Choosing a fence for the site not an easy task- it is necessary that it be reliable, durable, beautiful. A fence made of metal picket fence (euro picket fence) meets all these requirements. Climbing on it is problematic - not the same rigidity. Breaking it is “boring” - usually, those who like to misbehave limit themselves to bending a couple of slats. Beauty, of course, is a subjective criterion, but such fences look better than the same solid one. In addition, they are not so susceptible to wind loads, which allows saving on support poles. An additional plus is that they are breathable. In general, a good option.
What is a metal picket fence
A metal picket fence is made from a sheet of galvanized steel. A relief is formed on the sheet, after which it is cut into picket strips and covered protective compounds, paints. The resulting strips are of a certain height. Usually the height is from 150 to 180 cm. To complete the fence, you also need support posts (usually 60*60*2 mm), bowstrings (two or three crossbars that go between the posts) and fasteners.
Types, shapes, profiles
The thickness of the metal of the Euro picket fence can be from 0.4 to 1.5 mm. The most common is made of steel with a thickness of 0.5 mm. The width of the picket is from 80 mm to 128 mm, the length is up to 2 meters.
P and M - shaped profiles of a metal picket fence
There is a metal picket fence with different profiles: P (rectangular), M-shaped and semicircular. M-shaped ones have more ribs and therefore have greater rigidity. But there are also U-shaped ones, in which grooves are formed in the “back”. In this case, it is already difficult to say which of them will be tougher. Most likely, the latter, especially if it has rolled edges.
Semicircular ones also have greater rigidity, but are more difficult to form and usually have a higher price. For added strength, additional grooves can also be formed along the long side.
In general, the more grooves-stiffening ribs, the better the bar’s resistance to bending along its length. But as the terrain becomes more complex, the price becomes higher. Since it is quite large in itself, you usually have to look for a compromise. In any case, the bar should withstand your attempts to bend it.
What to look for when choosing
When you choose a metal picket fence, it is advisable to look at the lot offered to you in person. The thickness of the metal may be stated to be the same, but in practice it turns out that the edge of a strip from one batch can be bent with a finger, but with another batch this trick is not possible. And this is from one manufacturer. The issue is the quality of the metal batch, and it is rarely stable.
A rolled edge, several layers of protective coatings - these are the signs of a good metal picket fence
Also, be sure to pay attention to the edges - it is better if they are rolled. Firstly, it has a more attractive appearance, secondly, the picket fence is more rigid, and thirdly, the sharp edge is curved and it is impossible to get hurt. The only drawback of a picket fence with rolling is its higher price, since it requires special equipment and additional processing time.
If we talk about the products of specific companies, then the Euro picket fence Grand Line (Grand Line), Barrera Grande, Nova, TPK Center Metalroofing, FinFold, UNIX (Unix) are popular.
Painting methods
It is also worth understanding the painting method. There is an iron picket fence with double-sided and single-sided painting. When one-sided, the back side is covered with a layer of primer without painting. Has, accordingly, grey colour. A metal picket fence painted on one side, the inside of the area is gray. It's not that bad - it doesn't catch the eye. If you are not satisfied with this option, either buy it with double-sided painting, or paint it yourself. Paint is taken “for roofs”, choosing suitable shade. Note that brush-painted metal looks... not very good. If you have a spray gun, the appearance will be good, although not ideal.
This is what the “wrong side” of a metal picket fence painted on one side looks like
You should also take into account that there are two types of painting of metal picket fences:
- polymer coating;
- powder paint.
The first method is much more reliable, since the application technology requires special equipment and strict adherence to technology. As a result, such a picket fence can withstand increased mechanical stress. Even if a scratch appears in the coating (although you have to try), the metal does not rust, since there are still protective coatings that prevent rust from occurring.
Polymer coating is the best choice today
Powder coating, in theory, is no worse. But only if it was done according to the rules: applied to primed metal protective covering, and on top of it - powder paint and baked it in special chambers. But the point is that you can apply paint in the “garage”, and you can somehow burn it there. The result will just be completely different. In addition, there are ready-made sheets of Chinese origin. In them, paint is applied in the workshop, but often directly onto an unprimed steel surface. It is impossible to determine all these nuances externally, and after the slightest scratch rust appears. So the polymer coating is more “safe”.
