Metal picket fence is a universal material for fencing. Fences from a metal picket fence How to make a fence from a metal picket fence with a slide

In order to reliably protect your home and surrounding area from unauthorized persons, it is necessary to install appropriate fencing. One of the practical options is a metal picket fence, which is distinguished by its structural strength, ease of installation and attractive appearance. Experts 365NEWS They will talk about the features of using metal picket fences, the advantages and disadvantages of this type of fencing, and also give practical advice on self-assembly.

A metal picket fence is reliable protection for your home.

Metal picket fence - what is it?

Almost every person has seen wooden fences for front gardens on private plots of private houses and summer cottages. A modern metal picket fence is a fence made of corrugated sheets, slats or profiles, which is mounted around the area adjacent to the house at a certain interval. Unlike wooden fences, metal analogues are not exposed to atmospheric agents and precipitation, since they are treated with anti-corrosion compounds.

In addition, the products are not afraid of mechanical damage and have a long service life. Various types of metal pickets are widely used in landscape design. They not only perform a protective function, but also organically fit into the exterior of the local area.

Metal picket fence in the design of a private house

Advantages and disadvantages of metal fences

Most fence manufacturing companies manufacture fence structures from billet steel. Products can be selected in any color scheme that will correspond to the overall design concept of the facade of the home. The advantages of metal picket fences include:

• presentable appearance;
• long service life (over 50 years);
• ease of installation of the enclosing structure;
• combination with any construction and finishing materials;
• large selection of picket fence shapes;
• ease of care.

The paint used to cover the picket fences is highly resistant to sunlight, so they do not fade and retain an attractive appearance for a long time. For fencing, you can choose non-solid structures, so that light will penetrate through them. The advantages of metal fences include their versatility in use, since they can be installed not only as external protection, but also used inside the yard. For example, the territory can be beautifully divided into certain zones, surrounded by front gardens and flower beds.

Option for using a picket fence inside the yard

Despite the undeniable advantages of metal fencing, there are some disadvantages. External fence structures made from slats take much longer to install than their counterparts made from corrugated sheets. It should also be noted that each element must be carefully measured before installation to avoid distortions. In addition, installation work requires a large amount of fasteners.

What types of picket fence are there?

Before you buy a metal picket fence, you need to understand what types of fencing exist. Today, many companies on the market offer steel fences, which differ in the method of manufacture, installation, and the thickness of the materials used. Among them are:

• industrial fittings;
• profile steel;
• Euro picket fence;
• fences with polymer coating;
• "Clover" type fences.

Metal fences, which are made from rectangular, semicircular, and U-shaped profiles, are very popular among buyers. They are mounted to the supporting rails using bolted connections. A special feature of such fences is the presence of a textured polymer coating, which ensures long-term operation and an attractive appearance.

Such a picket fence will not only protect your property, but will also arouse the envy of your neighbors.

Table 1. Types of metal picket fences

Image	Type of fencing	Features of operation
	Fence made from industrial reinforcement	Pickets of this type are made from cold-rolled industrial reinforcement with round and square sections measuring 10−16 mm. First, solid sections are assembled from the rods, after which the products are primed and painted.
	Fences made of profile pipes	Fences are made from profile square or round pipes. The products are characterized by high strength and long service life. Compared to other types of picket fences, installation of this type of fence takes a lot of time due to the complexity of installation.
	"Clover"	Ferrous metal is used in the production of this type of fencing. The height of the picket fence elements can vary between 2-2.5 m. The end part of the picket fence has the shape of a trefoil or a peak, for which the product received its name. “Clover” allows you to create a stylish facade in combination with pillars made of facing bricks.
	Euro picket fence	Fences will create an impeccable look for any facade of a private house or cottage (the photo shows a Euro picket fence). The price of finished products depends on the type of edges of the elements (rolled or not rolled), as well as on the type of painting. Slats with one-sided polymer coating are cheaper than their counterparts with double-sided painting.

