Product Description

Experienced carpenter George Nash traces the evolution of the American wooden fence from Colonial times to the present. Along the way, he discusses the various types of fences and explains how to design a fence to meet every conceivable need--including how to be a good neighbor. The book also gives practical information on how to build a fence, from laying it out to digging postholes, anchoring the posts, and installing gates. An inspiring and useful book for homeowners and landscapers alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #368862 in Books
• Published on: 1999-03-01
• Released on: 1999-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Amazon.com Review
Fences have many purposes, including security, privacy, and ornamentation, but not all wooden fences are alike. Do you want a rustic post-and-board fence or a colonial white picket fence? Do you need a gate for the driveway or a trellis for the roses? With some thought and planning, the fence you build can both fulfill your needs and enhance your property. George Nash describes the many types of wooden fencing and recommends certain kinds of wood (all common hardwoods, he says, are generally unsuitable, as they swell, warp, and rot too easily). He also tells how to apply for a building permit, develop a site plan, establish the level line, lay out, build, and maintain all the parts of the fence. It's one of the best references available on the subject, and certainly the most beautiful.

About the Author
Nash is a renovation contractor and fencebuilding enthusiast.

James Blair is Chief of the Unit on Affective Cognitive Neuroscience in the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program of the National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program.

Derek Mitchell and Karina Blair both work on the Unit on Affective Cognitive Neuroscience in the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program of the National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program.

Customer Reviews

An excellent book for ideas and construction how-to
This book has lots of pictures of fences and the houses behind them. This gives you ideas on how to design a fence to go with your home. Good construction information as well. All-around excellent book.

I fell for the other reviews - again.
This book offers a nice glimpse at some very basic traditional fences. It's mostly a guided pictoral journey showing some colonial, old traditional and farmland fencing - NOTHING remotly contemporary.

NOT PRACTICAL for someone looking for a reference of fence designs or construction techniques. Sure the author gives good information about basic design factors but does not offer much help to develop and build a finished product.

A great book if you have some time to kill and you enjoy hearing about and looking at pictures of old-fashined fences. - Mine's going back to Amazon in exchange for something more practical. In fact, I wish Amazon would do a better job in reviewing these books to save me a lot of time.

Beautiful, Informative Book for Planning & Building a Fence
George Nash's writing, with the aid of former National Geographic photographer James P. Blair, expounds on the history and great variety of fences. Although primarily about wooden fences, he does touch on rock, iron and wire fences in the discussion of the history of fencing.

Nash points out the many reasons for fencing, from the practical to the ornamental and how each type may be designed and constructed. He explains the reasoning and functionality of purpose-built fences very clearly.

There is also great technical detail, from how to pick materials to how to layout and set fence posts. There are clear diagrams of common fence joinery and shop tips for making the various components. Do's and don'ts in design are pointed out. Repairs and maintenance are also discussed.

Although there are no measured drawings, the aspect ratio of the "golden rectangle" is presented to aid you in making an attractive, as well as functional, fence. The rich plethora of color photographs and clear diagrams depicting an incredible variety of designs will inspire, or perhaps confound you, with ideas to build your own fence.

The only problem with this book is that there are so many great ideas, it's hard to pick just one!