What can a metal picket fence look like?
You can like metal fences or not, because there is no dispute about tastes. But in terms of practicality, they certainly outperform. Once installed, you won’t think about the fence for years afterwards. It does not need to be painted for it to look decent, since good quality the paint lasts for years without visible changes. And this is one of important factors, which make you think about installing such a fence.
On a strip foundation
With clinker brick foundation and pillars
Installation methods
There is a single-row and double-row (double-sided, checkerboard) method of installing metal picket fence strips. With a double row, the slats are placed on both sides of the bowstring, and so that they overlap each other by at least a centimeter. Therefore, the distance between the slats should be slightly less than the width of the picket fence. With this installation, the planks on linear meter 55-60% more fencing will be required. But the fence turns out to be practically invisible - only from a certain angle can you see a small part of the area. And this despite the fact that the fence will not be continuous and all the “delights” of a solid fence will not affect you.
Most often, the planks are mounted vertically, but there are also horizontal method installation - it can also be single-row or double-row. A horizontal fence looks more “exotic”. When installing the planks in two rows (double-sided), the result is completely opaque.
The disadvantage of this installation method is that special pillars and intermediate pillars are needed that will provide the required structural rigidity. Another nuance: planks are usually produced up to 180 cm in length; longer ones will have to be ordered, and this costs additional money. So you will either have to install poles more often, or overpay for a non-standard size.
Dimensions and distances
When installed in one row, the gaps between the planks may be different. The exact distance is chosen arbitrarily, depending on how “transparent” you want to make the fence. Most often, the distance between the pickets is 35-50% of the width of the bar. But this is not a rule; there are both smaller and larger gaps.
When installing “checkerboard”, if you do not want your yard to be visible at an angle, the slats should cover 50% of the width of the picket fence or more. If visibility is not important, you can place them so that the edges overlap by only 1 cm.
The height of the fence is selected depending on the wishes of the owners. If you want the yard to be as closed as possible from prying eyes, the length of the slats should be at least 180 cm. Taking into account the fact that they will be slightly raised above the ground, this is enough to ensure that the vast majority of people will not be able to look into your territory.
If you don’t care whether something will be visible through the fence or not, you can take both 1250 mm and 1500 mm. In the first case, the fence will end somewhere at the chest level of passers-by, in the second - at eye level or slightly lower (see the figure for an approximate layout), and this is without a foundation.
The span width of a vertical metal picket fence is 200-250 cm. It is at this distance that the pillars are dug in, then two or three crossbars are secured between them. These cross members are called “logs” or “strings”. For a picket fence up to 150 cm high, two crossbars are sufficient; for taller ones, three are better.
Types of Fills
There are several more types of filling spans (distances between support pillars). The easiest way to install is a direct method - this is when all the planks are the same length. On top of such a fence you can put a U-shaped bar made of the same material (sold in the same place where the Euro picket fence is sold). In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, it also covers the metal cuts, which increases the service life of the fence.
All “waves” require cutting most of the planks to a certain distance. One “wave” per span is made in increments of 50 or 25 mm. With a pitch of 50 mm, the height difference between the shortest and longest slats is significant, but the fence looks more openwork. In the case of a “wave” with a step of 25 mm or with a “double wave”, the difference is smaller. Upper bars are installed much less often here, but they can also be installed. Only at the point where the “wave” breaks will you have to cut the sidewalls and bend them.
Features and installation rules
When installing a metal picket fence in Middle lane In Russia, it is recommended to install poles from profiled pipes 60*60 mm (60*40 is possible). For crossbars, it is more convenient to take the same profiled pipe, but with a cross section of 40*20 mm. In this case, the fence will definitely withstand wind and snow loads.
When installing, the installation step of the pillars is 2 meters. If there are two crossbars, then they are attached so that there is 25-35 cm to the edge of the bar. With a picket height of 150 cm or more, the distance is 30-35 cm, with shorter ones - 25 cm. But, with a fence height above 1.5 m, It’s better to make three logs, and not only in regions with strong winds. It’s just that with two lags the distance between the fasteners is too large, which makes it easy to move the planks apart.
