How to Install Fence Panels: A 10 Step Guide
Fencing is a core feature of many gardens. It’s there to provide a secure and private boundary between the home and surrounding areas whilst complimenting a garden’s layout and landscape design. One of the most popular fence choices is panelled fencing or fence panels.
Asides from the fact that fence panels are available in a wide choice of sizes and styles, panelled fences are relatively simple to install, even for DIYers. And, during windier seasons, when fence installations are at their most vulnerable to weather-damaged, fence panels are quick, easy and inexpensive to replace without affecting an entire fence installation.
How do you install fence panels?
Well, it’s pretty straightforward. Depending on the length of the fence you want to install, for most, installing a panelled fence is achievable in a day.
Read our quick guide to find out what you’ll need to do the job as well as the easiest way to fit panels securely and achieve a long-lasting, durable finish.
The main stages are:
- Preparing the ground around the fence
- Installing the wooden posts
- Installing the gravel boards
- Fixing the panels into positions
This fencing guide covers the installation of fence panels using wooden fence posts. However, concrete fence posts could be used as an alternative and are most suitable if you live in an area susceptible to high winds and gusty weather.
We’ll also guide you through how to fit gravel boards to your new fence installation. Whilst this is optional, we would always recommend installing gravel boards to protect fence panels from ground moisture, thus enhancing the longevity of the panels and the overall appearance of your fence.
You’ll need
Materials:
- Fence panels of your choice
- Timber fence posts
- Gravel
- Postmix
- Gravel boards
- Cut End Preserver
- Post Caps
- L-brackets
- U-brackets
- Screws
Tools:
- Tape measure
- Posthole digger or a shovel
- Handsaw
- String
- Drill
- Spirit level
- Metal detector
- Pencil
Step 1 – Prep the area and your posts
Clear any old fencing, weeds or obstructing objects
Use a metal detector to ensure there are no underground cables or pipes that could be damaged during installation
Use a tape measure the find out the length of your garden to establish how many panels and posts you’ll need
Treat the base end of your fence posts with Cut End Preserve
Step 2 – Mark out the area
Measure the width of your fence panels
Measure your fence posts
Add the two measurements together to establish how far apart to position your fence posts
For example, if your panels are 180cm wide and your posts are 10cm wide, the centre point of each post will need to be 190cm apart.
Step 3: Install the first fence post
At the first post point, use a post hole digger to remove the soil
Create a hole to a minimum depth of 60cm and three times the width of your fence post*
Pour 10cm of gravel into the bottom of each post hole (this will help to create water drainage under the post)
Place the wooden fence panel into the hole
Temporarily screw the post to the props to hold it into position
Ensure that your fence post is upright and level using a spirit level
Pour Postmix into the hole until it’s filled up to 25mm below the soil and add water (as per the manufacturer’s instructions)
Ensure that it surrounds the entire post before smoothing out and creating a slight slope so water can run away
Allow the Postmix to set before removing the wooden props
*Note: if the ground is particularly soft, dig a little deeper and use longer fence posts
Step 4: Install the second fence post
Take your post and panel measurement and measure from the centre of your first post to where you’d like to position the centre of your next post
Use a stake and string line to mark this out
Repeat step 3 to position your next post
Step 5: Install the remaining posts
Repeat steps 3 and 4 to erect all of the posts individually
Tip: you can check that the posts are level by laying a piece of timber across the top of each post and positioning a spirit level on top. Do this before you add the Postmix so that you can make any adjustments.
Step 6: Fit the gravel boards
Re-measure the distance between each post and cut your gravel boards to the required length
Position your gravel board and secure the post using screws
Repeat this process between each fence post
Step 7: Install the fence panels
On the first fence post, measure and mark 150mm down from where the panel will finish at the top, and 150mm up from the top of the gravel board
At each marking, use 50mm screws to fix the panel to the post, screwing through the panel batten
Repeat this process
Tip: This can be awkward so you may need an extra pair of hands at this stage to ensure that the panel is level when screwed into place.
Step 8: Cutting down the last fence panel
You may need to cut a fence panel to fit into the remaining space:
Measure between the posts to find out the size of the section you need and mark on the panel with a pencil
Remove the framing battens from both sides of the panel
Use a panel saw to carefully cut the panel to the required size
Next, re-attach the framing battens onto the newly sawed edge
Carefully screw or nail into place
Install the final fence post as per step 7
Step 9: Fix post caps
Protect the end of the wood by installing post caps
Pre-drill one hole in the centre of the post cap
Place a post cap on the top of each post
Screw into place
Step 10: Paint of treat
Now your new panelled fence is complete, you can add a splash of paint of treat with fence oils to personalise the look of your new garden feature to your own preference.
Shop online for fence panels
Find everything you’ll need to install or repair your panelled fence here at Equestrian Fencing.
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