Build a Stunning Wood and Wire Fence with These Simple Tips
Dreaming of an outdoor refresh? A wood and wire fence offers visual appeal and versatility for properties both urban and rural. Enjoy natural beauty and functionality with a custom design to enhance your landscape.
With a framework of wood posts and rails coupled with wire mesh infill, wood and wire fencing provides the best of both materials. Warm wooden textures combined with see-through wire creates an attractive, durable option. Installation is also relatively simple compared to other fence varieties.
Wood and Wire Fence Basics
What is a Wood and Wire Fence?
Wood and wire fences feature wooden vertical posts connected by horizontal wood rails, with some type of wire mesh stretched between the rails to fill in the fence. This allows visibility due to the wire infill while maintaining the strength and design flexibility of a wood framework.
Unlike privacy fences made completely from wood, a wood and wire fence combines the benefits of both materials. The result is an open, decorative look perfect for enhancing borders and marking property lines.
Benefits of Wood and Wire Fences
There are many advantages to choosing a wood and wire fence for your property:
- Aesthetic appeal - The combination of wood and wire creates an attractive, unique look compared to plain wire or solid wood designs.
- Visibility - While not completely opaque, the wire mesh provides some visibility to enhance the outdoors rather than block views.
- Durability - The wooden framework offers long-lasting stability and strength while galvanized wire resists corrosion.
- Affordability - Wood and wire fencing is generally less expensive compared to solid wood privacy fencing.
- Low maintenance - With no painting needed, wood and wire fencing just requires occasional sealing or staining.
- Versatility - Wood and wire fencing can work for front yards, borders, gardens, pets, and hobby farms alike depending on mesh size.
Key Components of Wood and Wire Fences
The main elements of a wood and wire fence include:
- Wooden posts - Vertical supports, usually pressure-treated 4x4s or 6x6s. Redwood and cedar are naturally rot-resistant options.
- Horizontal wood rails - Top, bottom, and intermediate rails, typically pine or cedar lumber.
- Wire mesh infill - Galvanized welded wire and hog wire are common choices. Mesh size varies.
- Optional trim boards - Decorative wood boards that frame the wire mesh between the rails.
- Gates - Matching gates provide access through the fencing using wood with wire mesh accents.
Planning Your Wood and Wire Fence
Choosing the Right Location
When deciding where to install your wood and wire fence, consider the purpose. Marking property lines, enclosing specific areas, redirecting foot traffic, and integrating with existing borders are common goals. Ensure proper setback from roads or sidewalks based on local ordinances.
For best results, position your wood and wire fencing along level ground if possible. Avoid overly sloped or uneven terrain. Calling 811 to have underground utility lines marked is also an important planning step before digging post holes.
Selecting Materials
Popular wood types for fence posts and rails include:
- Pressure-treated pine - Affordable and readily available option.
- Cedar - Naturally rot-resistant softwood that stains well.
- Redwood - Durable, straight-grained softwood perfect for outdoor use.
- Oak - Hardwood that's strong and beautiful yet expensive.
For wire mesh infill, galvanized welded wire or hog wire are typical choices:
- Welded wire - Galvanized steel wire with 2" x 4" openings. Offers visibility.
- Hog wire - Galvanized steel wire woven in a zigzag pattern with larger 6" openings. Best for pets.
Other supplies like fasteners, mesh staples, decorative hardware, and concrete will be needed as well.
Design and Height Elements
Consider your privacy and security needs. While wood and wire fences allow some visibility, smaller wire mesh openings provide more seclusion. Fence height, typically 4-6 feet, also impacts privacy and cost.
Complimenting your home's style is also important. For a modern look, simple squared posts with trim boards keeps lines clean. Or get creative with post tops - pyramid, ball, solar lights, and other decorative caps add flair.
Installing a Wood and Wire Fence
Digging Post Holes
Proper hole size and depth are key for secure footings. For most soil types, dig holes 30-36" deep and at least twice the width of the posts - typically 8-12 inches wide. Space holes 6 to 8 feet apart, following your property line.
