For the fence we'll be using 2"x4" pressure-treated wood that will be attached to 4"x4" PT posts with wood screws.
What wood joint should I use so that I don't need to buy any more hardware to make it sturdy?
This is what I originally thought of doing, but the builder says that I would need to add L-brackets on either side of the post to make it stronger.
Then I thought of using a half-lap joint, but the builder says that it would make the sides weaker. Each 2"x4" is about 12 feet.
So he explained that he would use something like this. He would use some special glue between the joins:
My question is: what joint is strongest for this particular scenario? I really don't want to buy more hardware to make it stronger (like the L-brackets).
Best Answer
You have a couple things going on here, so let's clarify:
If you're bent on a half-lap joint, the solution is to make a narrower connection, such that it's just wide enough to securely fasten it to the post, but doesn't compromise the strength of the board at or beyond the width of the post. 1-1/2 or 2 inches would do nicely.