How tall split rail fence

For example, Cobb Lumber[1] in Texas sells a 2'x6. Fence Materials Rails are usually 8 feet or 11 feet long. Dig your post holes with your post hole auger. Fill six inches of the holes with gravel. Starting with the end posts, insert posts into the holes. Insert your rails into the holes of the posts, and voila! When it comes to the type of wood used to make your wood split rail fence, Western Red Cedar and Yellow Pine are the best options on the market.

If you're going with a wood fence, then these should be your choices in tree species. Lay out the fence along its path to get a rough idea of where the posts go. Decide how many sections you need. Stretch string for guidance. Assemble fence while it's lying on ground. Dig holes. Place gravel in holes. Place posts in the holes. Tamp down soil. Built-in Natural Pest Defense So, you can count on your cedar split rail fence lasting at least 15 years, if not longer.

Some species can last up to 30 years. While this is a job you can do yourself, it would be a good idea to have a helper. Take a look at how the fence post is anchored in the ground. Remove the rails attached to the post. Dig around the post, removing all the dirt surrounding the base.

Rock the post back and forth and side to side in the hole to loosen it. The 2- rail fence style is approximately 36" high and the 3 - rail fence is approximately 48" high as measured to the top of the rail. While less common, the 4- rail fence is approximately 60" high. Choose split rail fencing for a rustic look that provides wide visibility and sturdy functionality.

For stability of the stacked rails, each section of fence is angled slightly from the previous one, giving the appearance of a worm or snake. Protect your split rail fence and increase your curb appeal by providing a fresh layer of stain. Cedar split rail fences can last a very long time and increase curb appeal when well cared for! Cleaning and sealing your split rail fence with stain will give it a fresh look and a few more years of protection!

I'll admit I'd never installed a fence before. But with careful planning and help from a few PopMech staffers, together we turned a seemingly daunting project into something manageable.

The biggest challenge was digging the postholes—especially when we hit tough, gnarly tree roots—but as a team we finished the project in a weekend.

It was well worth the effort: My new fence has brought much-needed order to my property, which no longer looks like the rough kid on the block. Martin Laksman. We didn't want our fence to irk neighbors, damage utility lines, or elicit fines, so we took care of some necessary paperwork first.

Though your situation may differ from mine, be sure to complete all administrative legwork before heading to the lumberyard. Know your boundaries Begin by researching your town's zoning laws. Once you understand local restrictions and ordinances, such as setbacks from your property lines and appropriate fence heights, you can decide where your fence will sit and how it will look.

Survey the situation To ensure that your fence doesn't encroach on your neighbor's yard, and to check for public easements, study your property survey. You can often find it among your home's closing paperwork. We didn't have ours, so we asked the attorney who handled our home's sale for a copy. Start sketching Figure out where you want the fence and draw its location on a copy of the property survey. You can then calculate how much material you will need.

Know what's below A ruptured gas line will ruin your day, so call before digging. This connects you to a nonprofit organization that sends utility companies to your property to mark the locations of underground pipes and cables with color-coded flags.

But first stake out your proposed fence with white flags so they know where to start. Get the go-ahead We had to file a fence permit with our building department, which also required us to pay a small fee and include a sketch of the project.

Drive stakes into the ground a few feet past each corner or end post, and connect them with mason's string tied 12 inches above grade. However, other commonly used choices of woods include the eastern white cedar wood, western red cedar wood and oak wood. There are many reasons why you can choose to have a split rail fence in your ranch. In addition to the looks and the ancient feel, the wood split rail fences have several advantages:. You need not be an expert or experienced to install a split rail fence.

However, you ought to have the right tools and materials. Probably you might need another person to help you handle and maneuver the materials. Nevertheless, the one main factor you must remember is the right distance between the poles. It must be about eight inches closer than the length of the rails, as this would enable appropriate overlapping of the rails.

A professional supplier would always provide complete DIY instructions on the package. If you are not confident, do not hesitate to request for help from the supplier. To simply put, opting for a wood split rail fence is the most simple and cost-effective way to make your property look more attractive.