Ecological natural material considered the best for building and furnishing a home. First of all, it is harmonious with the nature of man himself, and also simple to operate and easy to construct.

It's about wooden picket fence, which, along with modern fences and fences, does not lose its relevance and novelty. And also, what is important, the fence is made of wooden picket fence It’s quite possible to make it yourself, at your own discretion.

Traditional fence: pros and cons

Fence owners have already assessed all the pros and cons of fencing. The scoring points for picket fences are:

• low cost of materials;
• basically easy installation, which, perhaps, can be complicated by personal preferences in design and decor;
• the beauty of the structure as a whole, which will give the owner’s site originality;
• Wide selection of wiring diagrams.

There will also be minuses, especially for those who don’t like extra hassle:

• Wood is very short-lived and requires constant care.

The service life of a tree varies from 5 to 10 years and depends on many factors: climatic conditions, location and soil on which it is installed.

• In order for such a fence to please you for many years, it is necessary to paint it annually, and, if necessary, carry out partial repairs.
• It should also be taken into account that a wooden picket fence is not a large metal fence, so it is unlikely to protect against intruders.
• Wood is a highly flammable material and can be easily damaged mechanically.

Select the material - let's get to work

Among existing species wood most suitable For the construction of wooden fences, ash, mulberry, acacia, oak, aspen, and Siberian larch are considered.

Details of the future structure can be purchased at finished form- buy a picket fence on the market, or make it yourself from boards.

But in one way or another you need to take into account the readiness of the wood, because the raw material, not normally processed, will subsequently become deformed, and there will be no defects, knots or cuts.

Before installation, all parts of the fence must be treated with an antiseptic in order to extend the service life of the product as a whole.

The next stage should be choosing a fence fastening method and him appearance. How to lay the picket fence: horizontally, vertically or with a ladder, lattice, in a checkerboard pattern - the choice is up to the owner.

1. Classic fence.

Familiar to us from childhood: vertical posts and longitudinal logs, onto which boards are attached with a small gap between them.

2. Ladder.

Very original way fastening the same vertical boards on joists, only overlapped (with slate). Very good option, because with it the fence looks equally beautiful both outside and inside.

3. Lattice.

This sectional fence, where each part must be manufactured separately and then attached to the main supporting mount.

The section is a knocked down square wooden frame, onto which boards are subsequently attached perpendicularly in two directions (a schematic prototype of a conventional mesh design).

4. Chess.

It is an analogy to a classic fence, only on both sides. A row of front boards, and towards it the gaps of the gaps are closed by a row of back ones.

5. Vertical.

Back at the core classic scheme. Wide longitudinal logs are placed between the supporting pillars. One significant nuance of such a fence is that it cannot be called a fence due to the low height of the structure; it is rather exquisite decor for flower beds and rose gardens.

My own master

In the working notebook, the master’s own self should first of all be reflected - length and planned height future fence. It is necessary to decide whether the fence will have monolithic base, or a small gap between the ground and the fence.

You might be interested in how to make a fence from metal picket fence.

Bringing beauty and finishing touches

There are many ways to make your fence beautiful and original.

The most in a simple way is to paint the fence in two or three colors highlighting sections of the triangular top, for example as shown in the photo.

However, you can work a little in pursuit of beauty:

• First of all, it can be external decor. Additional slats with a specific pattern are stuffed onto the main picket fences.
• A more difficult decoration method to perform at home. When each board is pre-cut at a certain angle, during assembly it forms a wavy or figured relief.
• Various removable parts attached in sequence to the tops of the fence are also acceptable.
• Can also be used uneven height method, attaching picket fences to the joists in a wave-like manner or with a certain slope.

A wooden picket fence will certainly decorate any country or suburban area. First of all he will element of the owner's personal pride, since it will be made with one’s own hand and in an original way.

Watch the video to see what types there are. decorative fences from picket fence and more:

Just 50 years ago, wooden picket fences could be seen around most country houses. But they were the same vertical structures. Now you can build a reliable and durable picket fence various configurations and even in combination with other materials. Fences are quite easy to erect with proper calculation and preparation of the material. He will serve reliable protection plot, and decorate it with your appearance.

