Regardless of whether your dog barks at every occurrence in the neighboring yards or you merely desire a visual shield from prying neighbors, setting up a 6-foot privacy fence typically offers the perfect fix. Standing at 6 feet tall, this fence isn’t excessively high, thus preventing feelings of being entirely enclosed, but it’s sufficiently elevated to obscure most views into your property. The best part? You likely can undertake the project independently with some effort.
Creative DIY privacy fence concepts for crafting a secluded retreat in your outdoor space
at a reasonable price.
So
What is the expense of constructing aprivacy fence?
You might anticipate spending between $18 and $43 per linear foot for both materials and installation of a 6-foot fence. The labor expenses typically range from $10 to $15 per linear foot within this total cost. Significant savings can be achieved by installing the fence yourself since labor charges often constitute a considerable portion of the overall expense. Metal and composite materials increase the price of privacy fences, whereas wooden options tend to be more economical.
To help you avoid
errors everybody makes during fence installation
We’ve compiled a set of instructions for constructing a robust 6-foot wooden privacy fence that not only provides ample seclusion but also boasts an appealing appearance. Once completed, this fence will be so attractive that your curious neighbors might find themselves admiring it from afar rather than peeking into your yard.
Read more:
12 Innovative Methods to Enhance a Standard Chain-Link Fence and Boost curb appeal
Initial Actions for Constructing a 6-Foot Private Fence
Before beginning the process of setting up your new privacy fence by digging holes and mixing concrete, make sure to complete several initial tasks. Begin by checking whether there are limitations regarding placement, material choices, or maximum heights. Local regulations often dictate what rules must be followed when constructing residential fences. While a wooden privacy fence typically can reach as high as six feet in many places without issue, it’s important to verify this information first. Additionally, those residing within areas overseen by a homeowner’s association (HOA) could face extra constraints they will need to accommodate during their planning phase.
Then, determine precisely where you’d like the fence and measure accordingly. It could be necessary to draft a plan and provide specifics about the project to get approval from your local building official. Certain municipal authorities demand documentation signed by adjacent landowners endorsing the initiative. In some cases, bringing in a surveyor to delineate the precise boundaries of your lot might also be required, guaranteeing that your proposed fencing does not encroach upon others’ lands.
Lastly, dial 811 or visit their website.
811 service’s website
To request that your underground utilities be located, you should initiate this process. The marking of all utility lines at your location could require up to four business days. If you reside in certain areas and proceed to install a fence post or similar object without utilizing the 811 service first, you may face repair costs along with potential legal fines.
Identify the Materials Required for Building the Fence
Once you’ve finished with the measurements and blueprints, calculate the quantity of materials required. Decide how many posts are necessary depending on their placement intervals. Typically, most privacy fences incorporate a standard interval of 8 feet. Nevertheless, if you opt for prefabricated sections, the distance between posts could be adjusted to either 6 or 8 feet to align with these panels. Additional support posts should also be included where gates will be installed. Rails—horizontal beams placed among the vertical posts—are another item you’ll likely require; ensure they span the entire length of the fence line. For instance, a common design involving a 6-foot-high barrier often incorporates two rails per section, although some configurations include three. Given this scenario, suppose your fencing project covers 128 linear feet—you would then need anywhere from 256 feet up to 384 feet of lumber solely dedicated to constructing those rails.
When purchasing prefabricated fencing panels, first calculate the overall length of your fence in linear feet. Then divide this total distance by the width of an individual panel to ascertain how many panels you will require. For instance, should your fence span 128 linear feet and each panel measure 8 feet wide, you would need 16 panels.
When setting up a 6-foot high privacy fence with separate pickets, first determine the overall length of the fence in inches. Then measure the width of one picket along with the gap size desired between each picket. Next, divide this combined measurement into your total fence length. Typically, a picket might be around 5 1/2 inches wide; adding half an inch spacing would mean considering every picket as occupying about 6 inches.
Excavate the post holes for your 6-foot privacy fence.
