Questions tagged [fence]
Use this tag when the topic is about a normal fence like around a yard. It can be wood or chain-link, etc.
36
questions
64
votes
14
answers
578k
views
Should I set fence posts in dirt, gravel, crushed rock, or concrete?
I have received conflicting advice about how to set wooden fence posts.
Many web sites suggest setting them in a concrete cylinder.
Someone at the local hardware store had seen posts set in concrete ...
- 9,625
2
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What is a reasonable depth and diameter for postholes dug in clay soil to support an 8' fence?
What is a reasonable depth and diameter for postholes dug in clay soil where the frost line is no more than 12” and that will support an 8 foot tall solid wood fence that uses PostMaster metal posts?
...
- 63
5
votes
5
answers
22k
views
How much will a board-on-board (shadow board) fence reduce the wind load?
I have had problems with a fence on one side of my garden because of wind in Montreal. The posts end up leaning away after a few years. Part of the problem might be how the posts were put in (perhaps ...
- 203
17
votes
5
answers
68k
views
How can I fix the issues I'm having with large double gates?
I have a privacy fence in my backyard that includes a large double gate. It was built maybe a year and half ago. The whole span is about a 11' 4" opening. The gates to meet in the middle with double ...
- 171
16
votes
5
answers
84k
views
Should I attach the fence post(s) where my fence meets my house? How do I do it?
I'm going to be building a 6 foot tall cedar privacy fence in the spring (with pressure-treated posts) and need to determine what to do with the two posts that meet the side of my house.
In order to ...
4
votes
3
answers
29k
views
Installing a strong-tie post anchor on unlevel concrete
I'm building a short (3.5 ft) fence in my front yard. I have most of the posts sunk in dirt holes, but two of them will need to be mounted on a concrete slab.
The problem is that the slab has a slight ...
- 143
3
votes
3
answers
6k
views
How can I fix pooling water due to my fence?
I got my fence installed a few months ago on a down sloping part of my yard. I need to resolve the nagging issue I have of water pooling due to it not being able to get through the fence fast enough.
...
3
votes
4
answers
68k
views
What size posts do I need to use to build a wooden driveway gate?
I have just built a 6 foot fence all the way around my property. To finish it offI need to build a driveway gate. The gate will be 15 feet wide and have two swing gate sections. I have used 4x4x8 foot ...
- 153
0
votes
1
answer
339
views
Fence Post Replacement Recipe
What tools and materials do I need to replace a fence post? What steps should I follow?
For example, a fence post in the middle of a 6-foot tall wood privacy fence. Each panel has two 2" x 4" (...
- 761
11
votes
9
answers
123k
views
How do I remove a 4x4 fence post that is snapped off at ground level?
I'm trying to come up with a cheap and easy way to remove a broken-off fence post. It's a 4x4 lumber post that's snapped off flush to the ground, without any concrete around it.* I'd like to pull it ...
- 15.7k
10
votes
8
answers
33k
views
How can I build a long lasting low maintenance fence?
I'm needing to replace a blown down fence, and have been seeking advice and quotes from fencing contractors. There seem to be two conflicting schools of thought.
One contractor advises that using ...
- 203
9
votes
6
answers
52k
views
Why did a gate post rot after just 6 years?
My friend put a 4 inch treated wood gate post in the ground and we filled the hole with concrete. A neighbor built a fence around the same time, using similar-looking posts. Six years later, the ...
- 527
8
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Best way to source concrete for a long fence project
I've done several small fence projects before, and hand-mixed concrete in a wheelbarrow for each post as I set them in place.
However, I'm now looking to build a wood guardrail around a parking lot at ...
- 249
6
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Setting posts for a sturdy garden fence
So spring has arrived, and we have decided to build a 20' x 40' enclosed area in which to place a garden (we have many deer, rabbits and other garden veggie thieves in the area).
The plan is to build ...
- 5,115
6
votes
2
answers
9k
views
How should I paint cedar and pressure-treated pine?
I recently built a fence from white cedar (pickets) and pressure-treated pine (posts and rails). I have been told that I need to wait before painting or staining the fence in order to give the cedar ...
- 9,625
5
votes
8
answers
5k
views
Dealing with remnants of old fence post
I'm still working on the world's slowest DIY fencing project.
If you look at my old diagram from a few months back, you'll see I had a spot for the terminal post picked out next to my house in front ...
- 339
5
votes
4
answers
26k
views
Resetting fence posts in very wet conditions
This winter the Minnesota frost heaved up 5 fence posts in my yard.
I've pulled out the 5 posts, and have found basically puddles of water and very very wet mud. I shop-vac'd out the standing ...
- 782
4
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How to replace loose 4x4 wood fence post with a steel post
The original 4x4 wood fence post for my home's side gate (that holds the catch part of a gate latch) is very loose and wobbles.
