Calculate the Layout for a Do-It-Yourself "Perfect" Picket Fence

Designed by Al Kupchella

(Note:  Depending on your browser settings, you may receive an ActiveX warning when opening this page.  Click "Okay" if you wish to use this interactive spreadsheet.  This may not work in browsers other than IE. )

This spreadsheet, designed by contributor Al Kupchella, will make it easy for you to properly space the pickets on your fence.  Simply type in the values in the yellow boxes and the spreadsheet will calculate the number of pickets and their relative location.

For an example, we have preentered a picket width of 2.5" and a gap between the pickets of 2.5".  If the space between the fenceposts is 90", then the outer edge of the first picket will be at 4 7/8", the second at 9 3/4", etc.  Just change the numbers for "picket width" , "desired gap", and "actual space" to get started!

Though you can pre-calculate up to 6 sections of fence, I'd advise doing one at a time so you get all the measurements right!  After all, things do change once the project begins!

For the complete article on Al's picket fence project, click HERE.

(To use this Web page interactively, you must have Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later and the Microsoft Office 2003 Web Components.  These free components are available directly from the Microsoft and do not require Office 2003. Click HERE to visit the download page.)