Things You'll Need:
- Tape measure
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Step 1
Dog run next to vinyl fenceDetermine the type of fence you want installed by choosing from five basic styles. (1) A picket fence, with spaces between the vertical uprights (pickets) that are about waist high, is both decorative and functional. (2) Tall, vertical fence slats touching side to side create a privacy fence. (3) A decorative fence is similar to a picket fence but with rails across the top and bottom of the pickets (imagine a porch or stair railing). (4) Usually seen on farms to corral animals, the post and rail or ranch fence consists of three or more horizontal rails spaced apart. (5) The split rail fence resembles split wooden logs attached horizontally to posts. Even within each type of fence, you have options for the width of the pickets or rails and how far apart they are spaced. However, pre-fabrication techniques--where posts and rails have pre-cut holes to accommodate a certain number of rails or pickets--may limit your choice on some matters.
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Step 2
Diagram of areaDraw an outline of the area you want fenced including nearby buildings and walk/driveways. Mark where you would like the fence and gate(s) to be located. Find out about any possible setbacks on your property; in many locations, you cannot place a fence directly on the property line. In addition, your town or the community in which you live might have rules as to what kind of fence, if any, that you may install.
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Step 3
Measure the area you want fenced in and mark the measurements on your drawing. Because yards are typically fenced to safeguard children and pets from wondering off, keep in mind that if you have a very large yard, you do not have to fence off the entire lot. Instead, consider how much space is needed as a play area.
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Step 4
Double gateWhen you select the gate, consider what will be moving through the gate. For foot traffic only, a single gate can be used. In locations where you will need to move equipment, like a large lawn mower or even furniture in or out of your house, use a double gate. With a double gate, one of the swing gates is equipped with a metal push bar attached to the free swinging post. That bar can be pushed down into the ground or into a pipe inserted into the ground to hold that portion of the double gate closed until you need to open it.
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Step 5
Options for pickets include 1-by- inch square pickets or rectangular pickets, which could be 3/4 inch by 1 1/2 inch up to 3inches wide. In addition, picket tops could be flat across, pointed or arched (curved). The pointed variety is the most popular for decorative use. The pickets can all be the same height or you may choose a wave or scallop style, where the pickets become progressively shorter as they reach mid-point between posts and then the height of the pickets increases to the next post. Pickets can be 3 to 5 feet high and spacing between pickets can be from about 1 1/2 to 3 inches. Slats for a privacy fence will be 4 to 8 feet high.
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Step 6
Post caps come is several styles including four-sides pyramid shapes (tall variety is called Gothic and low variety is called Federation), flat or orb. Flat caps are typically used on rail type fences. The size of the posts used is determined by the application.
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Step 7
Most vinyl fences are white but some varieties are available in light shades of tan or gray.