There are two ways to attach the planks: with self-tapping screws and with rivets. Self-tapping screws and rivets are installed on both edges of the strip on each of the crossbars. That is, if there are two crossbars, 4 screws/rivets are needed for each strip; if there are three, then 6 fasteners are needed per picket fence. You can, of course, attach it to one self-tapping screw or rivet on the crossbar, installing it in the middle. But in this case, pushing the pickets apart with your hands is as easy as shelling pears - and there is no need to climb over the fence.
It’s faster to install this way, but it’s a “purely decorative” fence
Which type of fastener should I choose? Self-tapping screws are easy to install - this is their advantage. But they also unscrew easily, which, under certain circumstances, can be a disadvantage. Rivets take longer to install, but they are also much more difficult to remove. What to choose? On the front part of the fence or if the fence is left unattended for a long time (for a seasonal visit), it is definitely worth installing rivets. Of course, if the attackers set their sights on it, they will also be able to remove the rivets, but this will be more difficult. When installing a fence between neighbors in houses permanent residence, it is quite possible to attach a metal picket fence with self-tapping screws.
How to make it yourself
As you probably noticed, metal picket fences are produced using almost the same technology as corrugated sheets, and the sheet costs less. Therefore, many people have the idea to make a picket fence by dissolving the corrugated sheet into strips. In principle, this can be done if you are able to cut strictly along the line without any noticeable deviations. But for cutting you need to use metal scissors - punched or hand-held. Under no circumstances should you cut with a grinder, as it burns the protective cover. So the work ahead will not be easy and will take a lot of time. If this doesn't scare you, you can try it.
What is the disadvantage of a homemade picket fence made from corrugated sheets? Everything is obvious: the edge is rarely even, since it is difficult to do it manually. In addition, the cut is unprotected and may begin to rust. You can, of course, coat the sections with primer/paint, but in order for all the layers to adhere properly, an absolutely clean surface is required. That is, the cut areas must first be removed from dust (not so difficult, but it takes time), then also degreased. Only in this case will the protective coating be of truly high quality.
It is advisable to roll the edges - this will give the homemade picket fence greater rigidity, because additional reliefs are rarely formed on the profiled sheet. It “holds” its shape due to its size and alternation of waves.
One of the most common types of fencing is a picket fence. This is explained by the fact that such a fence looks beautiful, and making a picket fence with your own hands is simple and accessible to any home craftsman.
Its structure is very simple: pillars are installed, transverse slats are nailed to them, to which pickets are attached at a certain distance; they can be either wooden or metal. Some people make such a fence without gaps; in this case, the pickets are attached close to each other.
If you decide to do wooden fence, then you need to purchase posts, cross slats, a picket fence and screws, as well as paint or stain, it all depends on what you decide to use to open it.
Rice. 1 Wooden fence
Now more and more people are choosing a metal fence rather than a wooden one, this is explained by the fact that the service life of such a fence is much longer.
Despite this, there are still many lovers of wooden fencing.
There is an installation option combined design, when the supports and slats are made of metal, and the pickets are made of wood.
Thus, it is possible to make a durable structure, since the main load goes directly to the pillars and cross bars.
You can purchase wooden pickets with a width of 2 cm; to attach the slats to the posts, it is best to purchase special fasteners, and the installation of the pickets is carried out using galvanized self-tapping screws and a screwdriver.
Installation
If you want to build a beautiful and reliable fence, do not rush, take the time to complete the preparatory work.
To do this, you need to clean the area, remove grass from it, mark it, and if necessary, level it.
Rice. 2 The design of such a fence
To install the fence evenly, drive in pegs and pull the cord, which you will then use to carry out installation. Using a tape measure, mark the places where the posts will be installed; the distance between them should correspond to the length of the transverse slats, taking into account the width of the support.
The pillars must be installed securely, so the depth of the pit must be at least 50 cm. The installation of the pillars must be done using a level or plumb line, after which they are securely concreted.
