Hypothetical planning example
U-shaped yard with a gate
Shared corners, structure connections, and a gate that removes fill from the panel/board count.
Updated 2026-07-21 · Methodology
Question this answers
How do shared corners and a walk gate change posts and fill length on a three-sided backyard?
Assumptions
- U-shaped layout: two sides and a back run sized to the fixture
- Panel system with a single walk gate on one run
- Two joints connect to a structure (not concreted in the estimate)
- Shared corner posts are counted once
Hypothetical planning example. These inputs and results explain and test Fence Planner. They do not describe a customer project or completed installation.
Plan view
Deterministic diagram from the same fixture the planner loads — not a photo of a finished job.
Calculator result
Derived with the shared materials engine — not hard-coded in this page.
- Total fence length: 156 ft
- Fill length (excludes gate openings): 152 ft
- Posts: 22 total (end 0, line 16, corner 2, gate 2, terminal 0, structure 2)
- Concrete bags (project rounding): 123
- 16 full panels, 20 panels to buy (cut bay 1: pitch remainder 8 ft, clear space 8 ft (valid); cut bay 2: pitch remainder 3 ft, clear space 2 ft (valid); cut bay 3: pitch remainder 2 ft, clear space 1 ft (short); cut bay 4: pitch remainder 6 ft, clear space 6 ft (valid))
- Fill segments on the gated run: 8 ft + 36 ft
| Item | Qty | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 4x4 fence posts4x4 x 10 ft ground-contact | 20 | ea |
| House / structure connectionsWall brackets or ledger (no full post) | 2 | ea |
| Wood fence panels6 ft H × 8 ft W wood fence panel | 20 | ea |
| Cut panel (from stock panel)Final pitch 96 in O.C. · calculated clear panel space ≈ 92 in | 1 | ea |
| Cut panel (from stock panel)Final pitch 32 in O.C. · calculated clear panel space ≈ 28 in | 1 | ea |
| Short clear opening (from stock panel)Final pitch 20 in O.C. · calculated clear panel space ≈ 16 in | 1 | ea |
| Cut panel (from stock panel)Final pitch 76 in O.C. · calculated clear panel space ≈ 72 in | 1 | ea |
| Concrete bags12 in × 36 in holes | 123 | bags |
| Gate hinge sets | 1 | sets |
| Gate latch sets | 1 | sets |
| Pyramid post capsSized for 4x4 posts | 22 | ea |
| Panel mounting bracketsRail/panel brackets (system-matched) | 80 | ea |
| Bracket mounting screws2-1/2 to 3 in exterior screws · HDG or stainless | 300 | ea |
| Gate hardware screws2 to 3 in exterior screws · HDG or stainless | 50 | ea |
What this result means
- Corners are one post each — the calculator must not double-count shared joints.
- Gate width leaves the fill length; gate hardware is separate from panels or boards.
- Structure connections change concrete and post roles even when the drawn length looks continuous.
What this scenario shows
- Corner posts shared between runs
- Structure endpoints excluded from concrete
- Gate-separated fill so opening width is not bought as fence fill
What this does not prove
- Hypothetical example only — not a customer yard survey.
- Does not decide hinge side, swing direction clearances, or HOA design rules.
- Slope and grade changes along the U are not modeled.
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