Deck Fence Opening
create access to your yard and garden
includes: easy-to-install steps
project by Kevin Sherrod
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Gathering Place
A large deck makes for a great family gathering place. A deck adds another room to a house, and extends living space to the beautiful outdoors.
Our deck had a fence across the back, providing privacy between our back yard and the neighbor’s yard behind us.
From the day we first bought our Northwest Cottage, my wife and I knew that opening up that fence would be on our projects list.
Why Open The Fence?
Behind the deck and fence was one of the most beautiful corners of our yard. We called it our “retreat.” A hidden garden with tall trees that provided much needed shade in the summer. During events, chairs were placed in that area, but no one went back there. It was not easily accessible from the deck, and it wasn’t seen.
With the trees and other plants, we had semi-privacy, so a total deck fence was not needed. We decided to open up the fence. The new opening would provide enjoyment of all parts of our yard.
We needed easy access to the back part of the yard, we wished to encourage use of this beautiful area by our visitors, and my wife wanted to be able to see the back garden from the large window in our family room. Blooming flowers in summer, and falling snow in winter. With the fence, she felt closed in.
After the bulk of our Northwest cottage remodel was completed, it was time to take on this project.
SUPPLIES
Check Amazon for prices. Affiliate links are green.
Shovel - to dig around area of new post hole if needed
Post hole digger or shovel
INSTRUCTIONS
Remove Fence Section
The first step was to remove boards from the area of fence that was to become an opening. We decided to place the opening in the center of the deck fence.
The following photo shows the boards removed, and the view into the back corner of the yard.
Taking down the boards also gave us a “sneak peak” of what the opening would offer. If we were not happy with the location, we could have replaced the boards at that point.
Remove Framing
Once happy with the opening, it was time to remove the face boards and framing across the top and bottom of the opening. We were lucky in that we chose the opening in such a way that two vertical framing boards could remain. We only had to remove the vertical board that was in the center of the new opening. The board across the top was cut even with the fence face boards. The board across the bottom was also cut, and the center post was removed.
Improving Fence Integrity
With the framing removed across the top and bottom, the two sections remaining were not stable. Leaning on a free-standing section quickly showed the weakness. It would not have taken a lot of force to break the fence. Fence posts were definitely needed on the free end of each section.
The rose bush was relocated. A new post was installed on each side of the new opening, and securely attached to the fence sections.
Besides being centered, the opening fit just inside the flag pole. Installed in concrete, we certainly didn’t want to move that.
See our project: Install Fence Post
Also: Install Flag Pole
New Fence Posts
The following photo shows a new fence post installed on one side of the opening.
Steps
The final task was to add a step. This was easily accomplished by using a steel stair step riser I found on Amazon (see “supplies” above). I cut a board for the step, then attached it to the metal form. The form was attached to the deck. Quick & easy!
As you can see, this project was finished just in time for rainy season. Fall storms were already arriving. Next spring, we will add bark and stepping stones to the base of the steps and replant some shrubs at the base of the fence areas.
We will continue to add arborvitae and other plants across the property line fence for privacy. I find myself using that part of the yard more now. Most importantly, we no longer feel boxed in, and look forward to watching the snow fall in that area this winter.
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