Installing Prefabricated Wood Fencing

Prefabricated or prefab fence panels are a quick and easy way to build a nice fence. There are several different options when it comes to prefab fencing and it gives you many different look options. There are several pros and cons to prefab fencing and you need to look into them before deciding which way to go. If you know a little about installing fence it is easy, however if you don't it can be more difficult than building your own fence. The room for error with prefab fencing is zero and most of the fences you see falling down were prefab fence panels.

There are tow different length of prefab fence panels and they are 6' and 8' panels. To start you need to lay out your posts at these lengths, and never set them permanently until you are sure they will fit. The fist thing you need to do is plumb the end post and brace it with a 2x4. Once it is positioned fill it with concrete and move on to the next post. With a plumb line make sure the posts are square and with a level make sure they are not out of line. Continue the process until all the posts are in place. It is crucial not to set your posts until you are sure the panels will fit between the posts.

Once the posts are set position the first panel between the end post and the second post, sliding it into place until the bottom rail sits on the hangers. Make sure the panel is level and square and adjust the hangers if necessary. Once the first panel is set into place back fill the post holes and move onto the next section. You can begin to see the disaster that will unfold if you don't set your posts exactly where they need to be.

Next you need to nail both side flanges of the hangers to the top and bottom rails of the panel. Continue this process down the post line until you are all the way done. The next step is to cut your posts to length. Make sure you are accurate in cutting your posts to the same length all the way down the fence line or it will look funny. Usually there are accessories that you can buy like different types of post caps. Install these according to the manufacturer's directions. There are several different options for post caps.

You are done; it's not as easy as the manufacturer would like you to think. I am not a big fan of prefab fencing because I think it's harder to install than a self made fence. The hangers that are supplied usually don't hold up as well as conventional fasteners and usually fail in strong wind. The manufacturers of prefab fencing will lead you to believe that it is very easy to do and that it will last forever. I have yet to come across a prefab fence that outlasted a man made fence. Just be careful when choosing a fencing product and think about the conditions your fence will endure.