How to Install a Privacy Fence: A Quick Guide
Fences do more than just protect our homes from intruders and mark our territories. They also shield our homes from prying eyes and safeguard our privacy. If you make the right design choice, your fence can also be an aesthetic highlight and increase your home’s value.
That said, most homeowners get contractors for their privacy fence installation. However, some would rather go full-on DIY with the process. If you belong to this group, you’re in the right place.
Today’s post is a comprehensive guide on how to install a privacy fence for ultimate privacy and security. Our privacy fence installation guide should get you up to speed with everything you need to know about the installation process. Let’s dive straight into it.
Tools and Materials
It’s important to have all the tools and materials at hand before starting the process. If you don’t have either, you can pick them up at your local hardware store.
Here are a few tools you need for the process:
- Drill and drill bits
- A pneumatic hammer
- Circular saw
- Air compressor and hose (the portable kind)
- Posthole digger
Apart from the said tools, you can also get a jigsaw, but it’s completely optional. With that out of the way, let’s look at a few materials you need for your Fence Installation Champaign IL.
Some materials you’ll need include:
- Exterior screws
- A long String
- Pressure-treated lumber(2 by 4 inches)
- Pressure-treated posts( 4 by 4 inches)
- Actual pickets or slats
The above tools and materials should suffice for the process. However, you can pick up more tools and materials later if necessary. With everything at hand, it’s time to move to the actual fence installation.
How to Install a Privacy Fence
A great deal of preparation is necessary before you begin the process. To prepare for your privacy fence installation, you’ll have to:
Check local guidelines and regulations on how your fences should be. This means checking with your Homeowners Association and checking local building codes. Be sure to follow all ordinances on the fence size, style, and placement.
Confirm whether you need a permit for the fence. If so, get one; if not necessary, proceed to the next step.
Tell your neighbors about the plan so you can establish proper boundary lines for your privacy fence.
Plan for gate placement by establishing the positions of the gate posts. Remember, the gate posts should be flush with the inside of your posts,
Draw your fence plan on a piece of graph paper.
The Fence Installation Process
With that out of the way, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to the real work. A systematic step-by-step approach is necessary for your fence installation. Here are the steps to proper fence installation:
Mark the Fence Layout
For the first step, you’ll need a few batter boards and a long string. Hammer the batter boards two inches beyond where the corners of your fence plan. Tie the string between the batter boards, leaving a space of about 6 inches from the property line.
The purpose of the string is to line up the fence accordingly. The batter boards, on the other hand, are for adjusting the string’s alignment if necessary.
Mark Spaces for the Posts
For the second step, you can use marking paints or stakes. For most fences, the spacing between posts is around six to eight feet. After every six or eight feet interval, hammer the stake or mark the ground with paint.
Dig Holes for the Fences
You can hire a post hole digger to dig holes for your posts. There’s no use buying one because you’re unlikely to use it for a good long time. Dig holes all around for the posts and adjust the strings if necessary.
Put Gravel and Install the Holes
Gravels help keep the posts from rooting and provide sufficient aeration. Position the posts in the holes, ensuring they are the same height. Consider sealing the top of the posts to guard them against water damage.
Pour in the Concrete Mix
Ensure all the posts are level first before pouring the concrete mix. Make sure the posts stand up straight and let the concrete set.
Mark the Rail Positions on the Posts
Measure about five and a half feet from the ground and mark it on your posts. Also, measure eight inches from the ground and do the same. Hammer a nail where you marked the posts and tied a string around the posts
Measure and Cut the Rails
Measure and cut the rails accordingly, but make them a little longer so they can attach to the outside faces of the posts. Do this for all spaces between posts before moving to the next step.
Install the Railings
After measuring and cutting the rails, you now have to install the rail frame. Fit all the rails between the posts. Use the drill to fix the rails from the inside edge using screws.
Attach Your Pickets or Slats
Use nails and a hammer to attach the pickets to the rail. Remember, the pickets shouldn’t be more than an inch thick. Use a spacer to space the pickets or slats evenly. Install pickets both to the outside and inside of the fence throughout its length.
Apply Finishes
The final step is to apply finishes on your gate. You can paint your fence the conventional white color or apply varnish to give it a beautiful sheen. You should also consider a few shrubs and flowers that you can plant along the baseline.
If you’re having trouble with your fence installation. You can get the pros to help you with the tasks. Sometimes it’s best to leave privacy fences to the pros.
Install a Privacy Fence Today
Installing a privacy fence should be a breeze with the above tips on how to install a privacy fence. Remember, the process requires a lot of diligence and a little technical prowess. If you think you’re not up to the task, don’t be afraid to contact fence contractors for some help.
Lastly, don’t forget to check out other posts on the site for more informative reads.
