How to Build a Fence for Storage

• 1

  Determine the height of the fence. This depends on what you are storing and how much privacy you want. Purchase metal rods equal to the height of the fence plus 3 feet to compensate for the frost line below ground.

• 2

  Hammer an end of one metal rod into the ground with a mallet where the fence begins. If you are using a wall as one side, start the fence perpendicular to and against the wall. Measure 4 feet along the first side of the fence line. Pound another metal rod into the ground at this location. Turn either left or right of the second post according to the direction the fencing requires. Repeat this step every 4 feet until the area is enclosed by the posts.

• 3

  Return to the first rod. Tie string around the top of the first rod. Extend the string taut to the next rod. Loop the string around the rod. Keep the string tight as you loop it around the next rod by holding it with one hand as you loop with the other. Repeat the step with each post.

• 4

  Dig holes in front of each rod with a post hole digger to a depth of 3 feet.

• 5

  Pour 2 inches of gravel into the bottom of each hole.

• 6

  Position a 4-by-4 inch post 78 inches long into each hole. Center the post and have someone hold it in place. Fill the hole with concrete to within 1 inch of the top. Allow the concrete to set overnight. Repeat this step with each post. You can set successive posts as you wait for the previous posts to set.

Fence Construction

• 7

  Measure a length of 2 inches from each end of a pair of 2-by-4-inch boards 24 inches long with a tape measure. Mark a line on the board at 2 inches from each end.

• 8

  Set one of the boards in a vise with the wide face horizontal. Butt the ends of a pair of 2-by-4-by-48-inch boards against the horizontal face of the board in the vise. Have the wide face of the longer board vertical. Set the ends of the longer boards flush with the inside edges of the marks on the shorter board. Hammer two nails through the short board into the ends of the long boards.

• 9

  Position the corresponding 24-inch board at the opposite end of the 48-inch boards. Set up this board as you did the previous 24-inch board. Nail this board to the longer boards to create the frame pattern for a fence section.

• 10

  Place the hook of the tape measure against the exterior edge of one of the shorter boards. Set the tape measure along side a longer board and stretch it across the width of the long board. Mark notches every 1 inch on the board. Repeat this step for the other long board on the frame.

• 11

  Line up a 1-by-2-by-48-inch board between the first set of notches on the 48-inch boards. Nail the board into place on the two cross boards using a single nail on each end. Skip a notch. Repeat the process along the frame to complete the fence section.