How shall we orient the fence from the logs?
Since we decided to take logs as a basis, it is necessary to decide how we will install them with respect to the ground, that is, vertically, according to the palisade principle, or horizontally, in order to obtain not a deaf wall, but an almost graceful fence. Each of the options considered has its advantages.
In the first case, the pillars are traditionally buried in the ground or flooded with a band foundation, although it is possible to depart from the tradition by setting logs on a transverse beam raised above the ground, fastened with ends to the bearing poles dividing the fence into sections. The second option gives more scope for imagination, for example, you can make a stone base for such a fence, and already put logs on it, or use a brick foundation with division into sections with brick poles.
Before the construction of the fence, logs and other wooden elements, if any, must be impregnated with antiseptics.
Negative aspects of both options are also available. In the first case, if logs are buried in the ground, they will rot without careful processing of the lower ends, and pouring them with concrete requires making a high band foundation, which means additional material consumption. Horizontal logs with a stone base will look beautiful and this will be a reliable construction.
But such a fence should be made higher, so that, jumping, you could not catch on the crown with your hands, otherwise the protective functions of this structure will be zero, because each log will be an excellent support for the feet. If between the logs leave gaps, in the style of "ranch", such a fence will have only decorative properties.
What is a good fence made of logs?
If you use logs as they are, in the condition that they come from the sawmill, when all the processing of their surface is only in the peeled bark and knotted knots, you will get a beautiful fence only in two cases. Firstly, it is the above described palisade, and between the logs you will have to leave small gaps or set them in staggered order, because because of the uneven surface they will not fit tightly to each other. Secondly, it is a fence in the style of "ranch", when there is a gap between horizontally laid logs.
Another thing is a fence made of round logs, it looks neat and tidy no matter where the wooden elements of the structure are installed, horizontal or vertical. The treated logs fit tightly, and, with the right approach to material selection, look the same, as they say, one to one .
Ideally rounded shape in cross-section without any protrusions and notches does not allow snow to stay between the rows of horizontally laid logs in winter, which during the thaw will be an undoubted plus - there will be less damp in the joints. And the main advantage is that there is no need for additional finishing, which means that time, energy and finances are saved, despite the fact that round logs are more expensive.
How to make a log fence on your own?
The first stage of erecting any fence is digging a trench, and the higher the design, the deeper it is to bite into the ground. In fact, this is the principle of balances, where the ground surface acts as a fulcrum, the higher the fence, the deeper and heavier( by pouring concrete) should be its underground part in order to avoid overtaking, especially when it comes to heavy logs.
On average, with a fence height of 1.8 meters, a half-meter trench with a sand cushion at the bottom of up to 20 centimeters is sufficient, then a concrete pouring is performed. If we want a foundation of crushed stone, the concrete foundation is deduced only to the ground level, although it can be raised higher, and the above-ground part will become the base of the fence.
The stone band is laid out by selecting the most conveniently joined pieces of rock with subsequent cementation. If somewhere emptiness is formed, we put in them pieces of lesser stone. Immediately decide what will be the poles between sections of the fence, also stone or from a metal pipe of large cross-section. In the first case, along the central axis of each column, there must still be a profile to which horizontal metal rods are welded horizontally, with outward masonry, so that they fall along the central axes of the logs when they are laid.
At the ends of each log on one side an opening is made for the rod, and on the other hand it drills for the length of the radius, when stacking, the log is pushed onto one rod, and the other is pushed down from the top. To ensure that the logs do not rotate and moisture does not accumulate between them, cover the joints with resin or mastic as the fence is assembled.
