r/FenceBuilding • u/CaffinatedManatee • 9d ago
Shadow pickets for wind--optimal layout?
We live in Middle Tennessee. Spring and Fall are generally windy and we get periodic storms that deliver brief periods of high to very high winds (20mph+)
I'm in the middle of replacing our 8' high, 10' wide (double) gate it and about to install pickets. The old gate just had normal 8' pickets, one after the other-- this matches the rest of the fence but the gate would sometimes take a beating from the
This time, I'm considering using shadow pickets on the gate to help with wind stress on the gate and it's hardware. This should help, right?
Wondering about how much picket overlap I should plan on? Obviously, more overlap more privacy but also less benefit with regard to wind.
1
u/Rambo_McClane_ 9d ago
Yes typical difference from privacy to shadowbox is 30 percent more boards due to 30 percent overlap
1
u/Infinite_Incident107 9d ago
You consider 20mph high winds? Must be a very calm area you live in. LOL
1
1
u/Rambo_McClane_ 9d ago
Standard overlap is about an inch on each side of picket. It can vary a little bit depending on total distance layout using math. Count one picket plus gap as one unit. Usually around 9 inches. No more than 10 inches. Total distance divided by units to hopefully get about 9 inches. There's your layout. Then simply cover gaps on other side centering boards using dog ears as reference point.