Building a privacy fence involves a number of choices that you have to make. Some of these decisions are up to you. Meanwhile, others are more objective and should follow local regulations or industry standards.
For instance, the standard height for wood privacy fencing is six feet, so it might be best to comply with that. Apart from that, the spacing between the pickets or fence boards should also be considered.
DryTech Roofing LLC, one of the best roofers and fence builders, discusses how you can ensure the right spacing between the pickets on your fence.
What You Should Know About Fence Gaps
Privacy fencing has two main styles. The solid fence is often intended for complete privacy. Meanwhile, board-on-board fence — or alternate board or shadowbox fence — provides privacy while also ensuring there is some air circulation.
For solid privacy fences, the fence boards can be butted tightly together or spaced 3/8 to 1/4 inch apart to allow for wood expansion and contraction during varying weather conditions.
The board-on-board style, which is often referred to as the “good neighbor” fence because it looks appealing on both sides, has the fence boards alternating on the sides of the rails. The pickets overlap by at least one inch on each side of the boards. So, for example, six-inch fence boards would be spaced approximately 3 1/2 inches apart since the actual width of the six-inch board is 5 1/2 inches.
Fence Gaps for Other Types of Fencing
Much like roofers, fence builders also follow specific steps to determine correct measurements. When it comes to picket spacing, the rules may differ depending on the purpose of the fence. Fence gaps for privacy fencing has been discussed earlier. But if your fence is mainly for keeping pets or kids safe, you may have to consider a different kind of measurement.
To keep children safe, the standard spacing of railing balusters is under four inches. This way, a four-inch sphere would not be able to fit through the gap.
DryTech Roofing has a team of skilled professionals who are experienced in roof repair and fencing. We are committed to excellent workmanship, and we always strive for 100% customer satisfaction. Call us at (240) 491-5600 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We serve customers in Maryland.