How To Measure For an Aluminum Fence
Seven steps to a beautiful new aluminum fence.
You want to buy a new aluminum fence for your commercial or residential property. Here’s how to measure your property so you buy the proper amount of materials.
- Make sure you know where your property line is.
There’s nothing worse than getting the last gorgeous fence put up and finding out that part of it is on your neighbor’s property! Where do you find your property lines? Examine the deed to your home or look at your mortgage loan papers. If the deed is lost or missing, you can check with the local zoning office in your city or county. Most expensive: hiring a land survey professional. Another option: having an agreement (in writing) with your neighbor(s). - Check for underground utilities.
Underground lines can affect where your fence posts can be placed. A great way to do this is to call 8-1-1 from your phone. Calling 811 before every digging job gets your underground utility lines marked for free and helps prevent undesired consequences. - Investigate local zoning codes and restrictions.
Make sure your fence will not impede access to your property (easements) by a person or company such as your local utility provider, etc. - Note obstructions such as trees, roots, rocks, etc.
If the item is too expensive or too big to move, place stakes around it before you start measuring. - Decide if slopes or terrain issues will be a problem.
Filling in huge holes or flattening hills can increase costs! You may have to build your fence away from these areas. - Now make a sketch (on paper or computer) of your property or yard.
This will help determine exactly what is measured, and you can note some measurements here as well. Don’t forget to draw in and then place physical stakes where you want your gates to be. - Carefully measure the perimeter of your space(s) with a measuring tape or wheel.
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- Doing this with a friend is more fun and may be more accurate in the end.
- Start at one corner of the area, and lay the tape measure along the ground (or if there’s an existing fence, measure its entire length if you’re happy with its placement).
- Put a stake in the ground or use a (golf) marker for each time you have to pick up the measuring tool.
- Enter the number of feet on your sketch and then note the number in your smartphone, tablet, or low-tech adding machine.
- Add the number of feet from your measurements by hand or electronically. This number is called a “Fence Run”.
- Double-check the measurements physically (run around with the measuring tape one more time.)
- Triple-check your math.
- Quadruple-check the whole thing with Google Earth (if you’re a techie-type and want to have fun).
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You are now ready to order your aluminum fence!
Once you know the size of your space and have a good sketch, visit GreatFence.com to place your order or complete our Quote Request Form (link). Most fence orders do not require a quote as the requirements are straight-forward. However, some properties are a little more tricky and requesting a quote will allows us to share our expertise with you so that you end up with everything you need to install your beautiful new rust-free aluminum fence.
To determine the components you will need for your fence follow these easy steps.
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Calculate the number of Fence Panels you need.
To do this, divide your fence run measurements by 5, 6, 7, 8 (depending on what fence panel width you want) then round UP. This will provide you with the number of fence panels you need. Remember, you can always TRIM-to-FIT any of our fence panels easily/quickly on-site. Gates can not be trimmed as they are welded into frames. -
Calculate the number of Gate Posts you need
Each gate (single swing, double swing or estate gate) needs 2 gate posts unless you are using a column mount. -
Count the number of Corner Posts you need
Look to your drawing and add 1 corner post for each corner -
Count the number of End Posts you need.
End posts are used when starting or ending a run and they are “punched” on only one side. Based on your drawing, add up the number of End posts. -
Finally, count your Line Posts
Line posts are typically the highest quantity of posts in an order and they are placed between panels that are not gates, not on corners, not on ends and don’t need to have panels connected at 2 different heights.
Most fence orders simply require fence panels, gates and posts. We automatically include all of your panel-to-post connection hardware. Some applications require other Accessories at GreatFence.com. Contact us with questions or visit our Support Center online.