Building a Horizontal Fence

 

When it comes to fences, most people prefer to play it safe and stick with a vertical fence. That’s because building a horizontal fence is no easy task. Now, don’t get me wrong. Vertical fences are beautiful, strong, and can last a long time. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a vertical fence. On the other hand, there are those of you who enjoy the unique curb appeal of a horizontal fence and all of the intricate details that come with it. If you’re one of those people, then congratulations, you have great taste! But before you jump in the pool, you might want to test the water because horizontal fences are a lot trickier than your traditional vertical fence. So in this blog, we’re going to go over the three most important stages you need to know before you start building a horizontal fence. 

A Few Basics

Before we jump in, let’s go over a few basic steps. Regardless of the type of fence you decide to build, you’ll need to go through the following basic steps:

• Pulling a permit with the city
• Checking the rules of your HOA (if you have one)
• Choosing the best materials (consider pre-stained wood)
• And checking the weather forecast before scheduling your job

One of my favorite quotes is from Abraham Lincoln. Honest Abe: If you give me six hours to cut down a tree, I will spend 4 hours sharpening my axe. I love that quote! President Lincoln knew that preparation is the key to success. Building a horizontal fence is no exception. To get you prepared for smooth sailing, let’s take a look at step number one.

 

1- Survey The Field

Do you have an existing fence that needs to go? Is your current fence a six-foot or eight-foot tall fence? Is any part of your fence a shared fence? Are there any gas, plumbing, or cables near the fence line where you’ll be digging? Get to know your property thoroughly before you start sawing and hammering away. Trust me, a proper field survey only takes a moment of your time. As a result, you’ll be enjoying your backyard and that big, beautiful fence sooner than later.

Fence Removal

If you have an old fence, you’ll need to plan and budget to demo it and have it hauled off. It’s probably a good idea to know where the closest appropriate dump is before you tear down the fence. If you have an HOA (I know this keeps coming up), check to see if they require a temporary fence during construction.

Fence Height

For a six-foot-tall fence, you’ll want your posts eight feet apart. But for an eight-foot-tall fence, you’ll want your posts six feet apart. For obvious reasons, an eight-foot-tall fence is going to be more susceptible to wind; therefore, you’ll want to space the posts closer together. If privacy is a concern, then your best bet is to opt for an eight-foot-tall fence.

Shared Fence Line

You don’t want any bad blood in the neighborhood, so be courteous and check with your neighbor if you have a shared fence that you need to take down. They may have children, a pool, or pets that the fence is keeping safe. Have a good discussion with them if you plan on taking down their fence. Share your vision for the project timeline—when do you see the new fence standing tall and fully complete?

Call Before You Dig

Safety always comes first. Let’s do the right thing and keep everyone safe. Take a minute out of your day to call 811 or visit Texas811.org before you dig. You’ll kick off your project with confidence, knowing you won’t accidentally hit a gas or power line—and cause a blackout or end up with an unexpected trip to the ER.

2- Designing Your Horizontal Fence 

Let’s be real—building a horizontal fence isn’t a walk in the park. Unlike vertical fences that can hide little mistakes here and there, horizontal fences are brutally honest. One wrong cut, and it shows. Big time. That’s why precision is everything. You’ll be measuring twice and cutting once for every single board—rails, top caps, pickets, all of it. Post placement? Critical. Gate selection? Make it count. Picket spacing? Even a half-inch off can throw off the whole look. With a horizontal design, every detail is on full display, so take your time and build it right. Your future self (and your fence) will thank you.

Post Placement

Remember what we discussed earlier about fence height? We’re not done. By now, your city or HOA may have determined whether the poles have to face inside or outside. If there are no governing bodies sanctioning your design, face your poles wherever you like. We recommend that you position them on the inside for easy access.

