Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Costs of Building Privacy Fences

The Costs of Building Privacy Fences





| updated November 15, 2011




Privacy fence costs depend on several factors.
If you are adding a privacy fence to your property, check local building codes before you begin the project to ensure all requirements are met in the planning process. Once you know your local building codes, set a budget and evaluate your fencing needs. The total cost of your project depends on the type of materials you use, as well as the size of the fence and whether you plan to install it yourself.


  1. Wood Fences

    • Wood privacy fences cost about $9 per foot for a 4-foot fence, or $15 per foot for a 6-foot fence. It is an ideal fencing material, due to its sturdiness and ability to keep out prying eyes. Wood fence posts that come into contact with the ground may rot, so use a rot-resistant material like metal for fence posts if you are concerned about rot problems. As noted by the Home Depot, wood used for fencing is rated according to its appearance. The highest rating is "Clear," followed by "Premium," "Select," "Standard" and "Quality."

    Vinyl Fences

    • Vinyl fencing is much more expensive than other options, but its durability and low maintenance make it cost effective in the long term. According to Service Magic, a vinyl fence costs about $20 per foot. Cost Helper estimates that a 100-foot professionally installed vinyl privacy fence with a gate may cost anywhere from $1,600 to $7,500, depending on the height of the fence, quality of materials and complexity of installation. Some vinyl fences come with all the materials for a do-it-yourself installation, which saves money on installation costs.

    Other Options

    • Stone, brick and concrete are a few other materials for privacy fences. They provide maximum security and protection from wind, pests and rot. According to the Home Depot, concrete is the most affordable of the three, although high upfront costs are balanced by low maintenance and durability. The Masonry Advisory Council estimates that a fence made with concrete block will cost about $8 per square foot, whereas a stone fence costs around $45 or more per square foot.

    Additional Factors

    • In addition to material and installation costs, you need to consider a few additional factors when budgeting for a new privacy fence. If your yard has a steep slope or any obstacles that will need to be worked around, costs may be a bit higher. Gates and ornamentation will also increase the bill. Don't forget any additional costs for tools and equipment if you plan to do the job yourself. For example, a hole digger or auger for fence posts can cost anywhere from $15 to $110 for a manual product or $60 to $600 for a power auger.

Read more: The Costs of Building Privacy Fences | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_12206588_costs-building-privacy-fences.html#ixzz1qMN04XrR
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How to Build a Solid Metal Privacy Fenc

How to Build a Solid Metal Privacy Fence





| updated December 24, 2011




Create solid metal privacy fences with a few corrugated metal panels.
When the time comes for building a new fence that offers privacy and longevity, a solid metal privacy fence is the perfect fit. Using inexpensive corrugated metal for the fence allows you to size the fence as needed, affording you the opportunity to surround your property without overspending in the process. The corrugated panels are simple enough to construct that no specialized training is required, and are made to last for years even in extreme weather conditions. With an added wooden frame around the panels, the sharp panel edges are concealed and the fence looks acceptable enough for even residential use.


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Things You'll Need


  • Laser level
  • Landscaping paint
  • Tape measure
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Set up a laser level along the fence line. Use the laser serve as a guide for marking the fence line onto the ground with landscaping paint. Measure the length of the painted line with a tape measure. Divide the length by 4 feet and round the result up to determine the number of metal panels needed for the line. Purchase two or three extra panels in case of installation difficulties
    • 2
      Make marks along the fence line every 4 feet for the placement of the supporting fence posts.
    • 3
      Check with a building inspector to find out how deep you need to place the fence posts in your area. Generally, posts are placed so that the base extends below the frost line for the area to prevent heaves from occurring during winter months.
    • 4
      Dig a post hole using a post hole digger at each of the marked locations to the recommended depth plus 6 inches to allow for a layer of gravel. Make your holes 6 inches in diameter.
    • 5
      Fill the base of the hole with a 6-inch layer of gravel to assist in drainage.
    • 6
      Fill the post hole about 3/4 full with the quick-set concrete. Mix the concrete in a wheelbarrow at the fence line, using a spade to incorporate the water into the mixture and to shovel the concrete into the post hole.
    • 7
      Place the post into the hole and make any adjustments to position it so that it’s plumb. Use posts that are 8 feet long plus the depth of your post hole above the layer of gravel. You can check that its level vertically using a carpenter’s level placed against the pole’s side.
    • 8
      Fill the rest of the hole with concrete, overflowing it slightly by about 1 inch. Slope this last inch downward and away from the post body to help with water flow away from the post.
    • 9
      Brace the posts into place by tying three strings around the post and then extending the strings to three sides with equal space between them. Attach the other ends of the strings to wooden stakes and drive the stakes into the ground to hold the posts in position. Wait about 4 hours for the concrete to cure around the base of the posts.
    • 10
      Cut frames for the corrugated panels using 2-by-4-inch planks. Cut two of the planks to match the panel length and two to match the width. Use a 45-degree mitered cut from the outside edge of the plank to the inside so that they fit around the edge of the corrugated panel like a frame.
    • 11
      Cut a groove in the center of the planks with a router, making the grooves 1/2-inch deep and as wide as the depth of the side of the panel that you’re attaching the plank onto.
    • 12
      Paint the planks with an exterior latex paint the color desired using a paintbrush. Paint a layer of galvanized paint onto the metal panels to give them a layer of protection against the weather. Allow the paint 6 hours drying time.
    • 13
      Place the frame pieces around the panels and secure them in place with galvanized screws through the wood and into the corrugated panels.
    • 14
      Place the framed panels against the posts and screw them into place with the galvanized screws.

