How to Build a Welded Wire Fence – Easy
Introduction
Vinyl coated welded wire fencing is a good alternative to chain link fencing. I discovered the vinyl coated wire fence when searching for a solution to enclose my backyard for my dog. The quotes I recieved for chain link were outrageous, do-it-yourself chain link requires more labor and special tools, and I really do not like the aesthetic appearance of chain link.
A welded wire fence can be constructed with simple tools and it is easily stretched and cut to fit. If you’re attempting to make a fence for your dog on a limited budget, with limited tools, and even a limited skillset, vinyl coated welded wire fence could be your answer.
I found it difficult to get wire fence installation information, even from the companies producing the fencing or the stores selling the material. I used instructions from the construction of other types of fences for the frame and then trial and error to install the wire fabric. Considering I had a hard time finding examples and directions, I thought that an article about how I did it could help others. If you disagree with how I did the fence, all constructive comments are welcome.
Keep in mind that welded wire mesh can be used with many different types of fencing, not just the post and rail style fence that I did. Some ideas are
- Split Rail Fencing – this looks really good when combined with coated wire weld fence
- Cedar fencing
- Metal posts – doesn’t look good, but very inexpensive
Tools Required
- Post Hole Diggers
- Long heavy steel bar – sometimes referred to as a potato bar. A good one costs around $80.
- Staple gun and a LARGE box of staples
- Level
- Tape Measure
- Post Level – special L-shaped level that’s banded to a 4×4
- Drill with screw driver end attachments
- Adjustable Wrench – also named a Crescent wrench
- Circular Saw
- Saw Horses
- Extension Cords
- Long string
- Optional
- Power auger
- Reciprocating Saw – sometimes referred to as a Sawsall
Materials Required
- 4X4 treated posts
- 2X4 treated lumber
- 3 inch deck screws
- 1 80 pound bag of concrete for every 3 foot hole
- Vinyl Coated Welded Wire Fence Fabric
- Staples
- 1X4 treated boards (the same number as the number of rails).
- Gate hinges and latches
- L-brackets for 2X4′s (used to make the gate frames)
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Hey, cool site and good info. Thanks for posting. One question I still have is how to attach the top and bottom rails to the corner post. Didn’t see any corners in your fence. Want to keep all the rails attached to inside of post, so am guessing a 2×6 scabbed on the outside of 4×4 corner post is my only option. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also would like to add that I chose to sharpen the end of my post with a chain saw and drive them into the ground like giant tent stakes, (of course that was before the summer heat had baked the ground to the consistency of asphalt). Traded the cost of concrete and the time of digging holes, for sore back and arms from the homemade post driver (weighted mettle tube with handles and a cap on one end, same as you’d use to drive steel post only larger).
Anyway, thanks again for posting.