If you are reasonably handy or if you know someone who is, you should consider installing your aluminum panel fencing yourself or hiring a handyman to do the job. You can certainly install your fence without hiring an expensive contractor to do the work.
Aluminum fence panels are relatively light, so they’re easy to move around. While they’re strong, you can still easily cut them when you need to trim a panel to complete a run.
Do Your Homework
We provide an installation manual on our website at staging.greatfence.com. This should tell you everything you need to know to install your aluminum fence panels. We’re here if you need help. Just give us a call. You can refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on our website before making the call. There is a good chance you’ll find the answer to your question there.
Once your order arrives, check that you’ve received everything, including the hardware. Review your installation in your mind, making sure you have everything you’ll need for the job. Prepare to have the tools you’ll need, such as saws and screwdrivers, on hand.
Posts and Other Uprights
Posts hold up your fence, so it’s vital to install them carefully so they’ll stand securely and bear the weight of the fence. If you’re installing your fence on the ground, you’ll be digging holes in which you’ll place the posts along with cement to secure them in the ground. On our website, you will find tables specifying post lengths according to fence panel heights. You’ll need different amounts of cement depending on the depth and diameter of a post hole.
If you’re mounting fence panels on a hard surface such as a deck or staircase, you’ll be ordering welded plates on which you will install the posts.
If your aluminum panel fencing ends at a column or a wall, you’ll need to buy mounts to attach to these surfaces. You can get regular straight mounts or choose horizontal swivel mounts for angles. This also applies if you use wood posts, which you will supply yourself. You can also get vertical swivel mounts. These are used to run panels up and down steep slopes or if your attaching a pivoted panel to an existing structure (house, building, wall or column).
Installing a Gate
You should start your project with the gates. Install these first and then build the fence outward from there. The first thing you should do is install the posts for the gates. You’ll need to leave ¾ inches of space between a gate and post so the gate can open properly. Double check the spacing, then place the hinges and drill holes to secure them. We supply screws that you will use for this purpose. For larger gates, you’ll need account for 4 inches of spacing when using our Heavy Duty Gate Hinges.
After the gate posts are securely installed, you can start to build outward from there. Install a fence panel at the post using the pre-punched slots. We include self-tapping screws for this. After you’ve built four sections of fence, make sure it’s aligned well before continuing.
You may need a partial panel to complete a run. You can easily trim a panel with a hacksaw or any metal blade electric saw. You’ll have no notches at the trimmed end, but it’s easy to cut a notch when you need one.
