Privacy Fence Rails alternating idea
#1
01-13-20, 08:29 AM
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Privacy Fence Rails alternating idea
Looking at staggering rails to make a 6' privacy fence install stronger and easier. Each rail would have full contact with each post instead of only half of the post using but joints. Measuring would be easier as you could overlap then simply saw off the end flush with the post. My only concern is how the finished fence would look. Do you think it would look wonky over long sections of fencing? (see attached photo)
#2
01-13-20, 04:30 PM
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I can not think of any reason why someone would built a wall like that.
For sure it would not be any stronger, and would take far longer to build with all that cutting.
Set your post at less then 8' apart and use 16' rails cut to set in the middle of the back side of the 4 X 4's.
Use at 3" long decking screws.
Use 3 rails to reduce the bowing of the boards.
For sure it would not be any stronger, and would take far longer to build with all that cutting.
Set your post at less then 8' apart and use 16' rails cut to set in the middle of the back side of the 4 X 4's.
Use at 3" long decking screws.
Use 3 rails to reduce the bowing of the boards.
#3
01-14-20, 01:25 PM
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Maybe by the photo you assumed the rails were going between the posts. The way I meant it was screwing to the face.
#4
01-14-20, 01:31 PM
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Yes they screw to the face of the post but you would not use short pieces and then stagger them. More joints = weaker fence. You usually want to get 12 or 16' long (depending on your post spacing) horizontal 2x4s and stagger the butt joints on your 3 rows so they don't all line up.
joecaption
voted this post useful.
#5
01-15-20, 08:05 AM
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Here is a better drawing of what I was thinking. The one on the left shows a typical butt joint. My idea was to attach the 2x4 completely to the post for better attachment. I just dont know if it would look dumb staggering the rails all the way down the fence.
#6
01-15-20, 08:33 AM
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Its your project so you can do it however you want to. We could talk until we are blue in the face and you still may not listen. The whole point of using long boards is strength. Fences have to be able to resist wind load. Longer boards help the posts stay plumb. Shorter boards let the posts wobble back and forth. But do it however you like.
Here's a fence built in the manner you suggest. Do you like how straight it is, and how plumb the posts are?
Here's a fence built in the manner you suggest. Do you like how straight it is, and how plumb the posts are?
#7
01-16-20, 07:13 AM
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I see what you mean. I could still use 16' PT 2x4 rails and stagger attach them. Seeing this photo makes me 2nd guess the idea as it does not look as "clean" and straight butt jointed rails mid post. Thanks
