How to Build a Simple Wooden Fence
- 1). Dig post holes 10 to 12 inches across and 24 inches deep every 8 feet along the length of the fence line. Set one post and ½ bag of concrete into each hole. Cut your posts to length with a circular saw 3 to 4 inches shorter than your pickets, plus 24 inches for the depth of the hole. For this tutorial, assume your fence is 36 inches high so cut your posts 56 inches long. Adjust the height of the post to suit your fence.
- 2). Attach 2-by-4 horizontals to the posts. Start at the left end of the fence. Line up the left end of one 8 foot 2-by-4 with the outside of the corner post, 4 inches down from the top. Attach with 1 treated deck screw, driven with a cordless drill. Add water to the concrete and mix. Use a level to check the post front to back and side to side. Adjust as needed and fill the remainder of the hole with dirt and pack it tight. This will hold the post upright until the concrete hardens.
- 3). Set a level along the top of the 2-by-4. Adjust the pitch as needed to line up the bubble in the window of the level. Mix the concrete in the second hole and attach the remaining end of the 2-by-4 so that the end lines up with the center of the second post and the 2-by4 remains level. Attach it with a single treated deck screw. Add a second 2-by-4 parallel to the top 2-by-4 and 24 inches below it.
- 4). Add screws to the 2-by-4s so that there are 2 screws in each end of each 2-by-4 driven through the 2-by-4 into the posts. Pack the remainder of the second post hole with dirt. Continue adding 2-by-4s in the same fashion along the length of the fence.
- 5). Start at the left end of your fence to add pickets. Attach the first picket with a 1-5/8 inch treated deck screw to the bottom horizontal rail. Set a level along one edge of the picket and adjust as needed to center the bubble in the indicator. Attach the picket with 2 screws through the face of the picket into the top rail and 2 into the bottom rail.
- 6). Space the pickets with an extra picket between for a nice even look. Hold the spare spacer picket against the first picket on its right side. Set the next picket to be attached against this spacer and attach with screws as for the first picket. Continue adding pickets to the end of your fence.
