Victorian Essence Custom Cedar Fence System - Installation

Ordering a custom cedar fence system from Victorian Essence can save you time and money. You get a premium quality fence, premanufactured for ease of installation.

Our panels are made of tongue & groove cedar with double 2x4 top rails and double 2x6 bottom rails. All stainless steel hardware is used in the manufacture of the fence panels. Panels are available in typical widths of 72 and 96 inches. Standard height for our panels is 72 inches. Quality stain options are available.

Our fence panels are beautiful. Compare the price of a pressure-treated fence to our system. If you have limited handyperson skills you can have a beautiful and unique fence with little work.

Our prefab cedar fence panels are one of the fastest ways to build an attractive fence. The panels come in a variety of designs, from picket fences to board fences topped with lattice. It pays to shop around for the panels that best suit your house, your pocketbook, and your tastes. Compared to other fencing styles, for which a lot of cutting and nailing is required, prefab fencing is both fast and easy. You dig holes for the fence posts and put the posts in place. But before you plumb the posts and fill the holes, you attach the fence section to each post so the fence fits perfectly between the poles.

Installation of our prefab fence panels is easy:

Initial Preparation

Step 1) Contact your municipality regarding permits and setbacks. Typically fences do not require building permits but there are guidelines and restrictions regarding height and setback distances to property lines.

Step 2) Call before you dig. Call the local utilities to have unerground lines mapped out before you begin. This will ensure that you plan your fence around any possible utility easement. More important this will ensure that a potentially dangerous situation does not happen when the post holes are being bored. In Ontario a good place to start is on1call.com. Keep in mind that most contractors will NOT proceed with boring unless you have had all utilities clearly marked out on the yard. Keep in mind that not all utilities are covered by 1call and may have to be called separately.

Step 3) Measure out the entire area. Take some string and stakes and mark off the distance from one end of the yard to the other. Hammer the stakes on all four corners. Make sure the string is taunt so you can get an accurate measurement.

Step 4) Decide where you want to place your posts. In the diagram shown the panels marked A will typically be the same size (up to 96" each) and the remaining distance equally split on the ends, making B panels the same size. It is also feasible to take the entire distance and divide all of the panels equally. Typically the fence panels on the side shown as D would also be evenly split. If replacing an existing fence be aware that the previous post's concrete footing may prevent you from putting a new post in the same spot.

See more about calculating fence post positions here. Put the measurements of the panels required on your order form here.

Step 5) Rent a post hole digger or hire a professional with an auger and go down below your frost line. This of course will depend on your geographic location. In Southern Ontario this will typically be 4 feet. Kep this in mind when ordering your posts. If you want 6 feet above ground and 4 feet underground you will require 10 foot posts. If the holes are slightly deeper you will end up with a short post. You may wish to consider 12 foot posts. Standard posts come in 4x4 and 6x6 sizes.
If you have ordered your fence panels prestained you may want to stain your posts in a matching colour at this time.

Fence Panel Installation

Step 1) Install an end post

Plumb the end post, brace it, then fill in the hole with concrete. Measure and mark layout lines where the top and bottom of a panel will meet the post. Brace the next post temporarily in place, then transfer the layout lines with a mason's line and line level.

Step 2) Install fence panel hangers

Extend the layout marks to the inner faces of the posts using a square. Measure from the top of the fence to the rails and nail hangers this distance from the mark you made. Bend down the flange on the top bracket before nailing the bracket in place. Don't bend the flange on the bottom bracket.

Step 3) Put the fence panel in place

Put the first panel between the end post and the next post, sliding it into place until the bottom rail sits on the hangers. Check the panel for level and adjust the braces, if necessary. Plumb the loose post and fill the holes with cement, tamping the cement as you go.

Step 4) Fasten the fence in place

Nail the sides of the brackets to the panels. Once the first panel is installed, work your way down the fence, installing one panel at a time. Set any gateposts, corner posts, or end posts in concrete.

Finishing Touches

Step 1) Cut off the posts

Draw a line where you want to cut the posts. Because most circular saws don't cut deep enough to cut through a fence post, use a combination or speed square to extend the line all the way around. Clamp a speed square to the post to guide the saw, cut through the post, then move the saw to the opposite side of the post and cut again.

Step 2) Install post caps

Spread construction adhesive or exterior glue on the post, centre the cap, and drive in two 2-1/2" nails at an angle.

Step 3) Finishing

Now you are ready to stain, paint or polyurethane the fence. This choice is up to you and how the finishing color will look with any other outdoor features or your house tones such as shutters, bricks, stones, or siding.