How to install vinyl fencing?

Vinyl fences are highly durable, need little care, and are appealing.

Vinyl fences come without any treatment or painting because their color is poured into the vinyl. They are able to maintain their color throughout the seasons, year after year.

Is Vinyl the Same Thing as PVC?

PVC is sometimes mistaken for vinyl. But the truth is that these two materials are indeed quite different from each other. Indeed, vinyl is a radical of ethane, which relates to the various compounds on the basis of ethylene. On the contrary, PVC is actually polyvinyl chloride combined with a polymer of vinyl chloride. This means that PVC is a kind of vinyl and is among the most popular building products you will meet. PVC vinyl fences are sold in developing countries as they are reasonably priced. PVC is recognized as a favorite material among contractors due to its easy application. In addition, it is stable against any form of chemical and biological breakdown. Therefore, if you make a vinyl fence, PVC is going to be the only kind of vinyl that will be used. That’s the reason why it is also known as a vinyl fence.

Principles of the construction of a vinyl fence

Vinyl fences are made up of an interconnected set of elements. When buying, you need to ensure that you possess all the needed parts to make up a full set of fencing. If not, you cannot construct the fence, since vinyl fences do not permit anything improvised.

• • Vinyl picket fences.
    Vinyl picket fences begin with anchor pipes pushed into the soil with a jackhammer. The hollow poles glide over the anchor tubes like sockets. Two anchor tubes create a segment in which a fence panel may be constructed: one track below, one track above, and a number of pickets that pass along the two tracks.

• Vinyl privacy fences.
  Larger, six-foot-high vinyl privacy fence posts must be anchored to the ground with concrete, just like conventional four-by-four fence posts. These posts do not slide over an anchor pipe but are sunk directly into the concrete. A fence panel is prefabricated – a single piece, no separate pieces that have to be put together.

Laws and regulations

You may need to obtain a permit before building your fence. If this is the case, an inspector must visit the site after the work is completed and finalize the permit. All work must be done in accordance with local building codes and regulations. Pay attention to legal issues such as easements and zoning. Your local licensing authority can advise you on local zoning and setback regulations that affect fence construction.

When to build your vinyl fence

If the ground is frozen, it will be difficult for you to drive the anchor pipes for a batten fence or dig the holes for a privacy fence. Wait until the ground thaws before you start building.

Safety when building fences

Whenever you are digging on your property, you should call your local utility company to inspect and identify the location of underground pipes such as gas, water, and electricity lines. These lines are marked with color-coded spray paint that eventually flakes off by itself.

Preliminary steps before installing your fence

Before you continue, some preparation steps are needed.
Instructions
Step 1
Discuss your plans with all neighbors whose property is along the fence line you are proposing to ensure that the fence is on your property.
Step 2
Check the official easements in your deed. An easement refers to a legal right of access given to a different landowner or a public utility company, which may restrict the layout and placement of your fence.
Step 3
Consult with local contractors for the location of underground facilities before digging.
Step 4
Check the local zoning laws that may govern the size and placement of your fence. If you live in a historic neighborhood or subdivision, check with your neighborhood association before proceeding with your plans.
Step 5
Contact your local building inspector to obtain the necessary information about the depth, diameter, and shape of your foundations. Some regulations may require the bottom of a foundation to be wider than the top.
Step 6
Apply for the proper building permit according to local regulations.
Caution
Call 811 before starting the excavations to search for underground supply lines.

Laying out the terrain for your fence

Take your time to lay out the fence carefully. An incorrect measurement now could lead to problems later. Use graph paper to make drawing easier. Take precautions for the widths of the fence panels and gates to avoid odd bays that can make installation difficult. How to plan your fence:
Instructions
Step 1
Stake out your fence line from start to finish, including corners and any gates.
Step 2
Tie a string between the positions of the corner posts. This defines the line along which the line posts are placed. Measure your plates before you continue with the next steps.
Step 3
Use the same measure as the length of your panels to mark the positions of the line posts. Measure in the middle of each corner post along the floor plan lines:

• For 6-foot fence panels, use 5 x 5-inch posts spaced 73 1/4 inches apart in the center.
• For 8-foot panels, use 4 x 4 posts 96 inches apart at the center.

