Vinyl Fencing is relatively cheap to install and easy to maintain that is why it is the choice of many home owners that want to put in a privacy border or secure a swimming pool.
The product comes in a variety of different styles and colors to match your needs. You can select a basic white panel design that comes in 6 foot heights or you can get simulated wood products to match the color of your home or deck.
Care for vinyl fencing is pretty easy. Although it won’t need painting or staining it may need cleanup. A pressure washer and mold remover will allow you to clean a few hundred feet of fence on a weekend afternoon.
Repairs can be a problem if you have large areas of damage. Unfortunately manufacturers change their product line every couple years and this means that even if you can buy from the same company the likelihood that you will get an exact match is not very high. If this is a problem you can always get something very close then remove a panel from the rear of your property to match in the front or near an access area.
Security is not as high as some other types of fence but basically you are putting up a border and not securing cattle. If you have large dogs then you may want to tell your supplier that can provide a thicker product not prone to damage.
Instillation Concerns
Remember that almost all areas will require that you get a permit for your fence. The exception is when you have a large property that is not in a Home Owners Association area and you are placing the fence well away from your property line.
If like most people you are installing a fence on your property line then you will need to follow proper code. You will need to keep your fence 3 to 6 inches within your property line and that means you are giving up some of your property to avert any problems with disputes from your neighbor. You can still mark your property line with markers or rebar to show exactly where your property ends.
Digging around utilities is dangerous so call your local utility find service and they will come out and mark where any underground utilities are located. The number should be in your phone book or call your local electric company. If you are there when they perform the service make sure that they find all of your utilities including Gas, Electric, Cable TV and Water.
Installing Your Fence
Each Manufacturer will provide specific instructions for their fence however most of them follow general install rules.
First you will need to find your property line and string a line with masons string between the corners to make sure you are working within your property. A laser works well also if you need to extend property markers and set distances.
Once you have found your working area you will need to measure for your first posts.
Corner posts are installed first and they need to be installed in concrete.
Your manufacturer may also recommend that every 4th post be set in concrete or some other interval to provide more stability. Some manufacturers will recommend that every post be set in concrete. This is normally not necessary in the real world if you compact the soil well around the post but if your panels are very large and heavy this may be a good idea. Follow your manufacturer’s directions.
You will definitely want to place posts at both sides of any opening for gates in concrete.
Concrete should be used to backfill the hole and compacted to 3 inches below the surface of the ground so that you can place dirt around the post for grass growing.
Digging your posts is easiest after a rain but this can mean that once your post is set that some settling will occur. To reduce that you should dig your post holes short about 3 inches and then using a spare post compact the soil by ramming it into the hole. If the soil in your area is very dry and hard to dig then get your hose out and put the
Post holes can be dug with a manual post hole digger or a gasoline operated two man digger. The gasoline diggers are normally too hard to control for one person so you will need a helper like a willing relative or friend.
Once your first corner post is installed you can measure off to your next post location and dig that hole.
Install your decorative cover on your corner post and attach your brackets if necessary then install your first panel and support it by placing a 2×4 under the opposite end then install your second post and its decorative cover.
Before you secure your first panel make sure that it is square. The first panel is the most important and if out of line all the other panels will need adjustment to fit correctly.
Install the rest of your posts, covers and panels until you reach your first corner. Your manufacturer will provide information about sizing your final panel to make it fit correctly. Normally you will need to cut the panel and attach a special end cover.