16
Trimming a Fence Panel
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Its fairly typical that at least one fence panel will need to be trimmed for width in your layout. This could
be due to gate placement or coming to the end of a run.
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Trimming fence panels for width is an easy process. We recommend using a simple hacksaw since it has
the most control. You can also use power tools to cut the panel to width, but be sure to have another
person hold both sides of your cut as violent shaking of the panel by power tools like reciprocating saws
(sawzalls) could break a weld.
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Determine the panel width you need. Measure along the horizontal rails and mark where the cut needs to
be made. If your measurement lands on a picket, you may need to trim from both sides of the panel to
line everything up.
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An optimal cut will be one that you can make up against a picket. This preserves the 3.875” spacing
between the last picket and the post. It also gives a cleaner look to the installation. If your cut needs to be
tighter, make sure you at least have 1.5” of rail sticking out from a picket so you can get your bracket on.
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If you are trimming a Puppy Picket style panel with tighter spacing, you may need to adjust your post
spacing wider so that you can still fit a bracket over the two lower rails. Leave yourself some wiggle room
on post placement with the Puppy Picket panels.
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After marking the cut, use your selected tool and cut through the horizontal rail. Be sure to file or grind
down any burrs and apply touch-up paint to the bare metal. Installation of the cut panel will be the same
as a regular full size panel with the bracket and self-tapping screw. Be sure to touch up your cut with paint
before installing the panel.
Installing Fence Panels in a Sloped Yard
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There is usually some slope to a yard that may need to be compensated for during installation. While there
is no reason that the yard needs to be totally level underneath the fence, you may want to adjust the fence
installation so that its aesthetically pleasing to you or tight enough at the bottom to keep animals in or out
of your yard. There are two methods to addressing yard slopes that leave too large of a gap between the
bottom of the fence and the ground:
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Level the area or back fill with landscaping (See Figure 12)
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Stair-step the fence panels to follow the grade (See Figure 13)
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The easiest is to level or back fill the area the fence is passing through so that the panels can be mounted
level across. This works for slight dips and grades where the drainage is not an issue.
