DIY Post & Rail PVC Fence Installation Guide: Tools, Materials & Step-by-Step Instructions

Post and rail fencing has been the perfect way to section off areas of land on farms and rural properties since it was invented in medieval times. Today, they’re used all across Australia to keep horses within sections, to segregate livestock or simply to act as a border between agricultural land or property boundaries, helping increase the value of your rural property.

Thankfully, installing a PVC post and rail fence is one of the more doable DIY fencing projects for Australian property owners. With the right planning, accurate measurements and proper post installation, most straight fence runs can be completed over a weekend.

At Outback Fencing, we supply PVC and other types of property fencing. But we’re also here to provide a face behind the shop, and we can guide you on everything you need to know about PVC fencing. This guide explains every stage of the installation process, common mistakes to avoid and when it's worth calling in a professional.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Marking the Fence Line
2. Determine Post Spacing and Rail Length
3. Digging the Holes for the Posts
4. Install the Posts
5. Install the Rails
6. Finishing Touches

Materials needed:

• PVC post and rail fencing rails (purchased as a set of three at 2.388m long. Multiply this figure by how many metres in your fencing)
• PVC post and rail fencing posts with caps
• PVC Post and rail gates
• Concrete to install the posts
• String line
• Leveler
• Marking paint
• Shovel
• Tape measure

Before You Start Installing Your PVC Fence

A little preparation goes a long way towards achieving a professional-looking result. Before digging any holes, make sure you've confirmed your property boundaries, checked for underground services and measured your fence line carefully. It's also worth allowing a small amount of extra material for any unexpected adjustments during installation.

Because accurate alignment is key, choose a dry day where the ground is reasonably firm. Wet or soft soil can make it much harder to keep posts level while the concrete cures. You'll also want to gather all your materials before beginning the project.

1. Marking the Fence Line

The first step in any fencing project is to establish where you want your fence to go. Start by installing a string line along the length of your planned fence, using pegs to mark out the deviations in fence angles. For a more professional result, it’s important to make sure that the string line is level in order to keep the bottom of the fence aligned. It’s best to pin the string line into the ground in semi-hard soil, which is why the warmer months are the best time of year to install a new fence. A level string line will also help ensure the parts are aligned and connected properly.

In most cases, the height of the string line is typically where the bottom of the fence will go. When you install a PVC full privacy or PVC semi-privacy fence, the string line will typically follow the bottom rail of the fence. However, for a post and rail fence, the bottom rail sits higher off the ground, so your string line will just represent the path of your fence line. If your fence bends or has corners, you’ll need to create separate string lines for each section of the fence.

2. Determine Post Spacing and Rail Length

Once your string line is in place, you can then mark the spots where the posts will go. For the installation in the video, the PVC fence is designed to have 2450mm centres between the posts (the rail lengths are 2388mm to cater to slight variances in post position), which is a standard measurement for post and rail fences. When you’ve marked your post locations, you can work out the holes for the posts by measuring 2450mm between the post holes.

Then, apply paint on the ground to mark the locations of each post along the fence line. This will give you a clear visual guide for post placement and help you know where to dig holes.

3. Digging the Holes for the Posts

Now that the measurements are sorted, it's time to dig the holes for the posts. While there are many differences between PVC and timber fences, this part is more or less the same. You'll need to dig 250mm by 250mm holes (or even 300mm by 300mm, depending on how strong you want your fence to be) and make sure each hole is between 600mm and 700mm deep. While you can use a manual shovel to do the holes, using an auger or a motorised post hole digger, if you have one, will make the process much faster and easier.

Before you insert the post and rail posts into the holes, make sure to mark the post at the correct height. For a three-rail system, the typical post height (above the ground) is 1.35m, and you can use a marker or pen to mark this height across all of your posts. Marking their height is important to ensure that the rails will line up properly as you go along. It will also show you how far to drop the post into the ground.

Additionally, mark the centre of the post to help align the rails properly during installation. By taking these extra steps, you'll guarantee that everything fits perfectly and is properly aligned.

Did you know?

Outback Fencing’s post and rail posts are 2005mm high, which allows for between 600mm and 700mm of length to be secured into the ground. This extra depth into the ground for added anchorage is yet another reason why our PVC fencing panels have been recognised as one of the top durable fencing styles.