 

Bonus Tip – Don’t Cut Corners

If you’re building a horizontal fence that is eight feet tall and board on board, you will need to dig at least two and a half cubic feet into the ground and use at least one and a half bags of concrete.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you! Take a look at the picture below and see what 60mph wind did to this fence that was not installed properly:

Gate Selection

Which way do your posts face? That’s going to decide which way your gate swings—so plan wisely! And if you’re going for an 8-foot-tall fence, here’s a tip: think about making the gate just a bit shorter. A tall fence with a tall, board-on-board gate might look impressive, but it’s also going to be heavy. Like, slam-shut-every-time-it-closes heavy. That kind of repeated banging isn’t just annoying—it’ll wear out your hinges and hardware way faster than you’d like. A slightly shorter gate can save you a lot of future headaches (and a few repair bills).

Picket Spacing

This right here? It’s the showstopper—the crown jewel of your horizontal fence. It’s the #1 reason people choose this style: clean lines, modern look, total curb appeal. But here’s the catch—it takes precision. We’re talking laser-straight cuts, perfectly spaced pickets (yep, like a human template), and spot-on leveling every step of the way. Sounds like a lot? That’s because it is. But trust us—it’s 100% worth it.

And hey, you’re human. Mistakes will happen. That’s why you always buy a little extra—what we in construction call the “waste factor.” Some boards will end up as firewood, and that’s normal. Just make sure you budget and plan so you’re not making a dozen runs back to the hardware store. Save yourself the stress—and the gas money.

3- The Finishing Touches On Your Horizontal Fence

Honestly, it’s the little things that make building a horizontal fence so satisfying. After all the lifting, hammering, and sawdust-in-your-eyes action, the final walkthrough is where the magic happens. This is your chance to catch anything that slipped through the cracks—like a loose picket, a warped piece of trim after a surprise rainstorm, or that gate handle you swore you already installed (but didn’t). So before you pack up your tools and pat yourself on the back, take one last victory lap around your masterpiece. Let’s make sure this fence isn’t just good—it’s built to last.

 

Loose Pickets

It’s not uncommon to come across a few stubborn pickets that don’t quite want to stay in place. Take your time and carefully inspect each one to ensure they’re properly secured. They don’t need to be overly tight—just snug enough to stay put without shifting. If you used ring shank nails (which is the smart move), you’re in good shape—those are designed to hold firm and resist loosening over time. And keep in mind, there’s no need to overdo it with screws; an overly rigid fence can actually create more problems down the line. Smart fastening is all about balance—secure, but with enough flexibility to endure the elements.

Warped Wood

As I mentioned earlier, and it’s worth repeating, tiny issues stand out big time when it comes to a horizontal fence. Be sure to look at the fence at every angle, up and down. Look for warped wood that may not be sitting flush. I know the idea of redoing an area sounds exhausting. But we warned you. These are the little fine details that you’ll want to get right. Take your time and replace any warped wood, and you’ll have a fence that won’t be shifting anytime soon.

 

Hardware

Beauty and functionality should always go hand in hand—and your hardware is what brings that harmony to life. When you’re choosing where to place something as simple as a gate handle, think beyond just aesthetics. Place it where it feels natural to reach—not just for you, but for your kids, the gardener, the delivery person, or anyone else who might use it. A beautiful fence should make life easier, not more frustrating. If the design gets in the way of how you use it, it won’t feel right for long. The best designs aren’t just nice to look at—they feel right. Thoughtful details, practical choices, and small moments of ease? That’s what makes something truly beautiful.

 

Bonus Tip – Pole Wraps Look Amazing On A Horizontal Fence

To add a touch of style and class to your poles facing inside, consider fence pole wraps. Fence pole wraps are an elegant, thoughtful design that adds extra beauty to a fence. We think it’s worth every penny.

Wrapping Things Up

And there you have it—the three most important stages of building a beautiful horizontal fence. We’d love to dive into every tiny detail, but let’s be honest… that would turn this into a small novel! The good news is, with a little preparation, thoughtful planning, and patience, you’re well on your way to creating a fence that not only stands strong but turns heads on your street.

If you have any questions, need guidance, or just want a little creative inspiration—we’re here for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us. We’re always happy to help you bring your vision to life, one board at a time.