How to fit concrete gravel boards?

The article aims to answer the question “How to fit concrete gravel boards?”. It will also explain what gravel boards and gravel board clips are:

How to fit concrete gravel boards?

• If you haven’t already, set the fence posts. In order to determine how much fencing you need, take a look around your yard or where you plan to put it. Maintain a 6- to 8-foot (1.8-2.4-meter) distance between fence posts. 

• As a general rule, dig holes that are about one-third the height of the posts to ensure that your fence is secure. Then, fill in the holes around the posts with cement to keep them in place.

• For every fence post, one gravel board should be purchased. The length of your fence determines the number of boards you will need. 

• To determine how many boards you’ll need, add up all of the posts and then take away one. There are two adjacent fence posts on each board.

• Any panels already attached to the fence should be removed. Find any screws or nails that hold each panel in place. In order to remove screws, reverse the direction of a cordless screwdriver. 

• When working with nail-on boards, use a claw hammer or pry bar to slowly pry the nails back. For slotted fence posts, there are no fasteners, so the panels can be slid up to be removed.

• Measure the distance between the posts of the fencing. Determine the length of each portion by stretching a tape measure from one post to the other. Cutting boards of the correct length is made easier with this measurement in mind 

• Then, estimate the height of the gravel boards by measuring from the ground up. It’s best to avoid thinning the gravel boards until absolutely required, since this is a waste of time.

• Mark each board with a pencil to indicate where you want to cut it. The boards should be laid out on a level surface, such as a cutting bench, before you begin working. 

• Make a sketch of the board cuts using the dimensions you took previously. In order to fit your fence, they must be labeled with the appropriate size. Make sure to double-check your recommendations for correctness thereafter.

• Before cutting gravel boards, use safety goggles and a dust mask. If you can, perform your concrete work outside to keep the dust out of your house. 

• In the event that you’re working inside, open neighboring doors and windows to allow the dust to dissipate. Do not wear long-sleeved shirts or jewelry that might get caught in the blades.

• An angle grinder with a diamond disk may be used to cut the boards to the desired length. Make sure you have a diamond-studded blade or a disk that can operate on concrete before you begin. 

• With both hands on the angle grinder, slowly move it across the surface. The first step is to cut the boards in half horizontally. If you need to adjust the board’s height, do so later.

• Incorporate the gravel boards into the posts’ corresponding holes. All fence panels must be removed from the poles. 

• Lift the boards and slide them into the holes on the posts to complete the installation. So enlist the help of a companion if you can. Make sure they are level and sturdy by firmly pressing them into the ground.

• Make sure the boards are level using a bubble level before you begin. Perform a test on each board in turn. 

• On one of the boards, place a level on top of it, and observe the liquid within. Depending on whether one is higher, it has a bubble that shifts to that side. To ensure that all of the boards are at the same height, make little modifications to each one.

• Insert the last of the fence panels into the holes provided by the posts. Your fence’s final appearance is determined by the sort of installation you’ve chosen. There are usually horizontal panels that fit over the gravel boards in slotted fences 

• Slide the panels into the fence posts one at a time, one at a time. Complete the fence by stacking the remaining planks on top of one another.

What do I need to fit concrete gravel boards?

• Gravel board clip
• Drill
• Hammer
• Nail set
• Fence posts

What is a concrete gravel board clip?

Gravel board cleats, also known as galvanized clips, may be used to secure the boards once they have been installed. Gravel boards may be attached to the fence posts in a variety of ways, but in most cases, the kind of material used to construct the fence posts will dictate how they are installed.

Gravel boards may be constructed of wood or pre-cast concrete, depending on your preference. You’ll need to make sure that the wood gravel boards you use have been pressure-treated to avoid decay. 

Except for the materials they’re constructed from, there is almost no difference between the two. With wood fence posts, timber gravel boards are most often used, while concrete gravel boards are more commonly used with concrete fence posts because they fit snugly into the recesses of the posts. 

They may be made to any size that’s needed. This is OK as long as they are well-fitting and keep the fence panels off the ground. In most circumstances, a gravel board will be 150mm high, 22mm thick, and 1.83m long, regardless of whether it is made of wood or concrete. 

