31
03/11
18:48
Landscape Timber is Economical but Attractive
Split rail fencing creates an attractive, rural look to your property even if you’re living in a city. Landscape timbers are a relatively cheap material for this sort of fencing and can be used as posts as well as railings. This sort of fencing can be done by the enthusiastic homeowner, but there are numerous companies specialising in this sort of work. Companies specialising in fencing and decking provide professional expertise in constructing any of your fencing or decking needs.
Your fence can be simple or more elaborate depending on budget and needs. Landscape timber can be sourced from a variety of locations. Old building sites, demolition sites and used building supply stores are a source of cheap or free material. Check that any timber you buy or collect has not been coated with toxic substances like creosote as this might damage your soil when it leaches out.
The instructions for how to build your own fence made out of landscape timbers are given below. There are two basic designs given: one for horizontal type fences and the other for vertical type fences.
You will need the following materials:
Sufficient landscape timbers, large nails or spikes, tape measure, spirit level, wire.
Fencing made from horizontal timbers
Lay your first set of timbers down in a zigzag fashion. This is to give your fence stability. Timbers stacked in a straight line are more unstable and weaker.
Lay out the second layer of timbers so that they fill in the spaces between the timbers you have already laid out on the ground. The two layers will form a zig zag pattern with the ends of the second layer resting on the tops of the first layer.
Keep stacking up the timbers to the desired height of the fence.
To strengthen the fence, put nail spikes or long nails right through the ends of the timbers or you could use wire to tie the ends together. This is not always necessary – it depends on location. If you live in a windy area or have large animals on the other side of the fence, the whole design needs to be sturdier.
Fencing made from vertical timbers
Holes need to be dug for each of the vertical posts. The hole needs to be about a third of the overall height of the timber posts above ground, For instance, if you want to build a fence 2 metres tall, then the holes should be 65 to 70 cm deep.
Position the posts vertically in the holes and build up the support around the bottom of the poles using stones, rocks or concrete. Check that the posts are vertical using the level. Fill in the hole with soil, making sure it is well compacted as it goes in.
Continue positioning your series of posts. The distance between them depends on the material you are going to use to fill in the horizontal gap between the posts. If you have timber railing, for instance, the length of the railing determines the gap in between.
Now fill in the horizontal gaps with your chosen material. This could be fencing wire, rope, timber boarding etc. The amount and design will depend on your budget and location. If your fence is designed to prevent access by unwanted animals or people, it will obviously need to be stronger and more complete. If it is a purely decorative means of marking a boundary, then your choice of amount and type of materials will be greater.