Vinyl Fence Installation
Vinyl Fencing has become a trendy alternative to wooden and aluminum fencing over the years. Its combination of reliability and low maintenance costs make it the easy choice for many, despite the more considerable initial outlay in upfront costs. Installing a vinyl fence is also a relatively straightforward process, even when compared to wood fence installation. In most cases, it can be completed capably by two people working as a team. However, it can take a few days to get the best results.
Important Considerations
Before you get started, you want to consider your vinyl fence's ideal purpose and function. You also want to consider the form and type of property you plan to install the fence on before starting any planning or work.
Speaking to your neighbors is probably the first thing we'd recommend doing from the start. As often, a fence will be right on the border of your property's boundary lines. Making sure the entirety of your fence remains on your property is critical. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where your new fence leaks over into your neighbors' property.
You want to make sure that you check with your local zoning laws, as this is a crucial step before making any proper plans. The zoning department will give you a better idea about the size and placement limitations you may face during this process.
Understanding the limitations and restrictions set forth by your homeowners' association is a significant part of the planning process.
Before any digging commences, you will want to contact J.U.L.I.E. to confirm local utilities' exact locations, mainly those underground. The good news is if you hire Illinois Fence Company, we can handle this process for you from start to finish.
While you're dealing with the local council, it's also probably worth it to call your local building inspector and get an idea of your local building codes and regulations.
Once you've got that covered and have the right information, you can then apply for your building permit.
Speaking to your neighbors is probably the first thing we'd recommend doing from the start. As often, a fence will be right on the border of your property's boundary lines. Making sure the entirety of your fence remains on your property is critical. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where your new fence leaks over into your neighbors' property.
You want to make sure that you check with your local zoning laws, as this is a crucial step before making any proper plans. The zoning department will give you a better idea about the size and placement limitations you may face during this process.
Understanding the limitations and restrictions set forth by your homeowners' association is a significant part of the planning process.
Before any digging commences, you will want to contact J.U.L.I.E. to confirm local utilities' exact locations, mainly those underground. The good news is if you hire Illinois Fence Company, we can handle this process for you from start to finish.
While you're dealing with the local council, it's also probably worth it to call your local building inspector and get an idea of your local building codes and regulations.
Once you've got that covered and have the right information, you can then apply for your building permit.
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Using the Right Terminology
When planning for your upcoming vinyl fence installation, you want to make sure that you understand all their terms and jargon as a courtesy to those affected during this process. Having a good grasp of the terminology used in the fence industry will help you better communicate your desired outcome to fence contractors.
Below are a few critical pieces of terminology to use when communicating with others about your fence:
● Bays are the space between the fenceposts and are where panels are placed, or infills are placed and fitted. For picket style fencing or split rail fencing, the bay is often occupied with a few rails instead.
● Rails are the horizontal supports that are fitted perpendicular to the post. These are common in split rail styles.
● Posts are the vertical supports that hold the fence together and are where split rails and panels for fencing are attached during the fence installation process. These are set into the ground, usually with concrete, to create a firm foundation of support for the structure.
● Primary posts are the long vertical posts in the fence structure and are responsible for providing the most structural support and are set further into the ground as a result. These are also sometimes referred to as terminal posts.
● Gates are the access doors for fences and are mounted with hinges between the posts. They provide access both in and out of the enclosed area. Commonly, posts that are designated as gate posts are similarly set further in the ground to provide additional support.
Below are a few critical pieces of terminology to use when communicating with others about your fence:
● Bays are the space between the fenceposts and are where panels are placed, or infills are placed and fitted. For picket style fencing or split rail fencing, the bay is often occupied with a few rails instead.
● Rails are the horizontal supports that are fitted perpendicular to the post. These are common in split rail styles.
● Posts are the vertical supports that hold the fence together and are where split rails and panels for fencing are attached during the fence installation process. These are set into the ground, usually with concrete, to create a firm foundation of support for the structure.
● Primary posts are the long vertical posts in the fence structure and are responsible for providing the most structural support and are set further into the ground as a result. These are also sometimes referred to as terminal posts.
● Gates are the access doors for fences and are mounted with hinges between the posts. They provide access both in and out of the enclosed area. Commonly, posts that are designated as gate posts are similarly set further in the ground to provide additional support.
