How to Erect a Fence: 14 Steps

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

The fence defines the boundaries of the garden, demarcates your property and prevents children and pets from entering the street. Simple, garden models are not difficult to erect, it just takes time, patience and some DIY knowledge. Keep reading!

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Getting Started

Step 1. Locate and demarcate each underground utility facility

Before raising the fence it is important to know where the pipes and cables of the sewer, water and electricity network run, so as to avoid them during construction. Check the project of your home or contact the Technical Office of your Municipality.

Step 2. Be polite to the neighbors

It is a good idea to visit neighboring owners before starting your project. Make sure they agree with the border lines and ask them for permission to trespass on their property while you work: it is much easier to build a fence if you can operate on both sides.

Step 3. Check the municipal laws

Sometimes, local laws require your fence to comply with certain measurements or characteristics, so it's important to consult with municipal authorities before purchasing the material.

Step 4. Apply for a building permit

In some cities it is necessary to have the proper permits before building a new fence. Go to the Technical Office of your Municipality and ask for information.

Part 2 of 4: Install the Support Posts

Step 1. Decide how far you want to space the bearing posts

Before you start digging, you need to carefully plan the location of each element.

• Usually the supporting poles are installed at 180-240 cm from each other and the corner ones must be fixed first.

  

• Use wooden pegs to mark the point where you want to plant the posts and with the help of mason's twine align them along the border that will be delimited by the fence.

  

Step 2. Dig the holes for the bearing posts

To do this, remove the placeholder peg and dig a hole about 60 cm deep, you can use a shovel or a hole punch. The latter is able to keep the width of the hole constant as you dig.

• During this operation it is good practice to make a hole so deep that it can accommodate 1/3 of the length of the pole. This way the construction will be more stable and will be able to withstand strong winds and weights.

  

• The width of each hole should be 25-30 cm.

  

Step 3. Secure the bearing posts

Place each of them in the center of their respective hole and stabilize them using three brackets of 120 cm and 5x10 cm section nailed diagonally to the post. These will hold it upright.

Use a spirit level to make sure that each pole is perfectly vertical and does not tilt in any direction

Step 4. Fill the holes

When all the posts have been erected, fill the hole with concrete or a specific mixture.

• If you choose to use concrete, fill each hole with fresh one (prepared according to the instructions on the package) by mixing it with a wooden stick to prevent air bubbles from forming.

  

• Fill each hole by going over the edge and then, using a trowel, level the concrete with a certain slope so that the rainwater flows away from the base of the pole. Alternatively, fill the hole with concrete up to 5 cm from the edge and, when it is dry, add some soil.

  

• If you have decided to use a mixture (which has significantly shorter drying times than concrete), you will first need to fill the hole halfway with water and then pour the mixture almost to the edge. It is recommended that you wear a mask and gloves for this job.

  

Step 5. Wait for the mix or cement to dry

In the meantime, keep checking the posts with a spirit level to make sure they remain vertical. Make any adjustments that are necessary. To dry completely, the cement or mixture needs 48 hours.

Part 3 of 4: Secure the Fence

Step 1. Check that the bearing posts are in line

Place a plank over two adjacent poles and with a level check that it is perfectly horizontal. If not, make the necessary changes.

Step 2. Connect the fence panels

You can use nails or outdoor brackets with screws.

• With nails:

  place each panel between two consecutive poles so that each one reaches the center of the supporting pole. Always make sure he is teamed up using the level. Use 8-10cm galvanized nails and secure the panels to the posts at both the top and bottom of the cross beams. You will need someone to hold the panels for you as you work.

  

• With screws and brackets:

  connect three brackets to the edges of each panel, the first 20cm from the top, one 20cm from the bottom and one in the middle. You can put a shim under the panel to help keep it at the right height as you work. Lay each panel on the shim and then screw it to the bearing posts.

  

• Note:

  some prefab fences have mortise-tenon joints, so you just need to align the joints without the need for screws and nails.

  

Step 3. Place the gravel base

In most cases the fence panels should not touch the ground to prevent them from rotting.

• If you want to close the gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground, you can build a small dry stone wall.

  

• In DIY stores you can also find outdoor “skirting boards” that you can simply nail to the base of the fence to close the gap between it and the ground.

  

Part 4 of 4: Finishing Touches

Step 1. Attach the post covers

If you wish, you can nail these decorations to the top of each bearing post. These are small wooden or metal "hats" that give a decidedly more professional look to your work and protect the posts from erosion.

Step 2. If you wish, paint, spread the impregnate or a water-repellent finish to your fence

This way it will stay in good condition for longer.

• The paint allows you to match the color of the fence to that of your home and exterior finishes. The wood should be completely dry before coloring it and covering it with a primer. Make sure the colors you are using are for exterior and latex.

  

• The impregnating agent gives vitality and shine to the natural color of the wood, making the grain stand out.

  

• A water-repellent finish is necessary for those woods that do not resist humidity very well and deteriorate quickly. These include fir, poplar, birch and red oak wood.

  

Advice

• Use tarpaulin to contain the soil when digging holes for the bearing posts.
• To fill the holes, you can use crushed stones or the same soil instead of concrete.