How to Design a Wooden Fence
Having a fence on one’s property serves numerous purposes. It can be used to establish property lines. A wooden fence can be used to keep others from trespassing onto a piece of land. It can also be used to add style to the exterior of a home. There are many uses for fences. As there are many uses, there are also just as many styles that can be applied when building a wooden fence. Anyone that is interested in building a fence for their property should consider a number of elements. Knowing how to design a wooden fence properly is very important in order to create the fence that is desired.
- Make a Plan-In order to build a wooden fence a detailed plan is needed. The plan should include both pictures and detailed instructions for building the fence. This plan should include a picture or drawing of the fence as it relates to the area where it is placed. The drawing should be detailed and include property line or local restrictions which can be noted by using annotation on the plan. Likewise, those any obstructions such as tress, shrubbery and even utility issues should be noted on the plan in full. It is important to remember that the blueprint will be used to assist the builder with everything from where to avoiding digging fence posts to the style of the fence gate. It is very important that the blueprint for the fence is detailed.
- Fence Usage-Knowing and understanding the purpose of the fence is very important. This will play a big factor when deciding upon the style of the fence. There are a number of styles available but not all of them are suitable. For example, someone that wants to keep people off their property indefinitely is less likely to build a fence that has a gate that is accessible to the public. Also, people that want privacy are more likely to build fences that are higher. These are factors that should be considered when considering the style of the fence.
- Eliminate Design Issues/Limitations-There are some instances where certain designs will not be applicable for a fence design. This can occur for a variety of reasons such as established community regulations about how fencing should look on everyone’s property or because of restrictions based on the layout of the land. It is important to establish what the limitations are regarding the building of the fence as part of the planning process of building a fence.
- Choosing a Design for the Fence-When choosing the design of the fence there are a number of factors to consider. It is important to select a design that will complement the immediate environment. The wooden fence should be compliment the exterior of the property nicely. For example, a simple traditional picket wood fence would compliment a small home nicely. However, that same wooden fence would not look as nice in front of a large, extravagant mansion. It is important to choose a style that will complement the property and blend nicely with the local environment.
- Adding Details-The addition of details to a fence can be both functional and stylistic. There are some people that choose to add fences, rails and even decorative pillars. Any of these options I fine as long as it complements the wooden fence.
Learning how to design a wooden fence is important for anyone that is interested in creating a fence to be placed on their property.
Filed under How to Design a Wooden Fence, Wood Fence Designs by on Sep 3rd, 2010. 
It is very important when building a fence that one take the time to correctly establish the fence post and the holes that contain them. In many ways, this is stabilizing base of any fence. The ability to create steady fence posts which in turn will create a steady fence is greatly dependent on digging holes for the posts. The way in which the holes are created will determine whether the fence is level and stable. The inability to dig holes deeply for the fence posts can result in a fence that could give way when subjected to the elements. Thus, it is very important to understand how to dig fence post holes in the correct manner.
Certain tools will be needed in order to dig fence post holes properly. There are some people that prefer to dig their post holes manually with a shovel or a device called a clam shell digger. Although these are very viable options for digging post holes, the process can be a bit laborious. It is best to use a posthole digger or auger which is specially made for this type of project. The posthole diggers are available in both manual and powered options. Those that have to dig a few holes should opt for the powered posthole digger to assist with the process in a more efficient manner. It should be noted that it may take two people to drill the postholes with this tool.
Prior to digging it is highly recommended that a thorough review of the surrounding land is completed. A survey of the land is usually necessary prior to digging to ensure that there will not be any problems. There are numerous utility lines for sewage, water and electricity that run underground. It is the responsibility of the fence builder to know what is beneath the ground prior to digging. Failure to take this very important step could lead to trouble if the posthole digger should hit an existing utility line. Survey the land prior to digging post holes.
When digging post holes it is necessary to stake the locations of the holes prior to digging. This will ensue that all the areas are marked accordingly. To effectively operate the posthole digger it should placed in the center of staked position for the fence post. Place the bottom portion of the diggers into the ground forcefully until it is in the ground. Those using a manual digger will have to open and close the handles of the digger in order to begin the process of making the hole. The powered diggers will require that user keep consistent pressure on the handles for stability and control while the hole is being created.
On average, all the holes that are created should be at least two feet deep. Creating a hole this deep provides a strong foundation for the fence post. After digging the hole it will be necessary to prep the hole by adding a couple of inches of gravel for drainage prior to inserting the fence posts. After the fence posts are inserted concrete can be added to the hole to set the fence posts in place.
Learning how to dig fence post holes is not a hard process. It simply takes preparation and patience to establish the base for building a secure fence.
Filed under Fence Post Installation, How to Dig Fence Post Holes by on Sep 8th, 2010.