Replies

1. 
   Davo304 | Apr 19, 2003 10:28am | #1

   I don't mean to sound like a smart aleck, but if you wanted the fence to "cover" up all the terrain, then why did you build a stepped fence in the first place?  Most fences I have seen that are stepped are left open underneath....that's part of the design character.  Unless you are trying to keep a critter penned in your yard, I wouldn't worry too much.

   Since I don't know your  actual fence design ( colonial picket,  basket weave, board-on-board, crossbuck, horizontal rails?), I would say whatever suits you should be just fine, since you seem  have an idea of the "look" you want to obtain.

   Should you decide to go forward with installing short vertical cut-offs underneath your bottom rail, I would not pound these in the ground unless again you are trying to penn in an animal of some kind that you fear may be able to crawl or dig out from under. If there is no pet /animal situation, I would cut the uprights just shy of ground contact, and would pre-drill a hole in the rail and then screw them on using an exterior grade drywall screw (Grabber Guard) which will draw the upright tight against the rail. Of course by doing this, you are creating a spot for rainwater infiltration ( the screw hole), but its still easier to slide a picket underneath a fixed rail than it is to pound one on an angle and then have to push it upright in its place for proper alignment.  Though it's cut short,  grass will hide the bottom end so it will give the impression that the piece is soild in the ground.

   Davo

1. 
   ccampbell | Apr 21, 2003 03:03am | #2

   I know what you mean, but that's what the home owner wanted and it matched other existing fencing.  They have a small dog, though.  I ended up cutting a few short pieces to force in under the gap and then just tacked them to the posts to keep them from wandering.  With some dirt and landscaping they'll disappear.

   Thanks

2. 
   ProDek | Apr 21, 2003 06:11am | #3

   Normally you step the top and follow the terrain on the bottom. It would look better if you just replaced the bottom rails. Adding triangular pieces would look like a "patch job".

   I would just sawsall the bottom rails off and use them for your gate material.

   You made a mistake. The only perfect carpenter was Jesus Christ and they crusified him.

   On this day he rose from the dead that we may all be saved.

   Happy Easter!

   Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

   

1. 
   ccampbell | Apr 21, 2003 05:13pm | #4

   the fence I am building is framed top and bottom.  I can't run the slats all the way to the ground.  I've seen this type of fence built professionally all over the place and they always add a couple of pieces of 2x4 at the bottom to fill the gap.  they totally rot away, but it's okay because they are sacrificial.

   by the way, the next fence I build will be my own, and I'm interested in a design that would have a solid appearance and construction, but allow the top to be stepped and the bottom to follow the contour.  Can someone point me in that direction?