fence installed backwards


  #1  
Old 02-08-17, 10:12 AM
D
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fence installed backwards

hello,
i recently had a company install a 6' cedar picket fence (6"/1"/6' pickets) in my back yard. they put the finished side on the wrong side.

they want to come fixit it by removing and reversing the whole 8' panel and reversing it rather than redoing each individual picket. is this an acceptable way to fix the issue? would it be just as sturdy?

thanks!

DS
 
  #2  
Old 02-08-17, 10:18 AM
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Welcome to the forums!

Is the fence on level ground? When I lived in fla it was commonplace for each section to come out pre assembled.
 
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Old 02-08-17, 11:15 AM
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Which side is the finished side facing? It is supposed to be facing out so your neighbors see it while you see the backside.
 
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Old 02-08-17, 02:36 PM
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I'm with stickshift on this one.
If they came as panels it would make 0 sense to just remove the pickets and reinstall.
 
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Old 02-08-17, 02:57 PM
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The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it's just that the fence looks better over there.

So what is the wrong side?
 
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Old 02-08-17, 04:28 PM
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The poster seems to be in my area and I had never heard of panel built wood fences till I joined this forum. Maybe they are common and I just never knew but I have only seen stick built.
 
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Old 02-08-17, 04:31 PM
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Remove in sections and turn around.

Tradition and common practice dictates the rails and post face the ownership. No law (maybe home associations will have rules). Many people will put the picket side to face in. They think they get the benefit of the "good side". But in reality is looks odd and detracts from the looks of the house. You wouldn't put siding on the inside of the house, would you?
 
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Old 02-08-17, 04:43 PM
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I just googled the correct side to face the fence. It seems everyone has a different opinion. Some are discussing city code or the code in the subdivision, HOA, etc. Some are saying its your preference. I don't have a fence around my house but ironically, my neighbor to the east of me has their fence, so I see the ugly side. The two neighbors to the west of me do not have fences but, the next house down has the pretty side to me.

One point that some were making was that you want the finished side to the neighbors so they cant easily climb over the fence (kids, pesky, rude neighbors, thieves etc). But again, in the end, its always each individuals preference unless there is a law or code or HOA thingy.

Personally, until Stickshift mentioned it, I never really thought about it but I think, without discussing it, I'd have put the pretty side toward my house (especially in the back yard), toward my property.
On the other hand, I am not sure I would want the ugly side showing at the street/road. Maybe the front out & the side & back, in.... and I guess that would depend.
Now, I am confused. I don't know what I would do...lol
 
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Old 02-08-17, 06:17 PM
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The framing should be on the owners side of the fence What orientation did the installers place your fence?
 
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Old 02-08-17, 07:37 PM
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The "pretty side" faces out for all the reasons mentioned, PLUS the fact that when the fence is built as an assembly, the INSTALLERS can fit the panels from your side of the property and attach them to the posts without having to be on the other side / other guy's property.

If the "pretty side" faces in, they have to put up the fence piece by piece from your side only.
 
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Old 02-08-17, 08:07 PM
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Of course you can eliminate the inside vs outside by getting a fence that reverses the pickets from side to side. That gives the advantage of allowing wind to pass through without heavy demand on the fence. Yes people can see through it but only at an angle. I believe its called board to board fencing. There may be other terms for it.

http://extremehowto.com/wp-content/u...ggle-bolts.jpg
 
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Old 02-09-17, 04:38 AM
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Norm, I've always heard that type of fence called 'shadow box' fencing.
While most fences can be brushed/rolled, a shadow box fence needs to be sprayed as it's next to impossible to get the stain on all the wood.
 
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Old 02-09-17, 05:05 AM
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You are correct. And spraying, at least the first time does work the stain into the wood. You need a brush to work it in.

Since this type of fence is almost always erected piece by piece as opposed to sections, I don't understand why fence companies don't offer pre-stained boards. They could easily set up an assembly line and open tank that the boards would be immersed as they are cut,. Then an added bonus would be drying, shrinkage and full coverage of the stain prior to nailing to rails.

To me the extra cost would be worth the need to not buy stain, brushes and work involved to stain a standing fence. And it's ready to enjoy when it's up.
 
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Old 02-09-17, 05:25 AM
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Since most fences are built from pressure treated wood I suspect it wouldn't be dry enough to accept/hold stain at that time. Back brushing/rolling is always a good idea when spraying wood but on a shadow box fence you have to cheat some.
 
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Old 02-09-17, 05:58 AM
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Method

they want to come fixit it by removing and reversing the whole 8' panel and reversing it rather than redoing each individual picket. is this an acceptable way to fix the issue? would it be just as sturdy?
Yes and Yes.

Filler words.
 
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Old 02-09-17, 04:31 PM
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About as much contention as the recent post on shoe molding being the floor (wood) color or the painted base molding.

Still want to know what he OP considers the "wrong side"?
 
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Old 02-09-17, 04:37 PM
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OP never came back. We may never know.
 
 

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