Fence Expert Reacts to Weird Bob Vila Fence Build

Hey fence fam! Today we've got another reaction video, this time I'm going back in time to watch an old segment from Bob Vila about building a fence on a slope! This fence is definitely unique. It has some features that I really like and some features I'm not into. But either way it was a fun video to watch and an interesting fence build!
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[@kencramer1697]

Bob Vila's show had a particular format. They showed you just enough to get you to like the look and the idea of the project while not giving you enough information to do it yourself. He began in the pre DIY craze era. They were also careful to include more shots of the difficult parts while only glancing over the easy phases to encourage the use of skilled tradesmen for these projects.

[@kencramer1697]

@@JoeEverest My comment was cut short by a call from work. (The joy of being on-call) :) Over the years I have seen a pronounced change in the format of these shows and Bob Vila was a pioneer in the area. This old house started in 1979 and Home Depot did not go national until the mid to late 1980's and it was in the 1990's that Lowes transformed into the national chain. Prior to that you had Ace Hardware, True Value Hardware and then you had your local home and garden centers. The change in the formats of these shows seems to have followed the opening of the all in one home improvement centers and the rise of the DIY culture. Prior to that rise your typical DIY person was not a city dweller but tended to be living in a rural area. With the big box stores going national the trend of people in the cities and suburbs doing their own work seemed to rise.

[@kevyNova123]

I'm in Atlantic Canada where our soil is damp or wet at least 6 months of the year, we wrap the portion in the ground with blueskin, used to wrap it with tar paper. The rot actually happens quicker at the ground level so the blueskin needs to be above the grade about 50mm. I enjoy your reviews, Joe.

[@stainman6533]

I saw this pop up on my feed and had to watch after our conversation this week! Bob was an inspiration for a lot of us contractors. I like seeing different methods and hearing terminology used across the country. You call them hand diggers, I call them clam shells. BTW, that’s fuchsia orange. Lol

[@gpzjeffrey7974]

A "Good Neighbor" (beauty side out) fence installation is required by my city and county ordinances here where I live.

[@StephenButlerOne]

Same in the uk

[@TexasGuitarist]

Lol @ the Orange Shirt remarks.

[@landmarkcreations1183]

Joe I can remember having to hand mix everything in the wheelbarrow too..Man I’m so glad those days are over! Keep up the great work my friend

[@jagros4672]

Ive been taught - if you are fencing for security, then the clear or 'beauty' side should face outward from the property, as the side with rails is easier to climb over. Where I live quite a few fences are double sided with the palings alternating and with a small overlap.

[@SaladSharkGaming]

In the UK we have concrete posts (pailings) and the fence panels slide into them. We also put the good side out as otherwise an intruder can easily lift the panels out

[@terrybaughn4283]

The smooth side should always go outside. The whole purpose of a fence is to keep people out. It is much easier to get over a fence with rails to stand on. Having the rails on the outside is just asking for some kid to jump the fence. Also the pickets should come to a point on top. This makes it harder to cross and will shed water better than a flat top.

[@noahdevine915]

Another great video joe Perfect example of what we deal with where we are located in ma, and yes we do hand dig with clam diggers and bars quite a bit, but like yourself we do auger our holes when we can and I agree those panels have been sitting for a little to long and definitely getting weathered hopefully they where given a credit for those

[@moolacue]

Yes here in Wisconsin. Good neighbor law. Clean side always to the neighbor/outside.

[@TheUnleashed123]

Yeah this is a legit fence every guy has their own method and ideas of setting posts. But the build here is top notch real carpentry

[@C.V._McCullar]

The problem it's that adding dirt to the hole doesn't help. It's not compacted, and is no better than setting a post in the hole without backfilling.

[@MFKN_ChrisJones]

We’re just getting our company started and we’re doing it the old fashioned way with diggers and rock bars and it’s exactly like you said “ CHARACTER BUILDING”😂

[@MFKN_ChrisJones]

Appreciate it! You’re videos have definitely been a lot of help, trying to learn to be as efficient as possible

[@ohhhsnap17]

I just literally watched that Bob vila video and we'll now I'm glad I found your opinion on it.

