How to Install Wood Panel Fencing?
If you’re handy with power tools and have some DIY experience, you can build your own wood panel fencing. But if you’re not, you might want to hire a professional to do the job for you.
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Erecting a fence requires careful planning and construction. Check with your local zoning board to determine whether you need a permit and how many fence panels you need. Also, discuss the project with your neighbors to ensure you don’t cause any damage to their property or create a nuisance for them.
Make a level surface
The ground you plan to erect the fence on must be flat and dry. It should also be free of weeds and other vegetation, which will prevent the wood from warping and rotting.
Dig holes for the posts
Posts need to be deep enough to support the weight of the fence and to provide anchorage. This will help them stand up to wind, rain, and snow. For example, a standard depth of two feet will be sufficient in most situations, but if the ground is soft, you may need to dig deeper holes.
Set posts in concrete
Every fence post should be set in concrete to keep it sturdy between each panel. Use scrap two-by-fours to brace the posts in their post-holes, and fill them with dry quick-set concrete that is just below ground level.
Prep fence panels
Instead of constructing the entire fence one board at a time, use fence panels that are 8 ft (2.4 m) long. These are available at hardware stores and can save you a lot of money on materials.
Install the first post
For most fences, the first fence post should be erected in the middle of the line. Start by creating temporary wooden props – these will hold the first post in place and are secured with screws temporarily screwed into them. Spike these props with a panel saw to help them drive into the ground.
Set the next fence post in place at the same distance as the first. Repeat the process for all of the fence posts along the fence line.
Assemble the fence
Once all of the fence posts are erected, it’s time to attach each fence panel to them. These are typically attached to the posts using galvanized clout nails, but fence clips can be used instead. If you’re unsure of the best way to secure each fence panel, enlist the assistance of a friend or neighbor to help hold the panels in place while you screw them to the posts.
Position the fence panels
Depending on how you plan to assemble your fence, you might need to adjust the spacing of the posts. If you’re installing a parallel-style fence, measure the picket bottoms of the far end of each panel and place them 2 to 5 inches off the ground. If you’re using the step method, mark each panel so the side that’s uphill is just a few inches off the ground; the opposite side of each fence panel is farther downhill.
