Horizontal Privacy Fence: 4 Steps to Building a Horizontal Fence

Horizontal fences are made up of a multitude of lengthwise slats (or fence boards) affixed to vertical fence posts. Rather than consisting of a long row of individual boards or pickets in the ground vertically (called a vertical fence), horizontal fence design makes use of mainly sideways boards to demark the perimeter of an area. Horizontal fencing can give any area of your property a stylish, modern look.

Horizontal fencing can also provide you with a unique look, a fair amount of adaptability based on your needs, and the overall outdoor living space you desire. For example, building a fence in your backyard can give you some privacy, or a garden fence gate in your front yard can give your house some curb appeal.

Horizontal fences are built by placing wooden boards on top of each other lengthwise and anchoring them to vertical posts in the ground, whereas vertical fences are made up of various styles of boards or pickets standing side by side. Here are additional differences to consider if you’re trying to decide which fence design idea is the right new fence for your home improvement needs:

• Durability: Vertical fences are subject to wood rot at their bases and prone to weather damage at their tops, at least so long as wood fence posts are being used. Since horizontal fences are often held together and enclosed with metal fence posts, they aren’t exposed to adverse weather conditions as extremely. Additionally, these metal posts dig into the ground instead of the wood, preventing rot from taking over.
• Privacy: A horizontal wood fence is very amenable to maximum privacy. The key here is to ensure the fence panels are aligned so closely with each other that they block out external viewing. While it’s clear a traditional horizontal wood privacy fence gets the job done quite well, it’s not impossible to achieve the peace and quiet you’re hoping for with a vertical fence. Vertical fence pickets are often more spaced out than horizontal slat fence panels, but they can be brought closer together—and boards or pickets, which differ in width and shape, can be used for either style. Wood fencing isn’t a must, either—even chain link fences can be outfitted with privacy screens (generally made of mesh fabric) to keep nosy neighbors or prowlers at bay.
• Openness: Horizontal boards may not be the best pick if you’re hoping for open space. They reduce visibility, fostering an atmosphere of seclusion rather than invitation and make a bolder landscaping statement than their vertical counterparts (whose boards are often spaced farther apart). If privacy isn’t a big concern, it’s worth considering a vertical fence—after all, a vertical picket fence with ample spacing harkens back to a time many consider to be more open and neighborly than the present.
• Difficulty of installation: Any DIY fence installation will pose challenges. If you’re installing your fence on a flat area, either type of fencing will do—but for uneven ground, vertical fencing remains the more solid choice. It’s harder to ensure horizontal boards remain level over bumpy and inconsistent terrain. Whichever fence type you choose, a retaining wall can help with stability. If all installment or terrain issues are taken care of, the durability, style, and solitude afforded by a horizontal fence may be worth overcoming any initial difficulties.
• Style: If you're looking for a decidedly modern fence, you may choose the horizontal variety, which better complements contemporary home decor.

Building a horizontal fence is a challenge, but you can prepare yourself for the task. Let these steps give you a head start in planning:

1. 1. Determine the style. DIY projects of any sort are demanding, so it’s important you plan accordingly. Watch tutorials and advice videos from multiple home improvement enthusiasts to get an idea of just what you want to build specifically. Maybe you’re torn between building a western red cedar fence or one made of ipe or redwood. Gleaning as much information and seeing as many styles as you can will help you narrow down what you want specifically.
2. 2. Establish your boundaries. Measure the distance around your yard in increments suitable to the board length. Along the way, lay something on the ground to mark where the horizontal fence will be installed, noting especially the points at which fence posts will be staked at each side of your horizontal boards. Once you have determined your style of fence and the extent of your boundaries, you will be able to procure materials.
3. 3. Stake your posts. Dig some post holes at the corners of the boundaries you’ve established of the same depth. Put your posts in the ground and anchor them with dry concrete or another mixture. Ensure the posts are level by using a string or some other mechanism to determine whether all the posts lay flat or not.
4. 4. Install your boards. Starting from the bottom up, begin nailing or drilling your boards to the posts. Use a leveler and/or a second pair of eyes to make sure each slat is installed straight. Consider using a spacer if you don’t want your boards to sit snugly atop each other. Once you finish installing the boards for your wooden fence, decide whether you want to leave it at that or add paint, post caps (ornaments for the top of your fence posts), or further decoration into the mix.

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