Using the available materials, stretch a string around where your intended fence will go. Place short stakes in the ground alongside this string to keep it taut. Pull the string firmly so you get a clear guideline for setting up your 6-foot high privacy fence. Mark out spots for every post using either spray paint designed for layout markings or more stakes. Don’t forget to indicate areas designated for gates as well. Ensure all postholes remain at minimum 18 inches apart from any underground utilities located via the 811 service. In case positioning posts nearer than 18 inches to these utility lines becomes unavoidable, excavate those particular holes manually—proceeding cautiously throughout the process.
While excavating post holes, you can opt for a manual posthole digger or simply a shovel. Should you be faced with multiple holes to dig, renting or purchasing a battery-operated or gasoline-driven auger might be more efficient. Typically, individuals utilize 4-by-4-inch square posts for such tasks. It’s advisable to make each hole approximately three times wider than the thickness or diameter of your chosen post. Therefore, for a 4-inch wide post, drilling a hole with a 12-inch diameter would be ideal.
The depth of the hole should be approximately one-third the height of the post. Therefore, for an 8-foot post, you would dig a hole roughly 2 1/3 feet deep. Before inserting the post and adding the concrete, place about 4 inches of gravel at the bottom of the hole. This makes an 8-foot post ideal for constructing a 6-foot high privacy fence.
Place the posts into the holes and secure them with concrete prior to installing the rails.
Begin by setting up the corner posts around the fence boundary. Position each post inside the excavated holes filled with gravel, ensuring they’re vertical using a spirit level. Next, secure these posts to wooden sections and driven-in stakes to keep them stable. Follow the instructions on your chosen concrete mix when filling the holes; typically this involves adding water as well. Recheck the alignment with the bubble level promptly after making corrections as needed.
If you opt for a rapid-curing concrete mix, expect it to solidify within 20 to 40 minutes. However, excess moisture or elevated humidity levels might extend this curing time. It’s advisable to avoid applying pressure to the posts for approximately four hours after setting. For optimal strength, many suggest allowing a complete day—about 24 hours—for the concrete to cure fully before installing the rail boards. To protect your work, top off the concrete surface with soil, sand, or small stones arranged into a slight incline designed to prevent standing water on the concrete area.
Once the concrete has completely set, take out the supports. Following this, install the rails. If you’re utilizing prefabricated panels, adding extra rails might not be necessary. Ensure that the bottom part of the upper rail sits at a height of 5 feet, 4 1/2 inches above the ground. Position the upper end of the lower rail approximately 9 1/2 inches below the ground level, with a third rail placed midway for balanced spacing amongst them all. Use either nails or screws to secure these rails into place.
Affix the fence panels or pickets and apply stain or paint.
Once your rails are installed, start securing the individual pickets. Begin with placing the initial board at a corner and continue down the fence’s length. Utilize either 1 1/2- or 2-inch screws or opt for a nail gun to fasten every picket where the rails intersect. Position each picket so that it sits approximately 1/2 inch above the ground to prevent decay caused by dampness. Start by fixing the upper part onto the top rail; then employ a spirit level to make sure everything stays aligned as you go. After ensuring verticality, attach another screw or nail near the bottom rail. Prior to installing the following picket, insert a spacer block to maintain uniform gaps among them. When you arrive at the designated spot for the gate, put it up accordingly.
Should you decide to fit premade panels rather than separate pickets, secure them directly onto the posts using screws. Certain panels might require hooks and brackets; hence, adhere to the instructions included with your prefabricated panels. If necessary, adjust the length of a panel at corners where they appear overly extended. Once every panel is hung, consider adding trim pieces atop and beneath the pickets for an elegant finish. Additionally, installing post caps could enhance their appearance further. Note that some prefab panels come equipped with completed trim edges from the outset.
Once the installation is complete, you might consider staining or painting your wooden privacy fence. Painting allows you to pick an exact color of your choice, whereas staining provides a more organic appearance and stands up better against harsh weather conditions.
Liked this article? Subscribe now to receive exclusive home tips from experts, DIY guidebooks, and design inspirations.
House Digest newsletter
!
Read the
Original Article from House Digest
.
