Raymond WhitneyIf you own a home, you know how important it is to have a fence around it.
It’s a great way to keep kids and pets safe in their own backyard.
Make sure your fence is in good shape before you begin the process of replacing it.
Installing a fence is best done by a professional who has done it before.
The simplest fence to install yourself is an option if you’re on a tight budget or just have some free time.
To save even more money, you can build the fence yourself and save even more money.
Why Install a Fence For Perfect Backyard Living Space
In addition to protecting your property from intruders, a fence can add value to your home.
There’s a reason why the adage “good fences make good neighbors” is so widely used.
Here are a few of the most compelling arguments in favor of installing a sturdy fence.
Privacy
After installing a fence, one of the first things that come to mind is relaxing in your yard or at home without having to worry about noisy and distracting neighbors.
Without some degree of seclusion, having a swimming pool or hot tub in your backyard isn’t really worth it. For that, you’ll need a fence around your property.
A fence creates a sense of privacy and security by serving as a deterrent to nosy neighbors and strangers.
You can also throw a small get-together for a few close friends and family members without having to worry about your neighbors interrupting you.
Enhanced Aesthetics
Beautiful fence designs are available on the market today that can improve the aesthetics of your home and increase its monetary value.
The style of your fence should complement your home’s existing design, so keep this in mind when making your selection.
Make sure your fence, whether it’s made of wood, vinyl, or metal, enhances the appearance of your house.
That includes the patterns on your fence, the wood that matches your interior design, and other features.
Marking the Boundary
Land boundary disputes are becoming increasingly common these days.
Fences are a great way to identify your property.
If you have a fence built around your property, you can prove that it follows your property line, which is confirmed by a survey, and thus avoid such legal issues.
Your children and pets will also be protected by this barrier. It also prevents land encroachment, which is another benefit of a well-built fence.
If you put up a fence, your neighbors won’t be in the dark about the extent of your property.
Promotes Home Value
An additional benefit of a fence is that many prospective buyers will seek out the property that has one.
When it comes to property value and curb appeal, a well-designed fence can make all the difference.
A buyer who has children or pets will look for a home that is already fenced in to save on the cost of installing one.
Security
When it comes to privacy and safety, a lot of people are a little perplexed.
Even though they can be used interchangeably, security is more concerned with keeping out intruders and animals that pose a threat to your home or business.
Apart from keeping children and pets safe, a fence can also prevent intruders and animals from entering your yard or house.
To keep your family and possessions safe, you should consider installing a fence.
Which Fence Can You DIY?
Nowadays, there are a plethora of fence designs to choose from.
Each type’s level of difficulty is determined by the material used and the quality of the installation.
Installing a wood panel fence is the fastest and easiest option.
Installing the rails and pickets one by one would take a considerable amount of time, so it is preferable to use wood panels.
Installing a Wood Fence
Perimeter fences around residential and commercial properties have long been constructed with wood as the primary material construction.
This type of fence is popular because it is simple to erect and, depending on the type of wood used, it can last for many years.
As a result, it is the most straightforward fence to erect because the process is simple and the materials are readily available in many locations.
Professionals in the fencing industry are always available if you need a high-quality wood fence.
To save money or do it yourself, the steps listed below will guide you through the process efficiently.
Get the Required Permit
Check with the local authorities in your area to see if any permits are needed before building your fence.
As long as the fence isn’t more than eight feet high, no permit is needed in our area.
Local building officials can advise you on the proper height requirements if no permit is required. While you’re at it, you can also find out where your property’s exact boundary lines are.
With an accurate survey done at the time of purchase, the boundaries of your property can be clearly defined.
It’s best if you talk to your neighbors about your plans so that the fence you erect doesn’t cause any issues for them.
Mark the Layout
Before you even mark your line or start digging, call 811 and have the local utility companies come out and mark any underground utilities.
The consequences of not doing so, such as hitting a cable line or worse, a water line, are costly and inconvenient.
You don’t have to pay to have them check that your post holes can be dug safely.
When all the information has been gathered, it’s time to mark where the fence will be installed.
The first step is to measure the perimeter of the fence, including the location of the gate.
Use spray paint or chalk to draw a line on the ground and indicate where the gate will be.
Get the Necessary Tools and Materials
While building a wood fence isn’t difficult, you’ll need the right equipment, supplies, and tools to get the job done right.
The following are some of the materials and tools you’ll need for a project like this:
- a set of fence posts
- To keep the panels in place, the posts are used.
- Post-panel nail attachment with nails
- a hammer for driving nails into wood
- The use of a tape measure will ensure that the measurements are accurate.
