2026 Pool Equipment Fence
2026 Pool Equipment Fence
Year Built: 2026
Design By: Michael Lieske
Materials: Treated Wood, Deck Screws, Metal Footings
New Tools: None
Finish: House Stain.
Design
This is just a simple fence to somewhat block the view of the pool equipment. I looked at some fence pictures on the web and did a simple design. I decided on 4x4 posts, and 4x1 slats. The posts were anchored with metal footings (they hold the posts and have about 18" starting with a point that you drive into the ground). For the rails I used a little thicker board (Menards - Thick Decking- Actual thickness 1 5/32"). I decided to size it 3' high and the exact width of the slab (72") the pool equipment sits on. I planned to space the boards 1/2" apart. As you can see from the pictures, you can still see the pool equipment but, anything taller than 3' would have been too tall. So, it is what it is.
New Tools
None.
Material List
2 - 4x4 posts, 2 - metal footings, 15 - 4x1 slats, 2 - 4x1 5/32 thick decking rails, weed block and pea gravel. All wood is treated.
Fabrication
Pretty simple. I cut the posts from 1 8' board to 2 36" posts. I cut the 15 slats to a tiny bit less than 3' feet using 8 4x1 6' boards. Then just eyeballed a good dog ear and cut those.
Drove the post anchors using a scrap 4x4 piece and a sledge hammer. It was difficult to get them driving in nice and square but they were a lot easier than digging post holes and filling with cement!
I cut 1" deep routes using my plunge router to accept the 2 rails and placed them 3/4" from the front of the post so, with the slats installed they align with the outside of the posts. I placed the posts in the anchors to measure the rails to exact fit. Then cut the rails. Fastened them to the posts set in the anchors by a couple of screws to get the length exactly correct.
Since it was very hot (90s) and the area is in the sun I did the rest of the build in the garage on the workbench. Added screws to firmly attach the rails to the posts. Added a guide board 1" above the post bottom to set the bottom of the slats so they are not in the dirt. Carefully laid out the boards for 1/2" spacing which required the two boards next to the posts to be trimmed about "1/4". Drilled pilot holes and fastened the slats to the rails with deck screws. Fabrication done.
Installation
Dug out the grass, put down weed block and pea gravel in and around the fence. Kathryn helped me carry the heavy fence from the garage to the site and - perfect - it just dropped right into the anchors - attaching the rails to the posts while the posts where in the anchors did the trick. Finally glued and screwed the post toppers (super cheap), tightened the anchor bolts to secure the posts and Done!
Reveal
