How To Install An Aluminium Fence

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Reader Projects ⁄ Outdoor

The new owners bought this semi-detached house as a rental property, so naturally wanted to maximise their return without overcapitalising on their investment.

By carefully considering their budget and making clever decisions about how and where they spent their money, they managed to do just that and the property now presents well.

A big priority for them was to provide prospective tenants with privacy and security.

Installing aluminium fence panels in the front yard and adding driveway gates achieved this goal, and was also a quick and easy job to DIY.

Throw in a little inexpensive landscaping and the house no longer looks run-down but has kerb appeal.

DIY TIP To cut aluminium fence posts to length, use a 1.5mm stainless steel grinding wheel for a clean cut, or use a hacksaw.

Choose the style

Fence panels with a double top rail design from Protector Aluminium were chosen by the owners. These can be ordered through their website Protector Aluminium.

Protector offer numerous different fence styles through the Special Orders desk at Bunnings, but a couple of styles are kept in stock, so you can buy off the shelf to get started right away.

All other components were off the shelf, which is great when you need to pick up a few extra screws or a post as we did.

This fencing system is simple and inexpensive. That means you won’t have any trouble tackling it with tools you probably already own. And better still, you won’t have to call in tradies or spend days getting it done.

Nuts and bolts

Ramset anchor studs, chemical anchors and adhesives are a great alternative to Dynabolts in applications where they are unsuitable, such as when working with path edges and hollow bricks.

Set the posts

We were setting posts on existing concrete paths and new footings, so chose ones with a base flange.

The 1300mm posts allowed for stepping between the fence panels on sloping ground. Align with a stringline and mark the positions on existing surfaces.

Grind the concrete level to accept the flange, if necessary. Protector recommends fixing with stainless steel Dynabolts, which rely on compressing the anchor within the masonry.

We risked breaking out the side of the path so used 10mm Ramset galvanised anchor studs and adhesive instead.

Drill 12mm x 90mm deep holes for the studs.

Align with a stringline and mark the positions on existing surfaces

We risked breaking out the side of the path so used 10mm Ramset galvanised anchor studs and adhesive instead

Install the fence

Step 1. Mark post holes

Measure the area to be fenced and set up a stringline to mark the fence line. Mark the post positions with set-out paint. Standard fence panels are 2.4m long x 1.2m high and, if cutting, leave 35mm clear on the rails to fit brackets.

Step 2. Dig post holes

For new footings, attach masking tape to the stringline centred over the post positions, digging 250 x 250 x 600mm deep holes at these locations. TIP Always check with Dial Before You Dig before excavating.

Step 3. Sink the posts

Install formwork around the post holes and check for level. Measure down from the stringline to mark finished footing heights. Pour in concrete, tamp and agitate so it settles, then smooth with a float. Let it cure for at least 24 hours.

Step 4. Set posts

Secure the posts to the new concrete footings using anchors or Dynabolts. Use a post level and thin packers to set them plumb. Position the last post, which is for the gate, drilling through the posts into the adjacent brickwork.

Step 5. Attach gate hinges

Hammer the gudgeon hinge plugs into the gate stile. Mark the gate base on the post. Set the bracket. Fit the hinge pin to the bracket, then fit the gate with the top hinge. Mark the post, remove the gate and screw the top hinge.

Step 6. Hang gates

Remove the top hinge and position on the gate, then fit the gate. Insert the supplied screws and tighten using a ring spanner. The gudgeon hinge allows vertical and horizontal adjustment so you can fine-tune the gate position.

Step 7. Add gate hardware

Attach the D-Latch to the post using the supplied self-drilling Tek screws. Align the striker on the gate, securing with the supplied screws. Adjust to ensure the gate latches smoothly. Fit drop bolts to the gate to hold it open.

Step 8. Fit fence panels

Cut the fence panels to length using an angle grinder, taping the rails to protect the finish. Ensure the rails have 35mm clearance for the brackets and the panels are symmetrical. Slip the brackets over the rails, then set the panels and level.

Step 9. Secure brackets

Secure the brackets with the supplied self-drilling Tek screws using a drill or impact driver. Double rail panels have three brackets per side. Drive a screw through the base of a bracket on each side to secure the panel horizontally.

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