Only after the concrete has hardened well can you move on to the next stage of the work.
Now you need to attach the transverse strips to the posts using fasteners, then mark the locations for the pickets on them using a marker and tape measure.
This is necessary so that they are installed at the same distance, only in this case the appearance of the wooden fence will be beautiful and attractive. All that remains is to take a screwdriver and self-tapping screws and attach the pickets.
Metal fence
The installation of not a wooden, but a metal picket fence is becoming increasingly popular, this is explained by its significantly longer service life.
On modern construction market You can purchase metal pickets that are coated with a special polymer coating.
Although the price of a metal picket fence is slightly higher than a wooden one, it does not need to be painted, since it is already coated, and this is not only convenient, but also profitable.
To install a metal picket fence you will need the following tools:
Despite the fact that the pickets are metal, the weight of such a structure will not be very large and there will be enough posts made from them profile pipe section 60x60mm.
In order to make longitudinal slats, you can use a pipe with a cross section of 20x40mm. Pickets can be purchased with a thickness of 0.5 to 2 mm; the thicker they are, the longer their service life will be, but the greater the weight. Fastening is carried out using galvanized self-tapping screws.
Carrying out installation work
For crossbars, you can purchase a pipe with a length of 2 to 12 meters, but so that there is no heavy load on the pillars, the distance between them should not exceed 3-4 meters.
Rice. 4 Fastening the metal picket fence
The pillars are installed in prepared holes and securely concreted to prevent water from getting inside; a special plug must be installed on top.
The holes for corner or outer pillars must be made deeper, since these supports will bear the maximum load.
The store usually sells such a picket fence with a width of 10-12 cm, depending on what type of fence you want to make, choose the distance between the individual pickets.
After the concrete has hardened and the pillars are securely held, transverse strips are attached to them; this can be done by welding or using special fasteners. Next we make markings and attach the pickets using screws.
Fencing finishing
If you have made a wooden fence, then it must be coated with paint or varnish. Most often, compositions based on alkyd resins are used; they make it possible to highlight the structure of the wood and look more attractive than a fence painted with paint.
You can use wax-filled materials as finishing. In this case, the wax is deeply absorbed into the wood and reliably protects it from damage.
While painting the fence, Special attention Pay attention to processing the sides and ends of the boards, since they are most susceptible to moisture. It is recommended to paint all parts before installation, and then do this again after installation.
With metal pickets everything is much simpler, since they are sold already covered polymer composition, which reliably protects them from corrosion and has an attractive appearance.
Table 1. Cost of materials.
If you decide to purchase ready-made sections wooden picket fence, then the price of one section 2.5 meters long and 1.5 meters high will cost you about 3000-5000 rubles.
It is impossible to give a definite answer as to whether a metal or wooden fence is better; it all depends on the preferences and capabilities of the owner, and the installation of such fences is carried out almost the same way.
Ecological natural material is considered the best for construction and home improvement. First of all, it is harmonious with the nature of man himself, and also simple to operate and easy to construct.
It's about wooden picket fence, which, along with modern fences and fences, does not lose its relevance and novelty. And what is also important, it is quite possible to make a fence from a wooden picket fence with your own hands, at your own discretion.
Traditional fence: pros and cons
Fence owners have already assessed all the pros and cons of fencing. The scoring points for picket fences are:
- low cost of materials;
- in principle, simple installation, which, perhaps, can be complicated by personal preferences in design and decor;
- the beauty of the structure as a whole, which will give the owner’s site originality;
- Wide selection of wiring diagrams.
There will also be minuses, especially for those who don’t like extra hassle:
- Wood is very short-lived and requires constant care.
- In order for such a fence to please you for many years, it is necessary to paint it annually, and, if necessary, carry out partial repairs.
- It should also be taken into account that a wooden picket fence is not a large metal fence, so it is unlikely to protect against intruders.
- Wood is a highly flammable material and can be easily damaged mechanically.
The service life of a tree varies from 5 to 10 years and depends on many factors: climatic conditions, location and soil on which it is installed.
Select the material - let's get to work
Among existing species wood most suitable For the construction of wooden fences, ash, mulberry, acacia, oak, aspen, and Siberian larch are considered.
