Install a vinyl fence in place of chain link for more privacy.
Vinyl fences combine the durability of chain-link with the privacy of wood. The vinyl slats can withstand almost any type of weather and generally last for more than 10 years. When you buy your fence installation kit, you will have the option of using pre-formed vinyl panels or individual vinyl pickets.
Instructions
1. Check the installation instructions for your fence or use a tape measure to determine the distance between each fence post. Walk along your proposed fence line and mark each post by driving a stake into the ground. Check the line of your fence by looping string around the top of each stake. Adjust the position of the stakes as needed to keep the line straight.
2. Measure the length of a fence post. Divide this number by three and add one foot to find the proper depth for your post holes. Remove the stakes and dig a hole at each marked location with a shovel or post hole digger.
3. Line the bottom 6 to 12 inches of each hole with sand or gravel to prevent water from pooling at the bottom of the fence posts. Ask an assistant to hold the post straight as you pour the concrete around it. Stop pouring when the concrete level is about three inches below the top of the hole. Pour water into the hole until the concrete is saturated. Check the instructions on the product label for the recommended amount of water. This is generally one gallon of water for each 50 pounds of concrete. Allow the concrete to dry before continuing with your fence installation.
4. Start at one end of the fence and place locking rings into the ends of one bottom rail piece. Attach the rail to the fence posts by squeezing the tabs of the locking ring to compress it, then releasing the tabs when the ring is inserted into the slot on the post. Repeat this step until every section of the fence has a bottom rail.
5. Follow the same procedure as above to install the middle rails for each section of fence. Make sure the holes in the middle rail are facing down.
6. Install the vinyl pickets or panels according to the installation instructions in your fence kit. If you are using pickets, you might have to take out the middle rail while you install the pickets into the bottom rail.
7. Check your local regulations to make sure you do not need a building permit to install a vinyl fence. Make sure there are no underground utility lines in the area where you will be digging. A local building department or locater service may have a master database of utility lines so you do not have to call each utility company individually.