Fences and metal pickets: installation methods

To install a steel fence or picket fence with your own hands, you must first develop a drawing that is created taking into account the characteristics of the local area. After this, the plot of land where the fence is planned to be installed is marked. It is necessary to determine the locations of the corner pillars that will play the role of load-bearing structures. After this, they make depressions in the ground of 0.7−1.2 m (for corner supports) and 0.5−1 m (for ordinary supports). The pits are filled with crushed stone, which will serve as drainage.

When the preparatory work has been completed, you should begin fixing the corner pillars, for which large stones and cobblestones are used. Pits with fixed supporting structures are filled with cement mortar, after which a similar procedure is done with the remaining supports. Please note that ordinary pillars should stand approximately 0.2 m higher than load-bearing ones. The concrete poured into the pits must harden completely, for which time is allocated within 5-7 days.

When the load-bearing supports are completely ready for installing the fence, it is necessary to weld the longitudinal logs (bottom and top), on which the picket fence elements are subsequently attached. This can be done using self-tapping screws or bolts. If the installation of typesetting sections is necessary, welding equipment is used. To strengthen the structure of the fence, you can make a so-called strip foundation, which creates a single monolith along the entire perimeter of the territory. This method of installing fences is considered the most reliable, however, it requires quite a large financial investment.

Advice! When installing a double-sided fence (for example, a European picket fence), the internal elements are fixed to load-bearing logs in a checkerboard pattern.

Fence installation diagram

Upon completion of the installation work, the wicket and gates, as well as the necessary fittings, are installed. If necessary, canopies and ebbs are attached to the poles.

Distance between planks and types of fillings

If you need to inexpensively install fences for your dacha from a metal picket fence or fencing the local area, use a single-row installation method. In this case, the gaps between the pickets are selected in random order. Usually their size is equal to a third or half of the width of the bar (about 5-10 cm).

Various types of filling of picket fence spans

There are quite a few different types of filling the picket fence spans, which give the fence a stylish and attractive look. The simplest is the direct arrangement of elements. You can also place picket fences in the shape of a “canyon”, “ladder”, “wave”, “pyramid”, etc. It should be remembered that all curly types of fillings require trimming and adjustment to the dimensions of the installation elements. Of course, in this case the fence looks very beautiful, however, you will need to purchase a much larger amount of material.

What to look for when choosing a European picket fence

When choosing a European picket fence, you should first check all purchased panels for the fence. The fact is that the thickness of the elements must match the declared parameters (it often happens that the pickets are not the same in thickness due to the fact that they go on sale from different batches). In addition, you need to consider what kind of coating is on the metal. You should choose fence elements with a galvanized coating (anti-corrosion treatment) or a polymer surface.

Materials and tools for installing a metal picket fence

Table 2. Materials and tools required for installing the fence

Tools, materials	Purpose
Drill, bayonet shovel	Required for digging recesses into which pillars are installed.
Screwdrivers, wrenches 12-14 mm, screwdrivers	They are used for fixing slats to load-bearing beams (guides).
Pegs, ropes, plumb line, building level	The equipment is necessary for marking the territory and checking the correct installation of the picket fence.
Welding machine	Used for welding load-bearing joists (longitudinal beams). You can also use special clamps that are fixed on top of the posts and hold the longitudinal logs in the grooves.
Profiled pipe	60×60 mm are used for installation of load-bearing and support pillars; 20x40 – for lag.
Crushed stone, building brick, rubble, stone, cement mortar	Materials are used for draining holes, fixing pillars and filling recesses.
Self-tapping screws or bolts	Fastening elements are necessary for fixing the pickets to the joists (matched to the color of the fence).

How to calculate the necessary materials for a metal picket fence

How to correctly calculate the required amount of materials and their cost in order to independently install a metal picket fence? The price per linear meter of slats is determined very easily, since manufacturers indicate the number of pieces (included in 1 linear meter), in addition, the panels have a standard length of 0.75−1.15 m. There is a formula by which you can calculate the exact number of pickets for the fence: (1 m – gap between pickets)/(0.135 m + gap between pickets) × total fence length

Advice! If you plan to install a double-sided picket fence, the resulting amount of material must be taken 2 times more.

