How to Build a Fence Wall

Joan Luis Diallo

How to Build a Fence Wall

Summary

 – Fence wall: attention to regulations

 – Different types of fence walls: fences, trees, etc.

 – Fence wall: foundation and elevation of the wall

The fence wall is used to delimit an area, it is an exterior wall, and it can be built in different materials.

There are several types of exterior walls:

 – the Trombe wall,

 – the retaining wall,

 – the anti-noise wall,

 – the fence wall.

The fence wall can have several functions: to protect from direct wind, from the eyes, to be an anti-noise wall or a decorative wall.

Fence wall: attention to the regulations

Before building a fence wall, it is essential to know a few points about the regulations in force:

 – any wall is presumed to be common if it separates two plots of land belonging to two different owners: in practice and principle, in subdivisions, all separating fence walls are common (specifications),

 – in all urban areas, the fence wall may be imposed on you by your neighbor as well as half the cost of the work: the wall is then common,

 – the fence must respect the limits of the properties and not hinder the passage.

Good to know: Don’t hesitate to ask the town planning department of your municipality for information.

Different types of fence walls: fences, trees, etc.

As soon as the construction is used to separate your property from another property, it is called a fence wall.

A fence wall exists in different forms:

 – a wooden fence,

 – a cinder block wall,

 – an alignment of piles,

 – a wire fence,

 – barbed wire,

 – a claustra,

 – a lattice,

 – a grid,

 – a wall of trees or shrubs, etc.

All materials are possible: wood, metal, stone, etc.

Fence wall: foundation and elevation of the wall

Foundations are necessary if the structure is heavy and subject to stress:

 – these foundations can be simple concrete blocks or a footing,

 – You should choose the type of foundation according to the type of fence, its weight, and the type of soil.

Fence Wall Foundations: Steps to Completion

Here is an example of how to create a cinder block fence wall:

FENCE WALL FOUNDATIONS: THE STEPS

Aluminum formwork

STEPS

TO BE DONE

1 – The excavation

  • The earth is dug at the location of the fence, to the frost-free depth of your soil.

  • Slice the earth vertically for the footing and then flare your excavation at 45° to allow the stabilization of its edges.

2 – The clean concrete

  • Prepare a lean concrete and pour it into the excavation for about 4 cm.

  • Draw your marks on it for the reinforcement and the formwork of the footing.

3 – The reinforcement

  • – Place your reinforcement (reinforcement for the footing) on wedges.

  • – In the corners, bend the reinforcement (elbow).

  • – The connection of the reinforcement is done with annealed wire.

4 – Formwork

  • Place your oiled formwork boards at the height of the footing.

  • Check that it is horizontal.

  • Fix your formwork.

5 – Pouring the footing

  • Prepare your concrete and pour it into the formwork.

  • Tap the sides with a mallet to eliminate air bubbles.

  • Level off with a straight edge that rests on the formwork.

6 – Stripping
  • Let dry 12 to 24 hours before removing the formwork.

Fence wall: raising the wall

Here are the steps to follow to build the fence wall (ex: cinder block):

ERECTING A CINDER BLOCK FENCE WALL

STEPS

TO BE DONE

1 – Tracing
  • Mark the outline of the wall on the footing in blue.

2 – The first row of cinder blocks

  • Prepare your mortar and spread it starting from the corners and ends of your footing.

  • Place the corner blocks at each end and every 3 m.

  • Lay the cells down.

  • Check for plumbness, level the joint with a hammer.

  • Check the level and plumbness of each breeze block with a spirit level, plumb line, and a ruler.

3 – The 2nd row

Spread the mortar and start by laying the corners:

  • if the wall is straight, start with half a cinder block (break it up with a sledgehammer and a hammer),
  • if the wall has corners, lay the corner breeze block by crisscrossing it in relation to the first (diagram below).

Step by step:

  • Lay the 1st corner block in the 2nd row.
  • Then place a guide (wooden pin) at the corners and draw a line flush with the blocks.
  • A string is placed along each corner to act as a guide.
  • Lay your 2nd row.

4 – The next rows

  • Spread the mortar and shear it with the trowel.

  • Adjust the string line as you go up to your rows.

  • Check each time for flatness and plumbness.

  • Lay your cinder blocks in staggered joints.

  • Fill the vertical joints with the trowel and scrape off the excess as you go along.

  • The reinforcement is placed in the corner blocks and the hole is filled with concrete.

5 – The joints

  • If your wall is to remain rough, smooth the joints with a jointing iron.

  • The joints must be hollow or oblique to avoid water stagnation.

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