The Simple And Affordable DIY Fencing Idea That'll Make Your Yard More Private

Adding a fence to your yard is a great way to increase the privacy, security, and curb appeal of your home. That said, fences can be expensive to install, even if you do it yourself. But not every fence build requires the same amount of money and skill. Now, you can DIY a simple and budget-friendly hex wire fence that'll make your yard more private. 

To create an affordable and professional-looking fence, you will need a shovel, fence posts, a hammer with nails, hex netting (commonly called chicken wire), a staple gun, and a gate hardware kit. To give your fence a beautiful finish, you will also need stain or paint in a color of your choosing. The hex netting plays a key role in making this project both affordable and accessible for various skill levels. One important thing to keep in mind with this netting is the potential for rust. To avoid any tarnishing, be sure to get hex netting with a vinyl coating or apply a rust resistant spray to your wire after it's installed.

To build this fence, start by digging holes for your fence posts (the exact number of wooden posts you will need will vary). However, a simple rule of thumb that'll help you easily install fence posts is to space them roughly 8 feet apart. Another great tip is to ensure that at least one-third of each post is buried in the ground. Once your holes are dug, add your posts and begin filling each hole with concrete to hold the posts in place, stopping just below ground level. When the concrete is dry, fill the remaining space with dirt.

Next, you will take wooden deck boards and nail them to your posts. In between each post you will have two horizontal boards, one on the top and one on the bottom — this will create a rectangular-like frame. Then, cut your hex netting to fit inside each rectangular frame and begin stapling it to the wood. Now all that's left to do is paint or stain the wood and add a rust-protective spray to your netting if needed. 

There are so many pros to a project like this. In addition to being affordable and beginner-friendly, the simple design makes it easy to customize this fence project to make it your own. For example, to add more privacy and elevate the overall aesthetic, try adding vine plants at the base of your fence that will grow upwards along your hex netting. You can also add solar light post caps to your posts to help illuminate your new fence at night.

Despite those benefits, there are a few downsides to lookout for. For starters, hex netting will not be as durable or long lasting as wooden fence boards or other materials. So, keep that in mind if you live in a climate with harsh winds. To give the hex netting a better shot, you could always try ditching the wood fence posts for a sturdier alternative. The potential for rust is also a downside, though it is easily avoidable with proper care. Finally, if you're looking for privacy beyond creating a border in your backyard, hex netting is easy to look through. However, you can combat this with plants and turn your short fence into a lush privacy wall.