How to Build a Wood Fence?
If you’re looking for a way to add privacy and security to your yard, installing a wood fence is an excellent option. However, a good-quality wooden fence can be costly, so it’s important to consider your budget and the surrounding environment before you start designing and purchasing materials.
(Looking for “Experienced fence removal” Contact us today!)
Selecting the right material for your fence can make a big difference in how long it lasts and how much you’ll have to spend to repair it later on. There are a number of different types of wood, and each one comes with its own unique set of characteristics. Some popular options include cypress, redwood, pine, and tropical hardwood.
Before you begin your project, contact your local government to determine any height restrictions and setbacks from your property line. These requirements vary by city, so be sure to read them carefully and follow the guidelines.
Prepare your site for the project by clearing debris and removing anything that might interfere with digging. Also, be sure to call 811 to have utility lines marked before you begin digging. This will ensure that you don’t end up digging in an area that’s a potential danger to yourself or others and will give you peace of mind while you work.
Mark the route for your fence: Before you begin building, mark a straight line along the property’s edge with a string or another means of measuring distance. This will guide you as you build the fence and help you keep the level of your post along its length.
Dig posts: To create a sturdy foundation for your fence, dig posts using a post-hole digger. This is especially crucial if your yard slopes heavily or is wet from rainfall. Then, pour 3 inches to 4 inches of gravel down the hole’s base for proper drainage. You may also need to tamp the gravel in place with a garden hoe.
Stain the fence: To preserve and protect your wood, choose a semitransparent oil stain. It can highlight the grain pattern and color variations of your fence, while containing UV inhibitors to slow down bleaching by the sun’s ultraviolet light. It can also contain mildewcide to deter fungal growth.
Apply fence stain or preservative: Before you build a fence, treat it with a wood stain or preservative that combines water and wood preservative. This will increase the fence’s strength, durability, and resistance to rotting and insect damage.
If you’re unsure about the type of wood to use for your fence, take a look at some examples online and talk to local contractors to learn which options might be best suited for your yard. This will help you to avoid over-paying for something that won’t be worth it in the long run.
Clean the fence: Pressure washers are a great tool for cleaning a dirty wood fence, but they’re not always ideal. They can erode the wood too much and ruin it, so it’s important to be careful when using them.
Power washers have an effective scrubbing action and can remove dirt, dust, mold, mildew, and other debris. But they can also sand down the wood, leaving it in a less-than-perfect condition.