Because of this, if a 1.83m (6-foot) high fence panel is used in conjunction with a gravel board, the overall height of fence plus gravel board will be 1.98m, which falls inside the 2m fence height restriction.

To provide an additional 300 millimeters of protection, just stack two gravel boards on top of one another.

In short, no. If you don’t want to, you may skip installing gravel boards on your fence altogether. To guarantee that the panels are protected from dampness and moisture, you may simply leave an inch or two of space between each one and the ground.

As well as providing a stable foundation for your fence panels, gravel boards will assist your wood fencing withstand moisture and decay and endure longer.

Using a gravel board will help ensure that all of your panels run in a perfectly straight line from the beginning. It’s also possible to cut gravel boards to fit any slopes and undulations in ground level, so not only can you achieve a straight stretch of fence but you can also cover any gaps.

Before you can install a gravel board, you’ll first need some fence posts. If you’re interested in learning how to set concrete fence posts, check out our guide on setting concrete fence posts.

To get started, you’ll need to put all of your fence posts and wait for any concrete or other postfix to harden. If you’re working with an existing fence line, you’ll need to remove some or all of the fence panels to make room for the gravel boards you’ll be installing below.

Remove any screws or nails that are holding the fence panel to the fence post as a first step. Afterwards, you should be able to quickly remove the panel(s) and store them in a safe place until you need them again.

You should be able to pull the panels out of the grooves on the inside of the posts itself if you’re dealing with an existing fence made with concrete fence posts.

You should now be ready to begin erecting or removing any fence posts or panels. Fences of many kinds may benefit from the methods outlined below, including near board, feather edge, and paneled fence.

Conclusion

A concrete gravel board under your fence will protect it from becoming wet and soiled. Even if you don’t have much DIY knowledge, you can still complete the installation. Before using an angle grinder to trim the board to size, always remove any previously attached panels. 

Slide the boards into the slotted metal fence posts for a fast and easy installation. You may use a cordless screwdriver to attach gravel board clips to posts made of strong wood or metal. For every fence post, one gravel board should be purchased. The length of your fence determines the number of boards you will need. 

This means that your fence will survive longer since the gravel boards help to keep the panels dry, keeping them from decaying. Gravel boards may be constructed of wood or pre-cast concrete, depending on your preference. 

You’ll need to make sure that the wood gravel boards you use have been pressure-treated to avoid decay. Except for the materials they’re constructed from, there is almost no difference between the two. 

With wood fence posts, timber gravel boards are most often used, while concrete gravel boards are more commonly used with concrete fence posts because they fit snugly into the recesses of the posts. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQS): How to fit concrete gravel boards?

How to fit concrete gravel boards?

If you haven’t already, set the fence posts. In order to determine how much fencing you need, take a look around your yard or where you plan to put it. Maintain a 6- to 8-foot (1.8-2.4-meter) distance between fence posts. 

As a general rule, dig holes that are about one-third the height of the posts to ensure that your fence is secure. Then, fill in the holes around the posts with cement to keep them in place.

For every fence post, one gravel board should be purchased. The length of your fence determines the number of boards you will need. To determine how many boards you’ll need, add up all of the posts and then take away one. There are two adjacent fence posts on each board.

What is a concrete gravel board clip?

Gravel board cleats, also known as galvanized clips, may be used to secure the boards once they have been installed. Gravel boards may be attached to the fence posts in a variety of ways, but in most cases, the kind of material used to construct the fence posts will dictate how they are installed.

Gravel boards may be constructed of wood or pre-cast concrete, depending on your preference. You’ll need to make sure that the wood gravel boards you use have been pressure-treated to avoid decay. 

Except for the materials they’re constructed from, there is almost no difference between the two. With wood fence posts, timber gravel boards are most often used, while concrete gravel boards are more commonly used with concrete fence posts because they fit snugly into the recesses of the posts. 

Bibliography

Fitting a Gravel Board to Timber or Concrete Fence Posts to Help Protect and Prolong the Life of a Run of Fencing. Retrieved from: https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/gravelboard.htm