There are a number of good on line sources and home centers where one can browse a selection of fence panels in redwood, cedar and vinyl. The fencing is available in 6” wide, 8” wide and 12” wide individual pieces, and in 48” wide panels that will install easily on rails between fence posts.

Redwood and cedar pieces are found in 6’ lengths and some are manufactured with dog-ear clips at one end to give the top of the fence a classic garden appearance. Vinyl pieces are available with a radius top for an east-coast architecture concept that’s typical of white fencing.

The redwood pre-fabricated panels are made with 2”x4” frames that attach to the fence posts, and they are manufactured in rectangular configuration with a flat, uniform top rail. Vinyl panels are prefabricated with 2”x4” rails and are also configured with a flat, uniform top rail.

Determining the amount of fencing in pieces or in panels can be done by measuring the run, or length of fencing and multiplying this by the height of a standard fence, which is 72” or six feet. This will give the square footage of the fence, which is important when calculating the amount of sealer or paint that will be needed for raw wood fencing. The vinyl fencing does not require paint and can be washed when dust and debris collect on the panels.

Of course when painting both sides of a raw wood fence the square footage must be doubled to determine the total coverage area. Most wood sealer and exterior wood paints will cover approximately 80 square feet per gallon. A five-gallon bucket of sealer should cover approximately 400 square feet of fencing, or both sides of a section that is 6’ high and approximately 33 feet long. The ideal covering system for redwood or cedar fencing is one coat of penetrating wood sealer and two coats of exterior grade paint. Each coat should be allowed to dry completely before applying the next coat. If one is repainting an existing fence, the fence should be washed free of dust and debris and allowed to dry before painting.

Maintaining a fence in proper order is necessary to prolong the life of the fence and avoid costly replacement or repairs. A fence can be maintained by cleaning and sealing at least once a year. Clear sealer can be applied over the existing paint, or blended with paint to brighten up the entire fence.

There are a number of methods for painting fence panels, whether one is painting newly purchased wood fencing or an existing fence. The entire process is no different than any other painting job, in that it begins with the prep work and concludes with the final coat of finished paint.

When painting raw lumber it is necessary to seal the wood prior to applying any paint. This will ensure the paint adheres to the wood, and it also saves on the amount of paint needed to obtain full coverage. For an existing fence, the panels and posts will need to be cleaned free of dust and debris in order to allow the paint to fully bond. Cleaning an existing fence can be done with a power washing system or with a garden hose and a wire brush.

The next step is to fill any unsightly pits or cracks in the new or existing fencing in order to obtain a uniform finish. This can be accomplished using a flexible plastic putty knife and wood Bondo. The plastic knife will conform to the texture of the wood and leave a more natural appearance than a metal putty knife. Once the fencing has been cleaned and filled, a water-based primer is applied to all surfaces. Under normal circumstances primer will dry completely in a few hours, and then an all weather finish coat can be applied.

The easiest method of applying primer and paint is with the use of an airless paint sprayer. The high-pressure spray nozzle forces paint into the crevices between the fencing and rails, and all but eliminates the need for any hand brush work.

Raw fencing pieces can be spread on sawhorses or a drop cloth and the primer can sprayed or applied with a roller. The edges of the pieces can be touched up with using a medium bristle brush. A good tip when rolling primer or paint, is to use them directly from a 5-gallon bucket rather than pouring into a rolling pan. This saves time and eliminates drips, and the bucket can be easily moved around by using the handle.

In addition, keeping the bucket close to the work will save time and steps. The idea is to roll a 3’ or 4’ section of fence, then move the bucket and repeat the process. It’s actually surprising how quickly one can move along a line of fencing by employing this technique. Any final detail touch up can be done using a brush and paint from a smaller bucket. When painting in this manner, it’s not necessary to wipe the brush after dipping it into the paint. Simply give it a light slap on each side of the inside the bucket, and this will ensure a full bristle of paint, which goes a lot further.

A fence around the yard and your home should be a reflection of your personality and should be a project that you have put a lot of thought and planning into to achieve your ideal fence to not only to protect your privacy, but also to protect your home and family. This article will detail ideas about the purchase, painting, and maintenance of your purchased fence panels.

First, measure off the entire around your home that you want to fence in. This will give you an idea to the size and number of the panels you will need to buy. Keep in mind your property line since your fence will have to be entirely on your property, and not your neighbors. You can always have a qualified dealer or contractor put your fence in, but, you should be quite able to perform this task as well with little difficulty.

Wood fence panels usually come in four to six foot lengths. Get the length you need for the type of privacy that you want to enjoy.

What you will need to paint your fence:

You will need a good quality paint intended for outdoor use. A redwood color looks great. It will add value to home as well as make it visually pleasing.

You will need a good four inch paint brush. There will be a lot of area of paneling to cover so a good brush is necessary to last the entire project.

You will need a good quality one inch paint brush or an angled paint brush for those tight areas and corners.

You will need a which brush to brush off the excess dirt and other material from your fencing before you begin your painting.

You will need work gloves and rubber gloves to protect your hands.

A good quality paint with UV inhibitors. A cheap paint can do more harm to your fence and will not last. Go the extra mile for a good paint.

Once you have all your materials in place, paint your fence out of the direct sunlight. Paint on a more cloudy day. Sun makes the paint dry too fast.

To maintain your fence, clean the fence with a water hose or use a broom or brush to remove dirt that can damage the finish to your fence when needed.

Installing fence paneling can be time consuming, but easy enough that you should be able to do it yourself. Before starting your project make sure that you have all of the necessary tools and supplies, so that you are able to move quickly and efficiently, and not come across major problems.

To install fence paneling you will need your fencing panels, fence posts, saw, post caps, cement, gravel, a level, all purpose screws, a sledge hammer, angle brackets, and a shovel. I would also recommend having another person helping you. You also want to watch the weather because you are going to want to make sure that the cement has dried properly, and should avoid rain for at least 48 hours after putting up your fence.

First measure out where the fence posts will go, and dig out the holes to the appropriate depth. Don’t put them in right now; just lay the posts by where they will be going. Take the first post, place it into its hole, and then fill around it with the gravel. Fasten the first panel on with the angle brackets, and screws in the designated places. There aren’t always pre marked holes, so If there aren’t I would recommend placing the angle brackets in 24 inch intervals, and then the screws in 12 inch intervals.

Now take the second post, place it into its hole, and fill with cement. Now secure the second post to the panel like you did the first end of it. If you don’t have another person to help you, prop the panel up with another board or support mechanism. You are going to want to use the supports to make sure that fence stays up straight and in position.

Continue this process all the way down your fence. Check with a level continuously to make sure that it is straight. After you are done, cut the fence posts so that they reach about 2-3 inches above of the fence paneling. After this is done, pour cement down inside of the fence posts. Next add the post caps onto to the tops of the posts. Make sure that you screw the post caps on securely so that water, moisture, and debris do not get inside of your fence, which will cause it to rot from the inside out.

All of these supplies can be found at your local hardware or home and garden store. If you have particular questions ask someone who works there before you begin your project. Also ask them to recommend a material for your area and climate, so that you are putting up a fence that has guaranteed longevity. You may also find books or guides to help you in these stores. When looking for someone to help you ask someone who know what they are doing, and someone who is capable. Look at other peoples fences to decide what type of material you think will look best in your yard. Measure everything out and be very exact for best results. The more accurate you are, the better the fence is going to stand, function, and look. Be prepared to put at least a day or even two days of work into assembling the fence, and be sure to take your time doing it right.