Advantages

Everyone wants to make their home beautiful, and fencing is that element suburban area, which is the first thing people pay attention to. Therefore, it is important to give this element maximum aesthetics. One of the materials that falls into the category of aesthetic and pliable for unique buildings can be considered wood. If you have the skills to work with wood and the desire to build a fence around the site yourself, then the question of how to make a picket fence will be resolved by itself.

A picket fence installed with your own hands, with some imagination and a little skill, will look great on any terrain and against the background of any building.

Reliability wooden fence depends on the selected type of wood for its manufacture, as well as on the size of one picket fence. If you do right choice, then the fence will last for many years.

News proper care It's not difficult at all to follow him. All the owner has to do is apply protective substances to the surface in a timely manner. It is also important that the picket fence almost does not shade the area and has excellent air throughput. Near it you can plant any plants that need sunlight.

Basic types of installation

Vertical and horizontal

Traditionally in production wooden fence pickets are installed vertically. But horizontal installation is also possible. This design is made of several boards or poles. This type of fencing is otherwise called “ranch”. It is well suited for creating a rustic style.

You can even tilt the slats to one side, and then you will get an even more unusual fence. And given that the angle of inclination can be different, there are options for creating unusual designs can't be counted.

Checkerboard

The checkerboard fence also has an attractive appearance. It looks beautiful not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Location feature wooden parts consists in the fact that the pickets are installed on both sides, but are shifted in relation to each other. The gap, on one side, is closed by a rail on the other, and vice versa.

Preparation and calculation of material

A wooden picket fence is so easy to install that you don’t even need many tools to install it.

To make the picket fence itself, in addition to wood, you will need:

• fastening elements - nails or screws;
• hand hacksaw or jigsaw;
• screwdriver;
• protective substance for application to surfaces. These products include water-repellent and antiseptic impregnation, as well as varnish, stain and paint;
• shovel for digging holes for support pillars;
• a hammer, if nails were chosen as fasteners;
• building level so that all fencing elements are installed level.

You can buy wood and make pickets from it yourself, or you can buy a ready-made picket fence. In the latter case, you will have to pay more, but there will be less work.

Note! Before making a picket fence, it is important to correctly calculate the wood material. Based on the perimeter of the territory, as well as the width of the pickets and the gaps between them, the required quantity is calculated wooden elements. For example, if the width of one picket fence is 4 cm, and the width of the gap is 6 cm, and it is planned to make a fence 30 m long, then to calculate the quantity, 30 m must be divided by 10 cm, that is, by the total width of one gap and one picket fence.

How much picket fence is needed depends on the chosen design. For example, if the fence will be built with gaps, then it will need less material than for a blind building of the same length.

It is important not to forget to calculate everything in the same unit of measurement. It’s easier to express meters in centimeters, and then 3000 will need to be divided by 10. After calculation, it turns out that such a fence will require 300 pieces of picket fence. In addition to the material for making the picket fence itself, you will also need beams for supports. Such poles must be long enough and strong. You need to remember that they will submerge at least half a meter.

Laying picket fences in a checkerboard pattern

You can install a picket fence by working in the following order:

