Depending on the thickness of the logs, this should require four to six levels of logs. Question On a personal note: for Pine split rail fence with paddle ends I always install the post then slip the rails in afterward. Step 3: One end of both your starting and ending sections of fence will require a 6 inch long section of rail placed between each rail to maintain its spacing. To begin the project, planning is an important step. This is important; it ensures a tighter, stronger post that won’t shift in the frost. natural weathering of the untreated wood only enhances the fence’s rustic beauty. Many towns have easement requirement that stipulate a fence must be a given distance from the property line and most towns also require permits, so consulting local ordinances is a must when writing up plans. You may cut 6 inch long spacers from one of your rails with a handsaw. You can split rails yourself or purchase precut wood. Call before you dig, of course! In fact, the older the better; you’ll want that consistent, dark grey look. Because the design is so simple, a split rail fence is easy to build … For the posts, I simply used some of the thicker rails and cut them in half. Drill completely through each rail using a 3/4" drill bit. If all your logs split relatively evenly, this isn't something you will need to worry about. That's all there is to it! Thanks! Repeat the process until the log has been split in half.Remember:  Controlled swings are the key. Attaching rails to the posts so they interlock inside the pre-drilled slots in the posts. For example, ones that are thick on one end and very thin on the other or pieces that spiraled as they split, usually due a knot or imperfection in the wood. So don’t fret if you’re culling from a huge pile that’s been exposed to the elements since long before Hazel McCallion’s first campaign speech. on Introduction. Can I build this on a slope? Jeff Gordon! 24 all the way! Reach out to your local government’s zoning department and tell them that you want to build a fence. This of course does not need to be exact and is up to your discretion   I would also suggest placed a flat stone under any portion of your fence that will have direct contact with the ground. Use a measuring tape to determine the length of your rails. ). After we moved into our new home, there were two problems that needed to be addressed. Pull it out and you will be left with a perfect place to begin splitting with your wedge and sledgehammer. However, if you merely plan on blocking an   area off (like my fence), it can be a bit trickier, though not too hard. Wild swings tend to lead to accidents! I went for the standard post and three rail-style. A zigzag fence requires more wood than a traditional split-rail fence but is easier to create without tools and gives your property a charming look. Build up the fence one level at a time until it is roughly 4 to 4-1/2 feet tall. Whatever fence style you go with, you have two choices when fastening the rails: nails or wrapping them with fence wire. 1 How to Build a Simple Split-Rail Fence . Currently, most split rails are made from cedar. On Cedar with mortised ends, I complete a section at a time. If you’re considering building a DIY split rail fence soon, here are seven tips to help you build fence that will make your process easier: Consider installing a split rail style gate. In this case, I went down from four, to three, and then finally two which I simply let rest on the ground. You want to select pieces that are roughly 1-1.5 feet in diameter. A split-rail fence or log fence, also known as a zigzag fence, worm fence or snake fence historically due to its meandering layout is a type of fence constructed out of timber logs, usually cut lengthwise into rails and typically used for agricultural or decorative fencing. If you’re wary of digging post-holes, a snaked fence may be the way to go. Reply I used an oak tree that uprooted during Hurricane Sandy. Traditionally American chestnut was the timber of choice until chestnut blight eliminated this tree. And they’re easily moved if you don’t like their location. Split rail fences were made of easy to split, rot-resistant wood. I sort rails by size, trying to put like pieces together. But you should be able to negotiate, especially if you’re buying more than, say, 50. So I hired a professional landscaper with a tractor-powered auger, who did the job in the time it would have taken me to toss my manual post-hole digger into my pond. Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. To start the wedge, you can look for a natural crack on the edge of the log, place the wedge over the crack and uses the sledgehammer to begin driving it in. However, by covering the fence with welded wire, it is possible to use split rail fences to keep pets in your yard. I use the thicker rails for the bottom or foundation of the fence, and use the thinner ones as I build it up. If you only have two wedges, remove the first one which will have loosened as you drove in the second. Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Typically made from split cedar logs, the fence materials have naturally random shaping and dimensions, with imperfect details and character marks that give the wood an appealing hand-hewn look. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. It’s supposed to look cobbled together. I did, however, set my posts by myself, diligently packing down the dirt around each one with a length of 2 by 4. So I guess they are common fences for keeping horses in. We have a chain link fence that provides a medium sized yard for Bear to play in but he … Mainly Dover and Pocono. Still, building a split-rail fence isn’t entirely haphazard and improvised. Building Giant Articulated Hands (carved From Wood for Social Distancing), Hearing protection (the sledgehammer hitting the wedge is surprising loud! Now, put on your safety glasses and work gloves and you are ready to begin. In addition, I wanted to recreate the experience of an early American colonist as (relatively) authentically as possible. While my neighbors' property … 7 years ago My original one was built in 2006 and was still in great shape up until a tree took it out during Hurricane Sandy. The top rail is way-y-y-y thicker than the two it is resting on? #1: Choose the style of your Split Rail Fence. Simply follow the steps on this page. Republication or distribution of this content is 2. I found mine in the classified section of a small town weekly newspaper. If a rail doesn't sit quite right, meaning it rocks or slips on the rail it's sitting on, try reversing it or using a different rail. You don't even need to bring the hammer over your head. Put a shorter section at each end to preserve the symmetry of the fence. Yes, symmetry for this kind of project isn’t only discouraged; it’s anathema. I built mine to about 2.5 feet high or 4 rails high. A grey weathered split rail fence zigzags through a lush green pasture on a beautiful summer day Split-Rail Fence Line Gettysburg Pennsylvania. I think this would be a cool project. Go with the latter! It is best to place a 5” x 8” stone pavers or a couple of solid bricks at the joins of each section to hold the bottom rail off of the ground slightly for added service. See more ideas about country fences, rail fence, split rail fence. The hardest part is behind you and now it is time to begin constructing your fence! First, we had a number of oak trees that neede… Reed Young. How to Build a Perfect Split Rail Fence On occasions when you may need to have build fences that will be less expensive and still effortless to install at your home. When assembled, the ends of the rails butt together in the middle of the posts. You want to place it in such a way that it forms roughly a 120 to 130 degree angle. I’ve knocked on farmhouse doors, which netted positive results, if not from the homeowners, then from someone they knew. Split rail’s design is simple and it’s one of the easiest fences for a first time DIYer. You can even build one without the need for nails and screws, a major benefit in wet weather climates. Thanks again! There are two traditional styles of split rail fencing, Stacked Fence and Snake Fence. Those I often cut up with a chainsaw and use for firewood. Still, building a split-rail fence isn’t entirely haphazard and improvised. Fence construction includes two or three vertical rails. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. It was pretty wierd. Building a cedar split-rail fence, I discovered, is pretty forgiving and you certainly don’t need the skills of a Brian Baeumler to install one. You can also fashion tee-pee-like supports to hold up the rails instead of posts, but the assembly can be a bit precarious as you fasten the rails to them. All Participated in the Great Outdoors Contest. Rails were stacked, in an interlocking zigzag pattern, making them sturdy and self-supporting. Virtually any type of tree will work for your fence. Then, use your tape to measure the distance of your intended fence. We don’t have a horse, but we do have a dog named Bear. We love the look of the traditional split rail fence and that it is still so popular today. Make the … Split rail fences built this way are easy to put up and take down, as needed. Once you have your logs selected and cut to the length of your choice, it's time to begin splitting! I try to got to at least 2 a year. If you have a little cost in building the fence, you can actually select the materials as your capacity. It’s cheap. Be safe, have fun, and post pictures of the fences you create! : pre-power tool) hand crafting techniques describes the process of building split-rail fences and "hurdles" or portable fences. Give the department the address of your property so they can tell you where the edges of your property line are. Weathered Split Rail Stacked Fence in Pasture. The Product Guides and Installation tab below provides detailed diagrams on both of these fence … Jul 29, 2014 - Explore Roger Hooks's board "Zigzag Stack Fences" on Pinterest. Depending on the log's thickness, you may be able to split it even further. You will these fences mostly have a special place in the agricultural environments, but they nowadays will use them even at other places. Expect to pay anywhere between two and five dollars each. presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution I’m never knew why I made the association between the two but apparently a split rail fence is also know as a horse fence. Building a split rail fence is one of the easiest fences that I've ever built. For example, wire fence, cedar split rail fence and chain link fence. Cost To Build A Split Rail Fence. Now that you have selected the rails you will use, begin laying out the first level. In fact, those materials are well-known as the cheap for installing the fence. Use the wood from the trees to create a simple split rail fence like the one I saw on the field trip. Finding rails isn’t actually as difficult as you might assume. Drive in your wedge about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way into the log and you should see and hear the log begin to crack and split. Both of these styles will affect the number of rails and posts needed for your fence. Call the city’s zoning department to find the property lines and fence laws. Finally, determine the location where you will place your posts. Hi, thanks for checking out my instructable! After laying down the first rail, place the next rail on top of one end of the first. Keep in mind, too, especially while haggling, that unless you’re penning a wildebeest, the difference in the quality of rails is negligible. A split rail fence is a great way to add security, enclosure, and beauty to your property. The price of your split rail fence will vary widely depending on the quality of wood you use. To order expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Add some wire mesh to make the enclosure more secure. I cut each log to approximately 6 feet in length. There should be a space between each post that is the same length as the length of your rails. My simple ranch-style home was in desperate need of discipline. However, it is far easier to take your maul and strike the edge of the log with moderate force. After your fence has extended past the area that you wanted to isolate, begin stepping down the number of rails you go. Stacked split-rail fences connect rails in a zigzag pattern, where the rails stack together at the post section. Whether of chestnut or cedar, these logs were cut to a length of 10 to 12 feet and split down the length of the log. Length is up to you. It only takes a few seconds and will give your fence extra stability. As it forces itself deeper into the log, you can take another wedge and repeat the process. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com. The split rail fence is simple to construct, which is why it was so popular with the early ranchers. This fencing has the beauty that has proven itself through the centuries. I will say that it is not meant to be climbed, which is part of the reason that I keep it at 2.5 feet high (so I can easily step over it if necessary). if I Can, do I need to keep the fence level going up a hill? Images of famous Civil War battles often contain images that show split-rail fences in the background. The average cost, depending on where you live and what materials you purchase, will be anywhere from $12-20 per linear foot, when professionally installed. Take the other rails and lay them on top of each other, gradually increasing your fence in height. Another option is to use a hatchet to flatten the rail where it contacts the other. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about Building A Split Rail Fence How to properly dig post holes and set the posts when constructing a splt rail fence. # of Rails. how stable is the fence? Making the fence must not use the expensive materials and design. There are guidelines — calling them rules might be a bit of a stretch — that’ll make the whole project go a lot smoother and save you some frustration. My least favorite driver: Kyle Busch, 7 years ago Get all your directions ready and make sure you have all the pieces, tools, and supplies you need to begin your project. In fact, these fences are popular on rough, rocky terrain, such as that found in Haliburton. I have found that the key to stability is taking the time to make sure that each rail sits well, and that if it rocks, to reverse it or create a flatter part where it sits with a hatchet. 2 years ago Style of Fence. Split rail fences come in a variety of wood choices and sizes. I actually saw Jeff win at Pocono in 2011.