Details of the future structure can be purchased ready-made - by purchasing a picket fence on the market, or you can make it yourself from boards.
But in one way or another you need to take into account the readiness of the wood, because the raw material, not normally processed, is subsequently deformed, and there are no defects, knots or cuts.
Before installation, all parts of the fence must be treated with an antiseptic in order to extend the service life of the product as a whole.
The next stage should be choosing a fence fastening method and his appearance. How to lay the picket fence: horizontally, vertically or with a ladder, lattice, in a checkerboard pattern - the choice is up to the owner.
- Classic fence.
- Ladder.
- Lattice.
- Chess.
- Vertical.
Familiar to us from childhood: vertical pillars and longitudinal logs, onto which boards are attached with a small gap between them.
Very original way fastening the same vertical boards on joists, only overlapped (with slate). Very good option, because with it the fence looks equally beautiful both outside and inside.
This sectional fence, where each part must be manufactured separately and then attached to the main supporting mount.
The section is a knocked down square wooden frame, onto which boards are subsequently attached perpendicularly in two directions (a schematic prototype of a conventional mesh design).
It is an analogy to a classic fence, only on both sides. A row of front boards, and towards it the gaps of the gaps are closed by a row of back ones.
Back at the core classic scheme. Wide longitudinal logs are placed between the supporting pillars. One significant nuance of such a fence is that it cannot be called a fence due to the low height of the structure; it is rather exquisite decor for flower beds and rose gardens.
My own master
In the working notebook, the master’s own self should first of all be reflected - length and planned height future fence. You should decide whether the fence will have a monolithic base or a small gap between the ground and the fence.
You may be interested in how to make a fence from a metal picket fence.
Bringing beauty and finishing touches
There are many ways to make your fence beautiful and original.
The most in a simple way is to paint the fence in two or three colors highlighting sections of the triangular top, for example as shown in the photo.
However, you can work a little in pursuit of beauty:
- First of all, it can be external decor. Additional slats with a specific pattern are stuffed onto the main picket fences.
- A more difficult decoration method to perform at home. When each board is pre-cut at a certain angle, during assembly it forms a wavy or figured relief.
- Various removable parts attached in sequence to the tops of the fence are also acceptable.
- Can also be used uneven height method, attaching picket fences to the logs in a wave-like manner or with a certain slope.
A wooden picket fence will certainly decorate any country house or suburban area. First of all, he will element of the owner's personal pride, since it will be made with one’s own hand and in an original way.
Watch the video to see what types of decorative picket fences there are and more:
Metal, wooden or even plastic narrow strips from which a fence can be assembled are usually called a picket fence. However, despite such a “generalized” name, fences made from them can ultimately turn out to be very diverse. And, of course, even a beginner can easily cope with such work, since making a picket fence is quite easy. Especially if you know a couple of nuances.
Supports
Any fence is usually divided into sections, which are supported on supports buried in the ground. If the fence is heavy (for example, made of brick), then it should not only have supports buried and concreted into the ground, but real strip foundation. The same should be done in situations where strong winds blow in your area (capable of overturning a poorly secured fence) or there are dogs on the property (yours or a neighbor’s) who love to make “undermines.”
When making a picket fence with your own hands, you can choose as a support: metal pipe(including profile - square or rectangular section), and wooden beam(at least 5x5 centimeters in size) or a concreted asbestos-cement pipe. Typically, the supports are made of the same material as the fence itself (the only exception is asbestos-cement pipes, which are best combined with a wooden picket fence).
Metal supports can be driven into the ground by first drilling a hole in it to a depth of at least 50 centimeters (its diameter must exceed the cross-section of the support). After driving the metal post, the space around it should be filled with gravel and compacted.
A wooden beam, when used as a support, should be treated in the lower part bitumen mastic, then wrap it in roofing felt and only after that concrete it, immersing it at least 50-70 centimeters into a hole dug in the ground.
Supports made from asbestos-cement pipes should also be concreted to the same depth. Remember that an empty pipe is quite fragile, so after installing the fence, concrete should be poured into it.
