DIY Network

Curb Appeal Curb appeal does make a difference; here are some great tips for giving your house a facelift. From "Today Show Tips" episode DTST-116

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Few things say "home" as well as a white picket fence. Here it is used as an accent in a corner of the yard.

Install a Classic Picket Fence

The addition of a white picket fence can turn your home into a suburban classic. If you have the right tools and a good design, building a fence doesn't have to be complicated.

• Use pressure-treated wood for the fence posts, but regular construction-grade lumber works fine for the rest of the fence. If you're unsure about what will work best in your area, ask at the lumber yard.

• You don't have to sink the posts in concrete. In fact, they'll last longer if you don't. Once you've got the lumber cut and ready to go, use metal fence-post spikes for quick and easy installation. With a sledgehammer and a level, the posts will be standing in no time.

• Decide how high you want the fence to be; some people like 30 inches, others prefer 36 inches.

• Attach the rails at the top and bottom with blocks, which makes the job easier. Miter the rails at the corners, and where they meet at line posts, use a lap joint for a solid connection.

• You can get more creative just varying the height on the pickets in each section. Be sure to plan in advance, though, to avoid having a section that seems to be only half there.
  

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• Ask someone at the lumber yard how much lumber you'll need. If you tell him the length you're planning, he can help you with the numbers, which can get complicated.

• You probably already have the tools you'll need. A power miter box will be very useful with this project, but you can use a hand-saw miter box, too. A triangle square makes quick work of marking the angles on the top of the pickets.

• Use a spacer of some kind to position the pickets evenly. Make one with a picket, attaching blocks to hold it on the rail temporarily while you put the pickets in place.

• Use galvanized nails on outdoor projects like fences. They won't rust and stain the wood. Set the nails with a nail set, and fill in the holes before you put your stain or your paint on it.

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