1. Marking. It is necessary to determine where the support pillars will be located. A strong rope stretched around the perimeter can help in this matter. The optimal distance between supports is 2-3 meters. Taking this into account, it is necessary to make marks on the ground in those places where holes will be dug.
2. Digging holes. Their diameter must be greater than the diameter support pillar. Calculation of the depth of the pit depends on the height of the future fence. Most often it exceeds 1 meter.
3. Installation of pillars in prepared recesses. If they are wooden, you can simply get by by applying them to the surface. protective equipment. It is possible to lay a wooden picket fence and using metal poles, in this case you will have to lay a concrete mixture in the recess.
4. After the supports are installed, you can begin to attach veins or slugs to them - thicker boards that should be located parallel to the surface of the ground, that is, perpendicular to the support pillars. At least two veins are required. Their number depends on the total height of the building.
5. The calculation of the distance between them may also vary. This depends on the height of the fence being mounted and on the method of attaching the pickets to them. The main thing is not to bring the lower one closer to the ground less than 25 cm, and the upper one should not be raised too high so that the edges of the nailed pickets rise above it by at least 25 cm.
6. When the installation of the veins is completed, you can begin attaching the picket fence itself. When installing the very first picket fence, it is better to use a building level so that the entire fence does not turn out crooked. If there is no level, you can use a plumb line instead, which is easy to make yourself using a heavy weight and thread. To attach all the other pickets, it will only be enough to determine the width of the gap. You can make it equal to the width of the pickets and easily measure the required distance by applying one of the slats. But you can specially make a strip of the required width, and then use it only to make gaps.
7. When the slats are nailed along the entire length of the fence, you can be content with the work already done, since, in essence, the classic fence is already ready.

To make a “chessboard”, you will need to go to the other side to install another row of pickets. In order to avoid distortions and inaccuracies, it is necessary to correctly install the first rail. It should be located strictly opposite the gap between two adjacent pickets on the other side. After installing this rail, all that remains is to nail down all the others, measuring the length of the gaps using a template.

Painting secrets

Painting the finished structure

Painting a picket fence with your own hands is not difficult, but you still need to pay attention to the details. The durability of not only the paint layer, but also the entire structure, depends on the quality of this work. To apply a high-quality coating, you need to clean the wood from contaminants and then prime it with a substance that can penetrate deeply into the structure.

Several layers can be applied. Before applying the next one, you must wait until the previous layer has dried. Many manufacturers can assure you that there is no need to prime the surface before painting. But, nevertheless, it is better not to pay attention to this statement and apply a primer. This will have a positive effect on the durability of the wood and on the savings of the base coating.

It is also better to paint in several layers. After applying the first layer, it is better to sand it with sandpaper after drying. For painting, it is better to use a brush rather than a roller, as this will allow you to reach hard to reach places. But if you want to speed up the process, you can use a roller, but you must keep in mind that later you will still have to paint many places with a brush.

1. Materials and tools
2. Manufacturing technology

A picket fence is one of the most popular types of fencing used to improve country cottage area. The main thing is to implement it correctly. This type of fence has gained popularity due to a number of advantages, the main ones being low cost of construction and appearance.

Materials and tools

Installation of a wooden fence does not require special devices, unless we are talking about combined structures consisting of several different types of materials, such as stone or brick. Load-bearing vertical and horizontal supports for the fence can be made of wood or metal.

To install the picket fence you will need:

• wooden beam 50x50 mm;
• wooden beam 20x40 mm;
• nails or screws;
• antiseptic;
• paint material.

A square beam is needed for manufacturing vertical supports, and its length is planned in accordance with personal wishes: everyone determines the height of the future fence for themselves.

The support is dug into the ground at least half a meter, so you need to add 50 cm to the desired height of the element for the fence.

Smaller section beam (20x40 mm), intended for horizontal gain picket spans. Its quantity will directly depend on the length of the fence being installed. Nails or screws are suitable as fastening elements. The second option is more preferable, because the screws do not become loose during the operation of the structure.

Fasteners must be purchased from galvanized metal, which does not rust from exposure to atmospheric conditions.

Antiseptics and paint and varnish materials there are many on the market. You need to choose products intended for outdoor use. The tools you will need are a wood saw or a jigsaw. If you nail the boards, you will need a hammer, but it is better to fasten the screws with a screwdriver. A shovel will be useful for installing support posts.

Manufacturing technology

A step-by-step diagram for assembling a picket fence with your own hands will help you properly organize and complete the work from start to finish.

