I'm helping put together a custom fence with wire panels sandwiched between flat 1x4s, with the panels being placed in-between 4×4 posts. What would be an effective way to fasten the top 1×4 to the fence, either by fastening it to the fencing frames or to the posts?
We would like to have all the screws on the outside of the fence so that when we are inside the perimeter of the fence, no fasteners are visible, and we'd also like to avoid any fasteners on the top of the 1×4 railing for looks as well as for general rain impermeability, if possible.
My first that was to toe-screw them together with the screw-tip coming up at an angle into the under side of the top 1×4 railing after passing through both of the fence panel 1x4s, but I worry that will cause the top 1×4 railing to tilt a bit to one side. I'm hoping I can combat that with some clamps while screwing things together, but I'm not sure how effective that will be (or if I'm worrying about nothing).
If it matters, this is ground-contact pine lumber that will eventually be stained/sealed. We are using wooden fence/deck fasteners; typically #8 of varying lengths.
How the top 1×4 will rest on the fence panels:
How the fence panels will sit/attach to the 4×4 posts:
Best Answer
I did mine down from the top, then counter sunk the screw holes and put plugs in them and sanded them off smooth to the surface.