Frame
The picket fence strips will not stay in the fence on their own - they need a frame that will connect adjacent supports to each other. If the supports are metal, then the frame is made of the same material (mainly from a profile pipe of small cross-section). The frame itself consists of two or three horizontally laid elements, to which the picket strips will later be attached.
For wooden supports, the frame is made of timber with a cross-section of 4x4 or 5x5 centimeters or from boards no more than 10 centimeters wide and no less than 2 centimeters thick.
It is customary to install to supports made of asbestos-cement pipes metal carcass. For these purposes, holes are made in them through which small pieces of metal reinforcement are passed. Then the frame strips are welded to them on both sides.
Securing the picket fence
The picket fence is attached to the horizontal slats of the frame in approximately the same way for all types of slats material:
- Measure the width of your existing picket fence strips and the distance between the supports. Calculate what the distance should be between separate elements picket fence so that the fence looks solid and not like a leaky sieve.
- Determine the shape of the top edge of your fence. Since it will be quite difficult to make a fence from a curved picket fence after you have secured all the straight elements, take care to give the necessary bend to the picket fence in advance. Most often they use the shape of a convex semicircle (within one section of the fence), however, Feng Shui experts (if you suddenly decide to listen to their advice) recommend giving the fence sections the appearance of a concave semicircle (“bowl”), the “duty” of which is to attract everything you need: from money to family well-being.
- Install the supports for the future fence. If you concreted them, then wait until the concrete has completely hardened so that the entire structure does not tilt under the weight of the picket fence.
- Attach the frame for the picket fence in the form of horizontal strips to the supports. Metal elements It is better to fasten them together by welding, and wooden ones with self-tapping screws.
- Paint the supports and frame (after securing the picket fence, this will be quite difficult to do).
- Paint the picket fence if necessary.
- Attach planks with the same spacing in all sections of the fence to the horizontal elements of its frame. The picket fence should not touch the ground, especially if it is made of wood. fasten wooden planks should be done using self-tapping screws.
- If you want to make the fence as invisible as possible, place pickets on both sides of the horizontal frame slats in a checkerboard pattern. In this case, the step between the individual pickets should be 2 centimeters less than their width.
Video
Instructions for making a fence from a European picket fence:
Every owner wants his plot country house or the cottage was fenced beautiful fence. Now there are many options for fencing, you just have to choose the one that suits you best both in appearance and affordability.
The golden mean in choosing can be a wooden picket fence, which you can easily make with your own hands, without using the expensive help of a specialist. With the help of a picket fence you can beautifully outline the territory of a country house or cottage and at the same time save a lot of money. Making a wooden picket fence with your own hands is quite simple, you just need to know a few basic rules and features, which we will consider point by point.
A country house or cottage is a place that you want to make especially beautiful and cozy. This is an area for rest, privacy and relaxation. You can achieve the necessary harmony with the help of small parts: plant beautiful flowers, make a gazebo, a swing, build a nice decorative fence. And if you do all this with your own hands, then it will be much more pleasant to admire all this beauty later.
Why picket fence?
A wooden picket fence made by yourself has so many advantages that it is probably simply impossible to count them all, but making a wooden picket fence with your own hands and installing it is quite simple.
Here are the main advantages of such a fence:
- This fence is universal. A wooden picket fence simply fits perfectly into almost any design and can add color to the landscape of the area.
- The picket fence is quite reliable. Everything, of course, depends on the wood you choose, the height of the fence and the width of the picket fence.
- Cheap materials and their availability.
- This type of fence is very easy to maintain. You just need to periodically coat the surface with paint or varnish to prevent the possibility of defects.
It is also equally important that the wooden picket fence does not shade the area near the fence, which means that beautiful flowers or other plants can be planted near the fence. And such a fence will perfectly emphasize country style territory or the now equally popular country style.
The picket fence is very easy to work with and different original options appearance designs - in the form of waves, semicircles, triangles and other patterns.
Types of picket fence designs
A wooden picket fence can be of two types - with or without a base. In order to make a wooden picket fence with your own hands with a base, you need to make a foundation for the support posts and a strip foundation for the fence itself. The foundation for a wooden picket fence is made in the form of a trench using an ordinary shovel with your own hands, and it is better to make recesses under the posts using hand drill.
