Can I screw feather edge horizontally to posts?

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I am going to build a fence. Just 3 posts, 2 spans 6ft between.

I thought I’d concrete the posts in then screw horizontal feather edge straight to the posts. Saves making up a frame for vertical feather edge.

Thing is I can’t see any examples of this online. I can only find feather edge on the inside between posts so must be screwed to some frame which is secured to posts. To make it easier I didn’t think I’d need a frame if screwing straight to posts. I might have a couple of thinner posts midway between main ones just for extra strength.

Because I can’t find examples of this I wondered if it’s ok to do or is there some reason no one does it?

Thanks
 
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yes you can, if you want to. You may see sheds and stables done like that. there is usually intermediate support or battens at around 600mm - 750mm intervals. I suppose you could use diagonal struts. it throws off falling rain and allows ventilation (it will never be air- or water-tight). If you pilot drill the holes they are less likely to split. Most people use nails.

Only put one screw or nail through each board at each post. If you use two, then when the board shrinks in dry weather, it will split between them. Put the fixing where the wood is almost at its thickest, and let each board trap the top edge of the board below. If you look at old fences you will see that some people like to put a nail through the overlap. You will also see that their boards are all split near the thin edge.

I do it with the thick end of the board at the bottom, where it is exposed and less likely to be damaged. There may be reasons for doing it the other way, I dont know.

You say you are concreting in wooden posts. You will be very annoyed when the posts rot off just above ground level and the is a great lump of concrete preventing a replacement. If you are fond of wood you can use concrete spurs, and bolt the wooden posts to them. You can use dark masonry paint on the concrete to blend it in.

Fence contractors like to concrete in wooden posts. it's cheap and easy and guarantees return work when they rot and break.
 
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Thanks for the great reply. You’ve answered some other questions I hadn’t asked. I thought 2 nails would be better but your answer explains why not. Thanks.

I recently built a canopy and most websites I found said concrete the posts in which I have. So am a bit worried now.
 

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