How to install a metal picket fence with your own hands

We carry out installation of support pillars

Table 3. Stages of installation of support pillars

Image	Work stage	Description
	Installation of a corner post	Install a load-bearing corner support in the selected location on the site.
	Marking the support installation point before digging the recess	Stretch the cable between the supporting supports. Use a tape measure to measure the required distance from the corner post. Hang a rope with a plumb line on the cable and determine the location of the intermediate support.
	Well drilling	Drill a 1.2 m deep hole along the thread to install the pole. For clay soils, a depth of up to 1.4 m is allowed.
	Driving in the support	Driving a pole into a well. The thickness of the profile must be at least 2 mm, otherwise it can easily be deformed.
	Checking for correct installation	Place a building level on the horizontal rail. Attach it to a vertical support. If necessary, give the post the appropriate position.
	Installation of a row of supports	All pillars must be installed in a single plane along the line. Please note that the height of the supports must be the same.
	Steel support before pouring concrete	Install the post in the well on a drainage pad made of crushed stone. Adhering to the vertical level, fix the support motionless with the help of cobblestones.
	Pouring the support	To give better rigidity to the support, it is recommended to use a 110 mm casing pipe into which the post is installed. Fill the structure with concrete and wait until it hardens completely.
	Installation of longitudinal guides	Weld the lower and upper longitudinal guides (joists) to the posts. Fix a picket fence or profile sheets on them.

Video of fence installation from A to Z:

How to install a metal picket fence

After installing the pillars, longitudinal logs are fixed, onto which pickets are subsequently mounted. Please note that if the height of the fence is 1.5-2 m, two logs are sufficient; if it is more than 2.5 m, it is recommended to use three guides. In this case, the outer edge of the enclosing element should be about 0.25−0.35 m.

The planks are attached to the joists using rivets or self-tapping screws (bolts). It is mandatory that each plank is fixed to each guide on both sides. This will prevent damage to the structure from strong wind gusts, as well as from attempts by unauthorized persons to enter private territory. Also, for safety reasons, it is recommended to install the pickets with rivets on the outside, and with self-tapping screws on the inside.

How to strengthen the top fence rail

The top bar on the picket fence is installed in order to prevent injuries that may occur as a result of a person being injured on the sharp edge of the picket fence. As a rule, it is mounted on top of unrolled slats. This element also gives the fence completeness.

The top bar is also called the ridge bar. It is fixed on one side to each of the pickets using rivets. The “ridge” also plays the role of a kind of visor that protects the slats from rain.

Methods of painting a metal picket fence

Picket fences are available for sale with double-sided and single-sided painting. In the first case, the products will not have to be painted. Planks with one-sided painting on the reverse side (inside) have a primer coating.

To give the inside of the fence a certain color, you should choose paint for the roof. It is resistant to precipitation and temperature changes. To apply it, you should use a spray gun.

Features of a universal metal picket fence with brick posts

The laying of decorative brick pillars is usually done using profile pipes (supports). It is imperative to use a strip foundation, which also plays the role of a reinforcing belt and imparts rigidity to the structure.

Brick fence posts with horizontal picket fence

Pay attention to the photo: a metal picket fence is supported by brick pillars, each of which has a canopy. It must be installed, since water ingress is unacceptable. If the brick absorbs moisture, it will cause structural failure.

How to buy a metal picket fence - estimated prices

If you need to find out the cost of a metal picket fence for a fence, prices per piece vary between 60-90 rubles. It is recommended to use 7 planks for 1 linear meter of fence if their width is 0.1 m. Based on this, it is easy to calculate the total amount of material and its final cost.

Average prices for installing a metal picket fence

Let's look at the average prices for installing a European picket fence. Thus, with a standard arrangement of supports at a distance of 2 m from each other (metal profile - 60×60 mm), the cost of installation will vary between 1,500-1,600 rubles per 1 linear meter, provided that the pillars are installed by driving into the ground without backfilling. If work is carried out on concreting the supports, the cost will increase to 1,700-1,900 rubles. The price for installation on metal picket fences with stone or brick posts is much higher. This is due to the fact that preliminary installation of a strip foundation and installation of steel sections is required.

