6 Tips for Installing and Using a Vinyl Lattice Fence

A vinyl lattice fence is preferable over a wooden fence because of its maintenance-free characteristic. Vinyl fences do not need to be sealed or painted every few years. They do not rust or decay the way wooden fences do. Vinyl lattice fence comes in easy to install 4 x 8 feet panels. In this article, we will discuss tips for the installment and uses for a vinyl lattice fence.

Tip 1 – Attach Rail Brackets to Posts First

In order to speed up installation time, attach the rail brackets to the posts before starting. Before moving around the yard to set up posts, having the brackets in first mean less moving about the yard with parts and tools to install them later.

Tip 2 – Install One Panel at a Time

Contrary to popular fence installation manuals, digging holes, cementing the posts, then finding out that the spacing is off when trying to install the framework is a costly no-no. Instead, install the first post by digging the hole and cementing the post, and use the upright post to begin measuring for the location of the second post. This method is more slow-going at first, but will require less repair time later.

Tip 3 – Mixing Cement

Use as little water as possible in mixing cement. For best results, pre-mix the cement in a wheelbarrow instead of pouring in powder and water separately into the hole in the ground. The more watery the cement mixture, the more harder it will be to keep the fence level while it is curing.

Tip 4 – Check Your Work as You Go

Instead of finding out towards the end of installation that a hole is too deep, too shallow, or a post is out of line, always double check your work as you go. Measure each time a new post is put in, using the previous post to check measurements against. Use a string pulled taut against the fences to make sure that all posts are in alignment. Check to see if there is an incline so that you can order taller posts for hilly area fence installation. Tie a weight on a string and let it drop alongside a post. A 90 degree post should be aligned with the direction of the string.

Tip 5 – Installing on a Hill

In order to figure out if the land is on an incline, ground in two sticks in front of two adjacent posts. Then tie a string around both sticks close to the ground. Take the sticks out and measure from the bottom of the stick to the string. The difference between them is your ground pitch. If your ground pitch is 4 inches, the next post should be 4 inches shallower into the ground and the next panel should be secured at a height 4 inches less taller than the previous panel.

Tip 6 – Uses for Vinyl Lattice Panels

Most vinyl lattice panels come pre-made in 4 x 8 feet rectangular panels. They are made to be used as fences, however, other popular uses for them are as deck skirts, patio enclosures, climbing flower wall, pool enclosures, window screen, gazebos wall, and pet enclosures.