The Wrong Way to Install a Wood Fence: 10 Common Pitfalls
A wood fence is a classic addition to any home in Raymore or Lee’s Summit, providing natural beauty and unmatched privacy. However, a wood fence is only as good as its installation. Because wood is an organic material, it is susceptible to rot, warping, and shifting if the ground rules of construction aren’t followed.
Many homeowners attempt a DIY installation only to find their fence leaning or sagging within just a couple of years. In this guide, we’ll highlight the wrong ways to install a wood fence so you can ensure your investment stands the test of time.
10 Major Wood Fence Installation Mistakes
If you see these red flags during a DIY project or a cut-rate contractor’s work, your fence’s lifespan is already being cut short.
1. Setting Posts Directly in Dirt
The fastest way to ruin a wood fence is to bury the posts directly in the soil without a concrete footer. Dirt holds moisture against the wood, leading to ground rot in record time. Even pressure-treated wood will eventually succumb to the constant dampness of Missouri soil if not properly encased in concrete.
2. Shallow Post Holes
In our region, we have to deal with the frost line. If your post holes are only 12 or 18 inches deep, the ground will expand and contract during winter freezes, literally heaving your posts out of the ground. This results in a wavy, leaning fence line.
3. Using the Wrong Fasteners
Never use interior screws or non-galvanized nails for a wood fence. Standard nails will rust quickly, leaving black bleeding streaks down your pickets. More importantly, as the metal corrodes, the fasteners lose their grip, causing pickets to fall off. Always use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners.
4. Touching the Ground with Pickets
While you want your fence to be private, the bottom of the wood pickets should never actually touch the grass or soil. Pickets act like straws, wicking moisture up from the ground, which leads to rot and fungal growth at the base of your fence. A 2-inch gap is standard to allow for airflow and lawn maintenance.
5. Forgetting to Account for Local Regulations
In many municipalities, including Belton and Raymore, local codes or HOA rules require the finished side of the fence to face outward toward your neighbors or the street. Installing it backwards can result in fines or a forced re-installation.
6. Eyeballing the Fence Line
Assuming your property line is a straight shot without a string line is a recipe for disaster. Professional installers use mason’s string and stakes to ensure the fence is perfectly straight. Without this, even a slight curve becomes glaringly obvious once the pickets are attached.
7. Incorrect Post Spacing
Standard wood fence sections are usually 8 feet wide. If you space your posts too far apart, the weight of the wood will cause the horizontal rails to sag over time. Proper spacing ensures the structural integrity of the entire span.
8. Using Too Few Nails Per Picket
To save time or money, some installers only use one nail per rail. For a standard 6-foot fence, you should have two nails per rail (usually 4–6 nails total per picket). This prevents the wood from twisting or cupping as it seasons and dries in the sun.
9. Not Waterproofing the Post Tops
The top of a fence post is the end grain, which is the most absorbent part of the wood. Leaving these flat and exposed to rain leads to internal rot. The “right” way is to cut the tops at an angle or install post caps to shed water.
10. Neglecting Proper Gate Hardware
Gates are the only moving parts of your fence and experience the most stress. Using flimsy, undersized hinges or failing to use a diagonal cross-brace will cause the gate to sag and drag against the ground within months.
Get Your Wood Fence Done Right the First Time
Avoid the headaches and the wasted money of a poor installation. At Elite Fence, we are a family-owned company that takes pride in doing things the right way. From deep-set concrete footers to premium cedar pickets, we build fences that are designed to last for decades, not just seasons.
If you’re ready to upgrade your property, use our Free Fence Estimator Tool on our website to get a quote in minutes! Whether you need expert wood fence installation in Raymore or are searching for the most reliable fencing contractors in Lee’s Summit, Elite Fence is ready to get to work.
Contact Elite Fence today to schedule your wood fence installation and ensure your backyard is beautiful for years to come!
Wood Fence FAQ
What is the correct depth for fence posts in Missouri?
To get past the frost line and provide enough stability for wind loads, posts should generally be buried 24 to 36 inches deep, depending on the height of the fence.
Can I use pre-made wood panels from a big-box store?
While convenient, pre-made panels are often made with thinner, lower-quality wood and cannot be racked to follow the slope of your yard. Stick-building, which involves installing the fence piece by piece, is almost always superior for longevity.