What does a European picket fence look like in the photo?

Euro picket fence on brick supports

The debate about which fence to choose for private property has been going on for a very long time. Some people prefer - environmentally friendly, attractive in appearance and easy to install, others build real walls from bricks and stones - “my home is my fortress.” But experts in country/country construction recommend paying attention when choosing the type of fencing for a site to a metal picket fence. It not only has a neat appearance, but also has certain advantages.

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What is good about a metal picket fence?

Both experts and those who already have such a fence call the main qualitative characteristics of a metal picket fence a long service life and virtually no need for maintenance. In principle, in terms of functionality, a metal picket fence completely imitates a wooden fence, but its installation can be carried out by an absolute beginner - you do not need to have important knowledge and many years of experience for this.

Compare! It takes a lot of work to install a wooden fence.:

• carefully select lumber according to texture and type of wood;
• each element of the fence will need to be planed and painted;
• you need to know the specific rules for fastening wooden elements with metal brackets.

And don’t forget about the further use of a wooden fence - experts assure that it can last no more than 10 years, and during this period it will need to be completely repainted at least 4 times. And even if all operating rules are followed, you are lucky and find really strong and properly dried wood, after 10 years of operation such a fence will lose its attractive appearance - unfortunately, drying out and deformation are natural processes for wood.

A metal picket fence will save the owner of a private area from such problems - a special polymer coating on the parts protects the product from corrosion, decorative paint has increased resistance to ultraviolet rays and moisture, and the service life of a metal picket fence is stated by manufacturers to be 20 years or more.

It is worth mentioning separately that there are many color options for metal picket fences, so you can either design the fence in the same style as your house and garden, or experiment and make a metal picket fence a separate exterior accent.

Variety of materials

On sale, the type of product in question is presented in several versions - there are 6 types of the profile itself and 4 types of trimming the top edge of the pickets. Experts distinguish M-shaped, U-shaped and rounded profiles.

Moreover, each of them has a reinforced version with two/three stiffeners - the choice should be made taking into account the region of residence (some are characterized by strong winds), the location of the site (some are literally blown from all sides).

As for the upper end of each metal picket fence, it can be rounded, smooth and with cut corners. The choice, of course, depends on the individual preferences of the buyer, but keep in mind that the top crossbar can be installed on a metal picket fence only if the ends are absolutely straight.

Note:Metal pickets with bent petals or sharp corners are available for sale. Similar elements are used when installing a fence with a height of more than 1.8 m, while the standard height of a metal picket fence is 1.5 m.

Basic rules for installing a metal picket fence with your own hands

Installing a metal picket fence yourself is not difficult; it is only important to strictly follow the recommendations of specialists. And they argue that first of all it is necessary to clear the “battlefield” - remove debris, mow the grass, trim at the roots (ideally, uproot along with the roots) bushes and trees at the intended location of the metal picket fence.

The next stage of work is marking. It should be done as follows:

• each straight section of the future fence is determined by a stretched nylon cord;
• the cord is pulled between two stakes, which stand 150-250 cm apart.

Note:it is necessary to adhere to a single horizontal level. Even if the area is sloped, the general slope is set - the alignment of the metal picket fence will be carried out along the upper edge of each element. This is clearly shown in the diagram below.

The length of each section of metal pickets is on average 1.5 - 2 meters, but a more accurate size must be determined independently. The required rigidity of the metal fence and the strength of each element of the future fence frame are taken into account. After the distance between the sections has been determined, marks are made on the ground - these are the locations of the future location of the support pillars.

Installation of support pillars

In the designated areas, it is necessary to dig holes in the ground - their depth should be 35% of the total height of the purchased elements for the support pillars.

Important: pillars are never dug to a depth that exceeds the freezing threshold of the ground.

Then you need to drive the pillars into the ground, level them horizontally and lower them 30 cm below the expected height of the metal picket fence.

The above algorithm of actions is only possible if the site has heavy soil, the soil is dense and the support pillars “sit” securely in the ground. Otherwise, you will have to concrete each support - there is nothing complicated about it, but then the time for installing the type of fencing in question will be increased (you must wait until the solution has completely hardened).

