Split Rail Fencing With Cedar Style

Are you looking for a cost-effective and charming fence option? Explore the advantages of split rail fencing and enhance your outdoor space with this beautiful look.

What is Split Rail Fencing?

The wood split rail fence is one of the most classic fence styles. It consists of evenly spaced, vertical wooden posts with two or three horizontal rails connecting lengthwise throughout. It is also known as post-and-rail fencing.

Why is split rail fencing always a good idea?

• Split rail fencing is inexpensive.
• Easy to install
• Post and rail fencing is the ultimate in charming yard accents and border fences.

1. Split and Rail Fencing is Inexpensive

Post-and-rail fencing is a nominal cost for the impact and accent it can add to your outdoor space.

Split Rail Fence Home Depot

I purchased our wood split rail fence directly from Home Depot, and their customer service assisted in delivering our special orders the following day. You can also find different configurations at local stores.

• The “Unbranded 3 in. x 6 in. x 5 – 1/3ft. Pressure Treated Cedar 2 Hole Split Rail Line Posts were $14.48 each.
• The Unbranded 3 in. x 4 in. x 11 ft. Pressure-treated Cedar Split Fence Rail was $14.57 each.
• The home delivery cost was $79.00. However, you can easily avoid the delivery fee if you have a truck. And I later learned that they did fit into my SUV.

For our post-and-rail fencing, we are keeping it small with six rails and three posts for a total cost of $224.55 with delivery or $145.55 without delivery.

2. Traditional Split Rail Fencing is Easy to Install

Split rail fencing is so easy to install and takes no time at all with cedar split rail.

What you will need!

• Post Hole Digger
• Shovel
• Wheelbarrow
• Level
• Cedar Split Fence Rail | Available In-Store Only

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Shop Split Rail Design Materials Needed

How to Install 3 Rail Fencing Design in 5 Steps

1. Layout the split rails and posts as you would like them to be installed.

2. Dig a hole and temporarily place one post into the hole, double-checking the fencing’s overall alignment.

3. Based on these measurements, Measure the length of the post and rails and dig the remainder of your holes for the posts into the ground.

Throw all of the dirt into the wheelbarrow so you can fill the holes back up with it later.

The rails will rest within the holes of the posts with an overhang.

So be sure to consider the excess when measuring out your holes.

We dug each of our 3 holes for the split rail posts 28″ deep.

The ground may be uneven. In this case, you want the top of the posts in the ground to be the same height at the top of each hole you dig.

Use a level to be sure the posts are straight.

4. Fill the holes back up with the dirt in the wheelbarrow, along with extra bulk sand.

*A common mistake is to fill the holes entirely back up with dirt, packing them in from the top.

Be sure that when you fill the holes back up with dirt, you do so slowly, packing in the dirt as you fill them in—packing it from bottom to top, not just from the top. Add gravel or stone and water for a tighter and more secure fit.

You could also use the Sika Polyurethane Fence Post Mix. You can see how we used this fence post mix in the post The Biggest Red Birdhouse and How to Easily Mount It.

5. Simply rest your rustic rail fencing into the holes of your corner fence posts and enjoy!

How to make a Cedar split rail border fence?

We will let our split rail fencing weather into a natural grey color over time. It will turn an innate gray color, blending nicely into the mountain’s landscape.

You could also stain the split-rail fence to match your home or landscaping.

You may also want to purchase end posts for your fence or let the split rails lie diagonally to the ground, as we did on ours here, creating a rustic split rail fence style.

But after we saw the fence with one split rail post leaning downward, we decided to purchase two more railings for a more finished yet still rustic look.

That is when I also figured out that the railings would have fit easily into my Subaru Ascent SUV…

Which do you like better? With one split rail leaning down or two?

So many options:)

Split-rail fencing would also be a good choice for ranch fencing in large fields to define property lines. It is much more rustic and decorative than the modern vinyl fence.

To secure the two-leaning split rails, simply add a screw between the two end pieces.

Be sure to check back this winter to see this post and beam fencing all decorated for the holidays!

Just look at this beautiful pasture fence line now!

Christmas Decorative Fencing

Now, we only need a little snow for this cedar split fencing.

This year, for the holidays, we added a peace sign grapevine wreath with white lights to our new fences.