Fencing Guide

Premium Composite Fencing

■ The look of wood in a low-maintenance

composite material.
■ Each premium composite fence section is pre-built.
■ Panel features clean picket-to-rail connections–
no exposed fasteners.
■ Resists moisture and withstands exposure to
the elements.
■ No need to paint or stain again!
■ No special tools needed; easy to work with.

For more information, visit homedepot.ca or Walnut

Traditional
Stainless High Point
with Walnut Base
Mission Tiffany-style
with Walnut Base
see an in-store associate for more details.
Available only in selected stores. Call or visit your local Home Depot store for more information on products available.
Iron Fencing

■ Welded construction for strength and durability

■
Galvanized for superior corrosion resistance
■
Heavy 16 gauge horizontal rails for lateral strength
■ Durable, powder coat finish
■ Easy to install and maintain
■
3-year limited warranty on materials and workmanship
■
1-year warranty on powder coat finish
■ Exclusive to The Home Depot

For more information, visit Stiles123.com or

see an in-store associate for more details.
Available only in selected stores. Call or visit your local Home Depot store for more information on products available.
Iron Fencing

■ Easy to take home and designed for quick and simple assembly
■
Perfect for do-it-yourself installation
■
Universal brackets allow for fast and easy installation to posts
■ Heavy gauge galvanized steel and a polyester powder coat finish
■ Available in traditional Aristocrat or contemporary Sterling designs
■
Backed by a 5-Year warranty

For more information, visit homedepot.ca or

see an in-store associate for more details.

Available only in selected stores. Call or visit your local Home Depot store for more information on products available.
Aluminum Fencing

Attractive and durable powder coat finish

for long lasting protection
Adds elegance and beauty to your home
Low maintenance
Easy Installation
Hinges, latch and fasteners included
20-year limited warranty
Available in 4’ and 5’ heights
Can be surface mounted (Base sold separately)
or cemented in-ground

For more information, visit peakproducts.com or

see an in-store associate for more details.
Available only in selected stores. Call or visit your local Home Depot store for more information on products available.
Aluminum Fencing

■ Easy-to-install pre-built panels in a variety of heights

and distinctive styles
■ Accessories available for gates, walkways and
high-end latching systems
■ Strong aluminum alloy provides durability and safety
■
Low maintenance
■
Transferable Limited Lifetime Warranty

For more information, visit homedepot.ca or

see an in-store associate for more details.

Available only in selected stores. Call or visit your local Home Depot store for more information on products available.
Vinyl Fencing

■ Moisture resistant
■ Resists flaking and cracking
■ Will not rust
■ Will not yellow or change
colour Constellation Belmont
Sections: 96”W / 48” and 60”H Sections: 192”W / 36”, 48” and 60”H
■ Low maintenance Gates: 39”W / 48” and 60”H

■
Made of recycled plastic
■ Steel reinforced
■ Easy to install
■ Affordable

Imperial Cape Cod

Sections: 72”W / 60” and 72“H Sections: 66”W / 36”H
For more information, visit Gates: 42-3/4”W / 60” and 72“H Gates: 39”W / 36”H
homedepot.ca or see an
in-store associate for more
details.

Tradition Olympic
Sections: 96”W / 48”, 60” and 72”H Sections: 96”W / 48” and 60”H
Gates: 40-1/4”W / 48”, 60” and 72”H Gates: 39-1/4”W / 48” and 60”H

Majestic
Available only in selected stores. Sections: 72”W / 48” and 60”H
Call or visit your local Home Depot store for more information on products available. Gates: 42-3/8”W / 48” and 60”H
Vinyl Fencing

■ Easy to install panels

■ Low maintenance
■ Durable
■ Will not rust
6'x6' Privacy Dog Ear 6'x6' Windham
■ Transferable Limited Shadowbox Panel Total Privacy Panel
Lifetime Warranty

For more information, visit

homedepot.ca or see an
in-store associate for more
details.

