I am about to build my first 21′ long horizontal fence, which runs parallel to the sidewalk and turns into the driveway for 8′ at a right angle.. Basically an L shape fence.
My problem is, the driveway is not at a right angle to the sidewalk but at an angle. I don’t know the exact degree but when I lay out my fence lines and I follow the lines of the driveway, my fence will look distorted, and if I attempt a true 90 degree turn my fence runs into the line of the driveway.
What I’d like to know is, which is the correct action to take? Make the fence a true ‘L’ shape or angle the return in so that it follows the lines but makes the fence look crooked? Neither seem right to me but I wondered if there is a standard procedure when faced with this dilema.
Thanks in advance for any tips. Please remember, I’m a first time home owner and definitely in the novice stage of the game. If I have forgotten to mention something obvious, my apologies.
Thanks,
Paul Adams.
Oakland CA.
Replies
So Your Driveway's
Dang... did it again!
So Your Driveway's
I hate it when my posts get doubled....
So Your Driveway's
...not at right angle to your sidewalk, huh? I'd plan MY fence (were I in your situation) to follow the layout predetermined by existing structures.
If you can add a set-back (fence not hard against driveway, as would be typical w/sidewalk unless there's a flower bed or similar planned for) it'll be easier to negotiate with vehicles later on as well as more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. After awhile, despite the angled corner, you'll be the only one who notices 'cause you know it's there.
Besides, there are no right angles in nature.
Close.
"Besides, there are no right angles in nature."
But the angle between plumb and level comes pretty darn close.
Fence dilema
Looks like I shall be following the lines of the driveway then! My intention is to add a setback for just the reasons you mention. As a newb creating a horizontal fence on an angle is going to be more challenging than I had bargained for at the outset of this project. Thank you for the advice and tips. At last I know what is the lesser of the two evils.
When something isn't quite straight/flush/square/whatever, and it's obvious that this is not the case, the solution is to introduce another visual element to distract from the inaccuracy.
It'll look better if it is parallel to the sidewalk and parallel to the driveway. If fence is not parallel to the driveway it will be distracting to the eye. This is similar to what goes on inside a house. For instance, if the top of a door frame is not level a shelf installed above it should be parallel to the door frame. If the shelf were to be level it wouldn't look 'right' in relationship to the door frame. Same idea with the fence and driveway.