Tools and Materials
Tools
Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.
Before Your Fence Installation
- Discuss your plans with any neighbors whose property lies along your proposed fence line.
- Make sure your fence, or your part of the fence, is on your property.
- Check for easements in your deed. An easement is a right of way granted to another property owner or utility company, which may limit the design and location of your fence.
- Check local zoning laws, which may regulate the size and placement of your fence.
- Check with your Homeowners Association before planning your fence.
- Apply for the proper building permit if necessary, according to your local building code.
Before beginning any excavation, call 811 to check for underground utilities.
Aluminum Fence Materials
As with most metal fence materials, aluminum fencing comes in panels and posts of varying heights. You can choose a short fence for purely ornamental purposes, or install a taller fence for privacy or to keep people and animals in or out.
Make sure the fencing you purchase matches your purpose. For example, a decorative fence won’t provide the security or containment of some other types of fencing.
Aluminum Fence Panels
Several styles of aluminum fence panels are available, including flat-top or pressed-point, with various decorative details.
Flat top fences have a horizontal rail running along the top of the panels. Pressed point fence panels have points extending above the top rail, but the points are pressed to prevent them from being too sharp.
Aluminum Fence Posts
Fence posts are typically predrilled or prerouted for placement on a corner, on an end or along the line of the fence.
- End posts have holes on one side only to create start and end points for a fence.
- Corner posts have holes on adjacent sides to create right angles with panels.
- Line posts have holes on opposite sides for straight runs of fence panels.
- Gate posts support the weight and movement of the fence gate.
- Blank posts have no holes. They might work with driveway or walk gates.
- Universal posts might function as different post types or work with different fencing types.
Fence post caps come in different shapes. Fence posts may include matching post caps, but you can also purchase caps separately.
Aluminum Fence Gates
Order gates when you order fence materials. Be sure to buy the right gate hardware and mount the gate to a gate post rather than a standard end post.
Account for Fencing Slope
Aluminum fencing typically can handle gentle dips in the land, but if you're dealing with extreme slopes, you may need to choose another fencing type. Check your fence instructions for specific directions on how to accommodate slopes for your fencing. We’ve got a couple of general tips:
- If the slope is less than 12 inches over a 6-foot run of fence, many types of panels can be raked or slanted. This will maintain a uniform space under the fence, which is particularly important if you're trying to keep a dog inside the fence. When raking panels, no special posts are required.
- If the slope is greater than 12 inches over a 6-foot run of fence, you may be able to stair step the panels to accommodate the landscape. When stair stepping panels, use end posts instead of line posts. The predrilled holes in the posts will work for one side of the connection, and you can make holes in the appropriate places to receive the rails of the stair-stepped panel.
Installing a fence on a slope my require closer spacing between posts than installing on level ground.
Installing an Aluminum Fence
The exact instructions for installing an aluminum fence vary depending on the brand and type of fence system, so always follow the instructions for your fencing. The steps below give you a general guide for installing an aluminum fence with posts set in the ground. We’ll also provide tips for installing surface-mount fence posts on concrete.
Lay Out the Aluminum Fence
Take time to lay out the fence carefully. An incorrect measurement could result in problems that compound as you work.
Instructions
Laying Out Surface-Mount Fence Posts
If you’re installing surface-mount posts on concrete, mark the layout on the concrete and use the spacing provided by the layout guide to mark the post locations.
Laying Out No Dig Fence Posts
If you’re installing a decorative no dig metal fence, the layout steps will be similar to those above, but you won’t dig post holes or set the posts in concrete as we describe below. You’ll drive post spikes into the post locations and secure the posts and panels. See our how-to, No Dig Fencing: An Easy DIY Alternative to Traditional Fence Installation for step-by-step instructions.
Lay the fence out to practice a dry fitting before digging holes for the line posts. This can prevent the need for major adjustments later. It also helps insure you have the right post type at each post hole location.
Dig the Fence Post Holes
Your fence instructions and local code should provide details for digging post holes, but here are the general steps.
Instructions
Preparing to Install Surface-Mount Fence Posts
You won’t dig post holes to install surface-mount posts in concrete, but depending on the type of concrete anchor or fastener the post manufacturer specifies, you may need to bore holes for the anchors or fasteners.
Local codes often specify post hole depth based on the frost line. This minimizes the risk of freezing ground disrupting the post. The fence manufacturer may specify digging below the frost line.
Install the Aluminum Fence Posts and Panels
You’ll need fence posts that are plumb, level and stable for a good aluminum fence installation.
You’ll typically use fast-setting concrete mix for fence posts, though you can also use high-strength concrete mix if you prefer. Pay attention to set times because you’ll need some time to work with the posts and panels after you place them. Fast-setting concrete sets in about 20 to 40 minutes. In some cases, you may need to brace the fence as the concrete sets.
Here’s how to install aluminum fence posts.
Instructions
Installing Surface-Mount Fence Posts
To install surface-mount fence posts on concrete, you’ll align the posts to the marks you made when laying out the fence. Depending on the anchor type, you may need to tap anchor sleeves into the holes you bored. Use a hammer drill/driver to drive the specified fasteners into the sleeves or concrete and then install the panels according to the fence manufacturer’s instructions. Remember to keep the posts plumb, level and square against your layout line.
Install the Fence Gate
As with fence posts and panels, specific instructions for installing aluminum fence gates vary by model and type. These instructions will give you general directions for installing one type of aluminum fence walk gate.
Instructions
Don’t have time to do this project yourself? Check out our professional fencing installation service.