How far apart should fence posts be?

Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn't cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.

How far apart should fence posts be for privacy fence?

For most privacy and general-purpose fences, 6 or 8 feet between posts is standard. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for proper spacing.

How long of a post do I need for a 6-foot fence?

Keep the height of your fence in mind when digging your post holes. As a general rule of thumb, you'll need to place at least 1/3 the height of the post in the ground. For example, a 6-foot tall fence will need at least 2 feet of post in the ground.

Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?

The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).

How many rails do I need for a 6 foot fence?

All fences will have a top and bottom rail. One general rule of thumb is to have a horizontal rail for every 24 inches in height. For a six-foot-high fence, this means three rails. While a middle rail may not be a structural necessity, it will help keep fence boards in place and may limit warping and twisting.

How Far Apart Should I Space Fence Posts?

Should I use concrete for fence posts?

Concrete provides a strong foundation for wooden fence posts, but can rot them more quickly. Setting them in dirt, with or without gravel or crushed rock depending on your soil type, can help the posts last longer before going rotten. You can also use metal fence post anchors to prolong their life.

Should you put gravel under fence post?

If a fence post fails without any sign of a pest infestation, it's likely that the failure was caused by moisture that rotted the wood over time. To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole.

How long will a treated 4x4 post last in the ground?

A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and climate are favorable. That number could increase to 40 to 75 years if you install the treated 4×4 in a cement ring rather than the soil. There are a few factors that influence how long the 4×4 can last in the ground.

How long will a pressure treated post last in concrete?

A PT post will last a long time in concrete, maybe 5 to 10 years in soil alone. I suggest you embed the post in concrete, trowel a peak around the post so water runs off, and don't let the PT post come in contact with the ground.

Is it better to use screws or nails on a fence?

Nails are faster than screws to install, meaning less labor for you or your builder (which may translate into lower installation cost). However, nails are more likely than screws to grow loose over time. Screws, on the other hand, secure the fence better than nails.

How far off ground should fence rails be?

In most applications, a wood fence should be installed at least two inches off the ground. Your posts and rot boards (if you choose to install them) should be the only fence components that contact the ground.

How far apart should 4x4 fence posts be?

Typical spacing is right around 8 feet between each post however different circumstances may call for different measurements and it is not uncommon to have spacing between posts reach up to 10 feet. Once you have a rough idea of your post layout start by digging your first hole.

How many bags of concrete do you need for a fence post?

Most fence post holes will need between 1 - 4 bags of concrete to securely hold the post in place. The best way to determine the size of the hole is: Diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the fence post. Depth of the hole is one-third to half the above ground height of the fence post.

Is 18 inches deep enough for a fence post?

The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post's hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.

How much space should be between bottom of fence and ground?

What is this? To keep your fence looking nice for a long time, you should keep a 2in (5.08cm) or more gap between your pickets and the ground. This is to prevent moisture absorption and keep your fence from getting damaged by swelling and rot. Leaving the gap allows water to drain from your yard efficiently.

Do fence posts go on the inside or outside?

Fence posts should be on the outside of the fence

The correct installation of ag fencing is to place it on the inside of the posts. This way, animals in the enclosure brush against the wire, not the posts. Fence posts that have been placed outside of the fence material will take nearly all of the animal's force.

Do you need space between fence boards?

If you're installing the boards horizontal, you'll want to leave 1/4 in -1 inches of space between the boards. For privacy purposes, get the boards as close together as you can. If it's impossible to do that, or you're worried about shrinking and expanding, leave 1/8 inch between each board.

How many screws should be in a fence panel?

To secure the assembled lattice panels to the fence, simply screw through the back of the 1x6 fence boards and into the 2x4 frame. Use at least six 2-inch galvanized deck screws per panel.

Can I use deck screws for fence?

Deck screws are the best choice for pressure-treated wood because they do not cause corrosion to the screws or stain the wood. For fences near lakes, creeks and riverbanks, consider silicon bronze screws.

Can you use a framing nailer for fencing?

A framing nailer is used for larger projects such as fencing, deck building, roof sheathing, sub-flooring, and (of course) framing. Framing nail guns drive some of the larger gauge nails, from about .

Should you wrap fence posts in plastic?

The main reason to wrap the in ground portion of a wooden post in plastic is not to prevent water getting in but to provide a slippery surface so that the post can not be pushed up by frost in the ground. Gravel at the bottom of the posthole is a must for drainage.

Is it better to stain or paint pressure treated wood?

Pressure-Treated Wood Needs Protection

Applying stain to pressure-treated wood offers an additional level of protection that homeowners don't want to be without. Stain offers another layer of much-needed protection from insects and decay, as well as from mold and mildew.