A Fence Without Posts

White picket fence with flowerbox -part 1

Apr 26, 2007

There are times when we would love to add a fence to an area of our yard but cringe at the idea of having to tackle our way through the concentration of tree roots.

This do-it-yourself fence is exactly what is called for in that area and will not only add the beauty of a fence, it will give you an elevated flowerbox.

This fence can be built any length. The directions here are for one eight foot length. You can build three and attach them for a twenty four foot length or cut the project in half for a four foot length. It is all adjustable.

Take the first ten boards and cut them in half so that you will now have 20 four foot boards. Set those aside.

Using the 2” x 2” lumber, cut eight lengths of sixteen inches. Set these aside.

Cut two 1” x 4” x 8’ boards into six pieces with a length of eighteen inches each.

Using three of the 1” x 4” x 18”, lay them flat on the ground leaving about 4” between each. Take one of the 2” x 2” x 16” pieces and drill and screw it into the bottom board making sure it butts up to the edge and runs parallel with the board. Use 2 of our 2” x 2” x 16” boards for crossbars, laying them at the ends across all three boards. Drill pilot holes and screw into place. Make two of these. These are going to be the ends of our box.

This step will take help from another person or blocks to prop wood up on. Take one end you just made and stand it parallel to the ground with the 2” board on the north and south sides. Drill and screw 3 boards measuring 1” x 4” x 8’ into the 2” cross bar of the end. Repeat on the other end. You should now have three sides with no top or bottom.

Now we are going to add the bottom. This is very important. Visually it appears as if this step can be left out but this is the piece that will make your fence structurally sound and keep it from tipping over.

Position the sides so that the two small sides are east and west and the long side is north. The small sides have a 2” piece attached to the bottom board. This should be on the top for the moment. This is to simplify the explanation and if you are comfortable with where we are headed, it's unnecessary.

Lay 3 boards measuring 1” x 4” x 8’ across the expanse in an east and west position. Drill and screw them into the 2” board previously attached to the bottom of the small sides.

Now it is important to go back and add a support to the bottom and the long side. You can do this by drilling and screwing in place a 2” board dead center on both.

Part two of this project will publish April 30. Keep watching and rest for a while until we put you back to work in a few days.

The copyright of the article A Fence Without Posts in Woodworking is owned by Mary Welling-Bonney. Permission to republish A Fence Without Posts in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.