Build a treated-wood fence with open panels

This attractive palisade fence, 6' high, provides plenty of privacy while letting daylight through. Its original design will add style and charm to your garden. Each panel is 72" wide.

The fence is easy to build and requires very few materials because the boards are simply inserted into grooves made in the posts.

Level 1: ½ hour per panel (not including post installation).
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List of tools
List of materials
Elevations
Preparing the posts and boards
We suggest using treated lumber for this project as it is so affordable. You could also make the fence from cedar, which has excellent weather-resistant properties.

A fence is made up of a series of panels connected by posts. Each panel needs to be supported by two posts. The following list of materials is for one panel with one support post. You will need an additional post to complete the end of the fence.

For this project we suggest using metal stakes to secure the 6' posts because they are easy to position accurately and to adjust if necessary. Alternatively, you could use 10' fence posts and set them into concrete form tubes.

NOTE: Be sure to check municipal building codes regarding fence construction before purchasing your materials and starting work.

List of tools

  • Table saw with dado blade
  • Driver drill
  • Sledgehammer
  • Pencil
  • Measuring tape
  • String and wooden stakes

List of materials

Zoom in
(Materials for one panel)
  • 1 treated-wood post, 4" x 4" x 72"
  • 11 treated-wood boards, 1" x 6" x 72", three of which are cut lengthwise down the middle
  • 2 ½" treated-wood screws
  • Metal fence stakes
  • Stain or paint

Elevations

Preparing the posts and boards

Zoom in
The boards are inserted into grooves made in the posts with a dado blade on a table saw. To make the pattern in this project, some of the boards must be cut lengthwise down the middle.
  1. Decide on the location of your fence and mark out the fence line with string and wooden stakes. Plant one stake for each post and calculate the number of sections you will need to assemble.

  2. Make grooves in the very centre of the posts using a dado blade. The grooves must be ¾" wide by ¾" deep. Only one groove needs to be made in the start and end posts.

  3. For each section of fence, cut three 1" x 6" boards lengthwise down the middle to make six boards of approximately 1" x 2 ¾".

  4. Stain or paint the posts and the boards.
Zoom in
  1. Plant a metal stake into the ground at your starting point. To drive it in, insert a 10" scrap piece of post in the base of the stake and hit it with a sledgehammer.

  2. Plant a second metal stake along the fence line, exactly 74" from the first stake, centre to centre.

  3. Insert the first (start) post into the base of the first stake and a post for straight lines into the second stake.

  4. Insert the first board into the grooves in the posts so that it is flush with the bottom end of the posts. Screw into the posts at an angle.

  5. Slide the other boards into place following the pattern shown in the elevation. Use spacers of 1" and ½" to ensure even gaps between the boards as you position them. If necessary, cut the boards to adjust their length. Screw each board into the posts at an angle.

  6. Work your way along the fence line, planting one stake at a time and installing the boards as you go. Finish with an end post.
The design of this palisade fence prevents water from accumulating and penetrating the wood, which helps prolong the life of the treated wood.
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