Step-By-Step Installations

Putting up a steel fence around your property can be helpful in many ways. It not only improves your properties appearence, but it also adds an extra layer of security. Our fence panels and privacy gates are made to last through most types of weather.

Thank You for partnering with Metal Fence Solutions. This brochure will guide you through the Fence installation process in brief.

Here is a list of things you should think about before you start the installation process:

1. You need to know where your property line is before you start the building process. You and your neighbor should work out a straight line for where your fence will go. Getting a clear line can be done with a string or a surveyor.
2. Don't forget to check out how level your land is compared to the land next door. If it doesn't match the level of their land, you will need to use plinths to fix up the gap.
3. Find out what kind of ground you have so you can choose the right fence. If your ground isn't level, a fence with a rise would be a stronger and longer-lasting support.
4. Make sure your fence isn't higher than 1.8m (6ft) unless the height is allowed by the government.
5. Call One Call to find out if there are any gas, water, or power lines under your land.
   BC One Call 1-800-474-6886
   AB One Call 1-800-242-3447
6. Find out what kind of dirt you have before going any further. This is because different types of dirt need different amounts of concrete.

Here is a list of things you should think about during the installation process:

1. Protect yourself with safety gear before you use a working tool.
2. Clean the concrete off your fence right away. Concrete can leave a mark on your fence that won't go away if it stays there for a long time.
3. Don't cut the pieces with angle grinders. Instead, use cold tools like tin sips or nibblers.
4. Don't use paint to fix small scratches that might have happened during installation. It wouldn't match the tone and would fade out differently.
5. You might want to leave the scratches the way they are. But if the damage is clear, you should replace that part of the fence.

Use Specific Tools Only:

For Field

• Rubber Mallet
• Self-drilling Screw Gun with Clutch System
• Spirit Level or Magnetic Level
• String Line & Marker Pegs
• Larry Hoe and Wheelbarrow
• Post Hole Scissor Shovel
• Spud Bar
• Petrol Post Hole Digger
• Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker
• Magnetic Lex Driver
• Concrete Mixer
• Nibbler and Tin Snips to Cut Sheets Into Pieces

For Personal Use

• Earmuffs for Cutting
• Protective Gloves
• Hat and Sun Lotion to Prevent Damage From Rays
• Safety Glasses
• Appropriate Safety Footwear

Stepwise Fence Installation

Step 1: Marking Out Your Post Holes

1. Put pegs in the corners of your fence and tie a string to them. This will make it easy for you to choose where to put your middle posts. There is no explanation of the perfect distance between two posts anywhere. You can choose, though, if you remember that the standard distance between lines is 8 feet from center to center.
2. Next, you need to use a post-holer to start digging the holes. Don't forget that these holes should be bigger at the bottom than they are at the top.
3. Different areas have varied soil types; you need to dig the holes as per your specific soil.
   • For rock soil minimum depth of the hole is 30cm (12in)
   • For Clay or Firm Earth minimum depth of soil is 60cm (24in)
   • For Sand or loose fill minimum depth of soil is 90cm (36in)
4. If the holes got deeper, they would need more concrete. For rock soil, they would need 20 kg, for clay soil 40 kg, and for sand soil 60 kg.

Helpful Tips:

• We suggest that users take more time sloping the fence where the ground isn't level. It looks a lot better than stepping on the panels.
• In case your fence is taller than 8 feet, you will need to use a cold cutting saw or nibbler to cut the sheets.
• To break steel into bits, you should never burn it. Always cut it cold.

Step 2 Securing the posts

1. The first step in fixing posts is to fasten them. At least 600mm away from the top of the post, you need to put two screws.
2. Remember that you can only line up two screws that are 300mm long.
3. Next, put the post in place vertically and make sure it's the right height.
4. Mix some wet concrete and fill in the holes.
5. Concrete needs enough time to harden. In places where it is wet or cold, it may take longer than a night to dry.

Cutting down the front of your fence

Adding taper to the fence makes it look better and makes it stronger than the standard design. If you don't want to change the whole look, though, you might want to think about making the last panel of the fence slope to make it look a little different.

Step 3 Fence Installation

1. The first thing that needs to be done is to put the bottom rail between the posts. You must leave 50mm of space between the rail surface and the ground.
2. You would be able to figure out where the posts should go after the rails are put in. Self-drilling screws are used to attach the tracks.
3. Don't make the screws too tight, because you'll have to loosen them when you put the sheets in.
4. Check where the posts are placed and how they are attached.
To keep people from getting hurt, the top rail should stick out 2mm above the posts.
5. Next, take off one top rail at a time to add sheets. The sheets should go over the Rail's bottom edge.
6. Make sure that the sheet is put in the rail correctly from one end to the other. If you need to, gently hit the area with a rubber mallet.
7. As you go along, use self-drilling screws to lock the top rail in place.
8. Finish off the look of your fence by picking off any extra bits that came up during the chipping process. Having these kinds of pieces on the fence for a long time can damage it.

More Installation Tips

1. Lattice

• Lattice can be quite heavy and difficult to carry. Handle the Lattice vertically to reduce the load and prevent fallouts.
• Cut the Lattice to the appropriate length after wearing safety glasses.
• Clamp the material to prevent damage.
• Use a cold cutting saw to cut the Lattice.
• Slide and fix the channel post into the Rail with the help of self-drilling screws.
• Carefully slide the Lattice of appropriate measurement into the Bottom Rail.
• Install top Rail above Lattice.
• Use self-drilling screws to fix the top Rail to Channel Post.

2. Plinth

• Put concrete in your first Channel Post.
• Next, slide in the Plinth in the Channel Post.
• In case of more than one Plinth, stack all the Plinths with the help of screws before installation.
• One unit of clubbed Plinth is easy to handle and requires less time to get fixed.
• Install other Channel Posts and insert the bottom Rail in an appropriate position.
• Screw the Plinth and Rail to Channel Post.
• Proceed further with the regular fence installation process.

3. Kit Gate

• Determine the width of the gate by deducting the width of two gate posts, latch gap and hinge gap.
• Decide the Rail length by deducting two (100mm) gate styles, cut the bottom and top Rails accordingly.
• Glide Gate Strips on both sides of the Sheets, lengthwise.
• Next, install Rail on the bottom and top of the sheet.
• Glide Gate Style in the Rail one by one.
• Lock the gate by fixing two self-drilling screws along all four corners of the gate.

How To Maintain Your Fence

1. Don't put a lot of dry leaves, sand, or grass clippings under the bottom rail of the fence. This could make it hard for the water to drain.
2. Don't clean your fence with rough cleaners or items that are made of chemicals.
3. If your fence gets dirty from harsh chemicals like bug sprays or yard chemicals, you might want to wash the surface of it right away.
4. To clean the fence, use a soft brush, an outdoor hose, and enough water.
5. Use a soft-bristled broom to get rid of the dust.
6. MFS tells you to repair broken panels as soon as possible.
7. If your fence is near the water or a swimming pool, it needs extra care. The owners should regularly wash down the bottom edges to keep the salt content from building up.