Important: Experts strongly recommend concreting the supports - in this case, you will be sure that the fence will withstand even strong gusts of wind and ground shifts.

There are other ways to install metal supports - crushed stone butting, as well as a combined method, in which the base buried in the ground is concreted, but not completely.

After installing the support posts for the metal picket fence, you need to close the top hole of each with a plastic plug.

Note:It is believed that the optimal choice of material for support pillars is a profile pipe with a cross-section of 60x60; it is also useful for installing cross beams. Support “shoulders” made of 12mm reinforcement must be welded to the bottom of the profile pipes.

Assembling a picket fence frame

It is best to attach crossbars to support posts by welding. In order for a metal picket fence to fully comply with the declared quality characteristics, you will need two crossbars:

• one is attached 20-30 cm below the upper support point or installed on top of the support pillars: welded to them, and then the seam is cleaned with a grinder (with the second option for the location of the crossbar, plastic plugs are not placed on the support posts);
• the second crossbar (lower) is installed 30 cm above the ground. To work, you need to cut a profile pipe to the size of each section and weld it to the ends of the support posts.

Installation diagram for a picket fence using 3 joists and fastening the top joist below the top support point:

As a rule, the crossbars are attached to the inside of the proposed fence, and the lower slats are even “built in” in the middle of the space between the support posts - this will save free space, which will allow you to install a double-sided fence made of metal picket fence. But if you have little or no experience working with metal structures, then the process of installing the frame can be simplified - just install transverse strips on the outside of the fence, welding them to the front side of the support post.

If you do not have a welding machine or lack professional skills in this matter, you can use a special cross made of perforated channel and bolts to attach the cross bars. By the way, the reliability and strength of this type of fastening will be no worse than welding, but it will also take more time to complete the construction of the frame.

Installation of metal pickets

To fasten metal pickets, ordinary self-tapping screws for corrugated sheets with a hexagonal head are most often used. But experts recommend abandoning such fasteners and giving preference to special self-tapping screws for Euro picket fences with a cross slot on a round head. If you can’t purchase similar ones (they are really hard to find in retail outlets), then you can use anti-vandal screws - the head in them either comes off when tightened, or has a complex slot for which it is very difficult to find a tool.

There are several rules that must be followed when installing metal pickets:

1. Make a wooden picket template in advance with a slot, which will be used to determine the height of each element.
2. The marking cord should be loosely stretched at a distance of 4 cm from the top edge of the fence.
3. The picket fence should be located at a height of 7 cm from the ground (you can reduce this figure to 5 cm, but this is the maximum!).
4. Installation of a metal picket fence always starts from the corners, and it is necessary to strictly check the vertical level - the final result depends on this.
5. Each subsequent metal picket fence is attached at a distance of 3-5 cm from the previous one.

Note:Having attached a metal picket fence, it must be conditionally secured with a self-tapping screw. Then, with a level, they make sure that the element is perfectly vertical, level it if necessary, and only after that can the picket fence be thoroughly secured.

As a rule, when installing a metal picket fence, trimming the strips is not required. But if there is such a need, then this is done with a grinder, and the resulting sections must be treated with bitumen mastic (it must be matched to the color of the fence).

And the last nuance - if you chose a picket fence with smooth top edges, then you can install a horizontal crossbar on top of the entire fence. It is attached with painted screws (exclusively for the aesthetic appearance of the fence) to every 5 pickets.

Fences made of metal picket fences (Euro picket fences) are deservedly popular. This is a beautiful and durable material. Let's figure out how to make such a fence with your own hands.

Euro picket fence, or metal picket fence, began to be used relatively recently for the construction of fences. This material quickly gained popularity: It is durable, has a decorative appearance, protects the area well from prying eyes, and has a reasonable price. You can build a fence from a metal picket fence with your own hands. Let's figure out how to do this as quickly and inexpensively as possible.

