How to Build a Wood Lattice Fence | This Old House

In this video, senior technical editor Mark Powers builds a cedar fence featuring square lattice and chunky posts creates a decorative yard accent that'll stand up to any climate-and plenty of neighborly ogling
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Any old fence will cordon off a space. But a handsome design built from cedar parts also boosts curb appeal, which can't be said of even the finest chain link. And though cedar is pricey, sleeving pressure-treated 4×4 posts in 1× cedar instead of paying for solid 6×6 cedar posts cuts costs. Save even more by reserving clear cedar for prominent areas and using common cedar in places where its imperfections won't show.
"Just be sure to call 811 to have utility lines marked before you dig," says This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers.
Cost: About $375 per 10-foot run
Time: 12 to 16 hours
Skill level: Moderate. Aligning the posts requires precision, but building the panels is not complex.
Cut List
Panel
This cut list is for one 36-by-51-inch panel. Repeat for each panel, and customize the size of your panels as necessary to avoid partial panels in your run of fence. For the lattice panel stops, you can safely rip up to three from each 1x6 common cedar board. However, if you rip only two strips out of a 1x6, you'll have enough width left over for the narrow sleeve parts. For our panels, we left 43 inches of post exposed above ground.
2x4 frame top and bottom: 2 @ 51 inches
2x4 frame side: 2 @ 33 inches
¾-inch stops: 4 @ 31½ inches (1x material ripped to ¾ inches wide to create a ¾-by-¾-inch square dowel)
¾-inch stops: 4 @ 48 inches (1x material ripped to ¾ inches wide to create a ¾-by-¾-inch square dowel)
Lattice: 1 @ 32⅞ by 47⅞ inches (to fit comfortably in a frame with internal dimensions of 33 by 48 inches)
Cap rail: 1 @ 49½ inches (Ripped to 5⅛ inches wide)
Post and sleeve
Make the visible front and back full-length sleeve pieces from clear cedar and the stops and blocks from less-expensive common cedar. To determine the number of sleeve pieces needed for each post configuration, refer to the list below.
Full-length sleeve pieces: 43 inches (Ripped to 5⅛ inches wide)
Bottom block sleeve pieces: 4 inches (ripped to 3⅝ inches wide)
Top block sleeve pieces: 3 inches (ripped to 3⅝ inches wide)
Middle post
1 full-length front piece 5⅛ inches wide
1 full-length back piece 5⅛ inches wide
2 top block 3⅝ inches wide
2 bottom block 3⅝ inches wide
End post
1 full-length front piece 5⅛ inches wide
1 full-length back piece 5⅛ inches wide
1 full-length side piece 3⅝ inches wide
1 top block 3⅝ inches wide
1 bottom block 3⅝ inches wide
Cornerpost
1 full-length front piece 5⅛ inches wide
1 full-length side piece 4⅜ inches wide
1 top block 4⅜ inches wide
1 bottom block 4⅜ inches wide
1 top block 3⅝ inches wide
1 bottom block 3⅝ inches wide
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How to Build a Wood Lattice Fence | This Old House
/ thisoldhouse

[@Ragekolb]

I know this video is old, but I followed the instructions to the letter and man did it turn out great for me! I did this build so I could hide my garbage cans and run passion flower plants. It is a great build! Though I had to make the lattice myself because they don't sell this kind of lattice around here. There are a lot of jokes in the comments about this not being a one man job, but I did the build all by myself. Having some help would be nice, but it isn't necessary if you know what you are doing. I would not say this is a beginner build. Probably intermediate.

[@nicolehansen5985]

What wood did you use to build the actual lattice? The premade lattice in my area seem to be cheap and flimsy.

[@Ragekolb]

@@nicolehansen5985 i used 2 inch rough cedar and ripped strips the size of the board thickness. I ripped them about 1/4 inch thick. I wouldn't worry too much about flimsiness. Once it's encased in its shell it should be plenty sturdy.

[@gt4748]

The following year, make the next fence section.

[@nickwit5651]

Leave the post undisturbed. Dim the lights, turn off the music and read a book while your post relaxes.

[@swamilalsambasivan]

NickWit hu

[@Sunshinesniles]

Very very nice.thank you for your video however this is definitely an ADVANCED instruction and since I am a beginning beginner it unfortunately wouldn't help me but I sure hope someday I can follow your videos more

[@summondadrummin2868]

Simple! My 3 year old could build this!

[@lindamclendon1043]

beautiful

[@alihassen7902]

I like that at the garden

[@drinc21]

Do you guys have a plan or a video on how to make a matching gate ?

[@leodhasach...]

Ludicrously complex... a few good ideas tho like the flashing

[@Maxid1]

0:23 Good old Pythagoras. You can always count on him for a square deal.

[@dawsonsteve125]

i love how easy the plans are in *WoodBlueprints. Com* to understand and the step-by-step videos they have. Makes getting material really easy

[@vickifranklin5962]

I've always tried to figure out how to build a shed for my kids. I tried several plans but always got stuck along the way. I'm glad I found this Ryan's shed plans [ Go Here >>> *WoodBlueprints. Com* ]. It has made the work become as easy and simple as I never thought it will be. Thank you Ryan!?

[@robertbrunston5406]

Nice.

[@brianpoetker4257]

Cedar and no pre drilling = lots of splitting. Why wouldn't he mix concrete (from a bag) in a pail and pour it in hole instead of trying to mix it in the hole with post in the way. Kinda hokey to me

[@Tamarind525]

This is awesome, but who just does this in a weekend?? Kudos

[@abellacan5728]

Videasooo exelente!

