So, you are wanting to install a welded wire fence. Luckily, this fence is fairly simple to set up. You just need to collect the materials you need and ask a friend or two to help with the setup.
The first thing you need to decide is what fence posts you are wanting to use. You can either use a wooden fence post or a metal fence post.
- Wooden Post: A wooden fence post is a more traditional option for other fences, but it could look different with a welded wire fence. They do not last as long as metal posts and require more upkeep.
- Metal Post: A metal fence post matches better with a welded wire fence. It is also stronger, it will last longer, and requires less upkeep.
Whatever you choose, it will work with a welded wire fence.
Next, you will need to decide how tall you want your fence. Typically, a fence post is buried at least two feet deep in the ground, so however tall you want your fence, you will need to add an additional two feet.
Eight foot posts are usually best if you choose to go the wooden post route because it gives you enough length with the ability to cut off the top to shorten it.
Step 1. Gather the Materials Needed
Setting up a welded wire fence is fairly easy if you have all of the materials that you need. Here is a list to help make material shopping easier for you:
- Fence Posts (either metal or wood)
- Shovel
- Gravel
- Bags of concrete
- String
- Wooden stakes
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Welded wire
- Posthole digger
- Level
- Staples
- Stapler
- Baling wire or metal ties
- Gate materials (2x4s for a wood gate, or a metal gate)
Some of these materials depend on which fence post you decide to go with. For example, if you choose to have wooden fence posts, you will need staplers rather than baling wire or metal ties and vice versa.
Step 2: Measure Out Your Fence
Before building, you will want to measure out your fence. This will make your life easier when you are actually building the fence.
You will want to choose a starting point and measure from there. Mark each corner with a stake so you can go back and measure again for the additional fence posts.
After you have the four corners, measure diagonally to make sure the area measures out equally and takes the shape that you want it to. So, if you want to make your fence a square, make sure it actually looks like a square. And if you want a rectangular fence, the same thing.
Adjust the stakes as needed to achieve the correct angles. Moving stakes is easier than moving fence posts.
It is also helpful to tie strings to each post to make sure they are straight. Do not forget to mark out a spot for the gate. This spot for the gate is usually between two fence posts.
Next, measure each side of the fence and add that together to know how much of the welded wire you will need. Welded wire comes in rolls from 25 to 100 feet. Smaller rolls are usually easier to handle, but larger rolls are cheaper.
Once you have all of the measurements done, divide the length of each side by 7-10 feet (depending on how many feet you want between fence posts) to find out how many fence posts you will need.
Step 3: Dig the Holes for Your Fence Posts
When setting up a fence post, it is important to have the correct measurements for your post.
Remember, a fence post is buried two feet deep into the ground, so you should add two feet to the desired height of the fence post.
You can dig deeper if you like, but your fence post will have to be longer to make up the difference, depending on how high you want the fence to be.
When digging a hole for your fence post, you can use a shovel or a post hole digger. Follow the allotted measurements you came up with to make sure your fence is the height you want it.
Step 4: Set Up the Fence Post
Once you have the hole for the fence post, you will want to lay down some gravel in the hole. About six inches will do. Gravel acts as a barrier to keep moisture from getting to the fence post.
If moisture gets to your fence post and you are using a wooden post, the wood will rot quickly. Rotting wood will easily ruin your fence if you are not careful.
Placing gravel is also a good idea if you decide to use a metal fence post because it will help keep the post sturdy.
Then, place the fence post in the ground. Make sure the post is level and at a 90-degree angle to the ground. Having someone help you here is crucial because one mistake will make your fence crooked.
Once the post is level, slowly add concrete to fill the hole. Concrete helps keep moisture away from the fence post while also holding the post in place. Concrete is almost always used when setting fence posts.
It is a strong way to keep the post in place while also protecting the fence post.
You will repeat this step with every fence post you need for your welded wire fence.
After setting the fence posts, you will want to wait a few days to make sure the posts are completely set. Check frequently the first 24 hours to make sure the post does not move.
Once the concrete is completely dry and the fence post is set, you can move on to the next step.
Step 5: Attach the Welded Wire
Once all of your fence posts are set, you are ready to attach the welded wire to create your fence.
If you are using a wood post for your fence, you will use a stapler to attach the wire to the posts.
If you choose to use a metal post, you will use baling wire or metal ties to tie the wire to the top, middle, and bottom of your metal fence post.
Once you have your materials, you will start at a corner post and roll out the welded wire. It is helpful to have another person to help you hold the fencing so either you or them can secure the welded wire to the fence post.
Stretch the fencing as far as you can to make sure the fence is tight and secure.
When you reach a corner, stretch the wire around the corner and continue with the process.
If you run out of material, attach the end of the first roll at the last post it reaches and start a new one on the same post. You can go back and use wire clippers to remove the excess wire.
It is important to make sure the fencing stays level as you attach the welded wire to the fence posts. It is helpful to stop every other fence post to make sure the fencing is level.
Step 6: Add a Gate
After you have placed the welded wire for your fencing, you should have a spot left for your gate.
Typically, the spot is between two fence posts. It is easiest to do it this way. If you want the gate to be smaller, you will have to make sure the distance between the fence posts for the gate is shorter.
You will want to subtract an inch from each post to get the width of the gate. This allows room for the gate to swing open and closed.
Next, cut two 2x4s to the measured width, remembering to subtract those inches so the gate can swing open and closed.
Then, you will measure how tall you want your gate to be and cut two more 2x4s so they will fit between the top and bottom boards, creating a box shape.
You will then lay out the boards, creating the door shape, and bolt the 2x4s together with L brackets on both sides of each corner. This will be eight brackets in total.
Pick one top corner and measure from there diagonally down to the opposite bottom corner. Cut a board to this length, with 45-degree cuts at each ends so it will fit in the corner of the gate.
Screw this board onto the other part of the gate. Now the door of the gate is formed.
After you have the door of the gate, you will drill the latch and hinges to the door so it can attach to the fence.
Mark the fence posts where you put the latch and hinges on the door and then place the door of the gate.
Check that the gate will swing on both sides, then attach the gate.
If you choose to use a metal gate, you can buy them at a hardware store. The same measuring techniques are required though. Make sure you have your measurements before you by the gate.
If you are still confused or would like a visual, below is a video that will give you an idea of what the process is like.
There you have it! We hope this article was helpful in building your welded wire fence.