Good neighbors
Installation of a Veranda fence is a big job but well worth the effort. It will keep your kids and pets safe, and keep unwanted visitors and other people's pets out. "Good fences make good neighbors," according to poet Robert Frost. Does this Spark an idea?
Preparation
Measure for and install the fence six inches in from the property boundaries. If you cannot locate the boundary stakes, have the property surveyed. Have the local utility companies come out and mark underground lines. Determine how many panels and posts will be needed. Fence posts are placed six feet apart from post center to post center. Take gates into consideration. Gates come in 46-inch single or double and 58-inch single or double sizes. The space between posts required for a 46-inch single gate is 48 inches, for a 46-inch double gate is 95 inches, for a 58-inch single gate is 60 inches, and for a 58-inch double gate is 119 inches.
Arrange the panels so that if a partial panel is necessary, it is installed at the back of the yard. Use stakes and twine to outline the area to be fenced. Make sure the corners are square by measuring out three feet from the corner along one side and four feet from the corner along the other side. The distance between the two points when measured across diagonally will be five feet, if the corner is square. Adjust as necessary until the corner is square.
Installation
Dig the holes for the posts to a depth of at least three feet six inches and a width of 10 inches. In areas where the frost line is deeper than three feet, adjust the depth of the post hole to make sure the bottom of the hole is just below the frost line. If the fence is being installed on property that is not flat, the fence panels need to be installed level and each panel installed a little higher than the previous panel to accommodate the slope in the land so that the fence panels resemble steps going up the hill. Fill the bottom six inches of the hole with gravel to provide proper drainage. Place the post in the center of the hole and use a level to make sure it is plumb. Brace the posts with stakes and two-by-four-inch boards to keep them plumb. Fill the hole in around the post with concrete to just above ground level so that water will drain away from the post after the concrete dries.
Use a level to check the posts and make sure they are still plumb after pouring the concrete. Allow the concrete to cure for 24 to 48 hours before removing the braces and installing the panels and gates. Place the composite post sleeves over the posts after the concrete has dried. Install the panel brackets and panels. Be careful not to tighten the screws too tightly. There must be some room for the panel to move slightly with the changing of the seasons. Install the gates last.
Tags: gate inches, post center, three feet, 46-inch single, 58-inch single, after concrete
