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New Privacy Fence
by
Kelley Aho Phillips
(IC: blogger)
This was one of our other projects we've been working on. Just finished (mostly). We still have to add the panel, latch, and lock to the gate and we'll be done. This was a DIY project, just my husband and myself (mostly my husband).
The main reason to do the new fence was because we originally only had the metal cyclone fence about 3-3 1/2 feet high, like many suburban neighborhoods built in the 40's, 50's, & 60's, etc. Our son, who has severe, non-verbal autism, and is a flight risk, is now eleven years old (and almost 5'8"). In short, in another year, he'll be able to swing one leg over the fence, then the other and be gone. No climbing necessary.
Of course the added bonus is of course we get to have a nice privacy fence. Win win. We also decided to extend the backyard back to its original size, which the original owners changed by moving the gate from the side of the house to the back and putting a fence along the perimeter of the garage and cutting off a large chunk of property. It gives us less driveway, but who cares. We're not car people. We use them to get us places. And we park them when we get home. Whoop.
So! We moved the gate back to its original spot and tore down the old half/rotted fencing. Then put up the new privacy fencing. There was also a small section on the other side that was fenced off at the back of the house that we decided to include as part of the backyard, so we brought the new fence up to the front of the house. We now have a little "nook", or "courtyard" where we're going to put a little patio garden. My head is in the clouds already!
IF I remember correctly, my husband told me, we've added about 1100 square feet onto the existing yard by doing that. Lots of room for my son (and the dog) to run around and stretch their legs! And we had a pretty big yard to begin with.
The cyclone fence frame is still there on the south side because of the concrete foundation. We're going to paint it and I'm going to pretty it up with hanging planters, after we've stained and weather-coated the fence.
Aaaaaand I'm stopping now because I never know when to shut up.
The main reason to do the new fence was because we originally only had the metal cyclone fence about 3-3 1/2 feet high, like many suburban neighborhoods built in the 40's, 50's, & 60's, etc. Our son, who has severe, non-verbal autism, and is a flight risk, is now eleven years old (and almost 5'8"). In short, in another year, he'll be able to swing one leg over the fence, then the other and be gone. No climbing necessary.
Of course the added bonus is of course we get to have a nice privacy fence. Win win. We also decided to extend the backyard back to its original size, which the original owners changed by moving the gate from the side of the house to the back and putting a fence along the perimeter of the garage and cutting off a large chunk of property. It gives us less driveway, but who cares. We're not car people. We use them to get us places. And we park them when we get home. Whoop.
So! We moved the gate back to its original spot and tore down the old half/rotted fencing. Then put up the new privacy fencing. There was also a small section on the other side that was fenced off at the back of the house that we decided to include as part of the backyard, so we brought the new fence up to the front of the house. We now have a little "nook", or "courtyard" where we're going to put a little patio garden. My head is in the clouds already!
IF I remember correctly, my husband told me, we've added about 1100 square feet onto the existing yard by doing that. Lots of room for my son (and the dog) to run around and stretch their legs! And we had a pretty big yard to begin with.
The cyclone fence frame is still there on the south side because of the concrete foundation. We're going to paint it and I'm going to pretty it up with hanging planters, after we've stained and weather-coated the fence.
Aaaaaand I'm stopping now because I never know when to shut up.
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Published July 1st, 2013 1:15 PM
Comments
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3 of 14 comments
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Carol Merrill on Jul 15, 2015Great job! Just be sure that all your metal posts are in tip top shape. So many rot at or just below the dirt line!!
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Kelley Aho Phillips on Aug 13, 2015@Carol Merrill Okay, thanks!
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Donny Krivanek on Aug 06, 2019
I have a few friends that are skeptical of the project I'm about to undertake but after seeing your fence I am confident that it can be done. I have an existing 4ft chain link that I am attaching 6ft x 8ft panels to. I will be so happy when I don't have to see my neighbors horrific unmaintained trash ridden yard, and hopefully it will detour the 4 dogs they have from barking at everything that moves. I noticed this was 4 years ago and I'm curious how your fence is holding up?
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Frequently asked questions
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Hey Kelley, My husband and I are replaceing our fence. Do you have any ideas to remove the very deep concrete post? we have tried watering down the hole and using a farm jack and trying breaking the concrete down with a steel bar but none of these have worked . "{ Help!!!
What did you use to connect the fence panels?