Fence: diagonal or not

diy1618 · 09-09-2012, 03:02 AM

Trying to install a section of the fence. The other part of the fence is in the normal "diagonal" kind of arrangement, i.e., each vertical pieces are not parallel to the fence wall, they are maybe 30 degrees tilted. We have contractors coming and it looks like they don't want to put the fence in the same style as the original, they just want to quickly do a flat one, with the pieces all flat. Is there any advantages and disadvantages of doing so? I am worried that the flat ones won't last long, as they would put one side of the fence too heavy.

mae-ling · 09-09-2012, 11:02 AM

Could you post some pics?
If your paying the bill they should do as you want or you should find someone else.

diy1618 · 09-09-2012, 12:17 PM

The existing fence is like this in the picture.

mae-ling · 09-09-2012, 03:39 PM

sorry I still not getting this 30degree tilt

diy1618 · 09-09-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mae-ling

sorry I still not getting this 30degree tilt

The vertical boards have an angle about 30 degree to the rail, the vertical boards themselves are straight, but not flat or parallel to the horizontal rails. I see a lot of property boundary fences done this way.

mae-ling · 09-09-2012, 03:58 PM

If that is the style of the rest of the fence and they won't do it that way get someone else.

never seen it before. different areas do things differently though.

goosebarry · 09-09-2012, 04:24 PM

OP: The 30 degrees is confusing me as well. Are you referring to the fence in the background?
The vertical slats and post are up and down. The rails are at an angle to follow the contour of the ground. A standard fence would look cheap next to it. One exception, if the new fence is "outback" and not street visible, you may want to go with a cheaper fence.
Keep looking at contractors until you find one who will build it right. Are you asking fence contractors or general contractors? Unemployment is high in construction right now, so you should not have to settle for less than you want.
You will probably have to go with a specialist to reproduce the original. Do you know who built the original? I would drive by a few of the fencing dealers and see what they have. I bet you'll find a sample of your fence on display at one of them.

diy1618 · 09-09-2012, 06:11 PM

Maybe I should not mention any degree, the vertical pieces are just having a slight angle to the rails. Looking at the front of the picture, the vertical boards have their left hand side covering the right hand side of the vertical piece to its left, and have the right hand side covered by the left hand side of the vertical board to its right.

notmrjohn · 09-09-2012, 06:25 PM

Ahhhhh! The fence boards overlap! Like horizontal shingles. No gaps. A cap rail on top. Center rail on one side bottom on other.No harder to build in place than flat. Your fence men just wanta buy prebuilt cheapos at Big Orange. Overlaps are available in some places, but I don't think they have that rail positioning. Or may be there are gaps for ventilation, overlapped for privacy, Lots of those with boards horizontal, bit more involved construction. But...Your paying for it, you get what you want, done by who you want. Tell these guys to get out of your yard and lock the gate behind them.

dayid · 09-09-2012, 06:46 PM

I think what the OP means is that rather than regular board-on-board where the slats are _-_-, it is like the image I attached (overhead view)

diy1618 · 09-09-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayid

I think what the OP means is that rather than regular board-on-board where the slats are _-_-, it is like the image I attached (overhead view)

Exactly! Thanks for the picture. Is this kind of construction more involved to build? I called a fence company (very hard to find), but they don't do wood fences.

mae-ling · 09-09-2012, 09:00 PM

Yes that style would be more involved and use more wood. is there a gap between the boards? Kinda like louvres on a shutter but verticle instead of horizontal?
I have seen that before.

notmrjohn · 09-09-2012, 10:00 PM

Hey, dayid, your dominoes is fallin over.
1618, if indeed that is your number, don't they have fencing co.'s in the Bay Area? 5 pages of fence contracters in our suburban yellow pages, 2 of fence supplies.
Maybe you're looking under wrong heading. Few years back I needed fence around the garden, I looked under fencing in phone book, called, said I needed some fencin' , and they said they'd send some one right out. Feller shows up in painters coveralls and a beekeepers mask. "En garde, " he sez. "Yeah, in the garden," I sez, " c'mon, I'll show ya." Pore feller had a speech impediment, didn't seem polite to notice it, nor the odd get up. "en garde!' he sez again, "yeah, right cheer is where i want it." "epee?" he sez. "I'll yipee right along with ya, when the fence is up in the garden" "en garde?" "Yeah in garden" And he commences to run at me with a great long pig sticker! If there'da been a fence I'da jumped it in one bound. As it was i lit out for the high brush and layed low till i figured he was gone. So I can understand your frustration with findin a decent fencer, what with companies hirin homicidal maniacs and all.