[@joshuaphillips4958]

For the backyard we almost always would face the finished side in and for curb appeal we would face the finished side out and try when possible to convince the customer to double side it if it fit within their budget.

[@justind8521]

I don't like how they racked those panels. The racking itself is twisting the nails, and the hammering is only making it worse. Theres no way that wouldn't cause the pickets to loosen up. Especially if the pickets were double nailed. We build panels on site to match the grade.

[@WallabyfromBillings]

I am in the middle of a 3/4" cedar fence being installed on Postmaster Plus posts. The sides facing the street are "pretty side" out and the sides I share with my neighbors the "pretty side" is facing in.

[@richardmiller9391]

Yeah, Wisconsin , Washington good side out. Wyoming its up to the owner

[@Aepek]

9:03 the way we do it in the county I live in, the “beauty side” faces out (towards neighbors property) and the rails are facing homeowners property. One reason why this is done here, especially in the county I live w/ all these packed in HOA subdivision homes...... IT Can Quickly IDENTITY the actual OWNER of the fence, and there’s no real disputes on WHO NEEDS TO PAY to have a fence replace/repaired, etc... (as by looking if rails are facing homeowners house, it’s their fence, and their responsibility). So, that’s what we do here. Thx for the vid, grew up watching Bob Villa, & all those shows on PBS etc...as a kid, cuz if wanted to watch TV, what were allowed to watch. Yankee workshop, etc...what memories this reminds me of😆 Cheers✌🏻

[@johnbode2756]

My neighbor asked my to go in half on a fence. We couldn't agree on which way to face the fence, so I ended up paying for it. Both of our wives wanted to see the smooth side.

[@naileditfencing]

I like the way he installs the posts 👍

[@C69FH]

Hahahaha... There was a Bob Vila with an orange face too!!!!!🪓🤠👍✌️😜👌

[@mrcryptozoic817]

Couple of comments: 1. If the fencing is on both sides of the fence, moisture will not evaporate between the sides and therefore accelerate the fence decomposition. Cedar isn't rot-proof, but is, of course, resistant. 2. So...I wonder what that fence looks like now (or how long did it last?). Since I'm still alive, there's some possibility that the homeowner is also. I'd like to hear him respond to your re-presentation!

[@paulmcgrouin9157]

Not sure that the post rotting out 3’ down matters one way or another, it’s post rot at or near ground level that causes a post to go over, we use bitumen sleeves melted tight to the post about 15” below ground and 3” above, the guarantee is now 20 years with this method.

[@johnbode2756]

Which side faces out reminds me of which way the toilet paper roll should be installed. Each person has their own reasons for their preferences, neither right or wrong. I was building a fence once with the smooth side out, because I think of the walls of an old western army fort. They didn't want the enemy to be able to climb on the horizontal rails to scale the wall. However, my wife said to me, why would you face the best side toward the neighbors when we're paying for the fence?

[@dennisbranam3847]

Your shirt is so orange, it raised my Vitamin C level.

[@SVW1976]

I'm not buying this post install process of backfilling with dirt first. I'm way more worried about water seeping in from the bottom than I am from the top.

[@Raldowrld800]

@Stephen webb couldn't agree more. Those posts will heave the first time the ground freezes

[@DevinHeaps]

Came to say the same thing.

[@kmcd6140]

Depends on the soil. This looks like a typical clay. Very little chance of hitting the local watertable on this hill. I was always told to use gravel, not the soil they just dug up. CA foothills are different from this vid's spot, though.

[@daddywags1000]

Hey Joe, I love that orange shirt you are wearing in the video. How about sharing where your fans can buy one? TIA!

[@dshingle6]

Facing the fence here in N Texas is up to the customer unless it can be seen from the street....then the clean or beauty side must be facing outward. In a lot of cases, especially in the case of metal posts, the posts are clad in wood to make it more appealing when they are required to be inside.