Measure Twice, Dig Once
We really can't emphasize enough how important it is to make sure you've measured everything regarding your fence before you've begun to start the digging process. All the work you've just done during the initial planning phase could hit serious roadblocks with incorrect measurements.
To keep mistakes down to a minimum, be sure to make your calculations using graph paper and a diagram of the space your fence is meant to occupy. Proper planning and measurements will help you visualize the intended build while also giving you a clear picture of possible obstacles, such as trees and slopes. Being exact is critical, though you'll also need to make sure you've included enough wiggle room in your measurements to account for your panels' sizing. |
Picking the Right Style
Unlike wooden and aluminum fencing, vinyl fencing is essentially prefabricated and often comes in three different styles - privacy, shadowbox, and picket. Knowing these styles is incredibly important for your build, and figuring out the right one can save you many problems in the future when discussing what kind you'd prefer as opposed to what style you'd be allowed to do.
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Split Rail
Split rail fences are arguably the most basic and traditional types of fence designs. They are more commonly seen as wooden structures rather than vinyl. Split rail fences typically only feature two or three horizontal rails between the posts of a fence structure.
These structures are most commonly seen on rural landholdings or as property divisions as they are ill-suited for either privacy or security and are almost always the cheapest option.
These structures are most commonly seen on rural landholdings or as property divisions as they are ill-suited for either privacy or security and are almost always the cheapest option.
Picket Fence
To start things off, we're going, to begin with, a classic. The picket fence is the main style that most people envision when they consider a vinyl fence. Pickets are also arguably the most aesthetically pleasing of the main types. They can do their jobs well enough if you only plan to use them to keep the kids or the dog from wandering off into the neighbor's lawn.
Of course, pickets don't necessarily excel when it comes to privacy or security, so if those are your priority, then it may be best to look elsewhere.
Of course, pickets don't necessarily excel when it comes to privacy or security, so if those are your priority, then it may be best to look elsewhere.
Privacy Fence
If privacy and security are your primary concern, you will want to consider a 6ft privacy vinyl fence. Vinyl fences are by far the most stable and dependable type of fencing available on the market today.
Though, while it excels at keeping others from looking in, vinyl fencing's privacy style also leaves something to be desired when it comes to giving a pleasing aesthetic. As a result, vinyl fences are usually installed to define property lines or conceal an unsightly piece of machinery or roadway. In saying that, most privacy fences can be upgraded with some tasteful decorative latticework for those that want to have their privacy without scaring off their neighbors.
Though, while it excels at keeping others from looking in, vinyl fencing's privacy style also leaves something to be desired when it comes to giving a pleasing aesthetic. As a result, vinyl fences are usually installed to define property lines or conceal an unsightly piece of machinery or roadway. In saying that, most privacy fences can be upgraded with some tasteful decorative latticework for those that want to have their privacy without scaring off their neighbors.
Semi-Private
If you're looking to have the best of both worlds, then a semi-private style may be the best option. Semi-private fences often use panels with small spacing between pickets to give the fence a pleasing aesthetic from all angles. If you're looking to stay popular with your neighbors, then this is as ideal as it gets before you may have to start thinking about an alternative.
The semi-private style usually provides enough security and privacy while at the same time not wholly closing your backyard off from your neighbors.
That's just about everything we can think of from a planning perspective of what you need to accomplish before you begin to install your very own vinyl fence. Installing a fence to surround your property or home can be a hugely rewarding experience if your willing to put in the work. It is not a task for the faint of heart. It's probably a good idea to even rope in a friend or two, but planning it out beforehand will save you more than a few headaches in the future.
Alternatively, you could give us a call as well, with our friendly team being more than happy to answer any questions you may have!
The semi-private style usually provides enough security and privacy while at the same time not wholly closing your backyard off from your neighbors.
That's just about everything we can think of from a planning perspective of what you need to accomplish before you begin to install your very own vinyl fence. Installing a fence to surround your property or home can be a hugely rewarding experience if your willing to put in the work. It is not a task for the faint of heart. It's probably a good idea to even rope in a friend or two, but planning it out beforehand will save you more than a few headaches in the future.
Alternatively, you could give us a call as well, with our friendly team being more than happy to answer any questions you may have!