How to Build a Hog Wire Fence

If you’re looking to put up fencing on your Twin Cities property, have you considered opting for hog wire?

This durable, easy-to-see-through, secure boundary is far more aesthetic than chain link, much less expensive than solid wood privacy fencing, and, ultimately, an effective solution for keeping pests out of your yard or garden. Hog wire fencing can also help your property stand out and may even boost the resale value of your home.

If you’re curious about hog wire fencing for your Minneapolis property, read on to learn how you can build your very own hog wire fence.

Plan Your Fence Location and Mark the Perimeter

First and foremost, you must plan out the location of your fence. And once you’ve determined exactly where you’d like your fence to be, you’ll need to measure and mark its dimensions to ensure you purchase the right amount of wood and wire to complete the project.

Dig Post Holes (Always Call Before You Dig!)

Before you dig a single hole, call 811 to request that your local utility company come out and mark the location of any power, water, or gas lines that are in the vicinity of your proposed fence. Doing this will ensure you don’t inadvertently hit a line and leave behind hazardous damage as you dig.

After those lines are marked, it’s time to dig holes for your fence posts using an auger or post-hole digging tool. Since our Minneapolis weather can be quite frigid throughout winter, dig your holes below the frost line to prevent cold-weather heave.

Dig Trenches

Use a shovel or trencher tool to dig your trenches to a depth of about 12 inches. You’ll be inserting wire deep into the trench to prevent critters from burrowing underneath it, as well as above ground to create a barrier that can’t be jumped.

Mark and Cut Post Notches and Install Wood Posts

To connect the rails and posts of the fence, you’ll be using a notch system, so you’ll need to mark your notches and cut them out before inserting your posts in the ground. Before inserting each post, fill its hole with about six inches of drainage stone and then tamp it down.

Once you have your posts in the holes, backfill any open space around the wood with a mix of soil and drainage stone before pouring in quick-set concrete to secure the posts in place.

Install Upper and Lower Rails

With your posts securely in place, it’s time to put the upper and lower rails of your fence. Be sure to drill pilot holes before attempting to drill screws into the wood to help ensure the rails and/or posts don’t split as you work. 

Staple Wire to Rails and Posts

When the skeleton of your fence is securely in place, it’s time to add the wire! Unroll enough wire so that it reaches from one post to the next, and then secure the wire to the posts and rails with galvanized staples.

Make sure you align the wire evenly along the entire length of each side to create a uniform, final aesthetic product. When necessary, splice in new roles of wire by cutting both roles even with the edge of the fence post where they need to meet.

Complete Your Fence With a Gate

Once you’ve securely attached the wire to all of the posts and rails, it’s finally time to wrap up your project with the final touch: a sturdy and secure gate. If you want to, you can build your own gate, but if convenience is the name of your game, you can purchase a pre-finished gate at a well-stocked home improvement store.

While you’re here, check out the pros and cons of hog wiring fencing to determine if it's the correct type of fence for your needs.

Looking for an Experienced Hog Wire Fence Installer Near Minneapolis?

Want to have a hog wire fence installed on your Twin Cities property? Then get in touch with our team at KNO Woodworks to get a project estimate! We specialize in building several types of wood fencing and use the highest quality building materials to ensure complete customer satisfaction on every job we undertake. 

Ready to get an estimate or get your project off the ground? Then give us a call today at 612-226-5172. Or, feel free to contact us online to request a quote, and we’ll get in touch promptly with more information!