Planning Your Fence

Fence School Navigation

Bay Area Fence Factory Fence School 2026 Edition

Here we'll try to help you out with a few things related to the general layout of a fence that we hope you will find useful. Below is a menu of other deep dives.

Planning Your Fence to help you figure out how much fencing you need.

Chain Link Grades, Pros & Cons - Information about Chain Link fencing.

Wood Fence Grades, Pros & Cons - Information about Wood fencing.

PVC Vinyl Fence Grades, Pros & Cons - Information about PVC Vinyl fencing.

Ornamental Aluminum Fence Grades, Pros & Cons - Information about Aluminum fencing.

Molded Fence Panels (Simtek/Bufftech) Pros & Cons - Information about SimTek Molded fence panels.

Thanks for being here, and if you have questions please feel free to contact us via the contact form,

E-mail - bayarea.fencing@verizon.net

or call 727-726-7554

Bay Area Fence Factory

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1. Before You Begin: Understanding Your Layout

Whether your fence is for privacy, security, or aesthetics, the basic layout process is the same.

Start With a Sketch

Create a simple drawing of your property and mark where the fence will go. This becomes your visual aid for measuring and a place to note obstacles, problem areas, or changes in grade.

Account for Wood Panel Thickness

Face‑nailed wood fence panels require the posts to be back‑set off the property line by the thickness of the panel. This is one of the most common layout mistakes homeowners make.

Identify Trees Along the Fence Line

Trees inside the fence line usually need to be boxed out, which requires additional posts and rails. Planning for this early prevents surprises later.

Evaluate Slopes and Grade Changes

Radical slopes require either:
• rackable panels (to follow the grade), or
• stepped panels (which need longer posts).
Knowing this ahead of time affects both materials and layout

Verify Your Property Lines

Never assume. Installing a fence on the wrong side of a property line can be a costly mistake. Confirm your boundaries before you measure

2. Locating Underground Utilities

Call 811 Before You Dig

It’s federally required to have underground utilities marked before digging post holes. Calling Sunshine 811 opens a “dig ticket” and alerts all utility companies servicing your property.

Use Extreme Caution When Digging

Cutting a cable, gas, or power line is not only dangerous — it can be very expensive, sometimes costing thousands of dollars depending on what you hit.
Also remember: utility paint marks are not exact.
There is a 6‑foot tolerance zone (3 feet on either side of the mark) that is still considered “within the marked area” for billing and liability purposes.

Allow at Least One Week

Utility companies need time to visit your property and mark their lines. Plan ahead so your project isn’t delayed.

Important Note About Sprinkler Lines

Sprinkler pipes and other plastic water lines cannot be located electronically. They can only be found by digging carefully. Take your time around landscaped areas.

3. Measuring The Fence Lines

Why Accurate Measurements Matter

Knowing each fence line’s dimensions helps you estimate materials correctly and can reveal potential issues — slopes, obstacles, or layout conflicts — before you start building.

Use Stakes and Mason’s String

Drive a sturdy stake at each start and stop point. Pull a mason’s string tight between them to visualize the fence line.

Pro tip:

Set the string 1 foot above the ground at both ends. When pulled tight, it reveals high and low spots you’ll need to plan for.

Record Each Line’s Measurement

Pick a starting point and measure each straight run. Write the measurement on your sketch. Continue until every fence line has a dimension.

4. Calculating Materials (Wood Fence Example)

Material Calculations Depend on Fence Style

The materials you need will vary based on the type and style of fence you’re installing.
In this example, we’re calculating for pressure‑treated wood privacy panels with vertical pickets on three horizontal rails, face‑nailed to 4" × 4" × 8' posts, with no lattice panels.

Panel Count

Most wood fence panels are 8 feet wide.
•    A 16‑foot line uses 2 panels
•    An 18‑foot line uses 3 panels
•    Any leftover fraction counts as a full panel
Leftover pieces can often be reused on shorter lines.

Post Count

Posts are needed:
•    at the start of the line
•    at the end of each panel
•    plus one to begin the next line
Some panel styles require different spacing, so always confirm your panel type before setting posts.

Cover Slat Count

Cover slats are used to hide the gap created when face‑nailing panels to the posts, giving the fence a clean, finished appearance.
• Every panel needs at least one cover slat.
• Every corner needs at least two cover slats.

Fastener Count

Fasteners play a major role in the longevity of a pressure‑treated wood fence.
• Stainless steel fasteners offer maximum protection, especially near saltwater.
• Coated carbon steel fasteners (zinc, epoxy, ceramic) resist rust and staining.

Fastener Quantities

•    To attach each panel to the posts: six (6) 3" fasteners (coated ring‑shank nails or coated deck screws).
•    To attach each cover slat: six (6) nails
•    6d (2") for ½" slats
•    8d (2½") for ⅝" slats

5. Calculating Gate Openings

Try to plan your gate openings on the most level ground available. Uneven terrain can affect swing clearance, latch alignment, and long‑term performance

Determine Gate Swing Direction

Try to plan your gate openings on the most level ground available. Uneven terrain can affect swing clearance, latch alignment, and long‑term performance

Gate Opening Widths (Wood Gates)

Wood gate openings are set at least 1¼ inches wider than the actual gate to allow for hinge and latch clearance.
If you plan to trim out the gate opening using 5/8" × 5½" slats on both sides for a finished appearance, add an additional 1½ inches.
Total added width:
•    1.25" (hinge + latch gap)
•    1.50" (cover slats)
•    = 2.75" added to the gate width to determine the final opening dimension.
This is the kind of detail that prevents callbacks, binding gates, and misaligned latches.

Glossary of Fence Terms & Jargon

Fence Panel - The assembly of parts that fill the area between the posts also referred to as "a fence section".

Fence Line - One (1) side of a yard where fence is to be installed.

Fence Return - Portion of the fence from a "Side Line" to the building. if it contains a Gate, it maybe referred to as "A Gate Return.

Side Line - The "Fence Line" of a yard where fence is to be installed seperating a yard from the neighbor on the same street.

Back Line - The "Fence Line" of a yard where fence is to be installed seperating a yard from the neighbor behind you.

Gate opening - the space needed to accommodate the gate and related hardware. usually 1 3/4" more than the actual gate panel.