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How to Build a Privacy Fence With Metal Poles

How to Build a Privacy Fence With Metal Poles
By Michael Davidson, eHow Contributor | updated December 28, 2011
How to Build a Privacy Fence With Metal Poles thumbnail
An effective privacy fence prevents neighbors from seeing inside your yard.

A privacy fence is more concerned with limiting outside viewing of your home or yard then it is with security. As a result, you can use lighter materials like bamboo, or use traditional wood, vinyl or metal. Metal poles help anchor your fence so it remains strong against wind and other extreme weather conditions. Without proper support, your fence falls down or flies away before you can properly enjoy it.
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Things You'll Need

Wooden stakes
Hammer
Tape measure

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Instructions

1

Call your utilities company to verify there aren't any utility lines under the area where you want the fence to go. This prevents a possible breach of a gas line or sewer pipe. Acquire any permits required in your state before installing your fence and make sure the fence is within your property lines.
2

Mark the location of the first post with a wooden stake by hammering it a few inches into the ground. This functions as a marker.

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3

Measure down another 3 or 4 feet from the first stake with a tape measure and add another one. The more metal posts you use, the more stable your fence will be. If you want fewer posts, separate them no more than 8 feet apart -- any further and the posts won't provide adequate support.
4

Dig 3-foot deep holes where each stake is located using a shovel or a post hole digger. Most privacy fences are at least 6 feet tall and the posts require a 3-foot depth in the soil to adequately support the fence.
5

Place the posts in the holes. Add gravel equally on all sides to hold the posts straight. The gravel should at least fill the holes halfway.
6

Pour concrete mix into the holes to fill them. Leave about 3 inches of space at the top and wait for the concrete to fully dry. Keep the pole in the center of the hole so it doesn't lean once the concrete dries. The gravel should keep the pole in place but correct the pole manually and hold it upright as the concrete starts to dry if you notice it leaning.
7

Fill in the holes with dirt to hide the gravel and concrete underneath. The privacy fence can then be drilled into the posts using brackets, depending on what material you use. Bamboo often gets secured with construction wire.

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How to Build a Strong Privacy Fence for a High Wind Area

How to Build a Strong Privacy Fence for a High Wind Area
By Tom Ross, eHow Contributor | updated January 04, 2012
How to Build a Strong Privacy Fence for a High Wind Area thumbnail
Wind resistant fences are constructed using extra measures to make them stronger.

Extra steps are necessary when installing a 6 foot tall wind-resistant privacy fence as opposed to installing a fence in an area with mild winds. The broad flat surface of a closed plank privacy fence bears the full brunt of strong, prevailing winds. According to Purdue University, "When wind increases from 10 to 30 miles per hour, the force on a solid fence increases nine times." Special skills or tools are not necessary to build a strong fence. More materials are required because the fence posts are spaced closer together, sunk deeper and braced with additional girts, or crossbeams.

Instructions

Strong Fence Frame
1

Mark the fence line by driving wood stakes at the beginning and end, drawing a cord tautly between them.
2

Make a mark with white sand on the ground at the start of the fence line and every 6 feet along its length. Make another mark at the end of the fence line.

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3

Dig holes with a posthole digger at each mark that are 3 ½ feet deep and 10 inches in diameter.
4

Put a fence pole into the middle of the first hole and fill it in with quick-set cement, mixed according to the directions on the bag. Lay a carpenter’s level against the side of the fence pole and adjust it so that it is level and in plumb. Brace the post in position and allow the cement to set up overnight.
5

Repeat the process of setting a fence pole at each mark you made along the fence line.
6

Measure a distance of 8 inches up from the bottom of each fence post and use a marker to draw a line on the post.
7

Put a 2-by-8-inch-by-6-foot girt or cross-brace between the upright fence posts with its lower edge resting on the 8-inch mark you previously measured. Use 3-inch deck screws to attach the girt to the fence posts.
8

Continue down the fence line, cutting each girt with a saw to fit as necessary, and screwing them end to end with the previous girt onto the upright fence post.
9

Start again at the top of the upright fence posts and measure 8 inches down from the top. Rest the bottom edge of a girt resting on top of the mark and screw it into the post. Repeat the process of attaching each girt to the top of the upright fence posts.
10

Measure the distance on each fence post that is midway between the upper and lower girt. Mark the spot and install another row of girts.
Install Fence Planks
11

Begin at the first upright fence post and put a plank straight up against the three rows of girts. Use the carpenter’s level to ensure the first plank is level and in plumb.
12

Drive three 2-inch deck screws through the plank into each girt. Arrange the screws in a straight line, evenly spaced, up and down.
13

Put another fence plank adjacent to the first one and attach it to the girts. Continue until all of the planks have been installed on the fence.

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