Building A Good Picket Fence

Planning for longevity is worth the effort. 

- Bill Ticineto And Jill Chase

To further separate our 1920s cottage from the traffic on a somewhat busy street, we knew we’d be replacing the poor quality fence around our entire yard. That would enhance our privacy, and also keep our dog, Lily, and a flock of chickens safe.

Determined that this would be the first and last fence we ever build, we used grade “A and better” Western red cedar for the pickets and good-quality cedar for rails and posts. We also scrupulously primed and painted every conceivable surface that might encounter water. The fence cost twice as much as one with similar-looking components, but the results are worth the price and months of effort we put in.

The finished fence has a graceful scalloped line to frame flowering plants, much like a basket.

PICKETS