[@richardmiller9391]

Bob Villa is the best.

[@kmcd6140]

For me, putting the rails on the outside is a security concern. Makes is easier to hop the fence.

[@charlesviner1565]

Greetings from Davenport Iowa. Like 👍

[@wmnapier]

The orange shirts reminds me of our County Jail Inmate Jump suites lol

[@jacoswan3719]

@Dirty Sanchez 😂🤣🤣😂

[@wmnapier]

@@JoeEverest Definitely makes sense, Kind of like ServPro with their Green Trucks, you cant miss them a mile away. Now that I know about the orange its going to be hard for me every time I go to Home Depot to get what I really want when all I will think about is getting materials to build a fence lol

[@nadronnocojr]

We did flag poles and clothesline poles like that for years , we did dirt concrete , dirt layer and concrete on top up to 6” below grade ..... we are in nj

[@nadronnocojr]

@@JoeEverest you have a great channel and so much great information thanks for your time and your enthusiasm towards construction

[@kameljoe21]

I would always put the flush side outward. This keeps the neighbor kids from climbing over the fence. Though I have seen some fences where people opt to have both sides flush. Premature rot is always going to happen doing this. Though with better tech today one could mill out a cap that covers both pickets. Yet this doubles the cost and still looks very nice. Stronger and more solid fence if you add in extra rails to more strength. I am guessing they are using 9 foot post. I doubt that very much as most standard post come in 8 foot lengths unless you are cutting them down from 10 foots. I always use the method of more than 1/3 of the post in the ground. I also never concrete the post and use a hydraulic tamper. Though I mostly do ag fencing that covers upwards of 1 mile. The dowels do look nice yet not a fan of them. This requires lots of extra work in getting the post height exactly where you need it over the coarse of a long run. Even 1/2 inch off on one post will put a nice wave in the fence. In this case they snapped a line and cut it. The T&G is really nice, you do not find that much these days. the grey panels looked like that one end was sitting uncovered and was exposed to the elements. If I was paying the cost of that fence which might have been in the 25 dollar range per foot I would have it replace. Unless they offered the owner a discount. I have only used a breaker bar and post hole diggers a few times in my life, Machines are far better. Gas augers have been around since the 60s and 70s, maybe even as far back as the 50s. The first auger was though up by a farmer in Kansas in the late 40s and he dug holes for 10 cents a pop and could do 50 or so an hour. He could have done a mile of fence in a days work ( most fences are 1 post per rod ( rod is 16.5 feet or 320 per mile )) Though today I can build a mile of fence from start to finish with myself and another ( who knows exactly what to do ) in about 12 hours. Most times takes 2 days with travel, loading, unloading. Though if its close by I can get it done in a day. With a crew properly trained and does the work it can be done in a single day and be ready to start another mile the next day...

[@brandonneims9397]

Here in OR all sides open to public view should be the finish side. but back yard fences that have surrounding neighbors are finished side in for home owner view unless your neighbor friendly and the neighbor chips in on the fence then it would alternate

[@JoeEverest]

Good to know, I appreciate you sharing your experience!

[@wwm371]

I watched Bob have a meltdown on live TV on the home owner. Long time ago

[@aramishernandez6109]

what about setbacks here in Florida you most have a clear setback of 6ft so you can't build anything next to the fence

[@garym1550]

What! Bob Vila is still alive? Those must be 40 year old films that you found, can tell by the colour of his shirts.

[@mrcryptozoic817]

Yeah, it's pretty easy to tell from the various shadings of "red". These episodes weren't on tape but were on film.

[@georgecurtis6463]

Long ago when I moved here, my neighbor, an awesome guy since passed, showed me around and pointed to the fence he built and called a neighbor friendly fence. So each panel or between posts would alternate sides. Good one one, bad on another, alternating. Seemed ok to me, never bothered me. I personally consider the good side to be out. If bad side is out you just provide a convenient ladder to the thieves to climb. Such as my neighbors. A guy could take down a panel in minutes, metal posts, etc, within minutes with an adjustable wrench. Yes, I tried just for fun. I was amazed how easy it was.

