Friday 23 December 2011

Installing a Vinyl Fence: How to Measure Your Yard

Vinyl fencing is both easier to install than other options and does not require as much maintenance - and is becoming more common and popular because of it. Especially in the Pacific Northwest, where the rain and wind can more quickly deteriorate other fencing materials. Salem, in particular, is becoming a center for fence production, and the panels being produced are easily assembled and durable.

If you're considering installing your own
vinyl fence, don't skimp on the measuring stage to avoid an uneven or flawed fence, or one that may require you to replace sections at a later time. Before you order your Salem fence materials, follow these tips in the planning stages of your fencing project.
Preliminary Steps

Before you even begin measuring, avoid major
fence installation problems by planning ahead. Preliminary steps include:

Review local zoning or building laws. Some cities and local communities have codes that govern the measurements of your fencing. Review these codes so you are not required to tear down or alter your
vinyl fencing.

Locate underground lines. Underground utility lines will help you determine many of your fence's characteristics because they will affect where your fence posts can be placed. Make sure to plan around any underground lines.


Check for obstructions in your yard. Make sure to plan your
fence around any obstructions or variances in your yard, such as large rocks, plants, dips and slopes. All of these will affect both the placement and the construction of your vinyl fencing.
Confirm where your property line is. This may seem simple, but done incorrectly can cause some pretty significant issues. As part of this process, also consider where you want to build your vinyl fence - do you want to build it a few feet inside the property line so you can access both sides of the fence or do you want to leave as much yard space as possible?

Begin the Measuring.


Start your measuring by placing a stake in each corner of your yard where you plan for the
fence to be installed. Add up the measurements between each stake for the total length of fencing you'll need, taking into account if and where you want any gates. Put this general plan down on paper, with an outline of the yard as well. Make sure to mark where you would like each fence post to go, and how many corner and end posts you will need overall. For vinyl fencing, a good rule of thumb is a post every eight feet, as most vinyl fencing materials come in eight-foot panels. Knowing these measurements, then calculate the number of fence panels you'll need by dividing the total length of fencing by eight.

You can also use an online fence materials calculator, which can tell you how many posts, panels and other materials to order. When ordering Salem
fence materials, keep your notes and diagrams handy in case of any questions, and make sure to ask whatever questions you have.

1 comment:

  1. Vinyl fences can generally be pressure-washed with no need for special chemicals. You might even get away with just spraying them down with a hose every now and then.

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