How To Install Shadow Box Fence

A shadowbox fence is the right choice if you desire a neighbor-friendly wood fence that looks the same on both sides. It's considered a "semi-privacy" way, which means you get some privacy along with some flow of calorie-free and air. In this web log, we'll explicate how to build a shadowbox contend panel using individual components, or "stick building" the panel. This is a good option if you demand to customize panel widths or want follow the contours of a sloped landscape.

Let's get started.

How to Build a Shadowbox Debate Panel Using Pickets

Stride 1 – Preparation.

The beginning step in any fence projection is checking your local ordinances and regulations and calling utility companies to marker any clandestine cables and pipes. It's also a good idea to talk to your neighbors along the debate line about the projection. Wondering what proper fence etiquette is? Check out our blog on the topic.

Step 2 – Gather tools and materials.

To build this fence, you'll need the follow woods materials:

4x4 posts
3 – viii ft. backer rails per department (these are typically pressure level-treated 2x4s)
half dozen ft. pickets

Wondering how much contend material you need? Utilise our helpful guide.

You'll need tools:

Cordless drill
Hammer or nail gun (with compressor)
3-ane/2 in. wood screws for attaching the backer runway to the posts
1-1/ii in. ring shank nails or screws for attaching the pickets to the backer rail
Tape measure
Pencil
Level
2 in. piece of flake wood for spacing picket off the ground

If you haven't set your posts, yous'll too need concrete, gravel and a post hole digger.

Step 3 – Install your posts.

Properly-installed posts are crucial to the long-term success of your fence. We recommend setting the posts in concrete. Bank check out our How to Dig Mail service Holes and Set Posts for assist with installation.

Step 4 – Measure and mark backer rail locations.

For a half dozen ft. tall privacy argue, measure and mark one of your posts 11-i/2 in., 37-ane/4 in., and 63 in. off the ground.

Use a backer rail with a level to marking the aforementioned heights on the other post. This way you lot tin can avert being thrown off by uneven basis.

Step five – Adhere the backer rails to the posts.

Attach your backer rails to the posts on your marks using 3-1/two in. forest screws. Nosotros're installing the capitalist track betwixt the posts to maintain a neighbour-friendly look and in a flat orientation to exist flush with the posts. Use 2 screws per backer rail on each side. Drive the screws in at about a thirty degree bending.

Stride 6 – Adhere the pickets to the backer rails.

At present it's time to attach the pickets. We recommend using a nail gun. If you don't accept a nail gun, yous can manually hammer in the nails or drive in screws. Place your first watch against the backer runway and make sure it's at least 2 in. off the footing. Use a 2 in. slice of scrap wood to check your spacing. Check for level and plumb. Bulldoze ii nails or screws through the picket into each capitalist track.

We're spacing our pickets 3-1/2 in. apart. To save time and have the guesswork out of spacing, nosotros built a jig out of a 2x4. It will hang on the summit backer rail to ensure we have equal spacing betwixt each picket. Considering the backer rail are flush with the posts, we can maintain consistent spacing downward the entire fence run without stopping for the posts.

Hang the jig on the top backer rail confronting the start picket and butt the second picket up side by side to it. Check for level and plumb, and so attach that picket to the backer rail. Follow this along the fence run, check for plumb and level every iii-four pickets.

Repeat this process on the other side of the capitalist rails, starting from the other end of the contend. Attach your pickets and check for level and plumb as you lot get.