Veteran Give Back Sept 2025 with Franklin Building Supply and Merchants Metals

At Rocky Mountain Fence of Idaho, giving back isn’t a marketing idea—it’s a core value. One of the ways we live that out is through our ongoing Veteran Give Back events, where we use our skills, time, and resources to support the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.

This September, we were honored to participate in our latest Veteran Give Back project in Nampa, Idaho, partnering with two incredible local companies—Franklin Building Supply and Merchants Metals—to fully replace a failing wood fence for a disabled veteran whose property had been impacted by a recent storm.


A Fence Failure After the Storm

The homeowner’s original wood fence had suffered extensive damage when strong winds caused the structure to collapse. Upon inspection, we found that the wood posts had completely rotted at the base, leaving the fence vulnerable and unsafe. Unfortunately, this type of failure is all too common with traditional in-ground wood posts—especially after years of moisture exposure and freeze/thaw cycles.

For a homeowner, this is stressful. For a disabled veteran, it can feel overwhelming.

That’s where the community stepped in.


A True Community Effort

This project was made possible through the combined generosity of:

  • Rocky Mountain Fence
  • Franklin Building Supply
  • Merchants Metals

Together, we donated all materials, tools, labor, and expertise to ensure this veteran received a brand-new fence built to last. Our Rocky Mountain Fence crew also led a group of dedicated volunteers, taking time to share tools, training, and installation knowledge throughout the process.

This wasn’t just about building a fence—it was about building confidence, stability, and peace of mind.


Built to Last with Modern No-Dig Fence Technology

Because this was a Veteran Give Back project, we didn’t cut corners—we built it using the same modern systems and installation standards we use on our residential fence projects every day.

Here’s how the fence was built for long-term durability:

Steel-Driven Post System (No-Dig Installation)

We used the I-Drive Power Systems driven post method, which eliminates the common issues caused by concrete-set wood posts.

  • Posts Used: 2-3/8″ x 10′ SS40 galvanized steel posts
  • Depth: Driven 4 feet deep
  • Benefits:
    • Superior wind resistance
    • No frost heave
    • No rot
    • No concrete failure
    • Long-term structural integrity

This system creates a much stronger foundation than traditional digging and setting posts in concrete.


Premium Cedar Wood Fence Construction

Once the steel framework was in place, we built the wood fence system using premium materials designed for both strength and beauty:

  • Rails: Three 2×4 cedar rails per section
  • Hardware: Simpson Strong-Tie brackets with exterior-rated screws
  • Pickets: 3/4″ premium cedar pickets
  • Fasteners: Hot-dipped galvanized ring shank nails for superior holding power

The finished result was a 6-foot natural cedar privacy fence that not only looks beautiful but is structured to stand strong against Idaho’s changing weather conditions for many years to come.


More Than a Fence—It’s Peace of Mind

The true success of this project wasn’t measured in posts driven or pickets installed—it was in knowing that this veteran no longer has to worry about their fence falling over again. The new system eliminates the rot issues that caused the original failure and provides a level of strength and stability that simply wasn’t possible with the previous installation.


Thank You to Our Partners, Volunteers, and Customers

Projects like this don’t happen without a community of support. We’d like to give a heartfelt thank-you to:

  • Franklin Building Supply
  • Merchants Metals
  • Our Rocky Mountain Fence team
  • The volunteers who showed up ready to work
  • And our customers, whose continued support makes these give-back projects possible

Your support allows us to keep doing what matters most—serving our community and honoring our veterans.


Project Overview

Project Type:

  • Wood Fence Removal & Installation
  • Residential Fence Installation

Products Used:

  • No-Dig Wood Fence Installation with Steel Posts
  • Cedar Wood Fence
  • 6′ Natural Cedar Privacy Fence
  • 3/4″ Cedar Fence Pickets
  • 2x4x8 Cedar Fence Rails
  • Steel Frame Gates

Want to Be Part of a Future Veteran Give Back?

If you’re a business, volunteer, or community member interested in supporting future Veteran Give Back events, we’d love to hear from you. These projects remind us why we do what we do—and we’re always looking for great partners who believe in building something bigger than themselves.

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Wood Fence Resources

"Following the Grade", "Racked", or "Rolling" Method

The method of “Following the Grade” allows your fence to contour to the natural slope of your land, maintaining a smooth, continuous line that follows the ground, minimizing gaps due to uneven terrain. 

This technique is ideal for gently rolling landscapes, as it provides a secure boundary that adjusts seamlessly to the terrain. At RMFI, our standard method of installation for residential fencing is a combination of straight top and racked to follow the grade, which is designed to provide an aesthetically pleasing look while leaving gaps to a minimum.

"Stepped" Method

Each section of a stepped fence is installed parallel and level to the next; following the rise and fall of the grade, creating a “stepped” appearance.

This approach is used in many modern-style horizontal and panelized fences, as well as rigid welded ornamental styles. It maintains a consistent height for each fence panel while accommodating an aesthetically pleasing modern look.

However, the stepping structure leaves gaps between the ground and the bottom of the fence on any slope and is not practical for containing animals or keeping the fence close to the ground.

"Straight Top", "Level", or "Line of Sight" Method

Though there are different names and different approaches, each of these refers to a method used to ensure a straight and/or level top line regardless of the land’s rises and falls.

This method is perfect for those who prioritize a seamless visual flow and a clean, uniform fence line. While the top of the fence is in a straight line, the bottom may have gaps as the uneven ground rises or slopes along the fence line.

This style is great for long perimeter runs on open land, homes without finished landscape or housing developments where the grade can be backfilled, and commercial properties.