How to Build a Solid-Board Lattice-Top Fence

Pound wooden stakes into the ground with a hammer at the corners of the planned fence. Tie a long piece of twine to the wooden stakes to create a straight outline of the fence. Dig 24-inch-deep holes in the soil with a post hole digger, spaced 6 feet apart. Keep the holes straight up and down.

Fill the bottom 2 inches of the holes with gravel to improve drainage and give each fence post a solid footing. Place a 4-inch-by-4-inch-by-8-foot board in each hole. Use a carpenter’s level to keep the fence post straight. Fill the hole with soil mixed with gravel and compact the mixture down around the post.

Measure 12 inches from the ground with a measuring tape and mark this off with a pencil on the fence posts. Mark 22 inches from the top of each fence post. Screw a 1-inch-by-4-inch board in with an electric screwdriver at the top of the fence post, lining up the top of the board with the top of each fence post. Line the ends of the board up with the middle of each fence post. As you create each section of fence, each crossbeam will butt up against the prior one.

Screw in the next cross beam into the fence posts, lining the top of the cross beam with the 22-inch marks. Secure the bottom crossbeam in the fence posts with screws, lining the bottom of the board with the 12-inch marks.

Screw or nail in the fence boards to the two bottom crossbeams. Line the top of the boards up with the middle of the center crossbeam. Measure and trim any wooden boards that are too long for the space. Fill in the entire gap between the fence posts to create the solid section of the fence.

Measure and cut a piece of latticework that fits the top area of the fence. Line the lattice up with the top of the highest crossbeam and staple the lattice in place using an electric staple gun. The first panel of fence is built.

Build the rest of the panels to finish the construction of the fence. Treat the fence with stain or paint designed for outdoor use since it protects the fence from the environment.