[@MrSpronkets]

We have that where I live, probably over 20 year old fence, warping and rot riddled fence.

[@georgecurtis6463]

@@MrSpronkets just saw the episode on how a guy does it in England with cement posts. I thought that was brilliant.

[@MrSpronkets]

@@georgecurtis6463 D&J? I've watched a few of their videos. They do a good job. Probably more expensive to do that here and I live in a cold climate with med-heavy snow fall. Cement tends to crack. I'm no fence expert though.

[@georgecurtis6463]

@@MrSpronkets yea, many things depend on where you live. Here we have post rot and termites.

[@Bossninja02]

Hey Joe, I have a fence that is 6 feet tall with 3 Wooden Post but I want to extend the height at least another 4 inches so I can put a 1x4 underneath the pickets. Would using a 4x4 Simpson Strong-tie on each top of the 4x4 post work if I bought another 4x4 and cut them to 4 inches each and attached them vertically on top of the post?

[@mattnichols431]

Been fencing for years that’s not a good option period. The tops will weak and wobbly no matter what eventually rot will take place and your strong ties will simply be no good. Tile for a taller fence my dude

[@terrymorelanddg955]

Definitely builds character

[@JoeEverest]

Agreed!

[@keithtomlian4066]

i dont know about adding dirt in the bottom will keep it from rotting but it will hold your bottom from moving when you pour your concrete but you do not want concrete under your post you will create a cup effect and water will fill it and hold it full all the time three tings bad for pressure treated post water water and water

[@terrystewart2070]

The beauty side is pretty much always to the outside (neighborhood views) here in Northern California. Not only looks better, but not as easy for criminal perps to climb your fence into your yard. And believe me, since California has become a get out of jail free zone, there are a LOT of criminal perps everywhere.

[@guitarplayer1434]

where I live, it's between vanity and people spending money want to look at the nice side

[@ching574]

i just do a picture frame fence that way the beauty side is on both

[@MoneyManHolmes]

Same idea here. Smooth side out so delinquents can’t easily climb over or kick boards in.

[@justsomebeachbum3067]

Wow did that guy just hit that post with a sledgehammer? He busted that footing.

[@george5697]

I've seen that episode before I just don't remember where or when.

[@Mixwell1983]

I didnt know Bob Vila did the Home Again series that long.

[@MrTkamine1]

In Fl the finished side has to face the Neigborgs or the street

[@poepflater]

Interesting fact, there didn;t use to be a word for red other than orange, that is why we still call foxes red even though they are more orange. Red came much later.

[@guruofendtimes819]

First of all your post must sit in 12" in of gravel or water will collect and May anyway. Also you must treat your post with creosote or tar or they will rot within 8 to 10 years. I use screws on my last fence post pickets and the pickets rotated in the direction of the loosening of the screw. .

[@imlon2]

Beauty side facing out so there is not a ladder for other to easily clime into your yard. IMO.

[@stevemcnally6471]

East coast we put the beauty side out so you keep unwanted people from trying to climb over.

[@JoeEverest]

We do as well, always a bit confusing to see it flipped around.

[@stevemcnally6471]

@@JoeEverest it is. But it doesn't make it wrong I guess

[@bobvila7866]

I think i made that fence perfectly.

[@demskies]

Same with curtains... which side do they face?

[@DistantVision85]

A dull ice auger works wonders in dirt... Obviously rocks will be an issue, but it is still far superior to the old-school diggers. Old guys used to tell me, you are sober when walking in, and drunk when walking out. This means people care more about the appearance on the outside, or on approach.

[@KlockoFett]

Mind you I don't know shit about shit, but wouldn't the whole dirt before concrete method allow the post to wick water out of the ground as much as it would allow water buildup to exit?

[@StephenButlerOne]

That would be one expensive fence today.

