Length of Fence ft. Distance between posts ft. Number of rails rails Number of gates gates Edge-to-edge spacing of pickets ft. You can compute how much material you'll need for a picket fence like ...

In the July 1994 issue, Popular Mechanics published a timeless how-to on making your own picket fence. We've updated the approach since then, but many of the ideas, tactics, and tools remain the ...

To build a visually appealing fence, you'll need to get the spacing between posts and pickets just right. Here is how to determine the gap width.

We built our fence from nominal 1-in. (3/4 in. thick) clear cedar stock, and used 2 x 8 cedar for the post caps. If you choose a less rot-resist-ant wood, be sure to treat it with a preservative ...

The reason: materials cost for picket fencing is comparatively low, since the pickets tend to be spaced 1 to 3 inches apart. It’s both decorative and good for marking your property line.