1. At the first stage, it is necessary to properly prepare the wood: all natural material must be soaked several times with an antiseptic using a regular paint brush. The process is quite labor-intensive, but it cannot be ignored. This measure will help protect the tree from exposure environment, will protect from rotting, extending its service life.
2. Now you can begin installing the supports. We begin work by marking the places for their installation. In places where the fence changes direction (at corners), we install pegs and stretch a strong rope between them. Then you need to calculate the number of supports. To do this, measure the distance between the pegs and divide it into equal intervals, the length of which does not exceed 2 meters. The resulting value will be the step between the supporting pillars, and at the site of their installation it is necessary to dig holes, taking into account the fact that the support must go into the ground at least half a meter, below the freezing point. For long and reliable service support structures wedged with coarse gravel and compacted with earth. Laying roofing felt in holes dug for posts helps to increase the service life of wooden supports, and the supports themselves are wrapped in the same roofing felt in places where they are buried in the ground.
3. At the third stage, transverse fence guides are usually installed. The main thing is that each vein is located strictly horizontally. It's easy to control building level. Horizontal supports are mounted in two places (at the top and bottom of the fence), but in the case of a high fence you will have to install an intermediate guide. The veins are fixed to the vertical supports of the picket fence with self-tapping screws or nailed.
4. The final step is to install the wooden picket slats directly onto the fence. The longest, but very simple process is to ensure that each picket is screwed strictly vertically at equal intervals. If you pull the thread on the lower edge of the pickets, this will ensure that they are placed at one level.

At the fourth stage, the assembly process ends - the wooden picket fence is now ready for use. All that remains is to paint it in any chosen color, but many craftsmen additionally decorate the fence using simple techniques. This applies to the design of the upper edge of the pickets, which are given a certain shape.

Fence sections can be made in the shape of a wave or an arc. To do this, markings are applied to the fence and trimming is done according to the template. The pickets are sharpened on both sides in the shape of a sharpened pencil - this will protect the yard from unauthorized access.

You can often find picket fences with carved planks - we’re talking about creative approach carpenter This kind of work cannot be called simple.

Alternative to wooden supports

No matter how future supports are prepared and processed, wood is inferior in durability to metal. If you want a wooden picket fence to last a long time, and its service life is not limited to 15 years, it is better to use a metal base, which is mounted in exactly the same way, with the exception of a few points. The posts are made from a metal pipe with a cross-section of 40 mm and fixed in the ground with concrete mortar.

For optimal grip load-bearing element With concrete, scraps of reinforcement or metal plates are welded to the bottom of the vertical supports.

Horizontal veins are made from a metal pipe of smaller diameter and welded between the vertical support elements, ensuring the horizontal placement using a level. Then each picket fence is fixed to the previously constructed metal carcass sharpened self-tapping screws. The result will be a wooden picket fence, but reinforced with a metal base.

Even if the pickets become unusable over time, they can be replaced, the supports will remain the same, and this saves money.

There are many options for a wooden picket fence, and it can be used as a base. brickwork, which in combination with natural wood gives a special effect. Instead of brick, if funds allow, spans of stone are laid out. Such a massive structure will require a foundation. And this is a more labor-intensive process.

Metal, wooden or even plastic narrow strips from which a fence can be assembled are usually called a picket fence. However, despite such a “generalized” name, fences made from them can ultimately turn out to be very diverse. And, of course, even a beginner can easily cope with such work, since making a picket fence is quite easy. Especially if you know a couple of nuances.

Supports

Any fence is usually divided into sections, which are supported on supports buried in the ground. If the fence is heavy (for example, made of brick), then it should not only have supports buried and concreted into the ground, but real strip foundation. You should do the same in situations where there are winds in your area. strong winds(capable of knocking over a poorly secured fence) or there are dogs on the property (yours or a neighbor’s) that love to make “undermines.”

When making a picket fence with your own hands, you can choose as a support: metal pipe(including profile - square or rectangular section), and a wooden beam (at least 5x5 centimeters in size) or a concreted asbestos-cement pipe. Typically, the supports are made of the same material as the fence itself (the only exception is asbestos-cement pipes, which are best combined with a wooden picket fence).

