Glossary
Fence Glossary
Frost line, line post, cantilever gate, racking and more: the words fence builders use, explained in plain English. Search or scroll.
- Board-on-board
- A privacy style with boards overlapped on both sides of the rails so there are no gaps.
- Bracing
- Diagonal or heavy support that keeps a gate or corner from sagging or racking.
- Cantilever gate
- A sliding gate that rolls on posts and has no track on the ground.
- Cap rail
- A horizontal board across the top of a fence that finishes the line and shields the board tops.
- Concrete footing
- The concrete around the bottom of a post that locks it in the ground.
- Corner post
- A heavy post where a fence changes direction, built to take the pull of two runs.
- Dog-ear picket
- A picket with its top corners cut off, a common simple style.
- End post
- The post at the end of a fence run, set strongly because the run pulls on it.
- Finial
- A decorative point or shape on the top of a post or picket, common on iron and aluminum.
- Frost line
- The depth to which the ground freezes in winter, which affects how deep posts are set.
- Galvanized
- Steel coated with zinc to resist rust.
- Gate operator
- The motorized opener that swings or slides an automatic gate.
- Good neighbor fence
- A style that looks equally finished from both sides of the fence.
- Kick board
- A board along the bottom of a fence that closes the gap at the ground.
- Lattice
- A crisscross of thin strips used for fence tops, screens and arbors.
- Line post
- A regular post between corner and end posts along a straight run.
- Mesh gauge
- The thickness of the wire in chain link, where a lower number means thicker wire.
- Panel
- A pre-built section of fence set between two posts.
- Picket
- A narrow vertical board, often pointed or shaped on top.
- Plumb
- Perfectly vertical, as checked with a level.
- Post cap
- A cover on the top of a post that sheds water and adds style.
- Racking
- Adjusting panels to follow a slope in a smooth line instead of in steps.
- Rail
- A horizontal piece that connects posts and carries the boards or pickets.
- Setback
- The required distance between a fence and a property line, street or structure.
- Shadowbox
- A style with boards alternating on each side of the rails so air passes but sight lines are blocked.
- Slat
- A thin horizontal or vertical strip used in screens, chain link inserts and privacy panels.
- Split rail
- A rustic fence of posts with open horizontal rails.
- Stepping
- Setting panels in level steps down a slope.
- Terminal post
- A heavy post at the end, corner or gate of a chain link run that takes the tension of the mesh.
- Wrought iron
- A traditional metal fence style with decorative forged or shaped bars.
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