Can split rail cedar fencing be curved?
taosue
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I just ordered a pile of cedar rail posts and rails, and laid out my stakes to delineate where I want to put the fence. Now I see that it would be much more attractive with a bit of curve to it, to match my driveway coming up and around a hill. How much ‘give’ does the fencing have, or am I stuck with straight line fencing?
Any tips you want to offer on installation (I know it’s supposed to easy, but then, I know there is no such thing as easy…) I’d be most appreciative of….
Taosue
Replies
There's miles of rustic agricultural fencing around here... split rail cedar, driftwood posts, roughsaw fir rails, you name it. It goes up and over stuff, around stuff, in and out... looks great to me. Of course we have hilly country and windy roads. I'd be careful if you're in a table-flat area laid out entirely on a grid.
Bottom line... give people something interesting to look at.
The split cedar fencing that I ordered is predrilled, so that the posts will accept the rails. I'm sure it will look great curved, but the question is, will I be able to insert the rails into the posts and still be able to (gently) curve while maintaining a structurally tight fence, or are the tolerances too tight to allow for that? I may need to cancel my order if it has to be a perfectly lineal fence...
You can probably get 20 degrees or so out of the standard post without having to do anything -- plenty for a "gentle" curve. If you need more then a little whittling will let you get to about 45 degrees.I'm a little jealous. We have a short 28-year-old fence that sorely needs replacing (have already spliced new ends on two rails and a new bottom on one post), but no one around here carries the stuff any more.
Dan -Thanks for the feedback. I do believe I'll be able to follow through with my plan. Didn't want to sink a bunch of postholes only to find that I couldn't use them...I had to special order this fencing - maybe you can too. I had this picture in my mind that has driven the entire renovation of my adobe ruin, and somehow nothing else would do.Thanks!Taosue
A gentle curve is very common with split rail. You may have to chop some material out of the post as the curve becomes more pronounced. Could you post a drawing of how your fence will look?
A really sharp turn can be made using two posts close together.
Edited 7/4/2005 3:07 pm ET by Martha Stewart
Uh oh. I'm so thrilled at talking to Martha herself that I'm sending off messages improperly. Forgive me oh great one. I don't know how to post a picture to this site, and now that I know who I'm talking to, well, I'm not sure I could e-mail my pitiful drawing for your review. Of course, you may decide to have mercy on me and send me to artist school... Anyhow, I'm happy to email you my pathetic picture, if not for help then for grins and giggles. Tell me where?Taosue
Just left click my name to send e-mail.
BTW I am a mere Martha imposter. Sorry
Mark
Edited 7/4/2005 4:43 pm ET by Martha Stewart
Hey Martha - You can go to jail for scamming people, you know...And I may be dumb, heck, I may even be stupid, but no way did I believe you. Your sense of humor, however is to be commended. Your email is blocked, so the scam continues....Taosue