Step 4
Mark each item’s location with a stake. Make sure that the poles touch the layout string so that the poles are in line. Remember to consider goals at this stage.

Dealing with slopes

The installation of a vinyl fence on a slope needs the application of the step technique: the fence rises gradually up the slope so that every section of the bay is of the same length and the tracks are flat rather than parallel to the slope.
When staking out line posts on an embankment for a step-by-step installation, you need a real horizontal measurement for post positioning. Do not measure parallel to the slope. This will give you the correct layout:
Measure from the previous post while keeping the tape horizontal.
Use a 2 x 4 measurement to measure from the correct tape measure to the ground to determine the post-placement. When executed correctly, the tape forms a right angle with the 2×4.
Continue this measuring method for the rest of the slope until the ground evens out.

Make pole holes for your fence

Make sure to dig your pole holes sufficiently deep and wide.
Instructions
Step 1
Make the holes with a 10-inch diameter post-hole drill or power tool. The depth depends on the soil conditions in your area. Check with your local building authority for specific regulations. A good rule of thumb is to put 1/3 of the post in the ground.
Step 2
Dig the hole 6 inches deeper than necessary to allow for gravel fill before the hole is filled with concrete.
Step 3
Main (end) and goal posts should be set 6 inches lower for extra strength. Remember the height of your fence panels when digging your post holes.
Step 4
Fill each hole with 6-inch gravel to drain water from the bottom of the post.

Setting posts for your fence

Be sure that your posts are even and vertical.
Instructions
Step 1
After the gravel is added, fill the hole with concrete. To speed up the process, a quick-setting variant can be used, but follow the instructions on how long the concrete should set.
Step 2
Tap the empty post into the cement until the concrete covers the middle part of the pole in the gap. Tap the pole to the top edge of the gravel. Plumb and level each post. Overfill holes at the top. Tip the concrete away from the pole with a ladle to avoid water collecting around the post.
Step 3
Start by mounting the end and corner posts. Bind a rope between those posts following the fence line. This will create a cover so you can verify that the poles of the fence are in line with each other. Test every post to verify that they are plumb using a level on two neighboring sides.
Step 4
Check the plumb line and orientation once again before setting the concrete and perform the needed modifications.
Step 5
Allow the concrete to harden according to the manufacturer’s instructions before installing the fence panels.
Good to know
Lay out the fence as a dry seat before digging holes for the line posts. This will help to avoid major adjustments later.

Attaching Vinyl Fence Panels

Attaching the hardware and panels is an easy step, provided your posts are installed correctly.
Instructions
Step 1
Fasten the railing brackets to the fence posts with screws recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions. The brackets and screws differ depending on the type of fence to be installed.
Step 2
Once all rail hangers are mounted to the fence poles, insert the panels into the supports and secure the panels to the brackets using screws.

Installing Accessories

Stick the upper pieces to the poles using vinyl glue. Put the glue on the inner side of the upper part where it contacts the post. Push the top down and keep it in place for 10 seconds. Remove any surplus glue instantly.

How to install a gate

The hole for a gate between two poles should be 1 1/4 inches broader than the gate itself. Clear 5/8 inches on both sides between the gate and the poles to permit the fitting to pass through. The base of the gate must be in line with the base of the fence.
Place two 2 x 4 cm poles appropriate for outside use in every gate post. This offers extra stability for fixing the gate fittings. When using 4 x 4-inch gateposts, rip half an inch off the wide side of the 2 x 4-inch gatepost. Level the wood with the top of the post.
All gate back rails include wood inlays that are 8 inches from the end of the rail. These enable hinges or latches to be mounted on the gate. Pre-drill the holes for the fittings on the post and gate.
Use hinge pull screws to secure the hinge to the gate back rail. Secure the latch to the post by using locking screws.

How far off the ground should a vinyl fence be

We recommend allowing a minimum distance of 2″ between the bottom of the panel and the floor. If the bottom rail rests on a 2×4 to keep it horizontal when assembling the plate, it will also facilitate the insertion of the pickets.