Types and forms

The European picket fence is made of galvanized steel. The sheet is rolled to take the shape of the finished product. Then the sheet is cut into strips, which are the finished picket fence. Today, European picket fences are produced by several manufacturers. Their products differ in several ways:

• Metal thickness. This parameter ranges from 0.4 to 1.5 mm. The thicker the metal, the more expensive and heavier the fence will be. But a thicker picket fence will also be more durable. The optimal ratio in terms of thickness, weight, price is 0.5 mm.
• Thickness of zinc coating. It’s definitely not worth saving on this parameter. The thicker the protective layer, the more durable the fence will be.
• Quality of edge processing. The most preferable material is with rolled edges. Although it is more expensive (due to the greater complexity of production), such edge processing increases strength. Plus, you can’t cut yourself on the curved edge, which will make installation work easier.

The quality of the picket fence largely depends on the quality of the flock. This figure often varies within the same manufacturer. Therefore, it is advisable to buy a metal picket fence “not blindly” to make sure that the quality of the metal provides sufficient strength.

The most important parameter of a metal picket fence is the type of profile. Depending on how many ribs there are in the profile, the material will be hard or soft. The most common are M-shaped, U-shaped and semicircular profiles. The M-shaped profile is considered the most durable. But the U-shaped profile produced by different manufacturers differs in the number of stiffeners. If there are at least three ribs on the back of the profile and the edges are rolled, the product will have sufficient rigidity.

The length and color of the picket fence also differ. And if the first parameter is selected based on the desired height of the fence, then the appearance and service life of the fence will depend on the second. The picket fence with a polymer coating is considered to be of the highest quality, but the prices for such products are usually quite high. Powder coating is no worse, provided that it is applied in compliance with the technology. But this, unfortunately, is not always the case.

You can paint the picket fence yourself. To work you will need roof paint. To achieve the most attractive look, you need to apply the paint with a spray gun.

Preparatory work

Preparatory work is designing the fence. It is much better to start work by drawing a span on a piece of paper and calculating how many strips of picket fence will be required to create it, how many screws for fastening, how many horizontal joists and support pipes. Having such a project, you will not go wrong with the purchase of materials, and there will be no unnecessary expenditure.

In addition, it is necessary to carry out design work on the site: determine where the entrance gates and gates will be located, how they will open, whether it will be possible to place support pillars, whether there are trees and large bushes on the line, whether the gas supply lines to the site cross the fence, water, etc.

To get an even better idea of ​​how the fence will go, you need to install pegs and pull the cord. Then, when starting work, you will not be mistaken with the placement of support pillars.

Another question is determining the type of foundation. The choice of a specific option depends on the characteristics of the soil in your area (heavy or light, whether groundwater is close), the strength you expect from the future fence and the type of structure. The three most common options are:

Having decided on these issues in advance, it will be much easier to install the fence.

How to install correctly

There are two options for installing a metal picket fence:

• Single-row installation is more economical, since the planks are attached to the crossbars in one layer. But with this method of construction there are gaps between the planks, through which the area is open to any prying eyes.
• Double-row installation (checkerboard) spends 50-60% more material for an equal fence length, because the slats are attached to crossbars on both sides, overlapping in a checkerboard pattern. Such a fence is practically invisible. But at the same time, it is not solid, so the disadvantages of a solid fabric do not apply to such a fence.

Most often, the picket fence is placed vertically. This installation method is simpler and does not require additional crossbars to ensure the rigidity of the canvas. And the appearance of such a fence is more familiar and fits better into the landscape design.

Horizontal arrangement is also used. It looks more exotic, but no less attractive. The main disadvantage is the great complexity of installation. To prevent the fabric from sagging, you will have to install additional support pillars, and the main load-bearing supports of the structure will have to be installed non-standard. All this is reflected in the price, sometimes significantly increasing the cost of construction.

Dimensions and distances

The distance between pillars is most often taken as the span width of 2.5 m. It is possible to install pillars somewhat more often, but this will lead to an increase in the cost of the structure. But it is not recommended to place supports at a greater distance: this will have a sharply negative effect on the strength of the fence.

