Vinyl fencing your home will not only beautify your property but it will also enhance its value for resale. Like any other home improvements, you have to choose the right materials to make them appropriate for the design in mind. You have a lot of freedom in terms of creativity on how to install vinyl fence. Just make sure that you are installing the vinyl fence following the local fencing codes – like not going outside the 2 inch margin from the property line, as well as making way for service marks for the utilities like telephone, gas, television and cable lines. Here are step by step instructions for vinyl fencing:

1. Clear the site from any obstructions and determine the contouring of the fence for the slopes. Adjust the grade of the fence upwards or downwards as per preferred angles.

2. Stake each corner of the fence perimeter by post marking them based on your desired layout. Rebar or wooden stakes will do, but make sure to balance in between stakes by tying string lines. Gate openings must be staked out also. These will be your basis for post holes. There must be a post installed every 8 feet. Mark the appropriate location for each post with paint spray at least 2 and a half inches away from the nearest string line.

3. Use a power auger to dig post holes. Root structure and rocky soil will not be a hindrance to your digging if you have this tool. Dig 30 inch deep holes for the 5 inch posts. The hole must be at least 12 inches in size to accommodate a 5 inch post – 10 inches for a 4 inch post.

4. Prepare one 80 lbs. bag of Quikrete and 1 gallon of water for each hole. Mix both ingredients to have a stiff mix. Place the post in the hole and fill the hole with concrete until it is full – then tamp the concrete filling to compress it. Do the other posts in line with the first one or based on your layout. Allow the set-up to set in for 24 hours before continuing the process.

5. Familiarize yourself with the mounting system of your rails because they differ depending on the design selected. One way to install the rails is to notch the end of the rails using metal inserts to lock them in place. The metal insert also serves as a connector to the next rail. Save the installation of the top rail for later.

6. Install the fence pickets by anchoring the picket slats with the piece of U-channel that comes with it. Insert the picket into the installed U-channel to fit it securely in place. Continue doing this until you’ve done two-thirds of the rail.  Install the rails from the other end towards the center where the last picket can just slide down, connecting the two sides of the fence. Cap off the top rail of the section after installing all pickets beginning at the end to the top of the picket then into the U-channel. Insert the end of the loose rail to the post after putting all pickets in their proper places.

7. Tidy up your fence by installing the post caps. Just apply PVC glue at each cap’s inner side and press it on the post to attach the adhesive securely.

8. Attach the pre-assembled gates by fitting the bottom rails to the two parallel posts, followed by the pickets and gate caps at the top rail. Gates are normally supported by diagonal brace extending on the latch side from the top rail to the hinge area or the other way around. A 1 ½ inch screw is used to strengthen the support through the brace into individual pickets.

How to install vinyl fence is quite challenging if you do not have the skill. Fencing contractors are around should you need help. They are only a phone call away.