Fence panel installation tips

In this video, we show you how to work with prefab garden screens, and offer you a number of handy tips on how to put these panels together to build a handsome fence. Want to know how to match panels to garden size every time? Then make sure to watch this episode.

Prefab fence panels generally measure 180 by 180 centimetres, but other sizes, like 70 by 180 centimetres, are available. The panel fences are available in various sizes, as well as various types of timber, such as Red Class Wood, Larch and Douglas fir, hardwood, and impregnated pine.

Want to know more about our most popular fences? We’ve lined them up for you below.

Aside from wooden fencing, trellis screens are also a good option. These steel frames are excellent for training planters to create natural fencing. As an added advantage, trellis screens are very affordable.

In most fences, the posts stand out. That’s why we recommend planed, smooth posts, in hardwood, Larch and Douglas fir, or impregnated pine. If your fence is a few centimetres shorter or longer than your garden, then compensate by using thicker or thinner posts. Tip: for a 180-centimetre tall fence, make sure the posts are at least 270 centimetres in length, with 1/3rd buried in the ground. For 2-metre fence panels (a very hip new trend), use approximately 3 metre tall posts. In short, always have 1/3rd buried, and 2/3rds of the post above ground.

Installing your own fence panel screens

Before putting in your panels, it helps to measure out the length of your intended fence. String a length of wire along the ground to keep things well-aligned. In addition, a post spirit level is a great tool for making sure the posts are at a 90 degree angle to the ground. Use an auger to dig the post holes, and install the posts about 5 millimetres further apart than the width of the fence panel to accommodate for the mounting brackets.

Do not install all posts consecutively, but finish each panel before adding a new post. Start with two posts, place the fence panel in-between, and then move on to the third post. The advantage of this method is that it becomes easier to adjust any minor errors in your calculations - no more unnecessary work. Then, affix the brackets to the posts, at least 3 per post.

When installing your fence, make sure the bottom is a few centimetres above the soil. This keeps away soil, dirt, and rising damp - factors that can impact the lifespan of your fence. We recommend getting an extra pair of hands for your fencing-building project, so that your partner can help by holding the panels in place while you screw them down.

If you’d like to see more DIY fence-building tips, then subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly new episodes of Gadero TV!