Quck answer
Building a fence on a slope requires careful planning and preparation. Here are the key steps to follow:
1. Measure and mark the boundary: Determine the area where you want to build the fence and mark the boundary using stakes and string.
2. Determine the slope: Measure the slope to determine how much the fence will need to be adjusted. This will help you decide the type of fence and the materials needed.
3. Choose the right materials: Select materials that can accommodate the slope, such as adjustable fence panels or stepped fence sections. Ensure the materials are durable and suitable for your specific needs.
4. Prepare the ground: Clear any vegetation or debris from the area and level the ground as much as possible. This will provide a solid foundation for the fence.
5. Install the posts: Set the posts at regular intervals, making sure they are plumb and securely anchored. Use a level to ensure they are straight.
6. Install the fence sections: Attach the fence sections to the posts, following the slope of the land. Adjust the sections as needed to maintain a consistent height and appearance.
7. Add finishing touches: Secure the fence sections with screws or nails, and add any desired finishing touches such as gates or decorative elements.
Building a fence on a slope requires extra attention to detail, but with proper planning and execution, you can create a functional and visually appealing fence that complements the landscape.
There are three options for building a fence on sloped ground. The first option is to follow the slope of the ground with the fence line, which is called raking. The second option is to keep the fence line horizontal and create steps to follow the ground. The third option is a combination of the first two, where the rails follow the ground while the slats remain vertical. Raking is suitable for shallow slopes, while the stepped approach works best on steep slopes.
Considering the Type of Fence
When building a wood fence with slats and rails, you can choose to rake or step the sections between posts. However, if you are using fencing panels, you are limited to the stepped approach. The typical spacing for wood and metal fences is 8 feet, but when using the step method on a steep slope, you may need to reduce the spacing to avoid long posts on the downslope side.
If you are installing a chain-link or metal fence, the angles of the rails are usually adjustable. However, if the slope exceeds 12 inches across a 6-foot length, the stepped method is usually necessary. Raking a chain-link fence requires additional work as the ends of the metal mesh need to be cut at an angle.
Using the Step Method
Step 1: Begin on the Highest Ground
Set the first post and secure it. Mark a point 4 inches from the ground and use a string to mark the location of the next post. Level the string, measure the distance from the ground, and subtract 4 inches.
Step 2: Cut the Next Post
Cut the post for the next location longer than the first post. Remember to add an extra third of that distance to the bottom of the post to allow for deeper setting. Set the post level and use it to determine the length of the third post, and so on.
Step 3: Install Rails, Panels, or Sections of Metal Fencing
Use the 4-inch marker on the first post as a reference for the bottom corner of the first wood panel or section of metal fencing. If you are building a picket or slat-and-rail wood fence, attach one end of the bottom rail at that mark and extend the rail to the next post, ensuring it is level. The top rail will be automatically level if it is the same distance from the bottom rail on both posts.
Step 4: Attach Slats
Before attaching each slat to the rails with screws, ensure it is vertical using a level. This is important for slat-and-rail or picket fences. The level can also be used to ensure that the top of each slat is at the same level as the others before attaching it.
Step 5: Close the Opening
To prevent animals from passing through the fence, you need to fill the gap underneath the panel or bottom rail. There are a few ways to do this. One option is to attach horizontal boards to the bottom rail and one of the posts. Another option is to staple wire mesh to the bottom railing. Alternatively, you can construct raised planters along the bottom edge to block the gap.
Using the Rake Method
Step 1: Position and Set the Posts
The posts can be the same length, or you can cut them to different lengths to ensure the top of the fence is level. If you choose the latter option, which is best for gently sloping ground, start with the highest ground. Cut the post to the height of the fence, set it in place, measure its height, and stretch a line level to the next post. Measure the height of the line above the ground and add the extra distance plus one third to the length of the next post.
Tip
While it may waste wood, another option is to make all the posts longer than necessary and then cut them level after setting them all.
Step 2: Angle the Rail Ends
Before attaching the metal rails to the posts with appropriate fasteners, adjust the holders on the ends of the rails to the correct angles. If you are installing a wood fence, use a circular saw to bevel the ends of the rails before attaching them to the posts with screws.
Step 3: Install the Fence
When installing a chain-link fence with metal mesh, cut the ends of the mesh at an angle so that they follow the rails while remaining straight in relation to the posts. For wood fences, install wood slats or pickets at a consistent distance from the ground. You can set them vertically or perpendicular to the rails. If you choose the former option, you may need to cut the bottoms to match the slope of the ground.
