Fences keep the privacy in your home. They also keep away stray animals from entering your backyard and causing damage to your garden.

Although putting up a fence may look quite a major task, it can actually be accomplished as a do it yourself project. Also, there are premade fences as well as DIY kits already available today on the market.

Mark the area where you will put up the fence. Use a flag or anything that will mark the location.

The very first part of the fence that needs to be installed are the posts. These should be set about six to eight feet apart depending on the purpose of your fence. Keep in mind that about a third of the post should be buried in the ground especially for corner posts.

Set up first the corner or end post and then create a line using a string from each corner post to keep the others aligned. Make sure to keep the string very taunt to create a straight line. Then to lay out of the posts’ position, you can use a tape measure as often suggested by manufacturers.

At every marker you made, dig a hole according to the depth that you prefer. The diameter of the holes should be about four to six inches wider than your post. Use a rock bar and posthole digger for this purpose. Ideally, the depth should range from 24 to 36 inches. You can then put two to three shovels of gravel in the bottom before placing the post.

Insert the post in the hole and make sure to add concrete around it to keep it steady in its proper upright position and secure. The concrete should be allowed to cure overnight. You can brace every post using stakes while the concrete is still in its curing period.

Even after the concrete has cured, you may want to provide additional bracing in two directions to the corner posts to make it sturdier. Remember that corner posts carry the fence’s weight in two directions so they have to be really strong.

It’s also important to note that the head of a fence post should be capped, slanted or rounded. This is to prevent water from accumulating on top of it which could eventually damage your wood fence.

Once the posts are in place, it’s time to install the rails. The spacing between railings will depend on the purpose of your fence.

The railings should be attached to the top and bottom part of the fence posts. You can nail them either to one side of the post of the center of the post. There are actually different types of joints that you can apply again depending on what you like – mortised, lap, butt, slotted and grooved. Check for proper alignment of the rails to the posts.

Your needs are the most important consideration when choosing the type of fence to install in your home. A wood fence not only acts as a barrier but also enhances the beauty of your backyard. You can select from the wide range of designs available or you can always create your own style.