Easy Guide to Build an Aluminum Fence

Do you love the look of a metal fence but don't want to deal with the hassle of rust or the expensive costs of steel and wrought iron? Aluminum fencing is affordable and easy to maintain, especially in Miami. 

Here we will give you a complete guide on installing your new aluminum fence. 

Before installing your fence, follow the directions below:

1. Talk to your neighbors first if you want to put up a fence. They may want to help pay for the fence.
2. According to your survey, make sure that the fence line you choose is on your property.
3. Check if you have an easement on your property. An easement is a piece of your property that another individual, entity, or company is in charge of. This might mean that you can't build a fence in a specific spot or that you have to build it a certain way. 
4. Make sure to check Miami zoning laws or any HOA rules for where your fence can be or how tall it can be.
5. You need to get a building permit from Miami Dade County for your project.
6. Before digging, call 811 to find out where any underground pipes and utilities are. That way, you can avoid hitting them and damaging them.

Aluminum Fence Materials You Need:

Aluminum fencing comes in panels and posts of different heights like other metal fence materials. You can choose a fence for aesthetic reasons, keep out intruders or animals, or protect your pets and children. You may also select a privacy fence so that others cannot easily view your area or backyard activities. Most Miami homeowners will also want to have gates for a driveway or a walking path. 

Panels: There are several types of aluminum fence panels to choose from. Some are flat, and others have decorative details that look like wrought iron. Some panels are designed to be more private, with fewer gaps between the slats. You can also choose a fence panel with wide or thin slats. Posts are predrilled for placement on a corner, on the end, or in the fence line.

Corner posts: Corner posts have holes on two sides next to each other. People use them to make right angles.

End posts: End posts have one hole on one side and start and stop things.

Line posts: Line posts have holes on opposite sides and hold a fence in a straight line.

Gates: To support the weight of a gate, they are attached to gate posts that are similar to end posts but are more robust. Use a standard end post to install a gate. When purchasing fence materials, order gates as well. Make sure you have the correct gate hardware on hand.

Aluminum Fence Measurements

Before you install the fence, make sure it's correctly measured. It will be more difficult to correct any errors if you make one. Aluminum fencing is ideal for gentle slopes. If you have a lot of hills, you may wish to consider another style, like wood.

To make fence measurements:

1. Measure the fence line from beginning to end, including corners and gates.
2. Tie a string between the two posts to create a line. Place the posts along this line.
3. Use the measurements from the fence supplier to map out where you want the line posts. Ensure that the stakes touch the string you used, so the posts are straight.
4. Lastly, remember to think about any gates or openings for your project.

Fences on uneven ground

To handle any hills or uneven ground:

If the slope is less than a foot across a ten-foot length, you can rake the fence panels. If you want to keep animals out of your yard and pets on your property, make sure to rake the panels so that the space is not wide open underneath. You don't need any unique posts for this.

If the slope is more than a foot over a six-foot length, the fence panels should be gradually lower in height. This is called stepping the panels. When doing this, use posts that have holes in them to connect one side of the panel to the post. You will also need to make holes in the appropriate places to add the rails

Creating Post Holes 

Bringing the posts down into the ground gives the fence wind resistance and added strength for impact. If a hurricane in South Florida comes through next year and your posts are not dug deep enough, heavy winds can uproot the entire fence. Using a post hole digger, you will need to dig post holes that are big enough to fit the posts you have. Fll in the holes with several inches of gravel, to drain rain water effectively

Fence Installation Time

An aluminum fence is installed by setting posts in the ground and attaching the fence panels between them. The instructions will be different depending on what type of aluminum design you choose from your local Miami fence company. Make the distance between posts the specific measurements recommended by the supplier. This will ensure that your fence stands sturdily for as long as possible. 

Now you can enjoy a beautiful new aluminum fence on your property. This installation process is much easier to follow than that of several other types of fencing. With all the benefits of these low-maintenance and low-cost metal fences, it is no surprise why more people are turning to aluminum fencing in Miami.