A garden fence is not always the same as a garden fence. Very different fence shapes have emerged worldwide over the course of time, some of which have had a decisive influence on the overall picture of individual cultural landscapes. The idea of fencing your own property originally comes from England, while in other countries dry stone walls, hedges or moats were used. The oldest fence types in the Alps include wattle and fences, which can still occasionally be found in traditional farmhouses. At that time, these fences were mainly used to keep livestock and protect them from predators.
Build your own fence Garden
Your own garden fence is therefore not only a decorative element, it also clearly indicates to the outside where a private property begins. Higher fences serve as privacy screens against prying eyes. If you build your own wooden garden fence, you will have an individually designed property line when it is completed – and you will have saved a lot of money.
Before you jump into the project – do you already know what type of fence you want and need? There are different types of fences, we present the most common ones here.
- The Jägerzaun, also known as the Scherenzaun. Is made of semicircular slats, which are screwed in two layers crosswise. The finished fence can be pushed together like an accordion and can therefore vary in height and width. The height is therefore quite limited, which means that it is not necessarily suitable as a privacy fence.
- As the name suggests, the privacy fence forbids protection from prying eyes. A wide variety of variations can also be designed with prefabricated elements, so you can decide for yourself how much perspective the fence offers.
- The picket fence is often made of oak or chestnut wood. The fence is often sold commercially with the elements already tied together.
- The picket fence, the most popular type of fence for many garden lovers. Built from semi-circular or flat slats, freely selectable in height and design and next to the hunter’s fence the most popular variant of fencing a property.
Which shape you ultimately choose depends on how much space the fence itself needs and what type of fence you prefer.
Wood – the ideal material for your garden fence
No building material is easier to work with by hand than wood. Coated or impregnated wood is also weatherproof and has a pleasant, natural look. Overgrown with tendrils or hung with planters, the wooden garden fence blends seamlessly into nature.
In order to save money when building your own fence, it is worth buying natural wooden elements that still need to be painted. We recommend painting the wood once before assembly and then a second time after assembly so you really catch all the depths.
What do I need to build a garden fence?
- Ground impact sleeves, possibly with cover collars
- Wooden posts (about every 1.5 to 2 m)
- Crossbars as needed
- Wooden fence slats
- stainless steel screws
- stainless nails
- Wood paint for outdoor use
Our tip: the best posts and slats made of larch wood for your fence. Call us, we would be happy to advise you on your project!
The right tool
- Rocks, spray paint, or plumb line
- Sledgehammer, hammer and impactor made of rubber or wood
- ruler and pencil
- level
- 1 strong cordless screwdriver or drill
- Saw (preferably a good table saw)
- Paint brush
Our tip: Buying good tools is not exactly cheap. If you don’t need it regularly, we recommend that you save the money and borrow the tools you need from a neighbor or hardware store you trust.
Build a wooden fence yourself – that’s how it works
- Marking
the course of the fence Measure the course of the fence with a ruler and mark it with stones, spray paint or, ideally, a guide line . This is the only way you can be sure that your fence runs exactly parallel to the property line. - Drive in the sockets into the ground Drive the sockets into the ground
with the sledgehammer along the marked path . This only works in soil that offers no particular resistance. Otherwise you have to dig holes with a spade and concrete the posts . Ensure that the impact sleeves are evenly spaced , which should be around 1.5 to 2 m . Larger distances carry the risk that the wooden garden fence may become wobbly . Use a suitable one as a driving aid
Block of wood or a special rubber pad that fits into the top of the ground socket. Level each ground socket using the spirit level. - Fastening fence posts
Insert suitable fence posts into the ground sockets. If you have to use the sledgehammer again for this, then pad the hitting face sufficiently so as not to damage the wood . A folded cloth is ideal for this. - Adjust Crossbars
Measure the exact spot on each post where you will attach your crossbars to keep everything straight. Mark the area with a pencil. - Screw on crossbars
Now screw on your crossbars . This is easier to do if a second person helps you hold on. Insert two stainless steel screws into each batten end to ensure a secure connection to the fence post . Before finally screwing in, use the spirit level to check that everything is really straight. - Nailing the fence slats Now nail your fence
slats at regular intervals . Apply the spirit level here as well and make sure that the rungs are level at the top and bottom. - Finishing
coat Choose a color of your choice for your finishing coat . Glazes maintain the beautiful wood character because the grain shows through. They penetrate deep enough into the wood to protect it. Paint your fence several times to keep the weather away from the wood for as long as possible. Also look for fungicidal additives in your paint to actively fight mold.