- Screws are a type of fastener (related screws vs nails)
- Screws are driven into place using a power drill.
- A posthole digger is needed to dig the holes for the posts.
- Strings of post-level mason
- It’s a concrete mix that will hold the posts in place at the bottom.
- Drainage will be provided by concrete and gravel placed beneath the post.
Dig Holes
Make holes for the posts with your posthole digger.
The ideal distance between two poles is six to eight feet for best results.
Fence panels in 8-foot lengths are the most common at big-box stores.
Dig holes that are about one-third the height of the posts.
A 6-foot fence with an 8-foot post would necessitate burying the post 2 feet.
It is best to use a 12-foot post with 4 feet in the ground if your fence is less than 8 feet high, In order to keep the post from being top-heavy and unstable, more digging is needed as the fence gets taller.
Dig at least 30 inches deep, with the bottom wider than the top of the hole, for a 6-foot-tall post.
The bottom of the hole should be tamped, and then 6 inches of gravel should be poured in.
Before pouring your concrete mixture into the hole, place your post in the hole and check that it is in the correct position.
While the concrete mixture is still loose, use your post level to check its level on all sides.
This will allow you to make any final adjustments. After the fence is completed, the tops of each post will be trimmed to the proper height.
Install the corner posts first, then proceed to the other posts.
To get a straight vertical line for the rest of the posts, wait for the concrete to dry, then tie a mason string around each corner post. Measure the distance between each post on your panel.
This way, the string doesn’t interfere with the digging of my other post holes.
You can now proceed with the rest of your post-hole digging.
Attach the Fence Panels to the Posts
After all, the posts have been poured and the concrete mixture has been set, you can begin installing the fence panels.
Make sure you have the correct measurements before you begin this procedure.
Using a hammer and nails/a power nailer or a power drill and screws at least three inches long, you can attach the panels to the rails.
Galvanized nails are better for weather resistance if you use them. Screws should be made of polymer-coated stainless steel or polymer-coated steel for outdoor use.
Both sides of the panel need to have two nails or screws per rail.
At the end of your fencing run, if you need to cut down a panel, measure how far from the corner post to the last post you have and cut the rail so that you have enough room to install on the post, generally 2-3 inches extra for each post.
Gate Installation
Installing your gate is the final and most difficult step.
In order to support the weight of a gate that is longer than six feet, the posts for the gate must be larger than those for a fence.
For a gate post, you’ll need something larger than a 4x4x8, such as a 6x6x10 or 8x8x10. To support the additional weight of the gate, you’ll need to dig deeper for a gate post.
The Adjust-A-Gate kit is the most convenient way to install a gate, especially one that is close to 6 feet wide.
If you want a large gate that won’t sag or fall apart, this is the kit for you.
The hinges and latches are included in the kits, so you don’t have to buy them separately.
I’ve built several all-wood gates and used this gate kit for several others, and I can personally attest that the metal construction of this gate holds up better than an all-wood gate.
Chain Link
The best option for a large yard and a small budget is chain link fencing made of thick steel wires bent and hooked together.
Chain-link fences, despite the 2- to 3-inch gaps between the wires, are effective at keeping pets inside and intruders out.
Ivy, a fast-growing vine, can be planted directly behind the chain-link fence and allowed to cover the fence to make it more visually appealing.
The chain link can also be made to look better by painting it with an oil-based exterior paint in a neutral or earthy tone like forest green.
Bamboo fences
A bamboo fence can be grown by planting it along the desired line and allowing it to grow naturally in warmer climates.
It’s best to wait until the bamboo grows to the desired height if you prefer it dry.
Then you can use it as a fence by cutting it down, letting it dry, and then putting it up.
Bamboo can grow to a height of 36 inches in just one day. Pre-made rolls of bamboo fencing are also available.
Bamboo deters deer, which is great if you live in an area with wildlife.
There are many benefits to this if you care about the environment and want to make a difference.
Barbed wire
Barbed wire is more commonly found on farmland than in urban areas, and its primary purpose is not decoration but rather protection.
A barbed wire yard fence is an inexpensive way to keep animals or people out of a particular area.
A wide-open range or an area requiring extra security can benefit most from this type of coverage.
Concrete Fencing
When it comes to privacy and security, concrete fencing can be a great choice.
You can either go with all concrete or add brick or wood accents to break up the monotony.
When you hire a professional to do this, expect to pay a premium.
Conclusion
We hope this article will give you the confidence to take on a new fence project on your own and enjoy the privacy of your own backyard.
