Asked on Jun 05, 2016

What can I do about the sharp edges on my privacy fence?

Margaret
by Margaret
Suggestions please. I have a privacy fence around my back patio so I can enjoy my hot tub with out the neighbors seeing. The fence panels are 2 feet off the ground so my dogs can freely access the backyard. The fence panels are old and starting to rot. I'm looking at doing the metal corrugated roofing panels because they would hold up longer. Here's the problem. the bottom of the metal panel is sharp so I need something to place along the bottom and top of the completed panel to keep the dogs from getting hurt. Any suggestions on what I can use on the top and bottom to hide the sharp edge? The panels come in 8ft x 24in sections so I'll be running them across with 3 panels up to get 6 ft. Attaching the panels to the outside of the post.
  7 answers
  • Bernadette Turner Bernadette Turner on Jun 06, 2016
    glue thick fabric along the bottom (canvas perhaps) in an accent colour. Although I don't know how that would hold up long term
  • Raise them a bit and screw 1 x4 treated on each side and give it a safe edge... by encasing the metal with the wood on both sides.
  • Burnie Ott Burnie Ott on Jun 06, 2016
    Use a long piece of pipe insulater foam. It is a hollow, foam tube. Cut a long slit on one side to slide it onto the edge of the metal. I think it would work well.
  • William William on Jun 06, 2016
    Burnie Ott's idea is great! The 1/2" and 3/4" pipe insulation has the slit and sticky where the slits meet protected by pull off plastic strip. You can paint them but use an non solvent based paint or it can melt the foam. Only problem is since it is rubber foam it may not last long. To really make something last, I would use 2x2 treated boards, route a groove to fit over the sharp edges and screw them in place every 12" and paint. A bit of more work, but will last a long time.
  • Vera Brady Vera Brady on Jun 06, 2016
    I agree with Hotheadzmarine's idea. I would screw in the 1x4 treated.
  • ObiaMan ObiaMan on Jun 11, 2016
    I'm not as sure about the pipe insulation. Since your dog may be rubbing up against it, it could easily tear against the sharp edge. It may not cut her at first but it would seem that it would start to deteriorate after a few hits. It just seems a little light weight to me, but I could be wrong. My first thought was slitting an old hose and using some construction adhesive to hold it on. OR, this just came to me. Those pool noodles slit open. They're much larger and thicker than the pipe insulation. They have some smaller or larger ones and come in different colors if that would interest you. OR, just some heavy duty duck tape, like the black gorilla tape which is very thick and very sticky. The 1x4s mentioned attached to both sides and screwed together would probably be the more permanent solution. Water should be able to pass right through.
  • Jkb4485624 Jkb4485624 on Oct 17, 2016
    You could also use pool noodles and they come in a variety of colors. You would have to use a razor blade to cut the slit in it, but they are very inexpensive so you could just get more as needed.