How to Break Down Your Materials List for Ultra Fence 101

Ordering your own Ultra aluminum fence to install or have your crew install is sometimes cumbersome and confusing. Here, we break it down into smaller units to give you a better idea of how to calculate the proper amount of fence panels, posts and gates, so you can install Ultra aluminum fence without making mistakes.

1-We breakdown the overall example layout listed above, into smaller linear runs, like from point A to point B, and point B to point C and so on. In the example layout, we start at point A with an End Post 2-3" away from the house and go away from the house 10' to point B which is a Gate Post. In this first 'run', we have 10' of fence, which divided by 6' (the width of the panels) equates to 1.67 (At Ultra we offer 5' wide panels, so you can order what you need,) panels which is rounded up to 2 because the panels are only shipped in 6' widths (this is true for our competitors). Because there are 2 panels, we will have only 1 Line Post. Line posts quantities are equal to the number of panels minus 1. So in this first run from A to B, you will have:

• 1 End Post
• 2 Fence Panels
• 1 Line Post
• 1 Gate Post (these are typically just like End Posts but with a thicker wall. Point K is going to be a Blank Gate Post) Also, all posts come with a flattened pyramid cap standard. You may wish to upgrade to a ball cap.

2- In this run, B to C, we have a 4' wide gate which is measured from the inside of the gate post to the inside of the other Gate Post, point C. Because we already added the first gate post in the previous section, all we have in the second run is:

• 4 Wide Gate
• Gates include self closing hinges and Z-Lock Lockable Latch and can be upgraded to heavier U-framing or to an Arch Gate or both.
• 1 Gate Post

3- From C to D which is to the Corner Post, we'll have 9' of fence which equals 1.5 panels (9 divided by 6' wide panel), rounded to 2 Panels and 1 Line Post (2 panels minus 1 = 1 Line Post) Again, you could order two 5' wide from Ultra and have less waste. So here is this runs total:

• 1 Line Post
• 1 Corner Post
• 2 Fence Panels These panels can be installed in widths of 6' with the other panel cut down to 3' wide or both panels can be cut down to 4.5' to give a more even look. The same is true for the first section of 10'. It could be 6' wide and 4' wide or both cut to 5' wide. Not many, if any, of these runs will work out to be an exact measurement divisible by 6', so some cutting of the panels will be required during the installation process. When thinking about your breakdown consider this, fewer cuts and notches made in the field make for a better looking, more profitable job. So by using Ultra's 4', 5', 6' in RS and 7' and even 8' wide panels on CS and IS Grades, you have no need to have to make these cuts.

4- From D to E which is to another Corner Post, the length is 40'. Divided by 6 equals 6.67 panels (40 divided by 6' wide panel), rounded to 7 Panels (or 5 panels 6' wide flanked by 1- 5' wide panel on each side equals 40' with no field cuts)  and 6 Line Posts (7 panels minus 1 = 6 Line Posts). Here is this runs total:

• 6 Line Posts
• 1 Corner Post
• 7 Fence Panels 6 of these panels can be used without any cutting of the panels, but the last one will need to be cut down to 4' wide.

5- From E to F which is to a Gate Post, the length is 42' which is divisible by 6'. This equals 7 panels and 6 Line Posts (7 panels minus 1 = 6 Line Posts). Here is this runs total:

• 6 Line Posts
• 1 Gate Post
• 7 Fence Panels

6- From F to G which is to another Gate Post, the width of the Gate is 3' (again, inside of post to inside of post. This run only has:

• 1 Gate Post
• 3' Wide Gate gates include self closing hinges and Z-Lock Lockable Latch and can be upgraded to heavier framing or to an Arch Gate.

7a & 7b - The next three runs, from G to J can be done the same way as the previous three sections which lead to another Gate Post.

8- This last run, J to K is a 10' wide double gate. It can be two standard gates or two Arches next to one another or one big Arch  across the whole width. Also, as mentioned previously, the final Gate Post should be Blank which means it has no holes for fence rails to slide into like the End, Line and Corner Posts have. In this final run you would have:

• 1 Blank Gate Post (the other Gate Post would have been included in the previous run)
• 10' Wide Double Gate gates include self closing hinges and Z-Lock Lockable Latch and can be upgraded to heavier framing, Arched Gates or a one arch Gate.
• Drop Rod Assembly

This is just an example of how you can gain efficiency and profitability by using Ultra as your aluminum provider. Because we are truly manufactured here in the USA and have the quickest turnaround times in the industry (usually under two weeks) we can help you eliminate waste of having to deal with only 6' wide panels. Your customer gets a better looking and stronger job, your crew is happy because they finish the job with less work and the Ultra Dealer is happy because they know they are selling the highest grade aluminum fence and providing American Jobs that fuel our economy.

  Think about these details before you choose to order that material made from who knows where or assembled in Florida, New Jersey or Oklahoma made from Chinese extrusions.