4'x8' Classic Gothic 6'x6' Lattice Top

Panel Panel

3'x8' Classic Gothic 6'X6' Windham

17-Picket Panel Privacy Panel - Wicker

6'x6' Windham
Available only in selected stores. Total Privacy Panel
Call or visit your local Home Depot store for more information on products available. Wood Grain
How To Build A Wood Fence

Western Red Cedar

■ Exceptional beauty that

alternatives strive to emulate
■ Lightweight and easy to handle
Before You Start
and install, offering enormous
Before you start your fencing project, there are number of important
considerations to keep in mind. You will need to determine how your fence
versatility
■ Naturally occurring resistance to
will comply with local bylaws and municipal regulations regarding building
codes and the location of your fence on your property. You should also be moisture, decay and insect
aware of the location of all utility lines, including water, gas, electric and damage
sewage.
■ Can be finished with paint, stain

Many communities have restrictions on fence height and design. There are
or water repellent, or it can be left
also some limitations on the types of materials that may be used. If you are
uncertain as to what is allowable, you may want to contact your local to weather to a silvery grey
building officials. The building department can advise you as to what is
acceptable and if you will require a variance to build your fence. They can
provide lots of useful information free of charge. Pressure Treated Wood
You should determine your property line before starting your fence project.
This will help eliminate any ownership problems that may arise later. If you
and a neighbour share in the cost and construction of a fence, you should put
down in writing the location and type of fence and who has the responsibility
for maintaining it. If you have no agreement in writing, then the fence should
be wholly within the bounds of your own property, concrete footing included.
■ Premium appearance lumber and
Designing Your Fence accessories
■ Pressure treated with copper-
In choosing your fence design, you should consider your purpose for building
a fence. Is it to mark a boundary or create privacy and security? Or is to based preservative for long-term
shape your property and define certain space for certain activities? It may be performance outdoors
for security and protection or you may just want to enhance the look of your
■ Lumber and wood preservative
surroundings.
standards specially developed for
In considering the appearance of your fence, you should take into account
the height, the materials it will be made from, the post settings and the gate
residential projects
locations, if any. A neighbourly way to build a fence is to make sure that is ■ Produced under independent

equally attractive from both sides. third-party quality control

■ Backed by a Lifetime Limited

Simple Fence Plans Residential Warranty

If your fence plan includes a gate, you’ll have to decide where the gate will
go and how it will be designed. Choosing the location is easy – convenience
is the primary consideration. As far as design goes, the gate can match the For more information, visit
fence in appearance or it can be a contrasting size, design or material. homedepot.ca or see an in-store
Whatever you decide, the size of the gate will determine post spacing and associate for more details.
location
 Simple Board Fence Lattice Top Fence
Space boards close together for privacy, or slightly apart Lattice adds an attractive finishing touch to the
for a more open appearance and better ventilation. basic alternative board on board fence design.

List of Materials A List of Materials – Using Grooved Rail

for a section 8’ wide x 6’ high for a section 8’ wide x 6’ 6” high

Posts 2 – 4 x 4 x 10’ Posts 2 – 4 x 4 x 10’

OR 2 – 6 x 6 x 10’ OR 2 – 6 x 6 x 10’

Rails 3 – 2 x 4 x 8’ Grooved rail 2 – 2 x 4 x 8’

Boards 17 – 1 x 6 x 6’ Rails 2 – 2 x 4 x 8’

Hardware 6 – fence brackets Boards 22 – 1 x 6 x 5’

Nails or screws Lattice 1 – 1‘ x 8’ panel

Hardware 4 – fence brackets

Top View
Nails or screws

B List of Materials – Using Nailing Strips

for a section 8’ wide x 6’ 6” high

Posts 2 – 4 x 4 x 10’
OR 2 – 6 x 6 x 10’

Nailing strips 5 – 3/4 x 3/4 x 8’

OR 9 – 3/4 x 3/4 x 4’

Rails 2 – 2 x 4 x 8’
Alternating Board-on-Board Fence
With boards nailed to each side, this fence looks attractive Boards 22 – 1 x 6 x 5’
inside and out. Use extra boards on either side and Lattice 1 – 1‘ x 8’ panel
overlap slightly for more complete privacy.
Hardware 4 – fence brackets
List of Materials
Nails or screws
for a section 8’ wide x 6’ high

Posts 2 – 4 x 4 x 10’
OR 2 – 6 x 6 x 10’

Rails 3 – 2 x 4 x 8’

Boards 22 – 1 x 6 x 6’
Top View
Hardware 6 – fence brackets
Nails or screws

Top View
 Laying Out Your Fence Setting and Aligning Posts
First locate the survey markers in the corners of
your lot. These markers are usually made of pipe
or concrete and may be buried a foot or two under
the surface.

