How to Build a Privacy Fence on a Budget
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A privacy fence allows you to have gatherings with friends and family without disturbing neighbors. For this project, I am partnering with The Home Depot to show you how to build this simple and affordable project. Let me show you how to build a privacy fence on a budget!
Last year, when we built our deck, it elevated our outdoor space significantly to the point that we were lacking some of the privacy we needed when gathering with friends and family. A privacy fence is a great solution as it is affordable and it can be customized to your style.
Materials Needed
- Impact driver
- Exterior deck screws (1 1/2 inch)
- Olympic Maximum stain + sealant
- Post base
- 4×4 Cedar Posts
- Cedar boards for the fence (6 inch)
- Measuring tape
- Paint pan
- Paint brush
First Step: Stain Boards
The stain you use in an outdoor project is very important. Since the boards will be exposed to the elements, you will want to use a stain that is waterproof and does well in extreme temperatures. For this project, I am using an all-in-one stain and sealer by Olympic Maximum in the color Mystic Black. I like this brand because it has an amazing warranty, it is fungal resistant and it can be applied in low temperatures (35 degrees)
It is easier to stain the boards before installing them; pour the stain into a paint pan and with a paint brush, apply stain to the boards. I applied two coats
Second Step: Install Baseboards
For the base of the post, we cut a 10 x 10 inch piece of cedar wood and mounted it to the framing of the deck underneath. Then, we screwed a 4×4 post base on top of that piece, added the 4×4 post to the brace and screwed it in place making sure it was level along the process
Third Step: Installing the boards
When adding the boards, start at the bottom. We used a level to make sure everything looked neat and straight. This is very important at the beginning of the project to avoid any complications later on. We attached the rest of the boards leaving a ½ inch gap in between the boards.
Fourth Step: Finishing touches
To finish off this space, I added vertical boards to cover all the screws. I also added plants along the fence and solar powered lights. Now I have a more private space that I can enjoy with friends and family!
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Many cities and even HOAs have fence height limits, and this is a short fence. Anyone wanting to build one that exceeds the adjacent fence height (and that fence height is a suggestion of the city requirements…) should check with the city before building a panel that exceeds the height of the adjacent fence or they might end up having to shorten it. That would be a shame to have to go through that work when it could be prevented ahead of time.
Yes that goes without saying that everyone should check with their city first. We did that and are within our limits. Thank you for the reminder Janet!
Hi! How do you attach the boards that cover the screw and what size boards are they. What size are the top boards? Are they screwed on? Great looking project!ðŸ‘ðŸ½
Thank you! I used a nail gun! and they are 1×4 cedar boards!
This website is super annoying. Trying to read your beautiful blog post and some gray background scrolls to keep me from reading. It’s a turn off to have to subscribe just to read a post.
Thank you for lett me know!
Amazing! You should add a level and those spacer things to the list of materials though
I’d never heard of spacers
How did you attach the vertical boards that cover the screws and what size are these boards?
Hey Shannon! I just used outdoor screws and not worried that they were covered up (there were black) and they were 1X4 sizes!
What type of board did you place on top?
Hello Shannon! I used a 1×4 pine board. You can also use the cedar boards!
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