Materials & Tools

Understanding your material options is key to a long-lasting fence. Here is a breakdown of what you need and why.

1Wood Selection

Pressure Treated Pine

Budget Friendly

Southern Yellow Pine that has been chemically treated to resist rot, decay, and termites. It's the most common choice for posts.

Strong and durable for ground contact

Cost-effective

Prone to warping and twisting

Needs time to dry before staining

Western Red Cedar

Premium Choice

Naturally resistant to rot and insects without chemicals. It's stable, lightweight, and has a beautiful natural color.

Resists warping and checking

Beautiful grain and smell

Can be stained immediately

More expensive than pine

2Fasteners & Hardware

Screws vs. Nails

Always choose screws over nails. Wood expands and contracts with weather, which pushes nails out over time. Screws hold tight and allow for easier repairs later.

Material Matters

Use Polymer Coated or Stainless Steel screws. Never use standard drywall screws or bright finish nails—they will rust and streak your fence black within weeks.

Sizing Guide

• 3.5" for connecting rails to posts
• 1 5/8" or 2" for pickets
• #10 gauge for structural strength

3Concrete & Setting

For most residential fences, Fast-Setting Concrete Mix (often in red bags) is the best choice. You pour it dry into the hole with water, and it sets in 20-40 minutes.

Pro Tip: Slope the concrete away from the post at the top to shed water. This prevents the post from rotting at the ground line.