New Hampshire Grown and Processed
We make and sell split rail fence out of cedar that is grown right here in the North Country of New Hampshire. We have two main categories of split rail fence: Fitted and Historical Old Fashioned.
Fitted Split Rail
Fitted split rail is our most popular type of split rail fence. There are posts on each end of a section and each rail fits into a hole drilled into the post. We stock posts with two or three holes drilled, to make either a two- or three-rail fence. At left is an example of a two-rail fitted split rail fence.
We offer two types of posts for fitted fences: split posts and squared-off posts. To make split posts we simply split a 6' length of cedar in half, then drill holes for rails to fit into. To make squared-off posts, we take a round post and slab a bit off each of four sides, making a rustic squared post that still will show the rounded original shape. **Please note: Three rail fencing requires a larger post, so each post will be 8 feet long and made from squared-off cedar.
We offer two types of posts for fitted fences: split posts and squared-off posts. To make split posts we simply split a 6' length of cedar in half, then drill holes for rails to fit into. To make squared-off posts, we take a round post and slab a bit off each of four sides, making a rustic squared post that still will show the rounded original shape. **Please note: Three rail fencing requires a larger post, so each post will be 8 feet long and made from squared-off cedar.
What is the difference between split rails and squared rails?
Over the years our fencing has evolved. As a way to better make use of available cedar we started to produce a rustic-looking sawed rail that is similar to the squared-off posts. Those rails proved to be extremely popular, so now we offer both actual split rails and squared rails. Here are a couple of photos to see what the styles look like, side by side.
Over the years our fencing has evolved. As a way to better make use of available cedar we started to produce a rustic-looking sawed rail that is similar to the squared-off posts. Those rails proved to be extremely popular, so now we offer both actual split rails and squared rails. Here are a couple of photos to see what the styles look like, side by side.
This is what actual split rails look like, above.
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This is what squared rails look like, above.
Squared post
This is an example of square-off posts for a two-rail fence. We estimate that these posts will last almost 50% longer than split posts.
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Three-rail fence
We now only stock three-rail fencing with taller, heavier posts, which are usually used as animal fencing. The posts are 8' long with a top rail measurement of about 51-54" from the ground. These posts are all squared-off rather than split because they need to be so much larger to keep three rails sturdy.
Gates |
Here are some examples of cedar gates we commonly make for our split rail fencing.
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This is the hardware used for our gate system. The first picture shows the whole gate latch system for a double gate where the two gates meet in the center. This includes a latch on the left that raises and lowers into the bracket immediately to the right (on the other post) and the mechanism for stopping a second gate from swinging. The second picture shows just the swing stopper. It is a pipe that slides up to open the gate and down into the ground to hold it in place. The third photo shows the way the hinges work. Prices: Gate latch hardware costs $65. Swing stopper costs $55. Hinges cost $50. per pair (upper and lower, only one shown in photo).
Historical: Old Fashioned Split Rail Fence
Old fashioned fence can still be found deep in the backwoods in places, and is what our ancestors used to keep cows and sheep in their pastures. Typically there would be a number of rails stacked together, either with or without posts on either end depending on how hard the digging was. In recent years we have done a few of these fences, as up at the Cemetery on Ben Young Hill on Route 145 in Clarksville (at left). We call this type stacked old fashioned fence and it has very few posts to keep it in place, if any.
The other way we have installed old fashioned fence is by suspending the rails between double posts on each end, either by a looped wire or small pieces of wood. Fewer rails are used, but more posts and thus, more digging.
Rails for old fashioned fence are not beveled on the ends and tend to be more rustic in appearance.
The other way we have installed old fashioned fence is by suspending the rails between double posts on each end, either by a looped wire or small pieces of wood. Fewer rails are used, but more posts and thus, more digging.
Rails for old fashioned fence are not beveled on the ends and tend to be more rustic in appearance.
Prices:
We sell our split rail fence by the piece. This means, one 8 foot long split rail costs $20.00, and one 8 foot long squared-off rail costs $20.00. One 6 foot long split post with two holes pre-drilled costs $25.00. If you would like a squared-off post, each 6 foot long post with two holes pre-drilled costs $25.00. The 8' long squared off posts with three holes pre-drilled cost $35.00 each. Now all you have to do is figure out how much you'd like and multiply by the number of pieces.
We'd be happy to help you design your fence-- just measure and let us know the dimensions and we'll do the math!
We also do many custom rails and posts, but we do have a long waiting list for these items. Please call or email to discuss what you have in mind.
We'd be happy to help you design your fence-- just measure and let us know the dimensions and we'll do the math!
We also do many custom rails and posts, but we do have a long waiting list for these items. Please call or email to discuss what you have in mind.