DIY Aluminum Fence Installation
So, we’ve gone through the costs of installing your own aluminum fencing and what to expect when going through the initial planning phase. You’ve probably even managed to order and receive the fencing materials as well. Naturally, then, if you’re a DIY-er, the next step is to start actually installing the fence yourself.
Suppose you’re not the kind of person who usually engages in these sorts of projects. In that case, there’s no shame in calling a local fence company and having a professional install your aluminum fence for a fee. After all - if it’s worth doing, then it’s worth doing right, and more often than not, hiring a professional team will lead to reliable results.
If you’re a committed handy-person and firmly believe you’ve got the skills to pull off a project like this, then read on and get started!
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Tool Diligence
It goes without saying that you’ll need to have the right kind of tools for this project. While aluminum fencing is often a far more forgiving style of fencing to install compared to other materials. There are still essential pieces of equipment that will be needed to complete your aluminum fence installation:
- Post Hole Digger/Auger
- Drill
- Level
- Tape Measure
- Rock Bar
- Snips
- Wheelbarrow
- Hacksaw/Reciprocating Saw
- Quick Dry Concrete
Getting Started
To start your aluminum fence installation, you’ll want to first figure out the placement of your corner posts and end posts. Corner posts and end posts will act as the anchor of your fence and provide the necessary strength for it to stand without falling over. Also, these will serve as the key spots to determine your overall fence layout - so it’s essential to be precise.
Similarly, if you have any gates in your fence, this will be an ideal time to mark down their positions as well. In addition to allowing access both in and out of any fenced area, Gate posts also serve a similar function as your corner and end posts by providing additional anchorage and strength to your aluminum fence structure.
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To mark your posts’ locations, use wooden stakes that you can quickly hammer into the ground. Once you have these positions marked, use a string and tape measure to mark the fence line from post to post. This will be where the aluminum panels will be placed between each post, so again - it pays to be precise with these measurements.
To help with accuracy, you can also mark the line using a marking spray paint.
To help with accuracy, you can also mark the line using a marking spray paint.
Get Digging
Now it’s time to break out the shovel or the post hole digger and get started on digging the holes needed for your posts.
The most essential part of any fence is underground, so ensuring you have the correct post hole for your fence is critical to the success of your aluminum fence installation. As such, we’d highly recommend you take the extra precaution and rent out a post-hole digger or Auger for this task. Not only will this make the job occur much faster. It’ll also provide the accuracy and efficiency you’ll most certainly need as a DIY-er to keep things moving along.
You will need to dig approximately 36-42” inches deep on the exact spot you marked the post. Make sure you repeat this process for the gate posts as well. Once you have this complete, additional line post holes can be dug from there. We recommend digging the line post hole last as their position is highly dependent on the accuracy and location of your corner, end, and gate post holes.
Setting Up Your Posts
Once you have your holes dug, you’ll now need to place your corner posts, end posts, and gate posts into their respective holes. Take the time to study the differences between each style of post. Misplacing the wrong post into the wrong spot can be a costly mistake, both financially and in terms of time.
When placing each post, be sure to backfill each hole with approximately 6” of backfill using gravel. This is standard practice when pouring concrete and allows your post some added strength and rigidity when placed in the hole.
Once each post is placed in the respective hole, it’s time to pour your concrete into the hole. Give each post a tap to ensure a snug fit before measuring and adjusting the position to ensure it’s perfectly upright.
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We’re not going to lie. This is very much a “point of no return” in the aluminum fence installation process, so make sure you’re adequately prepared and accurate with your posts’ placement and direction. Take your time with each section.
As you’re installing your posts. Move on to your panels and install each one according to the instructions provided by your supplier. Continue down the line of fence, repeating the process each time.
To help maintain your build’s total accuracy, use another line of string at the top of the posts to ensure they remain level.
The Gate
At this point, you’ll be able to move on to the gate. Much of the gate’s process is similar to the installation of the other aluminum panels. However, you’ll have the added task of attaching the gate using the provided gravity latch from your supplier.
This is usually the final piece of the puzzle when completing your aluminum fence installation. You’ll want to have a friend around to hold the gate posts up from the get-go to make sure everything lines up when it comes to installing the gates. Any mistakes with the build will have undoubtedly shown up by this stage.
Dealing with Slopes
While it’s always best to have your fence built on even ground, it’s natural to not always have those sorts of conditions. It will usually be something you’ve already taken into account during the planning phase of your fence build.
In the event you have an elevation in the ground that is less than 12” over 6 feet, then you’ll need to rack or slant your fence panel. As it happens, when racking panels, there are no individual posts required and can be achieved quickly enough with the tools on hand.
Suppose your fence is going through an elevation more significant than 12” over 6 feet. In that case, you’ll need to stair-step your fence to accommodate. When stair-stepping your fence, it’s crucial to use end posts instead of panel posts. These will be larger and provide the additional strength needed to deal with the structure’s added strain. In most cases, your aluminum fence supplier will have already included enough pre-drilled holes in the posts to accommodate any issues.
And that’s it! You’ve managed to successfully assemble and install your fence. There’s not much else left to do but wait for the concrete to fully dry before sitting back and enjoying a finished project.
Of course, if you’re not a DIY-er or have any additional questions on how to install your own aluminum fence, then why not give our team a call? At Illinois Fence Company, we’d be happy to help out and figure out the best solution for your needs!