Fence advise please

Tudor · 6 Apr 2014

Hi folks,

I am looking to install a new fence at the back of my neighbours garden, approx 2 metres wide. I currently have the following bits in my garage,

1 x 2.5 metre tall galvanised fence post
2 x 3.0 metre arris rails
A job lot of tanalised featheredge tongue & groove.

I plan to use the galvanised post as one end of the fence, and attach a 3" by 3" wooden post to it. For the other end of the fence i am using an existing conrete post and will attach another 3" by 3" wooden post. I will attached a couple of arris rails between the two 3" by 3" wooden posts and fix the featheredge to them.

1. Re the galvanised post - How far down do i sink the post in to the ground and how wide should I make the hole before filling with concrete?

2. Is the featheredge tongue & groove OK for fencing, as opposed to standard featheredge?

3. Is it better to nail or screw the featheredge to the arris rails?

Appreciate your comments.

Cheers, Dan.

Burnerman · 6 Apr 2014

It can depend on how consolidated the ground is but go for a spade width and a depth of between 18" to 2' for the post.
The rest should be fine but I prefer screws to nails....gives less shock to the structure.
John

Tudor · 6 Apr 2014

Thanks John.

I will go for 50cm/20" deep on the post, which will basically mean a fifth of it will be in concrete.

As you say, will go for screws over nails.

The fence will be 165cm tall, then topped with a 30cm/1 foot trellis. How many horizontal arris rails would you say that I need to fix?

Cheers, Dan.

r896neo · 6 Apr 2014

you really need 3 rails for a fence taller than 4 foot or the boards may warp significantly

Burnerman · 7 Apr 2014

Yep, I'd endorse that!
John

Tudor · 7 Apr 2014

Cheers guys..............3 arris rails it is then!

Would you recommend a specifi screw? Just that there are so many out there, it would be easier for me to get what you reckon is correct for the job.

Cheers folks!

Burnerman · 7 Apr 2014

Ideally stainless I guess, but many screws have some sort of plating on them - in particular decking type screws.
Presumably you'll be applying some sort of treatment once the fence is up, so if its a strong structure it will probably see you out

John

Tudor · 7 Apr 2014

Cheers John.

The wood is tanalised, but will be painted with preservative as well.

I will look at some appropriate screws.

Thnaks for the help.

Dan.

r896neo · 7 Apr 2014

Stainless steel screws are so soft that the heads often shear off should you try to take them out so the very reason you bought them so they wouldn't deteriorate is irrelevant.

I use spax torx head screws as they are the only ones you may have a chance of getting out in a few years time.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Fence advise please

Similar threads