Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Build a Fence That Actually Stays Standing
Most fences look fine when they go up. Straight, solid, does the job. But give it a couple of years, some weathering and a few storms you might find it’s looking a bit worse for wear. Boards can blow down, posts can snap and a fence that’s not maintained will quickly take away your curb appeal and leave your house looking dilapidated!
If you want to build or fix up a fence that actually lasts, there’s more to it than slapping up some posts and hoping for the best. A few things people don’t always think about can make the difference between a fence that holds up for years and one you’re constantly messing with.
We used a portable iron fence on our porch while getting a door made and LOVED it. It was great at the RV parks that allowed them too for our dogs. Get it here on Amazon.
A white picket fence looks classic
Get the Posts Right
A lot of fences fail before they even go up. If the posts aren’t set deep enough, the whole thing is going to shift, sag, or simply fall right over the second the ground moves (and it will move!) For a six foot fence, posts need to be at least two feet in the ground. More if you get real winters, because frost will shove those things up like loose teeth.
And don’t just drop them in a straight hole with concrete and call it good, actually widen the base. This gives it more grip, stops it from pulling out when the soil shifts. Drainage matters, too. If water pools around the post, it’s only a matter of time before rot sets in. Some gravel at the bottom of the hole helps with that.
A modern high privacy fence
Wood’s Great- Until It’s Not
People love wood fences. They look good, they’re easy to put up, and they feel solid. But wood moves. It warps, shrinks, cracks. Some kinds hold up better than others, but none of them are maintenance free. Cedar’s naturally rot resistant, but it’s soft so expect dings and dents. Pressure treated pine lasts longer but it needs sealing or it’ll dry out and start splitting.
Even if you stain it right away, you’ll be doing touch ups every few years unless you’re fine with it turning gray. Metal’s a good option that you might not have considered for a home fence, aluminum fencing is sturdy and good for keeping your kids and pets in, and intruders out. Composite is brilliant too but more expensive.
Modern fence ideas
Solid Fences Catch Wind
A big, solid fence might look sturdy but when a strong wind hits it then it basically becomes a sail. If the gust is bad enough, something’s got to give which usually the posts or panels. A fence that lets air through will hold up better- shadowbox designs are where the boards are staggered on either side, are good for that. It still gives you privacy but it doesn’t fight the wind so much. Costs a little more in materials, but it won’t bow out or snap when the weather gets rough.
A fence is a great option if pets are a part of your life
We used a reed fence to cover an ugly chain link fence at one of our old houses, and at our new house, used it cover an ugly ceiling. See it in our 1-minute video below or via our YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
The Ground’s Never as Even as You Think
If you try and force a perfectly straight fence on uneven ground, and you’ll end up with weird gaps or a wavy mess. Either follow the slope naturally or step the panels down in sections.
White picket fence with flowers
And if you’ve got dogs, chickens, or anything else you’d like to keep inside, think about what’s happening under the fence. A determined dog will dig, and a small gap is all it takes for an escape. Be sure to bury the fence a few inches or add a wire dig guard before you’re out chasing them down the street.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.