4. Install the Posts

To install your post and rail fence posts, follow the steps below for the first post and then continue to do the same process for the remainder. PVC posts are designed with slot holes on one side, which makes it easier to insert the rails. To install the post:

• Place the post into the hole and use the string line to ensure your post is level.
• Once positioned correctly, slide the post into the hole and make sure it’s standing upright using a leveler to check for accuracy.
• Then, fill the hole with concrete to secure the post in place. Although the video skips concreting for demonstration purposes, you need to add concrete to secure the post and ensure it’s sturdy and stable.

After the first post is in place, insert the next post and make sure it's aligned with the first one – the string line should help make alignment easy. Again, check that it is level and has proper spacing before concreting the second post into place. As a backyard safety tip, keep animals and kids away from the area while there are empty holes or drying cement in your backyard.

5. Install the Rails

Once two sequential posts are set and secure, it’s time to add the rails. This is the easy (and rewarding) part! Simply place the first rail into the post slot, ensuring it fits snugly. The rails have small angled plates near their ends, which secure them without screws once you slot them into the posts. Then, move to the other end and slot the other end of the rail into the next post. Repeat this for each of the three rails. It’s best to add the rails in each section after you install a post instead of installing all the posts at once to mitigate the risk of installing the posts in the wrong position and the rails not fitting.

If your post and rail fence will end at a wall or pillar, you’ll need wall brackets in order to secure them. Measure the height of the rail holes on the posts to determine the height to install the three wall brackets. Then use a drill to create holes for the screws, and screw the brackets in before inserting the rail.

As the rails fit perfectly into the posts, they won't move around or rattle once in place. On that note, as rail fencing allows wind to pass through, it has a much smaller surface area than a full-length fence panel, which makes post and rail one of the best fencing types for windy areas.

6. Finishing Touches

Now it’s time to add (or remove) the final touches to your PVC post and rail fence. First, add the post caps that came with the product on top of all the posts to protect the tops of the posts from the elements and to give the fence a clean, polished look. Next, remove any marks from markers or pens that you made when measuring the height and distance between posts. You can now also remove the string line and any pins you used to secure the line.

You will now have a beautiful and modern PVC post and rail fence that boosts the value of your property while serving many fantastic functional benefits, including being fantastic for sectioning off blocks of land, livestock and crop areas.

Common DIY Mistakes to Avoid

Even straightforward fence installations can throw problems at you if the early steps are rushed. Taking your time during the layout stage usually results in a straighter, stronger fence with a much more professional finish.

Stay aware of some of the most common mistakes; that way, you can do your best to mitigate running into them. Here are some:

• Measuring post spacing incorrectly
• Digging holes that aren't deep enough
• Forgetting to check each post with a level
• Concreting every post before checking rail fit
• Installing during very wet weather
• Ignoring small alignment errors that become larger over long fence runs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do PVC fence posts need concrete?

Yes. While the demonstration video doesn't show concreting, we did it in between steps. Permanent PVC fence installations should always use concrete to provide long-term strength and stability.

How deep should PVC fence posts be?

Most post and rail posts require holes approximately 600 to 700mm deep, although local soil conditions may influence the final depth.

Is PVC fencing easier to install than timber?

Generally, yes. Because the rails slot directly into the posts, there's less cutting and fixing compared with many traditional timber fencing systems.

Can one person install a PVC fence?

It's possible for shorter sections, but having a second person makes positioning posts and handling longer rails much easier.

How long does it take to install a PVC fence?

A straightforward fence around a small property or paddock can often be completed in a weekend, while larger rural installations may take several days depending on the terrain and number of gates.

 

Utilise PVC Post and Rail for Heroic Heritage with Modern Materials

PVC post and rail fencing maintains its traditional look and appeal while offering modern advancements that make it one of the best fencing styles for contemporary homes, as well as more old-fashioned designs. While this installation video shows the process without concreting the posts, it's important to note that concreting the posts is a must for a sturdy and long-lasting fence. Without concrete, the posts will be unstable and prone to shifting.

By following the steps in the video and article, you'll have your fence up in no time – one that is traditional yet innovative by utilising one of the most popular fencing materials available today. You can also check out our guide on how to clean and maintain your PVC fence to keep it looking its best.

Through the quality materials supplied by Outback Fencing and following the proper installation steps, your PVC fence will boost your family’s privacy and provide a durable fencing solution for your property for years to come.