Preparations for Aluminum Fence Installation
Our customers usually install their aluminum fences themselves. It’s not really difficult, but it does require some preparation. Preparing properly is easy, and it can make a big difference.
It’s not hard to install an aluminum fence, but remember that preparation is part of the process. Proper preparation means you’ll be ready to go when it comes time to install the fence, with the materials and tools you’ll need on hand and a master plan in your head.
Know the Rules
Communities often issue regulations governing DIY fence projects. Even if they don’t, you may still be subject to rules from your homeowners’ association. Learn the local laws and check with your homeowners’ association if you belong to one. Don’t order your fencing until you’ve done this. Your local government may require a permit, for example, and homeowners’ associations can have all kinds of rules pertaining to fence heights, designs and a host of other things. They might also take an interest in your fence’s color or the material from which it is made.
Sometimes you are required to employ an offset. This means you have to put your fence up at a certain distance from the property line. You can’t do this if you don’t know the exact location of the property line, so you’ll need to hire someone to figure this out. In any case, you need to know where the property line is because otherwise you may learn, to your chagrin, that you’ve put your fence up on someone else’s property.
If you’re installing your fence with in-ground posts, you will have to dig some holes. Those holes can be three feet deep or even more. You’ll hear about it quickly if you manage to cut into an underground utility line while digging those holes, and it’s not going to be pleasant.
Call the utility companies in your area and ask them to identify the routes of their underground lines. Even if you don’t cut into any lines, it’s just not smart to build over utility lines. If the utility company needs to access their buried lines, they might have to bust up your fence to get to them, and you will have no say in the matter.
Swimming pool fences come with their own set of rules. Communities usually base their pool fence rules on those of the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA). The purpose of the code is to keep unauthorized individuals out of the pool area to prevent accidental drowning. Our pool fencing meets the BOCA code.
Fence Grades
We sell aluminum fence panels in three grades: residential, commercial and industrial. Most homeowners do fine with residential fence panels. Commercial aluminum fence panels hold up well in higher-traffic situations, such as light industry and retail applications. These are a bit heavier and beefier than residential aluminum fence panels. Our top-of-the-line option is our industrial aluminum fence panels, which we recommend for areas with the highest traffic. This might include hospitals, schools and factories.
The Layout
You want to order the right materials for your DIY fence project. Walk your fence route before ordering. It’s good to stake out the route. Run some string between the stakes so you can visualize your fence. Do you see any issues? This is the time to make changes. Once you’re comfortable with your fence route, you can measure everything, determine what you’ll need and order it.