Installation Guide

FENCE INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
Choose your fence style
Whether installing preassembled panels or building with
components, there is a fence style right for you. Preassembled
panels make installation easier and are perfect for long runs.
Components leave you with more flexibility on short runs (less
than 8') and on sites that are not level.
Fence Styles:
Items you may need
Tools
• Power saw
• Hammer
• Level
• Posthole digger
• Power drill
• Tape Measure
• Carpenter’s pencil
Materials
• String
• Grade stakes
• Concrete and gravel
• Fence panels or
pickets
• Fence posts
• 2x4s for bracing posts
• Nails or screws*
* Use hot-dip galvanized fasteners or other fasteners as required by
building codes
Design and Layout
6x8 (1x6) Halfmoon PT
Halfmoon Privacy
Shadowbox
Gothic Spaced Picket
Preparation
Check with local ordinances and regulations before building
fences in your area. Before construction, contact your local
utility companies to mark any under-ground cables and pipelines.
In addition, it’s a good idea to discuss plans with any neighbors
along your proposed fence line.
• Determine the number of posts, panels and gates needed to
complete the job based on total linear footage. Take into con-
sideration post, panel and gate width when determining the total
number of each.
• Adjust layout to accommodate as many full panels as possible.
If you must use part of a panel, place in the farthest rear corner of
the property. Some types of preassembled panels can be trimmed
to fit odd-sized layouts, but other types are difficult or impossible
to cut to size.
• Locate property boundaries and drive stakes into the ground at
corners and ends of fence line, 6" inside property boundary.
• Stretch twine or heavy string between stakes and pull tight to
mark layout of fence line.
• Be sure to measure your fence panels and gates prior to locating
the postholes. Also take into consideration your chosen method of
attaching the backer rails to posts (see Connecting Backer Rails
to Posts section). Locate post placement in the following order
along string line.
a) End/corner posts
b) Gate posts
c) Line posts
Privacy – Allows for complete
privacy. Used to surround
swimming pools, define prop-
erty lines or cover unattractive
areas.
Spaced Picket – Ideal for
defining boundaries while
maintaining decorative appeal.
Shadowbox – The ideal
“good neighbor” fence fea-
tures the same look on both
sides. This style has the look
of a privacy panel but allows
for more air circulation.
Installing fences on sloped landscapes
Fences are installed on slopes using one of two methods (see
Fig. 1). Preassembled panels can only be installed using the step
method. The fence gradually steps up the slope with the rails
level, rather than parallel to the slope. With loose components,
you have the option to use the parallel method. The rails are
installed based on the degree of the slope. Since this method
requires that the fence be constructed to conform to the slope, it
cannot be accomplished using preassembled fence panels.
Step Method
Parallel Method
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Fig. 1