---
title: How To Install Snow & Sand Fence - Guidelines
description: Snow and sand fences slow wind speed, acting as windbreaks as the heaviest particles roll or creep along the surface, collecting into drifts or dunes.
---

[Our Blog - The Fence Post ](https://www.louispage.com/blog)

# [How To Install Snow & Sand Fence - Guidelines](https://www.louispage.com/blog/bid/8155/how-to-install-snow-sand-fence-guidelines)

 Written by [Frank Langone](https://www.louispage.com/blog/author/frank-langone) | March 16, 2009

#### <https://www.louispage.com/fences/snow-sand-erosion>

#### 4 Foot Fences - Recommended Guidelines <https://www.louispage.com/fences/snow-sand-erosion>

> - Fences should be as long as possible.
> - Install with a bottom gap of 6 in. under the fence.
> - Steel posts should be on 8 ft. centers.
> - End posts should be 6 ft. or less from the adjacent post and braced.
> - Wood picket snow/sand fence should be pulled taut to at least 250 lb/ft.
> - Synthetic fences should be pulled taut at tensions specified by manufacturer.
> - Plastic fences should be sandwiched between two 2" x 2" boards wired tightly to the steel post at the center and at 6" from each edge.

#### **The Height and Bottom Gap**<https://www.louispage.com/fences/snow-sand-erosion>

> - Height is the most important factor in fence design.
> - It has the greatest influence on particle trapping efficiency, storage capacity, and cost.
> - Adding 6 in. to a 4-ft. fence increases its capacity by 30%.
> - Characteristics of the fencing material, such as porosity and size and shape of openings, are relatively unimportant.
> - The gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground increases the height and capacity of a snow fence.
> - The bottom gap reduces snow deposition close to the fence.
> - A gap larger than 8" may be desirable in locations where the fence may become buried.

#### **Posts** and Tensioning<https://www.louispage.com/fences/steel-fence-posts>

> - Steel studded T or U posts can support wooden slat or plastic snow fences.
> - Posts for a 4' fence should be spaced 8' apart.
> - Posts must be designed to withstand wind loads, and allow proper tensioning of fencing materials.
> - Plastic snow/sand fences require tensions as high as 250 pounds per foot of height.
> - Posts at ends or corners should be braced longitudinally.
> - Curved fence lines are undesirable - the tensioning forces tend to pull down the fence.
> - The force that the wind exerts on a fence depends on the wind speed, density of the air, upwind topography and ground cover, and the height and porosity of the fence.

#### **A Wooden Snow Fence**<https://www.louispage.com/fences/snow-sand-erosion>

> - Wood snow fence has slats 1-1/2" wide, held together with double strands of twisted wires.
> - Porosity is typically about 60%.
> - Available with red oxide stain or natural unstained finish.

#### **High Tensile Plastic Sand or Snow Fence and Tensioning**<https://www.louispage.com/plastic-snow-fencing>

> - Most plastic fences, such as Nordic Plus II by Tenax, are made from black or orange polyethylene.
> - Plastic fencing has high tensile strength, but it can be cut and is susceptible to abrasion.
> - Fence must be well secured to posts.
> - Fencing should be tensioned to the manufacturer's specification.
> - End posts must be adequately braced to allow tensioning of the fence.

 Read our blog article "[Snow & Sand Fences - Why They Work.](https://www.louispage.com/blog/bid/8152/Snow-Sand-Fences-Why-They-Work)"

Information was taken, in part, from the Strategic Highway Research Program by The National Research Council. For more extensive and in-depth information about [snow fences](http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp/SHRP-H-381.pdf).

#### <https://www.louispage.com/fences/snow-sand-erosion>

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