How To
- How To
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED
- Tape measure
- 10ltr bucket
- Spirit level
- String line and line marking spray
- Spade
- Hammer
- Hand Saw
TOOLS TO MAKE THE JOB EASIER
- Post hole digger
- Pointed digging bar
- Nail Gun
- Screw Gun
LET'S GET STARTED
Decide what height you would like your fence then measure the length of the fence you require. Enter these details into our fencing calculator, this will give you all the products you require to build your fence. Don’t forget if you are installing a gate or your fence has a corner it may require an extra post and an extra rail. Your materials will be delivered to your Garden on the day of your choice.
Mark out with pegs the ends and corners of where you would like your fence to go. Run the string line around the outside of your pegs to get nice straight lines.
Measure and mark every 1.8 Meters for your posts, Line marking spray will help you do this. Lay your 3.6 meter rails out to ensure you have spaced the posts out correctly. Once you have confirmed you have marked the post location in the correct place, you should mark where the string line is with your line marking spray, this will allow you to get the string line out your way before digging.
Start digging Your post holes. Holes should be dug to a depth of 600mm (2 feet). Ensure you make the hole big enough to accommodate the post and enough room around the outside for post mix. A post hole digger will help you dig the correct size of hole and will greatly speed the process up.
Place your posts in the holes and ensure that the posts line up with the lines you marked on the ground. If you do not have a helper, it would be a good idea to place braces on the posts to keep them in place and level while you carry out the next step.
Half fill the hole with water. Pour the dry post mix evenly around the hole until there is no water. Ensure the hole is filled with mix if there is any dry mix left on the top add a little water and agitate with a stick if required. Double check post is sitting level and adjust if required. Post mix takes approximately 10 minutes to set. You will not be able to move the post once the post mix sets. Repeat this step for all posts.
Measure 150mm up from the bottom of your first and last post and place a mark. Run the string line from 1 mark to the other. Place marks on each post where the string line is touching it. Measure down 225mm from the top of the first and last post and place a mark. Run the string line as you did for the bottom rail and place marks where the string line touches posts. Please note if the ground has elevation changes you will need to follow the contour of the ground with your rails. If you are installing a 1.8 meter fence you will need a middle rail. Measure between the top and bottom mark and half the number, this will give you the middle for your rail.
Now we are all marked up we can nail (or screw) the rails to the fence posts. Use 90mm galvanised ring nails. Place the bottom rail above your marks and nail them to the fence. If you do not have an assistant you can put a temporary nail in your marks. If you leave the nails sticking out around 50mm this will allow you to place the rails on them until you nail the rails and be easy to remove once you're done. Continue this for all rails. If the rails need to be cut mark a straight line and cut with a hand saw. Please note if you stagger the joins of the rails this will help to add strength to your fence.
Mark two of your slats 160mm from the top. Line this mark up with the top of the top rail. Nail one slat at the start of your fence and one at the end using a spirit level to ensure it is level. Run your string line from the slat at one end to the other slat, this will ensure you have a nice straight line for installing your slats. Nail your slats with 2x50mm galvanised ring nails in each rail. Use one of your slats on its side to create your 19mm space before installing your next slat. Continue this for the rest of the fence ensuring you check every few slats with your spirit level and making small corrections when required.