Use an auger or post hole digger for neat, cylindrical holes. Clear loose dirt from the holes during digging to allow concrete to firmly contact undisturbed soil.
Setting the Posts
Insert posts into the holes, checking they are plumb with a level. Brace temporarily with clamps or boards. Pour dry concrete into the holes around the posts, filling about 1/3 of the depth. Add water and allow it to absorb, then check post plumb again.
Let concrete fully cure, propping posts for at least 1-2 days. Avoid frost heaving by extending post depth below frost line if needed based on climate.
Attaching Rails and Wire
With posts in place, attach fence rails spanning between posts using galvanized screws or nails. Include a top, bottom, and one or more intermediate rails as needed for design and wire support.
Stretch your galvanized wire mesh between the rails, pulling it taut. Use heavy duty staples, zip ties, or hog rings to securely fasten the mesh to the wood frame every 6 to 12 inches.
For a clean look, sandwich the wire between trim boards attached to the rails. Consider adding a 2x6 cap rail along the top as well.
Hanging the Gate
Build a matching wood and wire gate sized appropriately for your needs. Hang using heavy-duty galvanized gate hinges attached securely to the gate post. Include a galvanized sliding bolt latch on the gate with a catch on the latch post for smooth operation.
Test opening and closing the latched gate to ensure proper clearance and swing. Adjust hinges as needed to achieve full functionality without dragging or sticking.
Finishing Touches
Verify all connections are tight and secure. For added protection, apply an oil-based wood sealer using a sprayer, roller, or brush. Let sealer fully dry before allowing pets or children near the fence.
Complete final details like post caps and gate hardware installation. Finally, remove any temporary braces and admire your stunning new wood and wire fence!
Maintaining Your Fence
Just like any investment, proper care preserves longevity and function. Make it part of your routine to periodically inspect for any damage, deterioration, or loosening of components caused by weather, animals, or other factors.
Remove any vegetation growing through or on the fence. Clean off wire mesh as needed using a pressure washer. Re-stain or re-seal wood sections every 2-3 years.
Check that posts remain sturdy and plumb in the ground, re-securing with concrete if any become loose. A well-maintained wood and wire fence will safely enhance your property for years.
Stunning Wood and Wire Fence Inspiration
The simplicity of wood and wire fencing allows for creativity in customizing your own unique look. As you browse inspiring photos, notice how subtle variations make a dramatic difference.
Play with post spacing, rail and wire options, heights, colors, and details like fence tops. Consider blending into landscapes with natural wood tones or turn heads with a bold, painted design. Remember - the possibilities are endless for your wood and wire fence accents!
With the warmth of wood and airy visibility of wire, these fences offer the best of both materials. Choose the right location and design for your needs. Proper planning makes installation of posts, rails, mesh, and gates a smooth process.
Maintain your wood and wire fence, and creativity in customization will be rewarded for years of enhancing your property. Simple yet versatile, a wood and wire fence opens up outdoor spaces with natural, lasting beauty.
In addition to building a wood and wire fence, adding a gate can provide convenience and functionality. Here's how to build a gate for your wood and wire fence:
Materials:
- Pressure-treated 4x4 lumber
- Pressure-treated 2x6 lumber
- Galvanized steel hinges
- Galvanized steel gate latch
- Wooden fence pickets
- Welded wire mesh
- Concrete
- Wood screws
- Wood glue
- Galvanized steel wire
Tools:
- Circular saw
- Drill
- Level
- Measuring tape
- Shovel
- Posthole digger
- Wheelbarrow
Steps:
1. Measure and mark the location for the gate on your fence line.
2. Dig two holes, one for the gate post and one for the latch post. The holes should be about 2 feet deep and the same width as the gate post.
3. Place the gate post in the hole and pour concrete around it until it's level with the ground.