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There are many fence styles that are fancy yet easy to built. Use them for privacy, as a focal point, or to enclose an area of your property. The fences covered in this section are built board by board, so they take some time, but they add beauty and a custom touch that can’t be beat.
Our first style uses lattice on top and reverse boards on the bottom below the beltline. The pictures show a variety of designs following this same overall style. This fence design is unique because the top remains level while absorbing all changes in ground height in the bottom section. Because of this, this style fence is limited to areas with small elevation changes. (under 2 feet of rise or fall over the total run of the fence) |
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| First determine the
spacing of your posts and mark them. This is determined by the
length of the lattice you're using. Make sure this is your inside
post to post measurement. Use 4"x 4" posts. All lumber will be pressure treated. You
can stylize the fence to achieve the exact look you want by adding such
touches as painting the lattice panels, or adding post caps on each
post. The options are endless, and your fence will be one of a kind.
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| The drawings show two
different ways to attach the lattice. Figure "A" has a groove
cut to receive the end of the lattice panels. The width of the groove
will be determined by the thickness of the lattice being used. Standard
grade lattice panel will use a ½" groove by ½" deep. Heavier
grades of lumber will require wider grooves.
Figure "B" shows another method of fastening the panels. This method uses 1"x 2" and 2"x 2" lumber for the lattice panels to fastened to. A cover strip of ¼"x 2" wood will be fastened around the edge as shown. The bottom section is a reverse board style, which is created by installing 1"x 6" fence boards vertically on one side of a 2"x 4" horizontal support. Install these boards leaving one board’s width of space between each vertical fence board. The same will be done on the back side but with the boards and spacing being opposite. Reference figure "C" for the lower section of this fence style.
Figure C
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Our second unique style is a modified stockade fence. With the raised sections at each post, this fence has more the look of a "Fort" than a stockade. The construction of this fence will be the same as a standard stockade board fence, except for the 3 boards nearest each post. Notice that the two boards nearest the post are the same height. The 3rd board out steps halfway down to the height of the main fence. This style does not have exact measurements for height of individual boards. Those measurements are determined by what looks good for the setting. The photo on the left has 6" steps that are uniform. The photo below shows a 9" step up from the running fence height, then a 6" step up to the board closest to each post. After determining the look you desire, you should stay consistent with those measurements. If your ground slopes sufficiently you may have to adjust these steps to look appropriate on each side of the post.
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Our last example requires another skill…bricklaying. If you ever wanted to learn the art of bricklaying, these simple short fence posts are ideal to practice on. We will not cover "how to lay brick" in this section, but a good way to get started is to get a book from your local library on the subject. I’ll provide two tips that do not seem to be in most books. 1. Mix your mortar wetter than you think. 2. Don’t over work the brick after it is laid and tapped into position. Once it’s straight, plumb and in line, move on to the next. For each brick post you will need a footer that is 4" wider than your post, and at least 6" thick. Be certain to go below the frost line for your area to prevent frozen ground from heaving the posts. For the fencing material I would recommend plastic, or plastic coated wood sections available at Lowe’s Home Centers. They come in a variety of styles, and never need maintenance. The mounting hardware will be available from the fence manufacturer. Your spacing between brick posts will be either 6 feet or 8 feet depending on the fence sections you use.
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