The two main jobs of a garden fence are  privacy and shelter.

The shelter issue becomes a big problem due to the cold prevailing winds. These two reasons are important not only for the gardener themselves, but also for all the plants in the garden.

Young growth can be severely damaged by cold winds and frequent buffeting will cause a great deal of root disturbance.

Although privacy and shelter can be provided by trees and shrubs, garden fences also have an important part to play.

The choice of fencing must never be undertaken lightly, for serious consideration must be given to its appearance and construction.

Strength is very important. A fence is only as strong as its supports. Most fences are supplied with strong posts, usually 4-6in (10-15cm) square. Sometimes concrete posts are supplied; these are extremely strong.

Strength of timber also depends on the prevention of rot, and unless cedar wood is used (except for posts), all timber should be treated with a suitable preservative.

Creosote can be used, although it should be allowed to soak into the timber for several weeks before plants are trained against it.

Unless this is done, there is the danger of stem and leaf scorch and its use is not generally recommended where plants are to be grown against or near a fence.

A safer treatment consists of the use of copper naphthenate preservatives such as the green, horticultural grades of Cuprinol or Solignum.

Types of fencing

The most popular types are purchased as units or panels. Usually they are from 5-6ft (1.5-1.8m) in length with heights varying from about 3-6ft ( 90cm-1.8m).

A solid or close boarded fence is, as its name implies, a design which consists of upright or horizontal strips of wood, some 6in (15cm) wide and 1in (2-2.5cm) thick.

The strips are nailed to two or more supporting rails at the rear of the panel. These provide complete privacy and wind protection.

Weather board fencing consists of wedge-shaped strips of wood, (1 in 2cm) in thickness at one edge, tapering to 0.5 in (1cm) at the other. Each strip overlaps the next by about 1 in(2cm). The advantage of this design is that it is virtually peep proof.

Trellis fencing is suited as a support for climbing and trailing plants. It is not a strong design but can be used to good effect for covering unsightly walls or as an additional part of a fence design.

It usually consists of laths of wood 1 by 3/4in ( 2.5 by 1.5cm) thick, fastened across each other vertically and horizontally to form 6-8in (15-20cm) squares. The laths are attached to a more substantial framing of 1 or 1in (2.5 or 3cm) square timber.

One of the latest advances in fence production is the sale of kits which are so accurately machined and complete that even an unskilled person can erect panels without any trouble.

With these kits have come new ideas in design, and many can be made up into contemporary designs. This is especially useful where bold effects are required in the construction of patios.

Many ultra-modern properties are being built and this advance in garden fence appearance will be welcomed by their owners.

Fencing can also be provided in the form of chain link or mesh netting. The best quality is heavily galvanized to withstand the rigors of the weather.

A more recent innovation is the plastic coating of chain link over the galvanized wire. Standard colors of dark green, black, white, yellow and light green can be obtained.

See yourself learning how to build a fence. Constructing a fence sounds easy but some pre-planning is a must. Consider a few things before you even start digging a hole.

Directions on How to Build a Fence

When putting up a new fence sometimes you will need a building permit. Also, if you belong to a home owners club you might want to get the green light from them as well.

Think about the amount of materials you will need to complete the project. You do not want to get halfway through the job and discover you’re out of materials or money.

My father in law and I took a ride through the neighborhood and got quite a few ideas about the type of fence we wanted to build. After only 5 minutes of driving I spotted one I liked.  The owner happened to be checking his mail so I pulled up and proceeded to ask him about his fence.

He said he had built it from a do it yourself detailed set of plans. He then said he would be right back. Low and behold he returned with the exact set of plans he used to build his fence.  Not knowing what was next, he handed me the set of plans, and told me to bring them back when I was done.

So with plans in hand, we drove away. The next day we started the project. The first thing you need to do is make sure you know where the frost line is. When you set your posts below the frost line, you will ensure your post will not get up heaved out of the ground.

Making sure all the post line up evenly is an important part of the project. If not you will end up with a terrible looking fence.

Start with the end post. Chalk string is used for striking straight lines on the ground; and is especially used for this. You can find it at any building supply store. Take your chalk string and stretch it from one post to the other; making sure your string is taunt and on the bottom of the post (lying on the ground) when measuring. Pull the string up off the ground at the midpoint between the two posts, now let it go. It will snap a chalk line on the ground. Now you have an even line!

You now have a straight line as a reference point. Now dig your holes and insert a fence post in the ground every 6 to 8 feet. It is very important that you space the posts equally.

Make sure your post are level, pointing 90 degrees straight up and down. Have them braced while the cement sets up. There are many different ways to secure your fence to the post. Use high grade screws in place of nails, this way your fence is more secure.

A good stain will have a long lasting effect on your fence. Dipping your boards in stain before you build your fence is an option; or you can just wait and spray it on after the fence is built.

It is vital that you get a good set of detailed plans when building your fence. This will make sure the project looks professional and will stand up to years of use.

(click here for step by step instructions on how to build a fence)

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