Backyard Fence Project (Part 2)

Well, this is the continuing saga of the fence building (see part 1 for more info on the project). It has been about a week since we completed the fence frame, and we've been working on some prototype picket designs this week. We even had some folks over for a BBQ (and NCAA basketball) and we had them all give us some input on the prototypes that we had put up. More on that later. So, this morning our neighbor and I took a final look and made our decision - and got started...

We began by installing a pressure treated 2x along the bottom of some sections of the fence, to make up the difference in height across the two yards. It will also let us fill in the yard on our side to be even with the bottom of the fence. Our neighbor worked on that - while I got to work in the shop producing the pickets.

For this 50 foot section, we made a total of 210 pickets. Here's Nona checking out her new fence - you can see the pickets being staged for each section along the fence.

Here's a shot of the new fence design going up! Since the top rail goes up at an angle, we decided to step the pickets. At each large picket, the fence steps up. We went with a square top picket - easier to make - and we liked the look.

From there its pretty basic - The whole building took maybe 6 hours, not including time spent getting material or cleanup. Here is a shot of Hans and I enjoying a chat over part of the new fence.

Here's what the final fence looks like from our side... You can see the stepping. and how the bottom board will work once we get our flower beds in where the stones are.

A fence toast! What's that old saying? I guess good neighbors make great fences.