Place a stake next to the marker and attach a chalk

line to the stake. Pull the chalk line taut and secure
it to a stake at the next marker. Continue until all Fence
boundaries are covered. Post

Spacing Posts
The first step in actual construction of your fence is
properly locating and setting the posts so the
footings are positioned inside the property line and
Concrete
in compliance with local ordinances. Setting and
aligning the posts is the most important part of
Gravel
fence building. If the posts are not set firmly in the
ground, the result will be an unsteady fence. If the
posts are not plumb – vertically aligned – and
located exactly in line, it will be difficult, if not
impossible, to properly attach the rails and fence
boards.

In addition to the structural issues, post size and

spacing contribute to the aesthetic qualities of your
fence. Fences look best when intervals between
posts are even. Choose a post spacing between
five and eight feet. Longer than eight feet, and the
spans may not have sufficient strength. Shorter
sections may be needed to make the fence come
out even. These should be located at corners or
where the fence meets a building or gate.
Digging Post Holes
Before you dig, determine local frost conditions
and the location of any buried cables or service
lines.
Dig holes with an auger or post hole digger. If the
soil is rocky, you may need a shovel and steel
digging bar. If your soil is relatively free of rocks
and you have many holes to dig, consider renting
a power digger to save time and effort. The hole
diameter should be 2-1/2 or 3 times the width of
your posts. Put several inches of gravel in the hole
for the post to rest on.
Install end and corner posts first, making sure that the posts
are in line as required. Brace posts with stakes, and check
for plumb on two adjacent sides with a carpenter’s level.
Stretch a string between the tops of the posts and another
one near ground level. Level the strings with a line level. Put
intermediate posts in the holes and align them with both
strings, checking adjacent sides for plumb.
When possible, place treated ends of posts down, closest to
the ground, and cut ends up. All cuts and drill holes in
treated wood should be liberally brush-coated with two
applications of end-cut preservative. Follow the instructions
and advice on the label.
Overfill the holes with earth or concrete and bevel the fill
down from the post for runoff. If you’re using earth fill,
wedge some rocks around the post for added stability. Check
and adjust posts for alignment. Posts in freshly set concrete
can be forced into alignment for a short time after the pour.
Fast-setting concrete will set in just 1/2 hour. If
using a regular concrete mix, allow 24 to 48
hours before continuing.
 Adjustable Ground Spike Securing Rails
A tip to keep things simple: use galvanized fence brackets to attach
horizontal rails to your posts.

Spacing Boards
To leave a uniform space between boards, slats or pickets, make a
T-square spacer. Cut an extra board to the exact width of the desired
opening. Attach a 2x4 cleat near the top of the board, so that when
this cross-bar sits on the top rail, the top of the spacer can be used to
align the top of the fence boards or pickets.

Installing a Gate
Because gates receive heavy use, they require strong and secure
gateposts, strong hardware and a well-braced frame. Gate openings
wider than 5 feet should be spanned with 2 gates hinged to both
posts and latched in the centre.

■
Install a 4x4 post in minutes The width of the gate frame should be about 1 inch less than the
distance between the gate posts. Build the frame with 2x4s, squaring
■
Adjusts for easy fence post alignment the corners with a carpenter’s square, and using screws to connect
the pieces. Place a 2x4 diagonally across the frame, top, latch-side
■
No digging - No concrete to bottom, hinge-side. Mark and cut the 2x4, and nail it into place to
form a solid brace.
■
Powder coated finish for long lasting Bolt hinges to the gate frame. Use scrap lumber to prop the gate in
protection position temporarily; open and close the gate to make sure it clears
the ground throughout the arc of its swing by 1 inch, and that it
■
Exclusive to The Home Depot clears the latch-side gate post. Mark hinge bolt positions on the
hinge-side gate posts, remove the gate, drill bolt holes, reposition the
gate, and attach it to the post. Install latch pieces to finish off the
gate.
You will save yourself a good deal of future frustration if you select
heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant gate hardware and long bolts/screws
for attaching hardware to the gate and gate posts.

