Say you’ve seen one of those horizontal fences on a neighbour’s street. It looked sharp when it went up. Two summers later, the boards are bowed in the middle and a few have popped loose. Nothing looks modern about that. It’s the most common complaint with this style, and it almost always comes down to how the fence was built.
Gifford Fence has a whole page explaining how it builds a modern horizontal wood privacy fence FL homeowners can count on. The explanation is refreshingly specific, down to post spacing and nail type. Let’s walk through it, because those details are exactly what to ask any contractor about.
Why Horizontal Fences Bow
Horizontal boards span the gap between posts, so any weakness in that span shows up as a curve. The company says it sees horizontal fences all over town built with standard 8 foot or even 6 foot post spacing, and the boards are bowed in, out, up and down. Wide spacing is the problem.
Some builders try to fix it with a 2 by 2 or 2 by 4 added in the middle of each section. The page says that doesn’t work, because those skimpy boards are just as likely to bow as the main boards. It’s a bit like adding a thin brace to a sagging shelf.
The Gifford Method
Posts Four Feet Apart
Gifford sets posts for horizontal board fences 4 feet apart. That’s tighter than the typical spacing mentioned above. Each post is set 30 inches in the ground and anchored with concrete. The company says this support system prevents the boards from bowing in any direction.
Concrete and Depth
The wider site notes that wood fence posts are set 30 inches deep and anchored with wet concrete, with dry packing only on some small jobs. Wet set is preferred whenever possible. Depth and concrete are what keep a fence upright through Florida storms and soft soil.
Why It Costs a Little More Material
More posts means more lumber and more labour. The company is upfront that it won’t skimp on the main support, the posts. That’s the design choice that separates a fence built for photos from one built for years of daily use.
Lumber and Boards
Most Gifford wood fences use number 2 ground contact rated pressure treated pine. Board options include 1 inch by 4 inch, 1 by 6, and 5/4 by 6 inch boards with rounded edges, which look good in a spaced layout. Cedar is available for boards only, since cedar posts don’t last in Florida soil.
That last point surprised a lot of customers, according to the page. Many start out wanting cedar, then change their minds after seeing the lumber cost difference and the upkeep. If you want cedar’s look, you can still use it for the boards while the posts stay treated pine.
The Fastener Detail
When you plan a Modern horizontal wood privacy fence FL build, the fasteners are easy to overlook and hard to fix later. For treated pine, Gifford uses hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails, which resist rust and hold better than smooth shank nails because the rings grip the wood.
With cedar boards, it switches to stainless steel ring shank nails. The page explains why: mixing galvanized nails with cedar and pine causes discolouration and black streaks running down the wood. Cover boards at the posts use exterior coated screws, which makes replacing a damaged board much easier.
Gates and Finish
Horizontal gates use a 6 by 6 hinge post and four modern hinges, not the lighter hinges common at big box stores. A Maxima Deluxe double sided latch secures the gate. Longer lag bolts add support, since a wide horizontal gate carries real weight.
Finish matters as well. The company Professional PVC fence installation Orlando offers sealing and staining, applied by sprayer and back brushed so stain reaches the gaps between boards. It also says sealing is a must with cedar, especially wood touching the ground. If you’ve spent good money on a fence, a protective coat is cheap insurance.
Questions Worth Asking
- What post spacing do you use for horizontal boards?
- How deep are posts set, and with what?
- Which nails or screws will fasten the boards?
- What hinges and latch come with the gate?
- Is staining included, or separate?
Those five questions reveal how a contractor really builds. If you’d like a vinyl alternative, the company also offers Professional PVC fence installation Orlando homeowners can compare with wood, using different materials and different maintenance.
Conclusion
A horizontal fence only looks modern if it stays flat. Tight post spacing, deep concrete set posts, the right nails and solid gate hardware are what keep boards straight. Ask about those details before you choose a style, and your fence will look as good in year five as it did on day one.
FAQs
How far apart are the posts?
Gifford sets posts for horizontal board fences 4 feet apart, each 30 inches in the ground with concrete.
Why not use cedar posts?
The company says cedar doesn’t last in Florida soil, so posts remain treated pine even when boards are cedar.
What nails are used?
Hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails for pine, and stainless steel ring shank nails for cedar.
Can the fence be stained?
Yes. Gifford offers sealing and staining, sprayed and back brushed into the board gaps.
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