Civil Engineering Chapter 36 Homework Recheck For Height Plumb And Along The

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Exercise 36

Wood-Surfaced

Stringer Fence and Gate

Construction

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this exercise is to properly construct a

section of wood-surfaced stringer fencing with a gate.

TEXTBOOK REFERENCE

Information related to this activity can be found in the

Landscape Construction textbook in Chapter 29, Wood

Decks and Platforms; Chapter 32, Fencing, and Chapter 33,

Freestanding Walls.

INTRODUCTION

Wood-Surfaced Stringer Fencing

Wood-surfaced fences are used primarily for privacy and

screening. Similar in appearance to prefabricated panel

fencing, wood-surfaced fences differ from prefabricated

expensive than panel or rail fences and require more

carpentry skills to install. Wood-surfaced stringer fences

require the installation of horizontal structural members

to support the surfacing.

Post Installation

The spacing of posts for panel fences depends on the

panel design and how the panel is to be attached. Face

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146 Exercise 36 Wood-Surfaced Stringer Fence and Gate Construction

• Using a marker, draw a line near the base of the

post that indicates the proper burial depth. Place

crushed aggregate in the bottom of the hole and

for line posts (Figure 36–3). If posts are too tall,

they can be trimmed with a circular saw.

An alternate method for anchoring posts is to attach

attachment requires different post spacing than hanging;

ascertain how panels are to be attached before locating

posts. Then, use the following steps to install posts:

but is less obvious when placed at either end.

• In the center of each post location, dig or auger a

hole twice the diameter of the post and 6 inches

deeper than the typical frost depth for your region,

End

marker

End

marker

Stretched

line

Intermediate

flags

1. Locate and stretch line between end flags

2. Flag intermediate post locations

3. Set and brace end posts plumb

4. Excavate for intermediate posts

End post

Postholes

Stretch line near

top of posts

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Exercise 36 Wood-Surfaced Stringer Fence and Gate Construction 147

Stringers level,

surfacing extends to ground

additional lateral support to hold the fence upright.

Refer to Figures 36–4 and 36–5 for placing posts on a

hillside.

Attaching Stringers for Vertical

Surfacing

posts. When stringers are hung between posts, 4 × 4s

should be used. If a kickplate is installed, 2 × 4s may be

used for the stringers (Figure36–6).

To install stringers on the face of the posts, use the fol-

lowing steps:

• Mark level lines between the posts using a

chalkline. The top stringer should be placed at or

• Cut a stringer the measured length and attach it

to the posts using two deck screws per post. Joints

should be centered over posts using butt joints.

• Install kickplates by cutting a piece of 1 × 8 or 2 × 8

(or wider) lumber the length of the fence panel. Mark

the location for the top of the kickplate and toenail

the piece into the posts. Angle brackets can be used

to install the kickplate if the nailing locations are

difficult to reach.

• Cut the 2 × 4 stringer the width of the fence panel,

Upper

post

Typical height

of post

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148 Exercise 36 Wood-Surfaced Stringer Fence and Gate Construction

Attaching Vertical Surfacing

• Place a stringline along the fence run at the height

of the top of the fencing material.

• Measure and cut surface material for the fence.

• If placing surfacing on the face of the stringers,

attach the surfacing at the top using a deck

screw and check for plumb. Finish attaching the

surfacing at the top and at the bottom using two

deck screws per stringer (Figure 36–9).

Vertical surfacing on the face of the stringers can be

extended up to 1 foot above or below the stringers, but

Figure 36–6 Kickplate for a wooden fence.

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Exercise 36 Wood-Surfaced Stringer Fence and Gate Construction 149

Vertical louvered fencing is constructed with only a top

and bottom stringer. The location and angle of each

louver are marked on both the top and bottom stringer

and then a spacer block of 2 × decay-resistant wood is

attached with deck screws along each mark. Trim any

portion of this block that extends beyond the stringers.

Attach the louvers to the block at the top and bottom with

two 2-inch deck screws at each location.

Lattice surfacing should be trimmed to match the

opening of the panel and attached to the stringers and

• Attach the hinges and latch hardware to the gate

panel and prop it in position in the gate opening.

• Connect the hinges to one post and check the gate

for proper swing.

• Attach the latch hardware to the other post and

adjust for proper closing.

To hybridize between premanufactured and custom

built, metal frameworks to which custom surfacing

materials can be attached are available for creating gates

(Figure 36–11). A wood panel that matches the fence

surfacing is built and then screwed to the gate hardware,

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150 Exercise 36 Wood-Surfaced Stringer Fence and Gate Construction

• Attach the hinges and latch hardware to the gate

panel and prop it in position in the gate opening

(Figure 36–12).

• Connect the hinges to one post and check the gate

for proper swing.

• Attach the latch hardware to the other post and

adjust for proper closing.

PREREQUISITE EXERCISES

Students should have successfully completed Exercise 1,

Construction Math, and Exercise 5, Tool Operation and

MATERIALS REQUIRED

• Five 4 × 4s, 9 feet in length each

• Three 4 × 4s, 8 feet in length each

• Three 2 × 8s, 8 feet in length each

• Approximately 60 LF of 2 × 4

• Approximately 350 LF of 1 × 6 trim and surfacing

lumber

• Approximately 30 LF of 1 × 8 trim lumber

• 2 lbs of poly coated deck screws

• 2 lbs of galvanized 6d box nails

• 2 turnbuckle gate braces

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Exercise 36 Wood-Surfaced Stringer Fence and Gate Construction 151

EXERCISE DESCRIPTION

Using the elevation and cross-section depicted in

Figure 36–13, construct three panels of wood-surfaced

stringer fencing and the associated gate. Use any of the

surfacing patterns shown in Figure 36–1. Install posts,

framing, and kick plates for all sections, but surface only

two of the panels and the gate to reduce the materials

1 × 8 Trim on top

1 × 6 Trim on front

3’

8’ typ

4 × 4 Post

4 × 4

Stringer

1 × 8

Tr i m

1 × 6

Tr i m

4 × 4

4 × 4 Post

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