Metal supports can be driven into the ground by first drilling a hole in it to a depth of at least 50 centimeters (its diameter must exceed the cross-section of the support). After driving the metal post, the space around it should be filled with gravel and compacted.

A wooden beam, when used as a support, should be treated in the lower part bitumen mastic, then wrap it in roofing felt and only after that concrete it, immersing it at least 50-70 centimeters into a hole dug in the ground.

Supports made from asbestos-cement pipes should also be concreted to the same depth. Remember that an empty pipe is quite fragile, so after installing the fence, concrete should be poured into it.

Frame

The picket fence strips will not stay in the fence on their own - they need a frame that will connect adjacent supports to each other. If the supports are metal, then the frame is made of the same material (mainly from profile pipe small section). The frame itself consists of two or three horizontally laid elements, to which the picket strips will later be attached.

At wooden supports the frame is made from timber with a cross-section of 4x4 or 5x5 centimeters or from boards no more than 10 centimeters wide and no less than 2 centimeters thick.

It is customary to mount a metal frame to supports made of asbestos-cement pipes. For these purposes, holes are made in them through which small pieces are passed. metal fittings. Then the frame strips are welded to them on both sides.

Securing the picket fence

The picket fence is attached to the horizontal slats of the frame in approximately the same way for all types of slats material:

1. Measure the width of your existing picket fence strips and the distance between the supports. Calculate what the distance should be between the individual elements of the picket fence so that the fence looks solid and not like a holey sieve.
2. Determine the shape of the top edge of your fence. Since it will be quite difficult to make a fence from a curved picket fence after you have secured all the straight elements, take care to give the necessary bend to the picket fence in advance. Most often they use the shape of a convex semicircle (within one section of the fence), however, Feng Shui experts (if you suddenly decide to listen to their advice) recommend giving the fence sections the appearance of a concave semicircle (“bowl”), the “duty” of which is to attract everything you need: from money to family well-being.
3. Install the supports for the future fence. If you concreted them, then wait until the concrete has completely hardened so that the entire structure does not tilt under the weight of the picket fence.
4. Attach the frame for the picket fence in the form of horizontal strips to the supports. It is better to fasten metal elements together by welding, and wooden elements with self-tapping screws.
5. Paint the supports and frame (after securing the picket fence, this will be quite difficult to do).
6. Paint the picket fence if necessary.
7. Attach planks with the same spacing in all sections of the fence to the horizontal elements of its frame. The picket fence should not touch the ground, especially if it is made of wood. Wooden planks should be secured using self-tapping screws.
8. If you want to make the fence as invisible as possible, place pickets on both sides of the horizontal frame slats in a checkerboard pattern. In this case, the step between the individual pickets should be 2 centimeters less than their width.

Video

Instructions for making a fence from a European picket fence:

Eurostalker - relatively the new kind house fencing and summer cottages, which is galvanized metal strips made of corrugated sheets, coated with colored polymer for protection and beauty. This type of fence is inexpensive, can be installed quickly, and lasts for more than 30 years. The demand for Euro picket fence is explained by its main qualities: aesthetic appeal, durability, affordable price.

How much does a euro picket fence cost: materials plus labor

On average, a linear meter will cost from one thousand rubles including installation work. If you install a picket fence yourself, its installation will cost less. The price of a fence depends on several factors:

• type of euro picket fence - depends on the manufacturer’s brand, workmanship, coating thickness;
• bar height - from 1.5 to 2 m;
• the width of the pickets and the distance between them, which affects the number of strips per 1 linear line. m of fencing.

We calculate the amount of material for the fence

It’s easy to make a fence from Euro picket fence yourself. Before purchasing components, you will need to calculate their quantity. You will need:

• Euro picket fence;
• load-bearing support pillars, usually a corrugated pipe with a cross section of 60*60 mm is used for these purposes;
• frame transverse logs - corrugated pipe 40*20 mm;
• fastening - self-tapping screws 4 pcs. per one plank (two for the upper joist and 2 for the lower).

To determine the specific number of strips you need to know several rules for installing a picket fence.