[@SeattleSawdust]

Cutlist is part of article, found by googling "this old house how to build a wood lattice fence" .

[@Dashkatt]

+garth arnold Thanks Garth. I thought I had done that but I guess I hadn't. Old age, I suppose! Thanks bro.

[@Goldiney]

Quick side note: You'll need an army of low cost labor workers to assist, which we've conveniently left off camera for this demonstration.

[@Goldiney]

​@Cait L. What you call an excuse I call reality. Because this guy did not solo the project.

[@getrightconstruction1342]

Wow

[@topturn9653]

dated wood werk

[@englishrose4388]

Thank you. I’d love a tip for doing this on a slight slope.

[@JaredCzaia]

I would do the same exact thing here but use extra wide material for the bottom frame so you can scribe it to the ground.

[@Dashkatt]

I could sure use a cut list that they say is somewhere "on this page".

[@trevordodson07]

It’s in the video description

[@clintonemmert5184]

With the price of cedar . the one panel he did $650.00 or more.

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Was there an awning with no rain?

[@Funtimewithmykids]

Just drop and pop all done

[@valsedonia]

Not to be a pain....but please consider leaving out the music next time. 😊 Thanks!

[@OaktownsGreatest]

What type of wood is that? regular 2x4? wont the wood rot?

[@johnfry]

It looked like cedar, which is rot resistant if im not mistaken. :)

[@Jhensy2012]

Gah, can't I just buy those panels at Home Depot?

[@buckeythedog6132]

Pythagorean theorem - A squared plus B squared equals C squared

[@koolerpure]

The instructions are poorly made for a “how to” but the concept is simple enough to understand

[@JohnnyAgsalog]

easy as pie..lol

[@acornkc2349]

And where’s the list of material?

[@dawsonsteve125]

If You Want To Build A Reliable Shed, You Need Knowledge of Foundations, Piling, Planning and More ... So I'm giving you a comprehensive "how-to" guide on the basics of woodworking. Go here ==> *WoodBlueprints. Com*

[@davidgosnell2602]

where do you get the lattice panels from

[@jiujuntang1762]

+david gosnell Lowes and The Home Depot both sell them.

[@TheWuZhao]

Would any common adhesive butyl rubber flashing work?

[@topturn9653]

lite??

[@Taooflu]

Can anyone share a list of materials?

[@Karen-36]

Breakdown and cut list - www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/overview/0,,20517973,00.html

[@stpariah9609]

Piethagorus Huh?

[@user-jt3hn7sn4e]

12

[@miguelsalami]

A One Man Construction Crew How Easy Was That❗🔨

[@marywhore1]

anyone know the name of the tool being used with the saw at 1:50 to rip the board?

[@summondadrummin2868]

That would be an attachable fence on a circular saw

[@michaelprice7005]

www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Circular-Saw-Rip-Fence-DW3278/202516667?cm_mmc=Shopping|G|Base|D25T|25-7_POWER+TOOL+ACCESSORIES|NA|PLA|71700000034127227|58700003933021549|92700031755124874&gclid=CjwKCAjwtvnbBRA5EiwAcRvnpuneGaXftWjqP6Q01y6sopMz5uE_2iVCYpK9ARFrTUzdJUA9tRvPgBoCxmYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CP7jmMqIhd0CFQjYwAodD7AMsw

[@isaacbarrett8317]

No worries at all! My Shed Plans brings me up to speed with professional tips and tricks used by the pros [Go Here=> *WoodBlueprints. Com* ]. It really let me learn how to handle carpenter equipment, follow the right safety rules, and how to do your projects professionally so that they will look good and last!

[@bperales1]

Who can build this for me?????

[@artdecco8617]

I can..........

[@anitaerickson1971]

The only thing about using real wood lattice right now is that it is very expensive, 69.99 a panel. I'm opting out on the wood and going with the vinyl one. Same style way way less by almost 30.00.

[@amalias8888]

If you talked just a little bit faster I might not catch anything at all.

[@Thunderboltdz]

how wide is the post? 10 cm?

[@isaacbarrett8317]

I've always tried to figure out how to build a shed for my kids. I tried several plans but always got stuck along the way. I'm glad I found this Ryan's shed plans [ Go Here >>> *WoodBlueprints. Com* ]. It has made the work become as easy and simple as I never thought it will be. Thank you Ryan!?

[@vickifranklin5962]

i love how easy the plans are in *WoodBlueprints. Com* to understand and the step-by-step videos they have. Makes getting material really easy

[@meck829]

mh

[@21jersh]

No gravel? No caulking? Those posts wont last theyll deteriorate at the soil level.

[@farajaraf]

Josh Green it's cedar

[@farajaraf]

Joe Hoe so why don't you write directly to TOH and let us know their justification. I think the justification would be the fact that we live in a throw away culture where nothing is valued for longevity: if it lasts 3 months you're good. Warranty is expired.

[@calisurfduuuddee8183]

Caulking? Okkkk

[@VaranusVideos]

how about premade sections hahaa that's too many steps

[@aleidabianchi1434]

It's good to see Woodglut have new instructions to save my money and energy to build it.

[@Ripplecpcb]

Way too fast!!

[@Cankuwicasa]

OMG, the guy is working under an awning! How gay is that? Hey, just making a joke. I like the idea, but never had the luxury. In my mind's eye I can hear the boss' reaction to an employee's suggestion that one be erected.