Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Ensuring success
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

If you build something that you use every day, it gives a certain feeling of satisfaction. A wooden fence is a nice first project for a beginner as it requires few skills and tools. And of course it also saves a lot of money! Quickly skip to step 1 to learn how to build your own fence.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Ensuring success

1. Treat the boards. When the gate is ready you need to treat it properly so that it can withstand the various weather conditions. You can paint, stain, or treat your fence with oil. Ask the timber trade or hardware store about the possibilities.
   • You can choose a maintenance oil or a special garden wood stain. If you want to paint, use an oil-based primer (two coats of primer is probably a good idea). Then you can coat the fence with an oil-based paint.

Tips

• Use screws; nails will not hold properly as the fence ages.
• Installing a fence on uneven surfaces can be difficult. Place posts where the slope changes and use an average fence height for the best result. If the terrain is very hilly, consider hiring an expert.
• Always call your municipality first about the applicable rules. The rules always exist, the only question is what they entail exactly.
• It may be a good idea to cover the tops of the posts with metal or plastic caps, which will prevent moisture from entering the post and make the posts last longer.
• Always coat the bottoms of the posts well with linseed oil or stain.
• Consult with your neighbors if you are going to place the fence on the property boundary. Find out if your neighbors object and agree on the property boundary. A fence that is exactly on the property boundary is just as good from the neighbors, even if you have placed the fence.
• 10x10 cm posts are known to twist. You can prevent this by nailing two posts of 5x10 cm together. Two poles together can stabilize each other.
• Use the correct wood for outdoor fencing. Some types of wood are less likely to rot.
• Always call the land registry to investigate your property boundary and pipes that run in your garden.
• Plastic fencing is maintenance-free and resistant to various weather conditions.

Warnings

• Before you start, make sure you know where the property boundary is.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves if necessary.
• Check if you need a permit before you start. Sometimes you can consult with an association of owners or a residents association.

Necessities

• An earth drill.
• Posts of 10x10 cm.
• Posts of 5x10 cm.
• Fence boards. These planks are usually rounded at the top.