How to install a vinyl privacy fence

• • Locate the posts
    Measure the width of the board and include the given spacing for brackets and for the posts.

• • Place the posts
    For each board, dig two holes, each 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Exceed the depth of the frost line in your area by approximately 6 inches. Pour gravel on the ground.
    Place the posts vertically, then add quick-setting concrete around the posts and pour water into the top of the holes. Allow the concrete to set to full hardness.
  • Attach brackets to the posts
    Vinyl privacy fences have various bracket systems that are attached to the sides of the posts facing inwards. Attach these brackets according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• • Slide the panels into place
    Lift the fence panel with the help of the fence and slide it into the post holders. Secure the panel to the post brackets.

• Add post caps
  Since vinyl fence posts are hollow, you must add post caps to prevent dirt and water from collecting. Press these post caps into place.

Do vinyl fence posts need wood inserts?

When you install a new pole, wooden inserts contribute to the increased strength of your pole and thus of the entire fence system.
But without adequate drainage, inserting a wooden pole in cement could cause problems within your vinyl pole. It basically works like a sponge that accelerates the deterioration of the post. Insert compressed stone under the post to prevent this problem.
When you restore an existing post with a decayed wood insert, there is hope! You can bring new strength and reinforcement by using a fence post support or a fence post spike.
Once your pole is fully hollow, you can insert a wooden pole, but we would not suggest that you do so. Here is the explanation. Vinyl posts do not normally fit snugly over wood 4 x 4, in fact, most wooden posts designed for large boxes are 3-1/2” x 3-1/2”. A number of vinyl fences produce hollow posts that are a true square 4″ or 5″ post. These vinyl posts will fit over the wooden posts, but they will not fit tightly, so you will need to add a matching piece to ensure a tight fit. Certain other brands have designed their posts to fit tightly, but if you use force, the shell could break.

How to install vinyl picket fence

• • Strike the anchor pipes on the spot
    Locate the positions of the anchor pipes and hammer them into the ground to the necessary depth with the sledgehammer.

• • Installing the posts above the anchor pipes
    Slide the post sleeves over the anchor pipes.

• • Plumb out and secure the posts
    Use the spirit level to determine a vertical plumb line for the posts. Screw the posts in place or secure them as required by the manufacturer.

• • Add brackets and rails
    Fasten the two bottom holders, one at each post. Push the rail into the brackets and fasten the rail.
    Do the same for the top brackets and rail.

• • Place the pickets into place
    The pickets slip through the holes in the top rail and sit on the lower rail. Move all pickets for the plate into position.

• Attach pickets and picket caps
  As the posts and pickets are hollow, they have to be protected on top. Make sure the caps for the complete panel snap into position before designing the following panel.

How durable is vinyl fencing?

Whatever they are dealing with, vinyl fences can stand up to it. They will not decay, form bubbles or permit fungal development, and you need not be concerned about breaking or tearing as a result of weather conditions or age. In addition, vinyl fences are fireproof and insect-proof. Now let’s take a minute to compare vinyl to wooden fences. Wood may be an attractive option for a termite colony, but termites do not harm vinyl fences. While wood can last up to 20 years, it degrades with time – unlike vinyl fences, which can hold up for years if you provide minimally or even no care. In addition, vinyl fencing does not need any extra protection – as opposed to wooden fencing that needs to be pressure and chemical processed and protected with a sealant. Finally, vinyl fences do not peel off, making them safe for children.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed reading our How-to Tutorials. We are looking forward to helping you with our quality products to build quality projects. Installing vinyl fencing is quite easy if you have the right tools and experience. If you have any suggestions, don’t hesitate to send us a comment in the section below, and we will look at it and do our best to create a quality How to Tutorial.
Vinyl Fence is an amazing product when installed properly. We really want to emphasize this. If it is not installed correctly, it can be a really bad product, like all construction work, if you have not done your homework or if you have collected tips that are not satisfactory for a quality installation, you will regret it in time. Please take your time, do your homework and try your best to apply best practices today to make your fence last a lifetime.