Fence Installation Guide

From Brentwood Satin Black Jobs

Fence Installation:
Install a pair of gate posts first. (If you don’t have any gates, then start with an end or corner post). Dig the post holes and set the posts into them. Fill the holes with concrete and tamp down around each post so the concrete is about 2” below ground level. The gate will be attached after the concrete has set. The opening between the posts should equal the size of the gate that was ordered. (i.e.: a 48” gate fits into a 48” wide opening.) Caution: The proper operation of the gate depends upon the correct installation of the gate posts. Make certain that they are plumb. Repeat this procedure for all other gate posts that are not in the same straight line of fence. Gates that are in the same line will be installed when the fence reaches their location. After the gate posts are set, the first line of fence is installed. Dig up to 8 holes for the line posts along the fence line. If you reach an end or corner of the fence line, then dig the post hole here; it’s needed. To install the fence, slide the horizontal rails of a section into the punched holes of the post installed in Step 1 as far as the notched end of the rails will allow. Place a line post into the next post hole, and slide the line post onto the horizontal rails of the section as far as possible. Pour concrete around the line post. Check that the post is plumb and aligned with the guide string. Tamp it down to hold the post in position. Leave the concrete about 2” below ground level. Note: Corner posts require the horizontal rails of one section to be specially cut to allow both sections to fit into the post. A ½” x 3/4” piece must be removed from the end of the rails. When you have 6-8 sections installed, align the fence by sighting along the top horizontal rails. When correctly aligned, the rails will appear to be one continuous line. Also, the posts will appear to be one when viewed from the end of the fence line. Continue in this manner until all fence sections are installed. Caution: Make sure that the posts are parallel to the pickets in the sections! Otherwise, the installation will appear less than professional. After the concrete has set, fasten the rails to the posts using the self-drilling screws. Caution: Do not over tighten the self-drilling screws – you can break them. If you use a powered or cordless drill, adjust the clutch to prevent the screws from marring the finish or denting. Fill in the top of the post holes with dirt and grass so the fence will look like it’s been there for years. Your fence installation is now complete!