Picket fences are classic. From boosting the curb appeal of your home to providing an effective way of separating garden sections and playground space, knowing how to build a picket fence is a great way to add the ideal finishing touch to your outside space.
But if you think putting one up takes a lot of hard work and skill, think again. It’s relatively straightforward and achievable for the average DIY-er with a few basic tools and knowledge. So if you’re willing to get your hands dirty, here’s everything you need to know about how to build a picket fence.
Before You Begin
Before you get started, there are certain guidelines to consider, as well as checks with local authorities. Here’s what to think about:
Permit: Check with your local municipality or homeowners’ association to see if a permit is required for the construction of a wooden fence. Different town codes may also determine the size and style of fence you build, as well as the post-hole requirements.
Property lines: Install the fence within your own property lines. Neighbors often disagree on the exact placement of the fence, so consider surveying your property to identify your boundaries and then install the fence one foot inside your property lines to be safe.
Utilities: It’s also wise to check with local utility companies prior to beginning the project to ensure you don’t dig into a power line or interfere with other underground utilities.
Height: A traditional picket fence should stand 3 to 4 feet tall. Of course, this depends on the size of your home and outside space. HOA requirements may come into play here, so make sure to do your research before you start.
Picket Fence Parts
Creating a picket fence involves just three main parts, posts, rails, and pickets. Now, these parts come in various sizes that you can adjust according to your property’s landscape and taste. Let’s take a look at each one.
Posts: Posts should be installed into the ground, approximately 6-8 feet apart. The standard post size is 4×4 square, but for narrower or wider designs, you can change the post and rail sizes to suit your plan.
Rails: Rails are the horizontal pieces between posts, usually two of them and equally spaced apart. They will connect the posts together and support the pickets that you attach to them.
Pickets: These come in a range of sizes but usually measure 2¼” to 3″ in width with a square cut top. You can also choose from rounded or pointed pickets for a more personalized touch.
The spacing between the pickets should be such that it provides safety and security while respecting visibility and privacy requirements.
How to Calculate Picket Spacing
Math can often be the bane of anyone’s existence. However, when you’re gathering supplies and plotting out measurements for a DIY project such as constructing a picket fence, it can literally mean the difference between a good-looking fence and an eyesore. To ensure that your fence looks as aesthetically pleasing as possible, it’s important to find out the most accurate way to determine picket spacing. Luckily, this isn’t as hard as it may seem.
- First determine the width of each individual picket and then the desired spacing between them. The next step is to add together the picket width and the desired distance between them, giving you a total unit width.
Let’s say, for example, you want to place 3-inch pickets 2 inches apart. The total unit width would be 5 inches. If the distance between each of your fence posts is 100 inches, this would require a total of 20 pickets installed across the fence per section (100″ divided by 5″ = 20). You can round up or down to the nearest whole number if necessary. - Now determine the total area covered by pickets (the number of pickets multiplied by the picket width). For our example, that would be 3 inches x 20 (or 60″ in total). This leaves 40″ of space for the gaps between adjacent pickets and posts (100′ minus 60′).
- Finally, take your total gap area and divide it by the number of pickets plus one (as you will need to account for the gap between the first picket and post, as well as the gap between adjacent pickets) in order to get the precise spacing figure for each gap between pickets and posts. In our case, that would be 40″ divided by 21 (20 pickets plus 1), giving you a gap measurement of 1.9 inches.
DIY Picket Fence: Step-by-Step Guide
Now comes the fun part: assembling your picket fence! Here’s a step-by-step guide that will help you bring your dream project to life.
Here is a video tutorial outlining how to build a picket fence:
What You’ll Need:
Tools
– Tape measure
– Snap chalk line
– Level
– String line
– Pencil
– Post-hole digger
– Pneumatic brad nail gun or a power drill
– Garden tamper or a shovel
Supplies
– Preassembled picket fence panels or
– Pressure treated 4×4 wood posts
– 2×4 wood rails
– Pickets
– 3-inch screws/brad nails
– Concrete
– Gravel
– Construction wood glue
– Metal face brackets (optional)
– Post caps (optional)
Step 1. Lay Out Everything
The first step to building your picket fence is to lay out all the components you intend to use in their general placement area. This includes posts, railings, and pickets in order for you to measure them accurately and plan ahead.
Once everything is laid out, take your measuring tape and determine the length of the area where you are planning to put up your fence. Mark this with a chalk line or spray paint so that you have something clear to follow once you start applying it.
Next, start marking the placement of posts along your fence line. Remember that posts should sit between 5 and 8 feet apart for a standard wooden picket fence. Place the posts according to these measurements and leave an opening for any fence gates you plan to install.
Step 2. Dig the Post Holes
Once you mark your posts, start digging your post holes. Make sure to double-check your measurements. When digging, go slowly to avoid damaging and compacting the soil.
On average, a post should be about 1/3 of the fence’s total height underground. This means that if your fence is four feet high, the posts would need to be six feet long and the holes two feet deep. The width of the hole should be equivalent to three times that of the post, meaning a 12-inch diameter for a 4×4 post.
We recommend digging all your post holes before continuing in case the layout needs to be adjusted.
Step 3. Set the Fence Posts
Now that the post holes are in place, it’s time to get your posts set up. Equip yourself with the right tools and safety equipment, like gloves, work boots, and eye protection, before you start.
- Add 3-6 inches of gravel to the bottom of each post hole to provide proper drainage. Place your posts in the center of each hole and hold them in place as you add soil or gravel back into the hole around the post a little at a time.