The height of the fence is selected based on personal preferences:

• If you want what is happening on the site to be completely hidden from prying eyes, you need to take pickets with a length of 1.8 m or more. Then, taking into account the fact that they are placed at a height of 4-5 cm from the ground, it will be completely impossible to look over the fence.
• If the ability to look through the fence is not important to you, you can opt for products 1.5 or 1.25 m long. In the first case, the upper edge of the fence will be at the height of the eyes of passers-by, and in the second - at chest level.

The width between the slats is also a matter of preference. In a single-row arrangement, usually between a third and half the width of the picket fence is left between the slats. But this is not a strict requirement: you can place the planks almost closely, you can leave a gap the width of the plank or even more.

With a staggered arrangement, to achieve complete opacity of the fence, the pickets should overlap each other by 30-45%. If you make the distance larger, you can save material, but at a certain angle in the gap between the planks you will be able to see what is happening in the area.

Materials and tools required

The list of materials and tools required for the work depends on the fence project. Here is a list for creating a fence on a strip foundation with supports made of profiled pipe. Here's what you'll need to create a fence:

• Profiled pipe 6 x 6 cm
• Horizontal joists. To do this, they usually take a profiled pipe 2 x 4 cm.
• Welding machine.
• Self-tapping screws for attaching pickets. To prevent self-tapping screws from becoming points of corrosion development, you should use galvanized rather than “black” products.
• Shovels, boards for creating formwork and concrete mixture components (cement, sand, crushed stone). You will also need a construction mixer or a small mortar-concrete unit for mixing concrete.
• Marking tools: tape measure, plumb line, building level, cord.
• Screwdrivers or screwdriver.

Depending on the type of structure, the set of materials may vary slightly. It is also worth finding at least one assistant to work with.

DIY metal picket fence. Step-by-step instruction

The operating procedure is as follows:

1. The area is marked by placing pegs at turning points and pulling the cord.
2. They dig holes under the pillars and prepare formwork to create a strip foundation. The bottom of the pit should be lined with polyethylene, and 10 cm of sand should be poured onto the bottom, compacting it tightly.
3. The pillars are installed strictly vertically, the foundation is concreted.
4. Work can be continued 10-12 days after the foundation has hardened. Transverse logs are welded onto the supports, forming a fence frame.
5. Pickets are screwed to the joists with self-tapping screws.

The fence is almost ready. All that remains is to cover the tops of the pillars with plastic plugs to prevent water from getting inside the pipes.

Here are some tips from professional installers:

• If the fence is left unattended for a long time, at least on the front side it is better to use rivets rather than screws. This method of fastening is more labor-intensive, but intruders will not be able to enter the site by removing several pickets.
• If the top edge of the fence is smooth, it is better to cover it with a U-shaped cover (you can buy it along with the picket fence). This will prevent rainwater from getting inside the fence and prolong its service life.

A fence made of Euro picket fence is an excellent solution when creating a fence for a site. It is strong, durable and requires virtually no maintenance. And the ability to do the installation yourself will save money on creating a fence.

Euro picket fence is a relatively new type of fencing for houses and summer cottages, which is galvanized metal strips made of corrugated sheets, coated with colored polymer for protection and beauty. This type of fence is inexpensive, can be installed quickly, and lasts for more than 30 years. The demand for Euro picket fence is explained by its main qualities: aesthetic appeal, durability, affordable price.

How much does a euro picket fence cost: materials plus labor

On average, a linear meter will cost from one thousand rubles including installation work. If you install a picket fence yourself, its installation will cost less. The price of a fence depends on several factors:

• type of euro picket fence - depends on the manufacturer’s brand, workmanship, coating thickness;
• bar height - from 1.5 to 2 m;
• the width of the pickets and the distance between them, which affects the number of strips per 1 linear line. m of fencing.

We calculate the amount of material for the fence

It’s easy to make a fence from Euro picket fence yourself. Before purchasing components, you will need to calculate their quantity. You will need:

• Euro picket fence;
• load-bearing support pillars, usually a corrugated pipe with a cross section of 60*60 mm is used for these purposes;
• frame transverse logs - corrugated pipe 40*20 mm;
• fastening - self-tapping screws 4 pcs. per one plank (two for the upper joist and 2 for the lower).

