How Easy Is Installing a Vinyl Fence by Yourself?

Vinyl fencing is a beautiful way to add privacy and curb appeal to your property. Its flexibility and ability to withstand extreme weather make it an ideal choice for Alberta’s climate. If you’re planning to add a vinyl fence to your yard, you can easily complete the installation work yourself. Here’s a step-by-step guide to do-it-yourself vinyl fence installation, plus some critical considerations to help you get it right.

Before You Begin

Before investing your time and money, do a little prep work.

• Call 1-800-242-3447 or email info@albertaonecall.com to have someone check and mark the buried utility lines on your property.

• Contact local authorities to check your property line coordinates, zoning regulations and permit requirements.

• Ensure your neighbors agree on property lines before you start installing your fence

Installing Your Vinyl Fence

1. Marking the Area

The first thing to do is to use stakes and lines to define the area you want your new fence to be installed. This can be done by placing stakes and tying mason lines between them.

2. Decide Where Each Post Will Go

To plan the position of your posts, it is important that you take exact measurements of your vinyl fence panels. Contrary to other types of fences, these panels can’t be trimmed, so precision is fundamental in this part of the process.

3. Digging the Holes

With a post digger or a power auger, dig the holes where you will be installing the posts. The diameter of the holes should be three times the width of the posts, and the depth is generally a third of the pole’s length. For extra strength and stability, gate posts can be installed 6 inches deeper. Remember to check the bylaws and regulations of your area to determine how high your fence can be.

4. Filling up the Post Holes

Using gravel, fill up six inches of each post hole and complete the rest with concrete. Quick-set concrete will typically take from 20 to 30 minutes to set, which can significantly speed up your process. However, regular concrete will also work.

5. Place the Posts into Position

For this step, you should place the main posts first. Insert them and tap them down until they reach the top of the gravel. To make sure your posts are straight and well aligned, it is recommended that you use a level. This will help you ensure all your posts are properly positioned.

6. Installing Hardware and Placing Panels

Once the posts are firm and the concrete is set, you can start installing the hardware that will be holding the panels in place. Attach the rail brackets with the recommended screws and slide the panels into position, making sure to properly fasten them to the hangers.

Critical Considerations

To achieve the best result, here are some key things to keep in mind:

• Don’t use more posts than you need. The strength of vinyl fencing is its ability to bend with the wind’s pressure. Set your posts to match the panel width for optimal flexibility, and only shorten a panel when you absolutely must.
  

• Leave space between panels. When installing the panels, leave gaps between them of a few millimetres to allow room to expand during hot weather.
  

• Use caution with your hammer. The vinyl fencing material is flexible, but it can’t withstand extreme blunt force. Never hammer the vinyl panels. If you need to drive a post a little deeper into the concrete, use a wooden block to distribute the hammer’s force.

Vinyl Fencing Kits in Edmonton and Across Alberta

Now that you’ve seen how easy it can be for a homeowner like you to install your vinyl fence make sure you start with the highest quality materials. Duraguard Fence Ltd. manufactures and supplies easy-to-install DIY vinyl fence kits and supplies customized to your dimensions, available for pickup at our Edmonton location. Contact us today to request a quote.