure to choose a high-quality timber that has been treated with CCA (Chemical Wood Preservative). If you’re purchasing your posts in bulk, be sure to ask for quantity discounts. Many home improvement stores will offer this, and it could save you a lot of money.
Rails
Depending on the style of fence you have chosen, there are several different rail options available. Split rail fences are the cheapest, consisting of posts that have holes or slots cut into them, and long split pieces of wood fitted over each other to form the rail. This is one of the easiest types of fencing to construct and can usually be installed by the homeowner or a friend.
Another type of wood fence is a post and rail, which consists of milled boards that attach to the inside or outside of the posts. This style of fence is a bit more expensive than split rail because the boards must be cut to size and nailed into place, and because it can take more labor to construct.
A third option is chain link fence, which is constructed with lengths of steel wire connected to each other with welded chains. This type of fence is also relatively inexpensive and easy to install. It is important to remember that chain-link fences cannot be climbed, so they are a good choice for areas where privacy and security are a concern.
Before beginning your fence installation, make sure that the area where you plan to build is clear of obstructions, such as trees, parked cars, and other buildings. You also need to ensure that your yard is large enough for the project, as you will need space for all of your tools and materials. It is best to have as much room as possible to work in, as this will make the process easier for you and your contractor.
Once the area is cleared, it’s time to stake out your property line. This is an important step because it will help you keep your fence on your own property and prevent any problems with neighbors. If you’re unsure of where your property line is, you can use the method that was used to mark it when the plot was first laid out-drive heavy stakes along the line and run string between them.
If you’re installing a split rail fence, mark the locations of the end and corner posts by driving a stake into the ground a few feet past where each will be located. Then, tie a piece of string to the first end stake and stretch it to each of the other end stakes. The area where the strings overlap will indicate where you’ll need to dig your post holes.
Pickets
A fence’s pickets are the vertical boards that give a fence its height and strength. They can be set close together to create a solid look or spaced farther apart to allow air flow and visibility. Fence pickets can be stained or painted to add a custom color and finish to the fence. Fence rails are the horizontal boards that run between and along the top and bottom of the pickets to provide support for the fence. Fence trim covers the fasteners that attach the rails to the posts and pickets. Fence installers can use either nails or screws to hold fence rails to the posts and pickets. Nails have the advantage of better binding strength than screws, so they are best for objects that will flex under load. However, screws are easier to remove when they need to be replaced.
The type of wood used to make fence pickets and rails is a personal choice. Pressure-treated pine is a cost-effective option that lasts for decades and can be stained or painted to match the style of the fence. Cedar or redwood provide a richer, more beautiful look that can also be treated to resist decay and insect damage. Some homeowners choose to build a wooden fence around their home in order to provide privacy and security to their yard.
Before beginning any work, it is a good idea to call your local utility company’s hotline to have them mark where buried gas, water, and electrical lines are located on your property. This will help prevent accidental damage during the fence installation process.
Many home centers and lumberyards sell prefabricated wood fence panels that can save time and labor. These panels are typically 3 to 4 feet high and 8 feet long. Some are made of powder-coated metal, and others from wood or cellular PVC. Wood panels are available in a variety of picket shapes and sizes, from a simple traditional spear to more elaborately mitered styles.
To install a fence panel, start with the corner post by digging a hole that is the same size as the post’s mounting plate. Next, place the post in the ground and concrete it to a level base. Then set the rest of the posts in the holes. Rack the panels so that their free ends are 2 to 5 inches off the ground and secure them to the posts by fastening the rails to them with screws or nails.
Gates
A gate can be a great way to add a sense of security and privacy to your home or yard. However, it is important to plan for the installation of your fence and gates before you begin building. The last thing you want to do is get the fence up and then realize that the gate doesn’t open or close properly.
First, determine where you want the gate to go. Most people forget to consider this until it is too late, so make sure to establish the opening before you build anything. This will ensure that the gate will fit correctly once it is complete.
Once you have determined where your gate will go, you can start measuring and marking the area. You will need to dig post holes that are roughly a spade and a half wide and deep. You will also need to leave a 50mm clearance gap beneath the gate so that it can open and closed freely. Once the hole has been dug, be sure to backfill it with concrete. This will help prevent the posts from being pulled inwards by the weight of the gate.
Next, you can start assembling the gate frame. For this, you will need four boards that are the same length as your gate’s width. Using exterior rated screws, screw the boards together into a square. If you would like, you can add a diagonal brace to the gate frame for added strength.
Once the gate frame is assembled, you can now attach the hinges to the mounting posts. To do this, you will need to use a bubble level to ensure that the gate will be perfectly level once it is attached. Once you are satisfied that the hinges are properly positioned, use a drill to pre-drill holes and then screw in the lag screws or construction screws.
Finally, you can finish the gate by adding slats or pickets to the sides and top of the frame. This will give the gate a custom look and will also help to keep it strong.