Calculating fencing timber.

[Monkey Mark]

Ok, this is probably a stupid question, but I'll ask anyway.

At some point over the summer i intend to replace my garden fence. When i look online for prices, a lot of them give prices at per 100 meters. But how much is that? How long is each length? It depends on the length as to how many usable boards I'd get so how do i work this out? Is there a standard board length?

Whilst I'm here, would you plane the boards? As it's for myself i don't mind the extra time so wondered if it's worth passing over the planer.

I'm confused over something so simple. :shock:

 

[NazNomad]

When I look online for prices, a lot of them give prices at per 100 meters. But how much is that?

No idea, you haven't told us, but I'm guessing it's the price for 100 metres of board length. You need to tell them what boards you want.

 

[RobinBHM]

Are you talking about a close boarded fence?

I think fence feathedge is supplied in cut lengths, 1200mm, 1650mm, 1800mm. Typically 125mm width.
It is treated sawn timber so best not to plane.

 

[Bm101]

Mark do you mean how many boards of a certain height you'll need for a specific length of fence? There are various calculators on certain fencing websites or you can just dismiss whatever overlap for featheredge you want to use. ( 15 mm eg) from the board width and multiply the new width by the length of your fence run.
Height wise just check your suppliers specs. Work out the optimum for you with least waste. 3 boards from 1 etc. Wack em all on the chopsaw. DIP the ends in finish etc before you put it up.
If you're using standard posts with holes already cast or cut check it works out otherwise you should be good to go.

 

[Glynne]

Why not email the suppliers and ask?

 

[Gerry]

Hi mark

I replace my fencing a couple of years back.
Rails and capping strips were supplied in 4m lengths
I used 8' 4x4" posts for a 5' high fence, these were spaced 6' apart so that's 3 posts for one rail.
Boards were 6" wide so I just measured the whole length and divided it by 6". This doesn't allow for the small expansion gap you need but I put the wet boards on with a 3mm gap and they have dried out to about 1/4" now. You will have a handful of boards left over doing this but they will never come in wrong.

I used these people BTL Timber in Bishop Auckland

Gerry