Fences: a guide to good planning

The secret to a private backyard retreat lies in a stylish, well-built fence. This construction project involves four initial steps: identifying your needs, deciding on the location of your fence, checking the local building regulations, and choosing a model and materials.

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Planning your fence construction
Selecting the right materials
Installing fence posts
Fence design trends
Our plans: do it yourself!

Planning your fence construction

Building a fence is a simple project as long as you plan properly. Discuss your intentions with your immediate neighbours. They may be considering a similar project, in which case you might be able to pool your resources and share the costs of a dividing fence.

If your neighbours are not interested, nothing prevents you from building a fence on your own property. Just add a buffer of a few extra inches to be sure that you install all the fence components well and truly on your side. Check the local building regulations with your municipality, especially with respect to minimum and maximum heights, minimum distance between your fence and adjacent homes, model of fence and materials. A permit may well be required.

Next, look at your needs, your home’s surroundings and the neighbourhood to help you decide what style of fence you want, how you will install it, and the materials you will use. Is it intended as a purely aesthetic landscaping feature? Are you looking for absolute privacy or to create a ‘psychological’ separation? Will it be used to control access to a pool, protect the children’s play area or prevent your dog escaping?

Once you have determined these aspects, mark out your property lines and measure the total length you want the fence to cover. Important note: on sloping land, the fence must be installed in horizontal ‘steps’; you must therefore measure horizontally (rather than along the ground) to obtain the exact length. Mark out the fence line along the ground with stakes and string.

Since fences are generally installed in 8-foot sections, calculate the materials needed for one section and multiply this figure by the total number of sections required.

Selecting the right materials

The most common fence materials are wood, PVC and metal, each with their own specific characteristics.

Wood
Wood is easy to cut and assemble. It is a versatile material and comes in many styles. If you are looking for a low-maintenance fence that will stand the test of time, pressure-treated wood is an excellent option. Cedar, a more natural choice but more expensive than treated wood, has a rich texture, high-end appeal and great durability. Whether treated or not, wood should be left to dry for a full year before being coated with a protective weatherproof sealer, either coloured or translucent.

Use screws rather than nails to assemble a wood fence; the construction will be sturdier and it will be easier to replace planks or sections if the need arises. Use ceramic-coated screws designed for treated wood, or stainless steel screws. All the other hardware you use should be made of stainless or galvanized steel.

Prefabricated, ready-to-install fence sections are quick and easy to put up. Typically sold in 8-foot lengths, they are high quality, affordable and available in a variety of models.
Synthetic wood
Synthetic wood is made of lengths of recycled plastic coloured to resemble natural or painted wood. It is as easy to work with as real wood, does not deteriorate with time and requires no maintenance. This material is relatively expensive, but considering its advantages, it is an investment.
PVC
PVC requires zero maintenance and does not deteriorate or fade, which is why some products are guaranteed up to 30 years. This material is easy to mould, allowing manufacturers to create fences and components of varying shapes and textures, which can be made to look like other materials such as painted wood. The internal structure of PVC components is often reinforced with galvanized steel. The fence posts are fastened to concrete base mounts and may themselves be filled with cement.
Vinyl-coated chain links
Vinyl-coated chain link fencing, available in white, black, green or brown, is a low-cost and durable choice. The posts and structural components are covered in a baked-enamel finish the same colour as the vinyl. The posts are fastened to concrete base mounts reinforced with metal rods. For enhanced privacy and to conceal the chain links, you can add slats made of PVC or aluminium, or grow climbing plants up the fence.
Enamelled steel
Some fence models on the market are made from heat-treated galvanized steel covered with an enamel coating. These maintenance-free fences come in the form of opaque panels, ornamental structures or lattices, combining privacy with elegance.
Ornamental metal
Made of wrought iron, galvanized steel or aluminium, ornamental metal fences can be fashioned by experts into the most complex and delicate shapes. Wrought iron needs to be repainted every 8 to 10 years with a rust-preventive paint, while steel and aluminium do not require any upkeep.

Installing fence posts

Fence posts can be installed in several ways. Certain types of fences call for certain methods of post installation. For best stability regardless of the method used, the base of the posts should be sunk to at least 1 metre (3 feet) below ground, with an ideal depth of 1.2 metres (4 feet). The most common method is the ‘post in the ground’.

Post in the ground: Using a post-hole auger, dig a hole of 8 -10 inches in diameter to a depth of 3 - 4 feet and cover the bottom with a layer of gravel about 6 inches thick. Lower the post into the hole and backfill with stone dust or concrete.

Metal spikes are supports planted in the ground like nails. The posts are inserted directly into the spikes, which prevents the posts coming into direct contact with the ground. They are easy to install but provide little protection against ground shifts caused by freezing.

Anchor piles are screwed directly into the ground. They offer more protection than metal spikes against ground shifts caused by freezing. Anchors piles are not recommended for ground that is rocky or contains large tree roots.

Sonotubes: Dig a hole and place a bed of gravel at the bottom, then insert the cardboard cylinder (Sonotube), followed by the fence post and a structural steel rod. Fill the Sonotube with concrete. For proper drainage, shape the top of the concrete into a mound sloping away from the post.

To learn more about installing fence panels:
Installing fence panels

Fence design trends

The latest fence designs feature elaborate shapes, with arches and curves, as well as openings that let the light through yet maintain privacy. Unusual effects can be created by combining lattice with boards or simply by laying the boards horizontally or even diagonally.

Our plans: do it yourself!

Want to put up a fence to increase the privacy of your yard? Our plans include a list of materials, step-by-step instructions and easy-to-understand diagrams. Tools at the ready!

Download our free plans:
Build a treated-wood fence
Build a treated-wood fence - oasis style
Building a semi-privacy fencing for the garden - oasis style
Build a privacy fence - global village style
Eco-friendly composite fence kit installation - global village style
Build a garden fence - spirit style
Building a new fence allows you to create a private, secluded space that truly feels like home. Give your yard a fabulous new look with this easy project. Get started today!
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