The total length of the fence is measured along the perimeter of the area to be fenced.

From the general indicators, it is necessary to subtract the length of the gates and wickets (their total length is summed up).

The number of support pillars is calculated taking into account that the distance between them is 2.5 m, using the following formula:

Number of posts = (length of perimeter fence - length of gates and wickets) / distance between posts (2.5 m).

Added to this indicator required quantity pillars for installing gates (wickets).

The number of slats is calculated using the formula:

Number of Euro pickets = length of fence / (width of strip + width of gap between strips).

If you plan to install a picket fence on both sides, then this number is multiplied by 2.

Poles made of profile pipes for fences

If as supporting elements decided to use professional pipe and not to do brick pillars, then it can be of any type - with a round or square cross-section, 60*60 or 80*80 mm, with a wall thickness of 2 or 4 mm.

Euro picket fence, unlike solid corrugated sheeting, does not create windage, power and wind loads are lower, so the requirements for support posts are not so stringent. In most cases, their concreting into the ground is not required.

Installing support pillars

Installing a picket fence with your own hands begins with installing the posts. Step-by-step instruction The process looks like this.

Drilling(digging) wells 1.1-1.5 m deep.

Pole installation. It is better to strengthen the bottom of the hole by placing hard stones. Fill the hole with gravel and compact it with earth.

DIY metal picket fence. Photo step by step

Concreting required only if the soil is loose, sandy (or at the request of the owner to enhance strength).

Install rain protection on top of the supports - plastic plugs.

Installation of transverse joists, fastening of Euro picket fences

If the pillars were concreted, then the procedure for securing the transverse frame joists will begin only the next day. The transverse lower and upper logs are a frame for installing a European picket fence. Their installation is possible in any sequence: first the upper ones, and then the lower ones, or vice versa. The cross members are welded or fastened with self-tapping screws. You will need the following set of tools: level, tape measure, marking pencil, screwdriver. The step-by-step instructions for working are as follows.

Installation upper cross beams at a distance of 50 cm from the top edge of the support post. The horizontality of the cross member is controlled using a level.

How to make a fence from a metal picket fence with your own hands. Photo step by step

Installation lower cross members level at a distance of 30 cm from the ground surface.

After frame mounted, begin to attach the picket strips to it. Each plank is attached to the joist with 4 self-tapping screws: 2 in the upper and 2 in the lower transverse joist.

Euro picket fence. How to do

Euro picket fence. Photo

Distance between picket fences. Types of pickets

The distance between the European picket bars determines the degree of openness of the fence. It can be from 2 to 10 cm. The average is 5 cm. With a double-sided arrangement of the Euro picket fence, a step of 8 cm is taken on each side - in this case, with a strip width of 11.8 mm, an almost blank fence is obtained.

Advice. On garden plot or between vegetable gardens more light is required, so the gap between the euro-fence is made larger.

DIY metal picket fence. Photo

According to the type of top coating, the Euro picket fence is available with a polymer layer or powder coating (this is a more durable option and is not susceptible to scratches). Painting can be one- or two-sided. Based on the method of processing the edges, a distinction is made between planks with curved edges (rolled) and non-rolled ones. The shape of the relief and the top edge may also vary. All differences and decorative “excesses” affect the price of the material.

Height of a European picket fence

The standard length of European picket fence slats is 1.5, 1.8 and 2 m. The height of the fence is determined by the owner of the site depending on his needs - if the task is to hide the territory from prying eyes, then it is advisable to choose 2 m long slats and make a double-sided blind fence. For open garden plots, a fence height of 1.5 and 1.8 m with a large gap between individual slats is acceptable.

Advantages of a euro picket fence

Euro picket fence is a promising material with many advantages:

• wear resistance- the fence will last from 30 years and above without changing its appearance;
• unpretentiousness maintenance - the fence does not require painting, does not rot, so no repair or replacement of elements is needed;
• ease of installation- the fence can be installed independently in 1-2 days;
• neat appearance;
• low cost- This is one of the most inexpensive and durable materials.