How to Build a Privacy Fence With Staggered Horizontal Panels

Arrange two 9 1/2-foot 2-by-4s and two of 4-foot 2-by-4s on a flat surface to form a rectangle. Adjust the longer boards to rest on their 2-inch width while the 4-foot boards rest on their 4-inch width.

Make one of the shorter boards flush with the ends of the longer boards. Move the other shorter board inward 18 inches to leave the ends of the longer boards to act as legs for the panels. Insert two 3-inch screws through the long boards and into each end of the shorter boards to secure the rectangle.

Lay a 4-by-8-foot lattice piece between the long boards so they rest directly on top of the short, 4-foot boards. Insert a 1 1/2-inch screw through the lattice and into shorter boards at each place where they come into contact.

Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to create a slightly smaller rectangle using the remaining boards and the smaller 4-by-6-foot lattice.

Align the two units side by side with a 7 1/2-foot 2-by-4 touching a 9 1/2-foot 2-by-4. Make the units flush along the bottom. Insert a 3-inch screw through the touching long boards every 8 inches to connect the units.

Dig three 1-foot-deep holes, at least 6 to 8 inches wide, along the privacy area where you want the panels to run using a shovel or post hole digger. Space the holes every 4 feet. Stand the unit upright and set the unit’s legs into the holes. Fill the holes with 4 inches of gravel and pack with soil to secure.