HOW TO INSTALL

Hire a contractor for an affordable vinyl fencing installation in the USA or DIY

TOOLS NEEDED FOR THIS PROJECT

  • String and Marking Staker
  • String and Marking Staker
  • Level(Line Level)
  • Level(Line Level)
  • Speed Square
  • Speed Square
  • Rebar(optional)
  • Rebar(optional)

BEFORE YOU START, CHECK THE FOLLOWING

  • That you meet local codes for frontage locations, property lines, fence heights and any permit requirements.
  • Check with your local utility companies to locate underground pipelines, power lines or cables.

A. PREPARE FENCE LAYOUT BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION

  1. Locate property lines
  2. Drive stakes into the ground along the property line. Then stretch a string between each stake and extend the string 2 inches beyond the property line, as shown in the figure
  3. Mark end and corner post locations with a stake. For gate posts, refer to the gate section for gate opening size
Note: It’s easy to check for square corners. Use the 3-4-5 rule, as shown in the figure below.

B. SET END AND CORNER POSTS

1)Dig all end and corner post holes first, 10 inches in diameter and 30 inches deep.

Note: Post depth and diameter will be determined by local weather and soil conditions.

2) Insert end and corner posts into holes and set them in concrete filling to 2 inches below ground level.

3) Level and plumb post, as per figure

4) Stake a string line across the top of the end and corner posts to mark the desired height of the line posts, as shown in the figure below.

5) Now stake out the positions of the line posts along the string line, as per the figure.

Note: You will first need to determine the “post on center distance,” the measurement from the center of one post to the center of the next as per the figure above.
Example for Privacy Fence:
  • Section Width = 90″
  • Post size = 5′ (5×5)
  • Total “Post on Center distance” = 95″

Depending on the distance between end and corner posts, the line posts may not be on 8-foot centers. In this case, you have to choose one of these two options:

a) You can keep the line posts on 8-foot centers and position one line post to a smaller distance. This means you will end up cutting one fence section down to size. (This is the easier approach in terms of man hours)

b) You can position all the line posts at a smaller, even distance and cut down the width of each fence section. (This is the harder approach, but the sections look even).

6) Dig the holes for all the line posts as per figure 5.

Repeat steps 4 through 6 for all fence lines

C. SET LINE POSTS AND RAILS

Now start installing the line posts and then the bottom rails.

Slide the bottom rail (A) into the bottom hole of the terminal post. Starting down the fence line, place the next post into the next hole. Now slide the next bottom rail (B) into the bottom hole of the next post as per figure below. Repeat these steps until all posts are set with bottom rails inserted.

Note: If post spacing is less than 8 feet on the center, cut a piece from the end of the top and bottom rails to get the desired length

Fill the post hold with concrete. Make sure that the post is set at the correct height and is square, level and plumb with the fence line as per the figure below

D. FILL INSIDE OF THE END AND CORNER POSTS WITH REBAR AND CONCRETE

All of the posts require concrete on the outside base. For added strength, the end and corner posts should be filled up to 2 feet from the top of the post with concrete and rebar.

Note: Before filling gate posts with concrete, make sure that the gate hardware is installed following the instructions in the gate section

Each end, corner or gate post takes two pieces of ½-foot diameter rebar cut 4 inches shorter than the post length located at opposing corners of post as shown in figure 8

Now fill the posts with concrete. Tapping on the sides of the post, remove air pockets in the concrete, as shown in figure 8

Clean up the excess concrete with water before it dries.

4×4 Line Posts = approx 100 lbs 4×4 End, Corner, Gate post = approx 160 lbs
5×5 Line Posts = approx 140 lbs 5×5 End, Corner, Gate post = approx 260 lbs

E. INSTALL PICKETS

Starting on one end, insert the starter picket into the bottom rail. Continue across the panel inserting the remaining pickets and interlocking the tongues and grooves of the pickets

As you approach the end of the panel, insert picket on the opposite post and move toward the center, keeping the tongue and groove in the same direction. Then slide the last picket in from the top, approximately two or three pickets in from the post, as per figure 9.

Note: If post spacing is less than 8 feet on the center, you can cut the picket board on one side. The cut end of the picket always goes against the post, as per the figure

Note: If U channels are required (i.e. on darker fence colors), center the U channel on the post between the bottom and top rail holes. Position the flat side of the U channel against the post and secure the channels to the posts using #8 x 3/4′ stainless steel self-tapping screws, as per the figure.

To insert the top rail, place one end of the top rail into the post and work your way down the panel, pushing the pickets into the top rail as you go, as per the figure.

To insert the top rail, place one end of the top rail into the post and work your way down the panel, pushing the pickets into the top rail as you go, as per the figure

After the last picket is inserted, slide the rail into the post. Repeat these steps to assemble all panels

F. POST CAP INSTALLATION

Install the post cap on post by applying PVC glue on the inside of the cap, as per the figure.

G. INSTALLING GATES

PREPARING GATES

Set privacy fence and gate posts 44 inches apart to allow for hardware and gate. Gates are 42 inches wide with a 2-inch gap to accommodate hinge and latch.

Set traditional and perimeter gate posts 49 inches apart to allow for hardware and gate. Gates are 47 inches wide with a 2-inch gap to accommodate hinge and latch.

For narrower openings, gates can be cut to size, as per figure.

Assemble the gate following instructions in the gate kit

MOUNT GATE

Position gate in the opening by blocking up the gate so that the rails of the gate line up with the rails of the fence.

Attach hinges to hinge post and latch catch to latch post before filling posts with concrete.

Ensure that the gate posts are filled with concrete and rebar and set for 72 hours before hanging gate.

Hang the gate by attaching the hinges to the gate.

Position latch bar on gate and secure.

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