Picket Fencing Installation Tips
Buying Materials
To put in picket fencing yourself is possible, especially if you have any experience being handy at all, but there are clever ways to save extra money. Once you measure the area for your fencing, you will have an idea of how many pickets and posts you will need.
When you buy your supplies, you might find that they will come in certain lengths only. If you want to have 6 foot long posts for example, don't buy 8 foot long posts. Pay more and buy 12 foot long posts and cut them in half.
Little tricks like this will conserve more materials and cost far less in the end but of course are only applicable to wooden fencing, so for vinyl picket fences, be diligent in your measuring to know what to look for. Also look into the different picket fencing patterns they have, which will of course change your costs but can be very decorative. How to Install Installing a vinyl picket fence is easy since the panels are already pre-made with all the pickets and slats attached, so here are some tips if you want to put in an old fashioned wooden picket fence. 1. Use a string to delineate the area that the fence will go. 2. Decide where your first fence post will go and dig a 12" deep hole. It should be twice as wide as the post. Place it in and have someone hold it straight while you measure 6 feet along the string to the location of the next post. Do this all the way down your string and then dig all your fence post holes. 3. Once all the posts are sitting in their holes, mix some concrete, and with the posts being held upright, fill in the hole with the cement. Let it dry overnight to ensure they are secure before you continue working. 4. The next step is installing the horizontal pieces, which can be done with 2X4" of wood or even 1X1", which will not be as strong but will look daintier. You will measure from the top 8" down each post and secure a bracket. Then you will measure from the bottom up 8" to secure the second bracket. Do this for all posts. 5. Cut your horizontal wood slats to the right length and place them in the brackets by dropping them in. Then nail them into the post. 6. Decide how far apart your pickets will be and mark them on the horizontal pieces. Make sure the front of your fence is the side where the pickets will cover the horizontal slats. 7. Nail in your pickets to the slats, and then paint or stain them. You can even be creative and cut decorative patterns at the top of each picket if you choose not to buy patterned ones. Picket fencing can be very attractive as part of your landscaping, and it's not a terribly difficult job. With a little effort and creativity, this fence design can have a very beautiful effect. |
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