Fences and Gates
Fences and their pass-through gates are a good way to define the boundaries of your property. They are also useful at keeping things either in or out.
Sometimes, as is the case with the “stile and rail” fence pictured here, a fence may be added largely for esthetic appeal, serving no practical purpose at all, except, perhaps, as something to lean on.
Hunterstruct designs and builds all manner of wood fencing. Although pre-built factory panels are a common method, the possibilities for variety are almost endless.
View Fences And Gates
Fencing Facts: A Fence In Good Standing
If there is a single criterion crucial to the task of fencing, it is the need to ensure the fence is well founded. As is the case with any tall, thin structure, the forces of nature such as wind, frost and insects work tirelessly to undermine your fence’s stability.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to counter these effects of nature. The first is ensuring posts are deeply embedded in surrounding earth, preferably in a concrete base.
A simple experiment proves the value of this stabilising technique: push a pencil into the earth just slightly past its point, and you can push it over easily; but, embed it to half its length, and you will probably break the pencil with the next push.
Setting posts to a minimum depth of 18 inches performs another function: it prevents what is known as “frost heave”- a situation in which water surrounding post bases freezes, then expands, distorting a fence’s originally straight lines over time.
Setting posts in concrete also stabilizes fencing, first, by countering the weight of the fence above with its mass, and second, by separating the wooden post base from destructive soil bacteria.
Attention to these fine points of fence building will increase the life of your fence, keeping this investment in your property in good standing for years to come, regardless of what you want your fence to do.
