Ornamental Steel Installations

Building a fence can be daunting, but a beautifully finished product that you created can be an unforgettable accomplishment. Ornamental metal fencing is a great addition to any property because of the vast availability of design and style possibilities. After choosing one that fits your property, consider if you can take on the challenge of installing it yourself.

Your decision has brought you to understanding the practical advantages and style of a decorative metal fence, but now it’s time to actually install it. Follow these guidelines for a smooth process with the proper equipment. Installing a fence yourself will save on labor costs, but if you’re not careful you could cost yourself more work in the future.

Before building your metal fence it is vital to learn all of the fencing rules that exist. Each state has particular standards, but most are similar. There are boundaries on height, design, property lines that differ from place to place. Most commonly, the maximum fence height allowed for residential areas is six feet. Another rule to understand is whether your property needs to be fully shielded for privacy (such if you have a pool.)

For instance, some areas demand a fence must be a certain distance inside the property line. Any structure will have to also have to fit standards that ensure safety. If your neighborhood has a homeowners association be sure to fit inside their regulations as well to avoid hassle with color schemes or designs. Certain material may even be prohibited.

Things to Consider:

• Do you need a Permit?
• Is your fence design appropriate for your property?

Keep in Mind:

• Where are the property lines?
• Is there an existing fence? Existing fencing has certain rules and depending upon its replacement, your neighbor may have to split costs on materials and labor if it’s on both properties.

To prepare for the installation of your fence, you have to have a location in mind to put it. Closely examine your intended path to check for any abnormalities in the land. You may have to clear obstructions or alter your plans to build around something. Also consider if any utilities run through this space.The major ones to check are: water, gas, electricity, sewage, or cable lines.

This is an excellent time to pinpoint the exact location of the ornamental metal fence and its posts. Measuring the exact dimensions will benefit you when it comes to purchasing your materials to the correct sizing.

Basic tools, like screwdrivers, are used when installing fences. Since this is an ornamental metal fence, you must take that into consideration that designs may vary so different materials may be needed.

Usually a good investment for raising any fence is a post hole digger which is specially designed to save time and effort. If your fence is large or heavy it may be necessary to cement in the posts. For this, a wheelbarrow will be a helpful tool to move your material from station to station and keep work running smoothly.

• Stringline
• Plumbline
• Power Drill
• Carpenter’s Level
• Eye Protection
• Gloves
• Calculator
• Measuring Tape
• Stakes
• Post-Hole Digger
• Wheelbarrow
• Crescent Wrench
• Hacksaw
• Round Blade Shovel

One of the best tools at your disposal will be physical assistance from another person. Even if you are capable of doing it on your own, two heads are always better than one. This is an excellent opportunity for a get together with friends or bonding time with family while learning valuable building skills.

Making a detailed sketch of your fencing plan on your property helps solidify measurements by putting it on paper. Having a visual plot ensures you’re not forgetting anything. Make sure to factor in anyplace you will want to include a gate. Use this plan later to purchase enough materials if your measurements are exact. You don’t want to end up having to go back and purchase more halfway through.

Drawing out the exact plan should not be left only to paper. Marking your predicted fence with a chalk line or flags on your actual property will give you a visual sense of what you’ll need. You’ll also be able to make sure you corners and measurements are perfectly square to avoid a wonky shape in your fence.

Using the stringline to mark the outline of the fence, but use place markers to flag where your posts go. Understand the stability of the fence depends on your appropriately distancing the posts from the panel attached in between.

Start by clearing any debris from the area so it won’t get in your way as you work, and organizing your tools and materials for easy access. Plan this smartly: you will need the stringline at this point, so keep important tools in your immediate reach.

If you have marked the exact location of the posts already, grab your round bladed shovel or post hole digger. A post hole digger will dig a straight hole, but with a shovel it will be easiest to dig in a V shape. Depending on the height and weight of your fence it will need to be buried at a certain distance. This will vary by fence, but for the most part you will want at least the bottom fourth of the post should be underground. It is best to dig one post hole at a time so you can double check between each one that you are keeping your border straight.

Groundbreaking Tip: Check the weather ahead of time to find a good few days to work. Dirt will be easiest to dig through in a soft slightly moist state. Dirt that is too dry is hard to break up, and mud is heavy and can create a suction effect making it harder to dig.

Now it is time to actually begin building the fence. The way the posts are laid will depict the structural strength.

Lay out your posts in the positions you have dug. Indicate the ground line on post with a red grease pencil or another washable marker that is easy to see. This measurement is the desired height of the fence plus one inch, each post will naturally sink a little after sitting.

Assistance will come in handy during this portion. Have one person center a post in each hole, while someone on the ground makes sure your mark is level with the ground. If they’re not, use a trowel around posts to raise or lower it.

Next, steadily pour concrete around the post. Use your measurement tools to make sure the post is straight up and down, and perfectly in line with the others before the concrete begins to set. Allow the concrete to fully set before moving onto the next step so they can’t be disturbed as you work. There are quick curing concretes, but generally you may want to wait a good 24 hours. Use your trowel again to fill in the remainder of the hole with dirt.

We will begin with the tallest posts first, if they vary in height. It’s important that time for the cement and posts to become rigid has been given. If the fence posts do not already have indicators for where to attach the panels, use your measuring tape and marker to create some.

Fixate your metal panels to one post using the universal brackets from the top first. The bottom of each panel should be two inches higher than where the posts meet the ground.

Use wrench to tighten hex nuts enough to keep them in place so it can be slightly adjusted if needed. Ensure the other side of the panel is the same two inches from the ground before attaching it to the next post. Once it is place then fully tighten each nut. Repeat these steps between each post.

Remember! If you have to cut any panels short be sure to position these panels near corners or places that are less noticeable. Double check measurements before cutting, try your best to imitate the other factory side. Measure again and drill holes for your brackets before mounting. Clean any sharp edges or metal shavings left over and attempt to mimic the factory paint.

This step is easier than it sounds because most gates will come preassembled and only need to be hung. Attach pin hinges for the swinging side of the gate on the inside of any brackets from the neighboring panel. The top hinge should be pointing down, and the bottom should be pointing up.

Measure these positions as compared to the actual gate to make it easier when it comes to hanging the gate. Assure the gate is resting the same 2 inches as the panels before fully tightening everything. Attach the latch of the gate last to ensure it will line up properly.

With few days of planning and picking that perfect fence, you can discover the guide and tools available to guide you to success. Do not let ornamental metal fencing installation seem harder than it is. A lot of the work of installation is researching before you even break ground. By following these steps, you can successfully install your ornamental metal fence without paying out of pocket for professional help.