1 | Before installing any fence you should always establish grade levels, property boundaries, utility easements, underground cables/pipes, municipal permits and/or compliance with relevant bylaws. Call for all underground utility markings before you dig. ONTARIO: 1-800-400-2255 QUEBEC: 1-800-663-9228 (for other areas try the North American One-Call Referral System at 888-258-0808. |
2 | Lay out the fence line(s). |
3 | Establish a way of determining where End and Corner posts are to be installed once you’ve dug postholes (and erased your markings). Note: A good idea might be to make marks 12″ in each direction from centre. |
4 | Determine the minimum distance that you would like to keep the bottom of the fence above ground level (i.e. 2″ or 3″). |
5 | With a grease pencil, make a mark on one post at a length that is equal to the height of the fence + the minimum distance above ground level + 2″. i.e. To keep the bottom of a 5′ high iron fence 4″ above the ground you would mark the posts at 66″ (60″+4″+2″). The extra 2″ makes the posts the ideal height for a proportionate and balanced looking fence. |
6 | Determine which one of your End or Corner posts is going to be installed at the highest elevation. In other words you’re looking for the highest piece of ground in your yard that the fence will pass over. |
7 | Dig and cement this highest End or Corner post in it’s proper location, such that your post marking (from step #5) is at ground level. We recommend a 6″ diameter hole that is at least 36″ deep, and is wider at the bottom of the hole than it is at the top. (If you have ground conditions that do not allow for 36″ depth call us for some free advice as to options.) |
8 | Establish the location for the next post in the line of fence. Our Traditional iron panels require 94″ from the centre of one post to the centre of the next but some styles may differ. Call or ask about the proper spacing for the style of Iron you have chosen. |
9 | Dig and cement this next post in it’s proper location, at the same height as the first post that was installed. Note: Concrete is normally brought up to about 3″ below ground level and the postholes are then topped-up with soil/sod. |
10 | Make a grease pencil mark on this second post at a height above ground level equal to what was determined at step #5 (i.e. 66″). |
11 | Dig and cement the next post in the line of fence, in it’s proper location, at a height that is level with the new grease pencil marking on the last post. |
12 | Repeat steps #10 and #11 throughout the remainder of the fence. Note: Before the concrete starts to set, stand back and verify that you like the flow of the fence across the yard. You may want to raise a post or two for better looks, although this will mean some gapping underneath the fence. |
13 | Install the panels, gates and post caps. |
Iron DIYfence-all2022-07-12T16:42:00-04:00