How to Build a Cedar Fence With Steel Posts?
Cedar is a great choice for fences because it’s durable, attractive, and naturally resistant to rot. It also retains its color and luster more than other types of wood.
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A cedar fence can be constructed with a variety of fencing options, including board-on-board, picket, privacy, and lattice styles. This makes it an ideal choice for a wide range of properties, including cottages, ranches, and rural homes.
The first step in building a cedar fence with steel posts is to prepare the ground around the site where the fence will be installed. This involves digging postholes and laying down gravel in the bottom of each hole. This prevents water from collecting in the base of your fence posts, which can lead to rot.
Dig the holes for each post using a manual posthole digger or an auger. You’ll need to bury at least three-quarters of the length of each post, and local building codes may require a minimum depth. You’ll also need to add a six-inch layer of gravel at the bottom of each hole to protect the fence from rot.
Once you’ve buried all the posts, mix a 50-pound bag of Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix in a wheelbarrow or bucket, following the mix-to-water ratio on the package. Once the concrete has been set, fill in around the base of each post with the extra concrete.
After the posts are set, you’ll need to attach the rails and pickets to them. These fence components are typically screwed together with metal screws and metal brackets, but you can use wood screws instead if you want to keep the overall look of your fencing more natural.
To install the rails, start by placing the end of a fence panel against the first post and line it up with the fence’s back edge. Once it’s aligned, slide on one of the 4′ cross pieces from each end of the second fence panel. If the two panels are not level, you may need to adjust the fence’s back edge so that both end panels are aligned evenly with the cross pieces on each other.
When you’re done, place the other end of the fence panel against the first post and connect it to the fence with a tension band, similar to how you connected the two sides of the middle panel in the beginning. If you’re using a metal tension band, make sure it’s tight enough that the fence won’t wiggle or move in windy conditions.
Next, lay down the pickets in rows, about every three feet. You can place the pickets in a straight line, or you can stagger them to create a more interesting design.
Once the pickets are all in place, you can finish the fence by connecting each row of fence panels to the next. This is the most labor-intensive stage of the fence construction process, so it’s best to do it with a few helpers.
When you’re done, you can add a final finishing touch to your fence with a wood stain. Depending on the type of wood and stain you choose, it may take up to 24 hours for the stain to fully dry.
