Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

How to Install West Virginia Split Rail Fencing
1.      Lay out the corners and ends of the fence and set these posts to correct  height, partially back fill for stability.

2.      Stretch a string from the ends to line up each post.

3.      Dig first line post hole about 10' from starting corner, install this post and rails and repeat until complete. 

Note: Ten ft distance is approximate. DO NOT dig all postholes in advance, they may vary slightly.

4.   If the distance that the fence covers cannot be worked in multiples of 10', then the distance between the last two posts will be less than rail length and the rails must be cut off. Allow enough length to put a new scarf on the rail by use of a chain saw or hatchet.

Note: To compensate for short rails you may want to divide the shortage by reducing the length of rails on both the first and last sections. If this is not required then we recommend that the short section be in a less conspicuous place.
 

Setting Posts

1.      Dig hole 24" to 30" deep, plus 4" extra for a rock or gravel fill for drainage. Exact depth will be dependent on how high you want the first rail above the ground.  Do not set in concrete, YOU WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

2.      Put 4" of rock or gravel in posthole, set post, add dirt and compact. Do not finish setting post until next section of post, plus rail, is installed.

3.      Compact the back fill by tamping and sloping it away from the post for drainage.

 
West Virginia Split Rail proves itself in ease of installation. There is no butting of rails into posts, eliminating exact post setting. The 6" lap on each end of our West Virginia Split Rail will allow for irregularities in post setting without detracting from the overall finished appearance. 
Snake Rail Construction and Estimating

This traditional historic fencing is built strictly with the 11’ rail that is not  tapered or sawn but actually split with a machine.  This method gives the rails a      hand split appearance, as in the days of Abraham Lincoln.  

The actual length of a section is only 7’ after allowing the overlap at each end and the angle, as it snakes back and forth.  Recommended section height requires different quantities of rails for each section.  Minimum Height is 35” and requires 5 rails per 7’ linear section.  Example:  700’ linear is 100 sections, which requires 500 rails.  Standard height is 42” and requires 6 rails per 7’ linear section.  Example:  350’ linear is 50 sections, which requires 300 rails.  Historical Height is 49” and requires 7 rails per 7’ linear, plus one cross brace rail per section.  Example:  1400’ linear is 200 sections and requires 8 rails per section for a total of 1600 rails.

This is a special order item and must be ordered in bundles of 50 pieces.  It is best to place a 5”x 8” stone paver or bricks at the joints of each section to hold the bottom rail off the ground.  This fencing has that traditional beauty that has endeared itself thru the centuries.