Last Picket Too Small For That Fence Gap? Here's A Nifty Trick

There are lots of fence ideas that will make your outside space even better, but a classic picket fence remains a favorite. While styles may vary a little, there are two basic types: those with gaps between the panels and those with minimal or no gaps. The latter are sometimes preferred because they provide greater privacy. If you're erecting the former, there are several useful tips to help you determine how wide to make the gaps in your fence so they're consistent around the yard.

However, if you prefer a close-boarded fence to keep out prying eyes, getting that perfect fit can be a challenge. It's all too easy to find that the last picket is either too big or too small for the gap. If the final board is too wide, it's a pretty straightforward task to cut it down, but what if it's a bit too thin? In a nutshell, the trick is to make two boards look like one by fitting them to the gap, overlapping them, cutting down the middle, and replacing them as if they were now a single board. The joint should be very difficult to see, so it's your little secret.

You'll need two pickets like you used for the rest of the fence. Place one against the left-hand picket already installed and the other against the right-hand picket. You'll have an overlap. Tap a nail through the top and bottom, temporarily joining them together.

Now, measure and mark a line down the center (use a chalk line or a pencil and straightedge). Saw along this line, cutting through both boards. A circular saw is easiest, but most of the saws that will cut any wood would do in a pinch. Discarding the two inner pieces leaves you with two halves of a picket that now fit your gap perfectly. You could glue them together (use an exterior wood glue like Titebond III), but if they are nailed in place carefully, chances are nobody will notice. The same technique can also work for shadow box fences, another stylish wood fence idea for a private yard.

While this nifty trick is very effective, careful planning and measurement can often help you avoid the problem in the first place. There are picket fence calculators online that can help. Moving the fence line towards or away from the house by just an inch or two can make a big difference to the overall length so pickets fit perfectly. Another fix is to add tiny gaps to the final fence run (perhaps at the rear of the property), which will barely be noticeable.