Is your fence leaning the wrong way or looking like a hurricane
went through your yard? If so, it may be time to pull out the fence
and put in a new one.
Is your fence leaning the wrong way or looking like a hurricane went through your yard? If so, it may be time to pull out the fence and put in a new one.
The first step is to decide what your needs are. What will be its purpose? Keeping your children or pets safe? Privacy? Or is it for aesthetics?
Its purpose will determine what type of material you want to use. Danny Lipford (dannylipford.com/fa1/fa1_030.html) offers some sound advice for selecting a fence that is best for you.
Before getting started, he advises knowing the exact boundaries of the property, checking with the city or county to find if any zoning permits are required and locating any underground utility lines.
Fencecenter.com is another place to go if you are looking help. The site offers a step-by-step fence wizard for selecting a fence and a project estimator to help you calculate the cost.
The Do-It-Yourself Network (diynet.com/diy/episode _archive/0,2019,DIY_14277_374,00.html) has archives of several shows that demonstrate how to install different types of fences – from picket to chain link to stone.
The procedures differ for each one, of course. But here are the basics for installing a traditional wood panel fence:
You will need either a traditional posthole digger or a power auger. A tutorial at Lowes.com suggests digging holes 10-12 inches wide and deep enough to fit about a third of the post in the ground.
After you use a level to make sure the posts are straight, you can brace them on the sides by nailing 2x4s diagonally into them and the ground. String a line across so you know where the cross bar will go.
Once you have them set, pour the cement in the holes and remove any extra. Allow it to sit 24 to 48 hours. Once it has dried, you can nail the cross bar in place and then the panels.
Do you have a home improvement question or suggestion? If so, we’d love to hear it. The home improvement tip runs on Wednesdays. Send your questions and comments to
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or call (408) 842-6400.
