JETcarpentry: Interstate Fence in N.Portland

After a few re-draws and estimations for design and materials, the client and I came up with something in their price range and my design / build wheelhouse.

3 Gates and 40 feet of area to finally enclose a lovely yard to give the client's some much deserved privacy.


Flush cutting 1/2" dowels

My first site visit proved encouraging. They most surely needed SOMETHING there to tie in the property. The lovely green lawn abruptly ended and a mixed array of low pet fencing was the only thing preventing the dogs and kids from wandering into the neighbor's wild and neglected yard.

Time to make a wood wall

The client was very wise to paint the pressure treated posts black. This matched the hardware and will serve to protect the wood even more. It also avoids the awful contrast that Cedar and Pressure Treated lumber face after several years of sun and rain. Bright Orange, chemically stained wood and the natural grey patina of Cedar. Painting a square post is quite simple--since they need to stand alone for a few days while the concrete sets up.

What a difference

With 3 gates in the design, the wall would need to be interrupted a few times, with some tricky angles before the property line jogs to the corner of the garage. I opted to mortise in the horizontal supports on the short, angled returns, since they fed into the two large gates that can, if desired, be both opened and a car can be driven through to the detached garage.

Tricky angles, Solid lateral support.

The main entry gate was fitted with my standard magnetic catch and security bolt latch. I added a pull handle to ease the exit for the clients leaving their yard. Everyone seems to agree the force required to pull the magnet open is perfect and feels solid every time.