How to Build a Horizontal Wooden Fence Panel

Lay the two 7-foot boards on a flat surface resting on their 2-inch width running parallel and spaced 8 feet apart. Place an 8-foot board between the two boards at one end to form a large “U” shape. Align the corners so they are flush. Insert two 3-inch screws through the 7-foot boards and into each end of the 8-foot board. This 8-foot board is the top of the panel.

Set a second 8-foot board between the 7-foot sides at the other end to form the bottom. Bring the board up between the 7-foot boards 18 inches above the ends. Rotate the board to its 4-inch width. Insert two 3-inch screws through the 7-foot boards into the ends of the 8-foot board.

Place another 8-foot board between the 7-foot boards on its 4-inch width. Space this board 42 inches above the bottom board. Secure with screws. Place the fourth 8-foot board on its 4-inch width centered between the second and third board and secure with screws.

Lay your lattice section over the three lower boards so it nestles between the 7-foot boards. Screw through the lattice and into the boards with 1.5-inch screws at each place where the lattice intersects the boards.

Dig two post holes 18 inches deep and spaced 8 feet apart. Fill the bottom of each hole with 6 inches of pea gravel. Stand the panel upright and slip the bottoms of the 7-foot boards into the holes. Make the panel level and fill in around the legs with soil, packing the soil firmly.