Rails. Rails are used as additional support for a fence. They are typically 2x4" thick strips of wood that run horizontally along the fence. Picture frame fences typically have two rails running along the top and bottom of the pickets for support.
The backer rails are the horizontal boards on a wood fence. There are typically three rows of backer rails going along the back of a standard 6-foot privacy fence. The backer rails screw into the fence posts to provide a support structure for the pickets.
To prevent the wood from warping or sagging, use a sealant to protect the wood after the fence is installed. Does a horizontal fence need rails? Fence rails span between posts and offer strength to the fence section. They are usually used on the top of the fence and the bottom of the fence.
Pickets or In-Fill Boards
©Austex Fence and Deck. As we mentioned above, people usually associate fences with pickets. Also commonly referred to as slats or boards, pickets are available in a variety of sizes and thickness levels. They are also available in multiple top styles like dog ear, flat top, and horizontal.
A steel fence post, also called (depending on design or country) a T-post, a Y-post, or variants on star post, is a type of fence post or picket. They are made of steel and are sometimes manufactured using durable rail steel.
Rails. Rails are used as additional support for a fence. They are typically 2x4" thick strips of wood that run horizontally along the fence. Picture frame fences typically have two rails running along the top and bottom of the pickets for support.
Additionally, horizontal fences are more likely to sag over time due to the weight of the pickets pulling down on the posts. This is more of an issue for taller fences versus those that use less lumber.
Durability
Horizontal fences are prone to sagging if not reinforced with posts or cross beams. But they're usually made from higher-grade lumber than traditional vertical fences. That said, vertical fences already include reinforcements that make them very durable.
The key drawbacks are that horizontal fences can be relatively inflexible to install, and so aren't suitable for all properties. And if they're not installed perfectly, they have a habit of sagging noticeably... which undermines the clean, modern geometric orderliness of the style.
Important to remember that we used deck boards here, NOT fence boards. The trickiest part with this is making sure that the first board is level, level, LEVEL. Mike started each section at the top; this way he knew that he would have a full board at the height he wanted it to be (6 feet for us).
The posts should be no more than six feet apart, if more than six feet apart, the stability of the fence may be compromised.
What is a bollard? Bollards are short posts generally used to guide traffic and define perimeters. They don't create a physical obstacle to pedestrians. Even when bollards are linked by chains, they suggest pedestrian behavior, rather than barring the way.
jackleg fence (plural jackleg fences) (US) A fence constructed with wooden posts attached to form Xs and a top rail resting where they cross, or rails nailed on either side.
PIERS / COLUMNS / PILLARS
These masonry structures may support arbor posts, create a base for light fixtures, display your business name & address, serve as a divider between fence sections or cap the end of a fence, gate or wall. In addition, such items can serve to enhance a highly visible entryway or access point.
For a wooden fence, place 2-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot wooden braces on both sides of the fence and wedge them between the ground and the fence to keep the fence upright. If the horizontal rails are loose, they can be reattached to stable posts.
If you're installing the boards horizontal, you'll want to leave 1/4 in -1 inches of space between the boards.
Hardwoods like Ipe and Mangaris are gorgeous when applied horizontally because the natural grain that runs the length of the planks creates a high-end look. Softwoods like pine, Douglas fir, redwood, and cedar are also great fencing choices.
Screws should never be used when installing a wood fence. While research shown that nails are better for the installation of a wood fence, using the right type of nail is paramount. The list of nails available at your local hardware store is endless, and each nail is designed for a specific purpose.
This bar is a favourite of fencing contractors and farmers. The chisel point is ideal for digging and the upset head is great for ramming or packing soil when setting posts. Heat treated for strength. Ends forged from high carbon steel. Round design for user comfort.
A Fence of “Stakes and Riders”
A very common method with the “worm” or “Virginia” rail fence is to drive slanting stakes over the corner in saw-horse style, and lay the top rail into the angle thus formed. The stakes, resting on the rails and standing at angle, brace the fence firmly.