TM
How To Install Wood Fence Panels
Locating Your Fence
First, locate the survey markers in the corners of your lot. These
markers are usually made of pipe or concrete and may be
buried a foot or two under the surface.
Place a stake next to the marker and attach a chalk line to the
stake. Pull the chalk line taut and secure it to a stake at the next
marker. Continue until all boundaries are covered. Be sure to
check local building codes and restrictions before starting your
fence. Before you dig, determine local frost conditions and the
location of any buried cables or service lines.
Calculating Materials
Fence panels are 8’ wide. Divide the length of the fence in
feet by 8 to determine the number of panels you’ll need. If you
have to work with partial panels, they look best and are most
easily installed in corners.
Posts should be 4x4 squares (3 ½” x 3 ½” actual) and long
enough so that one-third of the length of the post can be set in
the ground (9’ or 10’ posts for 6’ panels). You’ll need one post
for each panel, plus one extra for each opening or gateway
and one extra for the last panel.
Allow one 60 lb. bag of concrete per post hole, depending
on soil density.
Nails and fasteners should be hot-dipped galvanized to
resist corrosion (ordinary fasteners can weaken and fair or
cause ugly staining in outdoor use). Use 3 ½” nails or screw to
attach panels and back rails to posts; and 2” nails to gate
bracing and reinforcing. Heavy-duty hardware, longer lag
screws and carriage bolts may also be required for gates.
Wooden stakes are useful for stringing lines and bracing
posts while concrete sets.
Setting Posts
The spacing of fence posts will depend on whether
you attach panels to the face of the posts or hang
them between posts (see “Attaching Panels”
below).
• If fixing panels to the face of the posts,
mark off a string to locate post holes on 8’
centres, starting at the centre line of your end
post.
• If using fence clips to hang panels
between posts, set posts on 8’ 3-1/2” centres.
Holes should be at least 8” in diameter, and 3’
deep for 9’ or 10’ posts.
You can set all posts before hanging the panels
between them or you can set posts one at a time
from either end, installing the panels as you go.
Carefully run string top and bottom of your post
line, sighting for straightness, measuring exact
centres for your posts and checking that the tops
are even with a line level before final backfilling.
Pour concrete collars around the posts with gravel
underneath for better drainage. Quick-setting
concrete will set in 30 minutes. Ordinary concrete
requires at least 24 hours to set, so posts should be
braced with strips and stakes to keep them plumb.
Attaching Panels
Panels may be attached in a number of ways,
depending on the style and whether or not you
require two good sides.
Lattice Top Panels are most easily installed using
fence clips to support the bottom of the panels.
Posts must be set on 8’ 3 ½” centres. The panels
are inserted into 2x4 fence clips attached to the
inside of both posts about 1 ½” above ground
level. They are secured at the top with galvanized
nails.
Alternating and Solid Board Panels look
best when attached side by side covering the face
of posts installed on 8’ centres. Panels are easily
installed by placing a block of 1 ½” lumber at the
base of each post, resting the panel on the blocks
and nailing through each rail of the panel to the
posts.
 Gate Kit

Installed Right. Guaranteed.

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(1-800-466-3337)
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Unique design saves time and
strengthens gate
■
Use for driveways, homes, farms,
ranches
■
Unique design supports 2x4s for
fast, easy assembly
■
Fits right or left swing gates
24” - 72” (61 cm - 183 cm) wide
■
Attractive, powder coated steel
provides strength and durability
■
Stainless steel screws included
of $1,500 or more (after taxes) when
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charge any plan administration fees.

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TM Used under license.