[@greggarrot8132]

I soak the bottom couple feet whatever's going to be below ground of fence post in dirty kerosene from my parts washer for a couple of days it keeps them from rotting and termites want nothing to do with it you can also use diesel don't have access to old dirt parts washer kerosene

[@speedracer2336]

This guy is a facilitator only, not a craftsman, no professional licenses!

[@johnc4642]

The phrase, if you’re not a professional hirer a professional not even all professionals are any good?

[@JoeEverest]

Fair point!

[@pafferkoes8700]

Told ya.... lol

[@C.V._McCullar]

Those weren't exterior screws that they put in the cap.

[@john-ry9tn]

isn't the whole point of having a fence to keep unwanted out ?? meaning you put the smooth side facing out so that its harder for someone to climb over into your yard...

[@declanfarber]

… if you have that much distrust of your neighbors. OTOH beauty side in makes it harder for your dog to get out.

[@keithtomlian4066]

some places its code

[@dsalsa4306]

poor guys you can hear in their voice they didnt like to be recorded

[@joedirt9600]

A post will rot at ground level only.

[@wordup897]

That pier strategy doesn't seem solid. I'd think wet soil with all the microorganisms would be one of the worst possible conditions.

[@anonymousperson4363]

Looks all red shirts to me.

[@InsidiousDr9]

Weird Bob Vila builds a fence.

[@crazyc3558]

🤔🤔🤔 aload of bs that with the dirt at the bottom before the concrete... Just be same but where the concrete starts, so your bit protected by dirt would be ok the concrete bit would still rot!! Why not use a metal casing for the bottoms of the post then the concrete wouldnt ruin it.... that would be my idea an if they aint made theres a idea an also a market in the states an wooden fence places.... out with the old in with the concrete posts an gravel boards... lol

[@benttwisted210]

Bob Villa is merely an announcer and not a very good one. I wouldn't let him build a shed for me. If it weren't for the journeymen craftsmen around him, I doubt he would have ever learned how to use a saw! Him & his show has always been a joke amongst professional construction workers! "I can build a 50 ft wall with 6 windows and a door faster than he can stutter about it!" "Don't worry, I watched a Bob Villa home video last night!" 🤣

[@TheodoreM-wp6cs]

How does trapping dirt and potentially mud next to the post not encourage rot as well? Makes zero sense to me sorry Bob

[@james10739]

Why is this guy so concerned with orange

[@JoeEverest]

Great question! Why I Wear Orange... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp_Iq6uumJxjgpo

[@josephmeyers3597]

Who cares about their shirts Bob villa didn't know which end of a hammer to use

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

I'm sorry to say it but I'm seeing salmon pink and oversaturated colour on some of those shirts ...

[@JoeEverest]

Interesting!

[@derrickbaggett2573]

Well I know not to do it the Bob villa way

[@albertbatfinder5240]

Not criticising anyone, but I find it strange that with thousands of years of and literally billions of posts sunk into the ground, there can be any argument about the best way to do it. What does it mean? That there is no good way, or that it doesn’t matter too much?

[@robertw7834]

The build of the fence is great but the posting idea is bs, concrete is porous but does not hold as much water as dirt also putting dirt on the top of the post hole is worst thing for a post, great carpentry but horrid post application

[@DKWalser]

Re: Orange shirt. Whenever I see one of your videos, if the logo on your shirt is not clearly legible, it looks like you're wearing a prison uniform. Not your best look.

[@keithtomlian4066]

if you put the framing side to the public and somebody climbs your fence and gets hurt your liable for them because you gave them a way to climb your fence and they can sue you

[@declanfarber]

OTOH they could just put a ladder on the other side, and view your property as more favorable to enter because the getaway would be faster.

[@jimdomoradzki483]

Listen to a pro not a TV host.

[@creativelyunoriginal]

The objectively correct way to face a fence panel is to have the “beauty side” out. If you put the rails on the outside of the fence then all it takes to get into your yard is someone with basic hand tools. If the pickets are out you have no non destructive way in. A fence isnt going to stop anyone really but it will slow them down. Unless you put the rails on the outside in which case you are doing them a favor.

[@JoeEverest]

Great point!