Composite Fence Panels

Installation costs are up to the homeowner. We believe these are an easy DIY project for most people. If you prefer to pay someone, then they should be able to provide you with a day rate and an estimate of their time on the job.

Do you remember the different parts of the fence that work together as a system? Now is when we tell you how the system fits together in installation. There are just a few simple steps:

1. Prepare the foundation for the fence. If you are installing the fence over an existing foundation, then you only need to mark out the locations of the post supports. If there is no existing foundation, then you can create one by pouring concrete footers for the post supports. Extra care should be taken with measuring the spacing and levelling the concrete.
2. Install post supports. Screw each post support into the foundation with the four bolts provided. Holes should be pre-drilled to ensure the bolts are a good fit and the foundation doesn’t crack. The posts slide easily onto the supports.
3. Add the bottom base strip and then build the walls. Each panel begins with a bottom base strip. After these have been installed, the rest of the panel boards slide in easily from the top. The tongue and groove construction means the boards slot together without any hassle. The top board comes without a tongue on the top for a flat, flush finish.
4. Finish the posts. After all the boards have been fitted, you finish each panel by screwing a spacer into the top of the post to keep the boards secure. Then a stylish cap is pushed onto the top of every post.

How easy is that? With a foundation in place, a single person on their own can fit the supports, posts, and panel boards for a small garden in a weekend. Since the panel boards are individual pieces, they don’t weigh too much, either!

Without a foundation, the work just needs an extra step. You can pour the concrete footers one weekend and fit the fence the next.

Brick walls can be an ideal foundation for these fences. There is one exception to this, though. We’ll mention it in a moment.

To install these on a brick wall, simply measure the correct spacing for the post supports. Then mark the holes on the bricks and drill holes for the anchor bolts. Once this is done, the installation is the same as outlined above.

The only exception to this is when installing these panels on a brick fence that is only one brick wide. If the fence panels run parallel to the brick, then the width of the brick may not accommodate the post support bracket. Also, a single skin brick wall like this may not stand up to the force of wind blowing on the fence panel.

If you have traditional wooden fencing, then you will probably need to replace the posts. This isn’t too difficult, though. Here are a couple of scenarios:

• Many wooden fences have wooden fence posts. You can use a reciprocating saw (a sawzall) to cut off the posts at ground level. A Japanese pole saw will also make short work of this job. Once the posts are trimmed flush, the new post support bracket can be fitted on the concrete footer.
• Other fences come with concrete posts. These will be a bit more work. While it is possible to cut them, it is probably better to dig them up and then re-pour new footers.

Both scenarios assume your previous fence panels were the standard 6ft width. If the old posts aren’t the correct distance apart, you need new footers and posts.

You’ll have to measure your space to determine this number. It’s not complicated, though. Use a tape measure to measure the perimeter of the area you want to fence in. Divide this number by 6 if you’re working in feet or by 1.8 if you’re working in metres. The answer is a rough guide to how many fence panels you need.

To be more accurate, try to create a scale drawing or outline of your outdoor space. Measure along each side and draw the locations of the posts. You may find one side needs a half panel to finish its length.

Remember, cutting composite fence panel boards is easy. If your side requires half a panel extra, you can adjust the width of each panel to make every panel the same width. It will mean more cutting, but the result will be nice, even fence panel spacing.

Cutting fence panels is easy with any normal saw. A handsaw will work but an electric saw is an easier option. Mark the cut line, and then chop away as necessary.

If you have many panel boards to trim, then using an electric mitre saw with a stop block will make the job much easier. You can measure the exact length you need, set the stop block, and then achieve perfect results on every cut. This will also work very well if you are trimming angles to fit onto a hillside.

The easiest way to clean composite fencing is with a pressure washer. The high-pressure water will remove any dirt build-up. You can also use a brush and water. Soap or other chemicals will only be necessary if some stain needs to be removed.

Composite privacy fences are a great addition to your property. They’ll add to your enjoyment of your garden, ease your maintenance burden, and can add appeal to your house if you’re going to put it on the market.

After reading that description, you might already know the answer to this question. Of course! However, we can give you a few tips to make it easier.

• Careful measuring will always save time and effort.
• Give your panels a dry fit. Place posts on the supports and then add only the bottom base strip. You’ll be able to see the correct spacing and angles easily.
• These fence panels can cope with hills easily. Once the posts are in place, you can measure the angle of the hill and mark it on the panel board. The panel boards can be cut just like wood.

With a little thought and planning, these panels are much easier to install than a wooden fence. They come in sections and pieces so you can manage them by yourself or with a small crew.

Installation costs are up to the homeowner. We believe these are an easy DIY project for most people. If you prefer to pay someone, then they should be able to provide you with a day rate and an estimate of their time on the job.

Brick walls can be an ideal foundation for these fences. There is one exception to this, though. We’ll mention it in a moment.

To install these on a brick wall, simply measure the correct spacing for the post supports. Then mark the holes on the bricks and drill holes for the anchor bolts. Once this is done, the installation is the same as outlined above.

The only exception to this is when installing these panels on a brick fence that is only one brick wide. If the fence panels run parallel to the brick, then the width of the brick may not accommodate the post support bracket. Also, a single skin brick wall like this may not stand up to the force of wind blowing on the fence panel.

If you have traditional wooden fencing, then you will probably need to replace the posts. This isn’t too difficult, though. Here are a couple of scenarios:

• Many wooden fences have wooden fence posts. You can use a reciprocating saw (a sawzall) to cut off the posts at ground level. A Japanese pole saw will also make short work of this job. Once the posts are trimmed flush, the new post support bracket can be fitted on the concrete footer.
• Other fences come with concrete posts. These will be a bit more work. While it is possible to cut them, it is probably better to dig them up and then re-pour new footers.

Both scenarios assume your previous fence panels were the standard 6ft width. If the old posts aren’t the correct distance apart, you need new footers and posts.

You’ll have to measure your space to determine this number. It’s not complicated, though. Use a tape measure to measure the perimeter of the area you want to fence in. Divide this number by 6 if you’re working in feet or by 1.8 if you’re working in metres. The answer is a rough guide to how many fence panels you need.

To be more accurate, try to create a scale drawing or outline of your outdoor space. Measure along each side and draw the locations of the posts. You may find one side needs a half panel to finish its length.

Remember, cutting composite fence panel boards is easy. If your side requires half a panel extra, you can adjust the width of each panel to make every panel the same width. It will mean more cutting, but the result will be nice, even fence panel spacing.

Cutting fence panels is easy with any normal saw. A handsaw will work but an electric saw is an easier option. Mark the cut line, and then chop away as necessary.

If you have many panel boards to trim, then using an electric mitre saw with a stop block will make the job much easier. You can measure the exact length you need, set the stop block, and then achieve perfect results on every cut. This will also work very well if you are trimming angles to fit onto a hillside.

The easiest way to clean composite fencing is with a pressure washer. The high-pressure water will remove any dirt build-up. You can also use a brush and water. Soap or other chemicals will only be necessary if some stain needs to be removed.

Composite privacy fences are a great addition to your property. They’ll add to your enjoyment of your garden, ease your maintenance burden, and can add appeal to your house if you’re going to put it on the market.