To determine the specific number of strips you need to know several rules for installing a picket fence.

The total length of the fence is measured along the perimeter of the area to be fenced.

From the general indicators, it is necessary to subtract the length of the gates and wickets (their total length is summed up).

The number of support pillars is calculated taking into account that the distance between them is 2.5 m, using the following formula:

Number of posts = (length of perimeter fence - length of gates and wickets) / distance between posts (2.5 m).

The required number of posts for installing gates (wickets) is added to this indicator.

The number of slats is calculated using the formula:

Number of Euro pickets = length of fence / (width of strip + width of gap between strips).

If you plan to install a picket fence on both sides, then this number is multiplied by 2.

Poles made of profile pipes for fences

If it is decided to use professional pipe, and not make brick pillars, then it can be of any type - with a round or square section, 60*60 or 80*80 mm, with a wall thickness of 2 or 4 mm.

Euro picket fence, unlike solid corrugated sheeting, does not create windage, power and wind loads are lower, so the requirements for support posts are not so stringent. In most cases, their concreting into the ground is not required.

Installing support pillars

Installing a picket fence with your own hands begins with installing the posts. The step-by-step instructions for the process are as follows.

Drilling(digging) wells 1.1-1.5 m deep.

Pole installation. It is better to strengthen the bottom of the hole by placing hard stones. Fill the hole with gravel and compact it with earth.

DIY metal picket fence. Photo step by step

Concreting required only if the soil is loose, sandy (or at the request of the owner to enhance strength).

Install rain protection on top of the supports - plastic plugs.

Installation of transverse joists, fastening of Euro picket fences

If the pillars were concreted, then the procedure for securing the transverse frame joists will begin only the next day. The transverse lower and upper logs are a frame for installing a European picket fence. Their installation is possible in any sequence: first the upper ones, and then the lower ones, or vice versa. The cross members are welded or fastened with self-tapping screws. You will need the following set of tools: level, tape measure, marking pencil, screwdriver. The step-by-step instructions for working are as follows.

Installation upper transverse joists at a distance of 50 cm from the top edge of the support post. The horizontality of the cross member is controlled using a level.

How to make a fence from a metal picket fence with your own hands. Photo step by step

Installation lower cross members level at a distance of 30 cm from the ground surface.

After frame mounted, begin to attach the picket strips to it. Each plank is attached to the joist with 4 self-tapping screws: 2 in the upper and 2 in the lower transverse joist.

Euro picket fence. How to do

Euro picket fence. Photo

Distance between picket fences. Types of pickets

The distance between the European picket bars determines the degree of openness of the fence. It can be from 2 to 10 cm. The average is 5 cm. With a double-sided arrangement of the Euro picket fence, a step of 8 cm is taken on each side - in this case, with a strip width of 11.8 mm, an almost blank fence is obtained.

Advice. In a garden plot or between vegetable gardens, more light is required, so the gap between the Euro picket fences is made larger.

DIY metal picket fence. Photo

According to the type of top coating, the Euro picket fence is available with a polymer layer or powder coating (this is a more durable option and is not susceptible to scratches). Painting can be one- or two-sided. Based on the method of processing the edges, a distinction is made between planks with curved edges (rolled) and non-rolled ones. The shape of the relief and the top edge may also vary. All differences and decorative “excesses” affect the price of the material.

Height of a European picket fence

The standard length of European picket fence slats is 1.5, 1.8 and 2 m. The height of the fence is determined by the owner of the site depending on his needs - if the task is to hide the territory from prying eyes, then it is advisable to choose 2 m long slats and make a double-sided blind fence. For open garden plots, a fence height of 1.5 and 1.8 m with a large gap between individual slats is acceptable.

Advantages of a euro picket fence

Euro picket fence is a promising material with many advantages:

• wear resistance- the fence will last from 30 years and above without changing its appearance;
• unpretentiousness maintenance - the fence does not require painting, does not rot, so no repair or replacement of elements is needed;
• ease of installation- the fence can be installed independently in 1-2 days;
• neat appearance;
• low cost- This is one of the most inexpensive and durable materials.