“I know I want an aluminum fence but… how do I make sure I don’t mess up the order?”
Measure twice, cut once. That’s an old carpenter phrase that prevents inexperienced woodworkers from messing up and wasting materials. And the same goes for installing an aluminum fence.
There’s nothing quite as painful as installing your aluminum fence, getting to the finish line, and realizing you mis‑measured. Maybe you forgot a gate, chose the wrong height for a pool code, or didn’t account for a steep slope. Not only is it annoying and a waste of time, but it also hits you right in your wallet.
So in this blog we’ll answer all the practical questions you need to know so you can confidently size and order your aluminum fence.
1) How do I define my property’s boundaries for a fence run?
The first step to successfully running a fence around your property is to define your boundaries. You don’t want to overstep and encroach on your neighbor’s property. That could spark a long and drawn out boundary dispute.
So check your plat. A plat is a property line map that defines plot divisions. They are often included in a purchase of a property, but are quickly lost in the bustle of moving. But you can get a copy from your local county clerk. Most counties have an online plat request form that just requires your address and/or parcel identification number. And they’ll get it to you in a few business days.
Your HOAs might also have a copy, but HOAs are notoriously slow with any requests. Speaking of HOAs…
2) Where can I find my HOA rules about putting up a fence?
You can often find your HOA’s rules about fencing in a few places:
- CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions): These are the primary legal documents define the HOA and what they can control. Ideally, they would be available online but if not you might have to ask a HOA board member for a copy.
- Architectural Guidelines/Standards: These are specific guidelines for construction, home remodels, and additions. They should include guidelines for fencing styles, heights, and materials.
- HOA Management Company: Your HOA may be managed by a company, which often makes it easier for everyone involved. So contact them for the most recent version of the guidelines.
If all else fails, ask an HOA board member. This might sound tedious, but it’ll protect you down the road. If a neighbor or HOA member tries to complain about your fence, you’ll have official documents to point to, showing you followed all the rules.
3) How do I layout my fence run accurately?
Once you’ve confirmed your property’s perimeters, accurately laying out your fence run comes down to panel counts, post counts, gate widths, corner locations, and any terrain issues. Take a look at this example layout.
So you can see that this layout accurately portrays the materials needed:
- End Posts (quantity depends on total runs).
- Line Posts for every 6 feet of paneling.
- Corner Posts where lines meet at 90 degrees.
- Fence Panels, preassembled 6-foot-wide sections.
- Gate Posts.
We recommend laying out your entire fence with string, stakes, and a tape measure. Use the wooden stakes to mark the placement of posts. Some people use clothespins, but we prefer wooden stakes because they are easier to notice and work with.
The goal here is to mark out where all your posts will go, starting with the end posts and corner posts. Connect the stakes using string. The string will be your straight-line guide.
Now that you have laid out your fence line, you can break it up into linear runs. Along those runs, you’ll need a post centered to 72-½.” 72-½” is the magic number because 3/4″ of the end of the fence fits inside the post on both sides of a 2″ posts (2″ minus 1.5″ = 1/2″ or 72.5″ post center to post center). Our standard panels are 6’ wide, so posts need to be spaced 72-½” from post center to post center for 2″ posts (73″ on center for 2.5″ posts). Using your measuring tape, mark out your post locations.
4) Once you’ve laid out your fence, you can enjoy designing it.
Now that you know how many panels, posts, and gates you’ll need, you can enjoy picking them out. Aluminum fencing is extremely versatile, so have fun finding a style that matches your aesthetic. For some inspiration, check out:
- Types of Aluminum Fences: A Complete Overview of Styles & Options
- Exploring the Versatility of Aluminum Fences: Style Options for Every Home
- The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Aluminum Fence
5) If you need help laying out your fence…
Do not hesitate to contact us for assistance! We’re here to take your sketch, measurements, or rough layout and turn them into the right fence package.