July 10, 2011
I've NEVER seen it built right, until I did it!  Surely there must be somebody else out there that has figured this out; this is too much of a common sense issue for me to be the first.  Right?

First, please ask yourself if it's really necessary to put those vertical boards on both sides of the fence.  Some people consider that the framed side is less beautiful than the other side of the fence.  As the builder I must disagree.  My framing lines are parallel, posts are evenly spaced when possible, my framing sides are visually perfect!  Plus intruders or peeping Toms don't have the "ladder" of the framing side if it's kept facing your residence.

But if you absolutely insist on a double-sided vertical board fence, there is a correct way to build it. 

There are twice as many boards on the fence so you need closer post spacing than you'd normally have for a single-sided fence.  This is because the fence will be much heavier, and there will be much more stress on the posts when somebody hops over the fence, shakes the fence, or during windy weather that will challenge your fence.

A special rail (horizontal frame member) configuration is also called for.  You need a flat rail to provide a nailing surface for both sides.  But you also need more vertical (anti-sagging) strength since the rails are now holding up boards on both sides.  Plain flat rails will definitely sag and so will your fence!

Well I'm going to name it since I haven't seen it and I've built it already!  WoodFenceExpert.com Custom "T-Rails" is both an accurate name and description!  Check out the photos and explanation below!



Yes that's a 2"x6" centered below that top 2"x4" rail, positioned for long term strength against sagging!  It's fastened to the 2"x4" above with heavy duty framing screws making it effectively one single rail, a "T-Rail"!  It also provides additional fastening opportunities to the post by toe-screwing.  That's a very strong and appropriate rail for a two-sided vertical board fence, wouldn't you agree?  Don't shortcut it by using only a 2"x4" underneath-you need the additional strength of a 2"x6"-remember it's holding up boards on both sides, twice the weight of a single sided fence!  And it's more like eight times the weight during a soggy rainy season!

Bottom rail too?  You know it!  Nothing is too good for my customers!  Here's the photo.



Closer post spacing plus WoodFenceExpert.com Custom T-Rails is how you correctly frame for a two-sided vertical board fence!  I figured this one out on-the-fly last year when a prospective customer wanted the quote to have the two-sided option!  Didn't get that one, too bad for them-I'm sure their builder went the cheap way with single flat 2"x4"s designed to sag and fail. 

This small cluster of customers knew they were taking to quality and honest building techniques when we met!  Very nice little condo/townhouse complex in Playa Del Rey, and there, almost done!



There were other quality / technical issues at this jobsite where we eventually triumphed as usual.  All but one of these are detailed on either my website, my BLOG here or both.  The unmentioned quality issue/building technique I reserve for a later publication.  Sorry competitors, I've schooled you amply thus far!

So who do you trust to build your new wood fence right-correctly so it lasts?  You have only two choices:  WoodFenceExpert.com,    or somebody else.


Let Me Help You Build It Right!

Get My Full, Undivided Attention on Your Project With a LIVE 1-on-1 Phone Consultation with Me!  

Step 1
Sign up for a Dwolla account, like PayPal but much better!
Set up Your Dwolla account and put enough money in it to
cover the time block that you want.
Here's the link!  https://www.dwolla.com/

Step 2
Email me a couple of photos and/or drawings if possible, send them to me at Stefan@WoodFenceExpert.com

Step 3
Purchase a Time Block for your LIVE 1-on-1 Phone Consultation with me.
15 (Fifteen) Minutes: $20.00
30 (Thirty) Minutes:  $40.00
60 (Sixty) Minutes:   $80.00
After you've got your Dwolla account you can pay here:
https://www.dwolla.com/hub/woodfenceexpert

Step 4
Call me on my cell at 310-717-2000 to schedule our LIVE consultation. 
Please remember I'm in Los Angeles, so I'm in the Pacific time zone. 
I'll need up to a day maybe two, to verify your payment and
review your photos and/or drawings.

Step 5
I will call you at our scheduled time with your photos and/or drawings right in front of me.  Please have a pen and paper ready so we can go fast and not waste your money.  It also may be best to be at your laptop or computer with a high-speed connection.   

Note 1:
If we don't use all of your time block on the call, I will note and track the unused portion for you to have on account with me for a future 1-on-1 consultation with me!  
Note 2:
I'm in construction, I'm not an accountant.  Please don't ask me to transfer an unused, left-over slice of your time block to somebody else.  Pizza?  Sure I'll take a left-over slice.  But let's not pass around slices of time blocks.
Note 3:
You early birds got it for free (You know who you are!).  No problem, I love to build them right; I also love to help other people build them right too!  But now this is part of my job so I've got to charge you like everybody else.  
Note 4:
I promise to do my very best with you!

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