Build a Picket Fence

A picket fence is seen as a ‘symbol of middle class urban life’ and peaceful living. The most common characteristic of a picket fence is its wood fence style look and is either whitewashed or is painted in white. A picket fence is the most sought after when it comes to fence designs. This fence is short in height and tapers towards the tip on top. These days plastic fences which resemble the actual wooden fences to a great degree, are also used. Before you start on your picket fence project, check the zoning laws to see if picket fences are permitted. Wondering how to build a picket fence? Let us learn the easiest and simplest way to build one.

Picket Fence Construction

Before we start lets check the material that is required to build a picket fence.
Material and Tools: Here is the list of material and tools for building a picket fence.

• Spray Paint
• Measuring Tape
• Crushed stone or gravel
• Post-hole digger or Auger
• Circular Saw
• Rope
• Fast drying cement
• 6" * 6" Posts
• Precut and pretreated Pickets
• 2" * 4" rails
• Galvanized screws
• 4"*4" posts (for the gate)
• Hinges
• Bolt
• Latch

Steps to Build a Picket Fence: Now that we have the material and the tools in place lets start building a picket fence.

• The first step is to mark the location of the fence. Now mark all the locations of corner posts with spray paint. Once the corner posts are marked, mark the locations of the other posts. It is advisable to maintain a distance of 8 inches between two posts. The problem arises when you have to install a gate. Then you will have to place your posts in accordance with your gate post.
• Now start digging the holes using the post-hole digger. The size of the hole should be 3 feet deep and 1 feet wide. Pour gravel at the bottom of the holes to make a bed of gravel 2 inches high. Now is the time to insert the posts in the hole. When you insert the posts, be sure that the posts are well leveled and stand erect as picket fences also act as security or border fences. Once done, mix the fast drying cement and put it in the holes and let it dry. It will take approximately 48-72 hours to dry.
• Now start attaching the rails to the posts, with the screws. Then place one rail at the top of the post, one at the center and the last close to the ground. The last rail should ideally be about 6-8 inches above ground level.
• Once the rails are attached start placing the pickets about 2-3 inches away from one another. Attach the pickets with the galvanized screws.
• After the pickets have been placed, it is time to make the gate for the picket fence. Making the frame for the gate is not a difficult task. Take the 4*4 inches posts and make two squares using them. Attach one post diagonally on each of the squares. The diagonal post is to give support to the frame.
• After the frames have been attached, it is time to attach the pickets to the frame. You will have to attach the hinges to the frame. Now attach these frames to the 6*6 inch posts, which you have initially erected. Its time to attach the bolt so that the frame remains in place.
• Use the circular saw and make cuts to either side of the center pickets to attach the latch. Then attach the latch in the cuts. Now your picket fence is ready.

Wooden fence designs, have with them that quaint homely look that completes the house and none could come closer than a wooden picket fence to experience the same. The pretreated picket will ensure the longevity of your picket fence and also will make them look new for a longer period of time. You can choose to put metal caps on the pickets to make it decorative. With the how to build a picket fence, you will be able to give a new look to the boundary of your home.