- Check and ensure your posts are perfectly straight. Use a post level to check if the posts are plumb and pour concrete around them, making sure it covers at least two inches below the soil line.
- Place bricks or cinder blocks on either side of each post to keep them steady as the concrete sets. Make sure you check if the posts are level every few minutes, especially if you’re using quick-set concrete.
- Once the cement is fully set, cover it with soil and tamp down the surface.
Step 4. Attach Picket Panels or Measure for Rails
Once the posts have been set up, make sure your fence frame is stable. If you choose to go with a traditional split rail design, your posts should already have openings in them for you to slide in the rails easily.
If that’s not part of your fencing plan, then attach the rails to the posts using 3-inch screws or brad nails and a power drill. Measure up from the ground to mark down where each lower rail is going before you start attaching them, and make sure there’s also space marked out for an upper rail. Bottom rails usually sit between 7 and 12 inches above the ground, so be mindful of this when you start measuring.
Once your marks are made, it’s time to get drilling. Pre-drill two holes at the end of each rail so that they don’t split upon attaching them to the post. Put the end of the rail halfway across the face and drill two screws in each post. If you need extra support, add a metal face bracket to hold it firmly in place.
Keep in mind that all rails and pickets should face away from your home (on the neighbor’s side of the fence).
Step 5. Attach the Pickets
Now that the rails are firmly attached to your posts, fill the gap with pickets. Start by measuring and marking the point where each of your pickets will sit between the posts using a pencil. In general, a 2¼” to 3″ wide picket with a square top tends to look best, but as this guide shows, you can also go for a more personalized look.
Space the pickets about 2 to 3 inches apart and leave them about two inches from the ground. This will help prevent warping, rot, and also give room to cut the grass behind the fence easily.
Measure and make a tack point in the posts at what you want to be the top of your pickets then pull a tight line of string between posts to indicate the picket height.
Attach your pickets one at a time by nailing them to the railing using a pneumatic brad nail gun or a power drill. Make sure to take caution when using your nail gun and wear protective gear such as gloves and safety glasses while operating it.
Step 6. Paint or Stain Your Picket Fence
If your fence material didn’t come pre-painted, protect it from the elements by adding paint or stain, depending on the type of wood used in your fence. This will ensure your fence looks great and doesn’t warp easily from the weather.
We recommend waiting at least one or two months after you finish the fence installation before painting or staining. This allows the wood to get acclimated to its environment.
Step 7. Add Post Caps
As a final flourish to your fence, invest in some post caps to really give it that extra bit of personality. This optional step is a purely decorative one that will help you achieve the overall aesthetic of your fence. Post caps come in all sorts of styles and materials, so have some fun here as you choose which ones best suit your project.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect cap, just glue it to the top of each post using some wood adhesive and use a level to make sure it isn’t crooked. Make sure you allow the glue to dry before you disturb your new fence.
Types of Wood to Use
Depending on where you live, different kinds of wood may be more suitable for your wood fence than others. Here is a quick breakdown of the popular types:
Cedar: Cedar is a hardwood that is naturally decay and pest-resistant. It also has a pleasant scent, a warm and welcoming hue and is ideal for environments with low to moderate humidity. It can last up to 15-25 years with proper care and maintenance.
Cypress: Cypress is a popular alternative to cedar, as it is similarly priced and has a high resistance to rot. It is also much harder than pine or cedar and can have a pleasant aroma. However, over time its natural oils can break down, thus requiring regular treatments with insecticides to keep away pests.
Pine: This is a softwood that will need to be pressure treated in order for it to resist decay and the elements. Despite shrinkage, pine can still twist, warp, and crack over time. When pressure treated, it can last a lifetime if not in direct contact with soil.
Redwood: Redwood is slightly more durable than cedar and also contains tannins which naturally repel insects and decay. It has a distinctive reddish-brown color and is easy to maintain, although it does come with a higher price tag. It can last up to 25 years or more with minimal maintenance.
Spruce: Spruce is a great option if you are looking for an economical choice. Its pale color darkens over time, and it is often used to create prefabricated or stockade-style fences. The main downside of spruce is that it can be prone to insect damage and has less durability in humid environments.
FAQ About Building a Picket Fence
The term “picket fence” originated from the French term “piquet,” which translates to pointed stick or board. Historically, settlers used this type of fencing to mark and defend their land. Today, picket fences are mainly known for their aesthetic appeal and traditional look.
In popular culture, white picket fences symbolize peaceful suburban living and have come to represent the typical American dream. Despite what is often portrayed by the movies, however, attaining this level of perfection in life may not always be realistic, which is why the concept of the “White Picket Syndrome” exists.
It truly depends on the type of wood fencing and the particular wood you choose. Generally, builders prefer to use nails when connecting pickets to rails and screws for attaching the rails to posts, but it’s best to confirm this before getting started.
Wooden picket fences are beautiful, but they require regular care and maintenance. Paint needs to be reapplied over time, and natural movement can cause wood boards to crack, especially after high winds or storms. Additionally, without proper staining, it is vulnerable to rot.
DIY or Professional Installation?
Picket fences add charm, variety, and security to your home’s exterior. Although DIY picket fence installation is possible, it is not without its challenges and can take up a lot of your time.
Any home improvement project should have your safety and satisfaction as top priorities. If you feel confident in your handyman abilities, then a DIY picket fence may be the right choice for you. If, however, you lack enough time or experience to take this on yourself, then it is best to contact a reliable specialist in your area and have them do the job professionally and safely.We can help you connect with a fencing specialist in your area who can help you get the perfect picket fence for your property. Just sit back and relax while they take care of all your needs.
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