How to Space the Dimensions of a Board-on-Board Fence

Sketch the fence panel. Include two adjacent posts and horizontal rails. Designate and label one fence surface as the inside and one as the outside. Incorporate dimensions in your sketch, including the height and width of the panel and the width of the infill planks. Decide how far apart you will install the vertical infill planks.

Measure, mark and cut a piece of scrap lumber so it is about 6 inches long and the desired width of the spaces between the planks. This block will be used as a spacer to place between the vertical infill planks as you install them so your infill planks are evenly spaced.

Position and install the first plank on the left end of the outer surface of the fence. Make sure that the first plank is plumb. Place the spacing block against the upper rail and right edge of the first installed infill plank. Position the left edge of the next infill plank against the right edge of the spacing block.

Attach the plank to the upper rail with one nail or screw. Move the spacer block to the lower rail, still butted against the right edge of the first plank. Butt the lower end of the second plank against the spacer block. Nail or screw the second infill plank securely to the rails. Continue adding infill planks with uniform spaces on the outer fence surface until you reach the end of the fence or panel.

Place your tools and planks on the inside of the fence. Measure and mark the midpoint of the upper rail, between the first two infill planks on the left end of the fence. Mark the center of the first infill plank that will be installed on the inner fence surface. Position the first plank on the left end of the upper rail, aligning the center of the plank to the center midpoint between the first two rails on the outer surface of the fence.

Attach the plank to the upper rail with one nail or screw. Move the spacer block to the lower rail. Butt the lower end of the second plank against the spacer block. Nail or screw the second infill plank to the rails. Continue adding infill planks on the inner fence surface until you reach the end of the fence or panel.