The fence and rail systems at Vinyl Rail Depot are the best maintenance free, easy to install products in the market. We boast that it’s so easy to install that you can easily do it yourself! But what do you need to know before installing your new fencing or railing?
Laws and Permits
Every state, city, and county has different fence building laws, so it’s important to seek out help at the city or county’s planning and permitting department. Remember that while every area is different some things remain standard such as notifying your neighbors, expenses, positioning and placement of the fence, and the height and type of the fence. You are required by law to notify your neighbors in communities and it’s just good manners where a notification isn’t required or enforced. Also remember that under jurisdiction, six feet is the maximum fence height and must not be placed within 15 feet of a street line or curb, in the front yard, or where traffic sight distances are impaired.
Tools
To install your fence, depending on the fence design you’ll need a few of the basic tools:
- Shovel or post hole digger
- Wood stakes and twine
- Bubble level
- Tape measure
- Cordless drill
- Hammer
- Circular saw
In some instances you will also need quick set concrete for reinforcing the fence posts and filler gravel to reinforce the structure and ensure it’s stable and dependable.
Process
Remember the saying ‘measure twice cut once’? This also applies to your fence, except less cutting and more measuring. Building a vinyl fence is as easy as assembling lego blocks, but a little more labor intensive. Call your local utility company to ensure it’s safe to dig, then dig your post holes between 3 to 6 inches, starting with the corners and end posts to set your guide lines, marking each hole with a stake.
Once your core posts are in place use twine to help keep everything leveled and avoid fluctuation in the structure height and straightness. Fit the bottom rail, and once you’re sure everything is straight, have a friend shovel in quick dry concrete into the hole. Thankfully, that’s you’re almost done by this point and all that’s left is to install the panels and the top rail that will complete your fence. Remember to account for soil make-up and the elevation of your yard before committing to a certain design or plan. You may need to modify your railing systems to be safely installed on slopes.