The post is surrounded on 3 sides with my concrete walkway, and the 4th ...
- 41
3
votes
2
answers
42k
views
Are there any advantages to using metal post spikes set in concrete when building a privacy fence?
My neighbor and I are considering alternatives to wood-in-concrete fence posts for a privacy fence that can have significant wind load in an area that gets up to -30 degree frosts in winter. The ...
- 203
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Compacting soil after removing fence posts to install new posts with vibratory ram?
I have a 6 foot wooden privacy fence I am looking to replace. Several of the posts are rotting right at ground level so their concrete footings are going to have to go.
A company sells a metal ...
- 2,425
3
votes
1
answer
951
views
Advice for fence placement at an angle with a tree in the way
I'm looking to replace a fence section that was taken down by some contractors a few years back. They said they had to take it down because that was the only approach to my back yard that was wide ...
- 339
2
votes
1
answer
40k
views
How to do a 45 degree corner on a privacy fence?
I'm building a privacy fence. How would a professional handle a 135 degree corner?
The complication I think I'll have is attaching the stringers to the front facing side of the posts. On one side the ...
2
votes
2
answers
37k
views
How deep in ground should I install 4x4 PT fence posts?
I'm installing some 4x4 Pressure Treated 8' Tall Fence Posts for a chicken run. I want to have at least 7' tall fence, and am wondering if the 1' sunken depth is adequate. I have read conflicting ...
- 51
2
votes
2
answers
15k
views
I need to join my fence with my neighbor's; Can't use his post..how do I dig the hole for mine close to his?
As shown in the picture my neighbor's fence is already in place (the vertical fence) Mine will be horizontal and I need to set the post as close as possible to his. My post will support a gate (72" ...
- 3,402
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Protecting 3/16" wire rope going through poles?
We have 3/16" wire rope (1/8" covered to 3/16") that will be going through several poles. Something like this:
How can I protect the vinyl coating from being cut if/when it rubs against the hole edge?...
- 2,063
1
vote
1
answer
4k
views
Manufacturer pairs 6 ft tall vinyl fence with 8 ft posts - should I find 9 ft posts?
My research has shown that fence posts should be dug to a depth of at least 1/3 of the height of the post—for a six foot fence, the post depth would be 3 feet.
I purchased a 6 foot vinyl privacy ...
- 187
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
Advice needed on staining 10 year old fence
I don't know what was done to it when it was brand new. I have stained it twice, once about 7 years ago and once about 5 years ago. Going by the partial cans in the garage and my own memory, the ...
- 194
1
vote
1
answer
7k
views
What is the best type of 6 ft wood fence to block wind in a yard?
We moved into a newly built house and I had a large clearing done. I was short sighted and had the loggers clear too much. Now we have a big very windy yard. I am going to plant trees and put of feces ...
1
vote
1
answer
142
views
Rebuilding fence - lumber questions
I recently bought a condo with a 11'x13' patio with a wooden privacy fence. The fence is in pretty bad shape so I want redo it while we are locked down in our houses. I've read up a ton and just want ...
- 125
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What can I add to make small-gap privacy lattice more private?
A few months ago, I added some privacy lattice to the top of my wooden fence. It's plastic lattice with 1.1 inch diamond-shaped holes. It's done a good job of making harder to see onto my deck/into my ...
- 57
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Cement Recommendations for Fence Posts
I am planning to event a fence this summer and, given the size of ~ 250 linear feet, am looking for the cheapest option for cementing the poles. I am considering the use of metal Postmaster (...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
950
views
Are turnbuckles required for cable railing?
I'm installing wire rope for a fence. It would look something like this fence here: .
I was thinking of using a hand winch to tighten the rope. So let's say the winch does its job, I crimp the ends, ...
- 2,063
0
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Didn't stain my new fence this summer: do it while its cold or wait until next year?
I have a new fence built from pressure-treated wood. We did not get around to staining it this fall and the temperatures are now in the 40s. Is it better just to wait until next year or should I ...
- 113
0
votes
4
answers
47k
views
Concrete vs crushed gravel for fence posts in clay soil?
I'm prepping to build a fence in the back yard and am going back and forth between using crushed gravel and concrete. I've read lots of differing opinions on the pros and cons of each.
I'm leaning ...
- 196
0
votes
0
answers
619
views
Fence question: bury PT posts in tamped earth, or use HDG anchor? Corrosion/rot
I know this questions can't be answered, since it depends on so many factors, but let's call this an opinion survey.
Fence will be 5' high, with a 2x4 pressure-treated pine (PTP) wood frame and horse-...
- 399
-1
votes
4
answers
794
views
galvanized or stainless turnbuckles for exterior wire rope fence?
I'm working on a wire rope fence that looks like this. The difference is that we live fairly close to the ocean, which means lots of salty air.
I've bought 1/8" galvanized steel with plastic coating ...
- 2,063