Picket Fence Build

[Paul17088071]

Hi all

I am looking to build a picket fence in my garden for my soon to be toddler as we have a slightly raised garden.

The fence will only be 1.2m high, would you recommend using postcrete to secure the posts, or will a post spike be strong enough?

In terms of fence post; would a 3x3 post be best, or a round fence post?

Many thanks, Paul.

 

[foxhole]

Picket fence traditionally all timber.
Round posts tend to be used for wire fencing .

 

[KentExpert]

Toddlers grow up quickly, and before long they will be kicking a football against it or hanging covers from it to make a den. I'm talking from experience.

It may also be worth choosing pre built picket fence panels with slotted posts. This gives more consistent spacing than doing it yourself and reduces the risk of gaps that could cause limb traps.

If you are using kit form components, use Jacksons Fencing drawings as a guide for the correct spacing. These can be found on the product pages - picket fencing.

If you do go for kit form, choose posts with mortices, as they will be stronger.

Hope that helps. I would also avoid met posts

 

[Odds]

Consider maintenance - picket fences are a pain to paint.

 

[KentExpert]

Consider maintenance - picket fences are a pain to paint.

100%. Been there done that. Just go for a fence with a long guarantee that requires no painting or staining.

 

[Odds]

100%. Been there done that. Just go for a fence with a long guarantee that requires no painting or staining.

Plastic?

 

[Koolpc]

Barbed wire is better...

 

[JohnD]

The fence will only be 1.2m high, would you recommend using postcrete to secure the posts, or will a post spike be strong enough?

In terms of fence post; would a 3x3 post be best, or a round fence post?

1) post spikes are very poor

2) any piece of wood where you bury the end in the ground will rot

3) digging out concrete to remove a rotted stump is a job you will resolve never to repeat

3) concrete does not rot.

4) postscrete is much more expensive than concrete you mix on a spot board, and nowhere near as strong.

Having learned all those things, I now use either full-height reinforced concrete slotted posts, or concrete spurs, set in concrete in the ground. The spurs have two bolt-holes in them, through which you can attach wooden posts, typically 3" square, of whatever height takes your fancy.

You can also run wooden rails between them to form a post-and-rail fence. Since neither the wooden posts nor the rails are in contact with the ground, they last much longer.

If you want, you can paint the concrete to blend in with the stain on wooden posts and fencing, I use "bitter chocolate" masonry paint, applied before build for ease, which blends with dark fence stain,

 

[stevie888]

As above but I'd say go for the fulll length posts and concrete gravel boards for maximum life.

 

[JohnD]

As above but I'd say go for the fulll length posts and concrete gravel boards for maximum life.

Spurs will support a 4ft fence today, and different wooden post heights when he changes his mind.

I agree about the concrete gravel boards.