The depth of the foundation should be about one meter. At the bottom you need to fill and compact a cushion of sand or gravel. The support pillars are concreted strictly vertically into the recesses, and formwork must be installed in place of the foundation under the fence. After pouring the foundation, you need to wait about 7 days for the solution to dry and set. After this line has been completed, you can proceed to the next work.
Such a fence is more durable than a picket fence without a foundation, since the base of the picket fence is additionally protected from moisture from the soil. The foundation of such a fence can be covered with torn stone or other material.
A fence without a base is simpler in its design. To construct it, you only need to make holes for the support pillars and, after installing them, compact the soil tightly. The post should go more than a meter into the ground.
If the fence is high and heavy, then a metal plate must be attached to the posts, which will additionally ensure the stability of the post. The plates rest tightly on the ground.
Required materials and tools
To build a wooden picket fence with your own hands, you need the following materials and tools:
- Wooden pickets. They can be from different tree species - pine, cedar, larch and others. Pickets are made from narrow edged boards.
- Support pillars. Usually these are metal or asbestos pipes, as well as thick beams.
- Cross members. Do-it-yourself wooden picket fences use metal or wooden blocks as crossbars for a wooden picket fence.
- Hammer.
- Nails or screws.
- Screwdriver or screwdriver.
- Level.
- Wood treatment product (paint, varnish, stain).
The bottom of the support posts (if they are wooden) must be treated with a special protective agent from rotting. This will extend the service life of the fence.
Pickets can be purchased ready-made in special stores, or you can make them yourself. This process does not require special knowledge or skills. Surface wooden slats it is necessary to thoroughly clean, file and sand the tops. Decorative tops on the fence look beautiful. It can be semicircles, rectangles, triangles, you can also make decorative figures with an image.
The wood must have a certain moisture content. If you use raw wood to build a wooden picket fence, then the fence will not last long; soon after installation, defects and distortions will appear.
In order to begin installing a wooden picket fence, you need to prepare and clean the area through which it will pass and cut the grass with your own hands. Next you need to mark the perimeter. To do this, you should drive wooden stakes along the line of the future fence and pull the cord. The wooden picket fence will be installed with your own hands according to these markings.
The next stage will be excavation. Using a hand drill or shovel it is done required type foundation, as described above. The foundation for the pillars must be done after accurately measuring the distance between the future support pillars. After completing the development of the foundation, support pillars can be installed. The pillar is installed on a prepared cushion of sand or gravel and concreted (a ball of concrete can be alternated with a ball of soil). Metal poles Before installation it must be painted to protect against corrosion.
When installing support posts, it is necessary to adhere to strict verticality, since violation of this rule can lead to the fence collapsing. The building level will help you with this.
Next to support pillars cross members are attached. If the posts or crossbars are wooden, then you can fasten them using bolts, self-tapping screws or ordinary nails, and if they are metal, then you can use electric welding. Usually two crossbars are designed, at a distance of about 20cm from the bottom and top of the fence. Good mount crossbars are very important for the stability and durability of the fence, since they are the ones who take the load from the fence. When selecting crossbars, it is necessary to take into account the weight of one span of wooden picket fence.
After all the crossbars are attached, you can proceed directly to the installation of the fence pickets. The pickets are attached to the crossbars using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver or simple nails and a hammer. In order for the pickets to be attached at the same level, after installing the outer pickets, you can stretch a cord along their top. The distance between pickets is usually equal to the width of one picket. To make the distance equal, you can install another picket between the nailed and nailed pickets, which will act as a distance template.
It is better to nail one picket fence with 4 nails (screws), 2 for each crossbar at the top and bottom. This will ensure the tightness of the fastening.
The wooden picket fence is ready! All that remains is to coat it with a protective agent. As such a product you can use paint, varnish, stain, or lime. Wood covered with stain and varnish looks very beautiful. Using this processing method, you can simulate different breeds wood. It is necessary to periodically treat a wooden fence. This will ensure its durability and strength.
