We all love our gardens and try to make them as welcoming as possible. There is nothing worse, however than sitting and relaxing only to find a nosy neighbour peering in and making unwanted conversation. Sunbathing too is a pastime that requires a degree of privacy.
There is an old saying, ‘Good fences make good neighbours’. It is a fact that if you wish to stay friends with them, fence your garden and give yourself some peace and quiet away from prying eyes. A good fence will also keep out draughts and add to the comfort of your entertainment and seating area. So there will be nothing preventing you investing in some new Alexander Rose garden furniture or one of the many other exciting ranges available with an internet search.
Here you will find a no nonsense step by step guide to erecting a fence and regaining your privacy.
Materials Required
- Rope
- Wooden stakes
- Bags of Post Concrete (ready mixed)
- Fence Panels
- Gravel Boards (same length as fence panels)
- Concrete Posts
Tools Required
- Spade & Fork
- Hammer
- Electric Disc Cutter
- Safety Goggles
- Gloves
- Tape measure
- Spirit Level
1. Using some rope (blue nylon rope is very cheap at your DIY shop) and stakes, mark out the line of your fence. Use straight lines by keeping the rope tight.
2. Begin measuring the locations for the post holes.
- Start with the first post hole
- Measure from the centre of that hole to the centre of the next hole. The measurement should be equal to the thickness of one post plus the length of a gravel board.
3. Dig the first hole.
The depth should be enough to leave the post standing above the ground equal to the height of the gravel board plus the height of the fence panel. Use a spirit level to make sure it is vertical. If the hole is very deep, fill it halfway with rubble and soil. Tamp down well before applying a bag of concrete. Then add a bucket of water.
4. Dig the hole for the second post.
Put the first fence panel and gravel board in place, make sure they are horizontal with the spirit level, and offer up a second post. When everything is aligned, concrete this post.
5. Repeat the above steps for the entire length of the fence.
At the end of the run, you will probably need to cut a fence panel and gravel board unless you are extremely lucky. This is performed using the disc cutter. These tools are not for the faint hearted. They are noisy, dusty, and violent. Wear goggles, gloves, and take your time.
6. If you are turning a corner at the end of the run, be sure to use the correct corner post.
It is important, when fencing on a slope, that the row of fencing steps down keeping the panels horizontal and the posts vertical. Never lean the fencing down the slope. The step effect will need to be achieved by burying the higher end of the gravel board deeper than the lower end. Otherwise, there will be a gap under the board as the ground lowers.
So there you have it in a nutshell. It is hard work erecting a fence. The ground may be difficult to dig, and the concrete posts are very heavy. It is a two man, or woman, job for sure. However, it is a project anyone can do if you check your line and your levels for every section you erect. Give it a try this summer, and you will be amazed at what you can do.
