Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Royal® Aluminum
Fence Installation Guide
Getting Started
Fence Installation
- Overview
- Getting started
- Digging the holes
- Attach the sections
- Racking
- Cement Them In
- 45% angle
Post Types
- Overview
- Lines
- Ends
- Corners
- Three Ways
- Blanks
Gate Installation
- Overview
- Setting your posts
- Hanging the Gate
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I cut sections to make them fit openings smaller then 6 ft?
- Parts of my layout are not square; can I install my fence to follow a radius?
- How do I install on a slope?
- How do I install on concrete, cement, etc.
- How do I install between pillars?
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Getting Started
Congratulations on your Royal® Aluminum Fence purchase. You‟ve made a wise
money saving decision by choosing to install the fence yourself. This reference guide
should answer most questions you have about installing the product, please be advised
this is for reference purposes only. We suggest you read through the entire guide before
you install anything and that you keep the guide handy during the installation process.
Before you touch anything, please make sure you CALL MISS DIGG FIRST and any
other local utility companies to mark wires and pipes. Check with your local township for
any requirements they may have. If you have any questions or concerns we are always
available to answer installation questions during our normal office hours at 1-800-543-
3231.
Fence Installation
I. Overview- Our product is designed for the convenience of the do-it yourselfer.
All of our sections come pre-assembled and all of our posts are pre-punched
to accept the sections. The posts also have screw holes pre-drilled to make it
easier to lock the sections into the posts with the provided self tapping
stainless steel screws. Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. is proud to
announce the arrival of the
Fence Post A major concern with conventional Aluminum Fencing Products is insect infestation. Holes
punched in traditional posts create an ideal spot for insects, especially bees, to gain access to the
interior of the post and build nests. This design short coming has been a long standing nuisance
for those using Aluminum Fence Products – until now.
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, inc. is proud to announce the arrival of the BeFree® Fence
Post. The patent pending BeFree® Fence Post utilizes a unique manufacturing process to bring
the channel in tighter to the post, virtually eliminating the gaps where insects would create nests.
This design improvement also makes our fencing product stronger than ever before. For the
BeFree® fence post to be effective, the cap must remain in place at all times, and the horizontal
rail must be attached securely to the post.
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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II. Getting Started – Before you do anything you must call Miss. Digg. Miss
Digg will set up flags to indicate where underground pipes and cable are. You
obviously will want to avoid these areas when installing your fence. Next
you‟ll want to establish a fence line, we suggest that you start at a corner or
end with a stake and run string. You will need to set a post every (72-1/2”
center to center) for Residential Fence - (72 7/8” center to center) for
Commercial Fence - (71 ½” center to center) for Industrial Fence.
III. Digging the Holes – You will need a 5 or 6 inch auger to dig the holes. You
want to dig the holes 3½ feet (42 inches) deep. Depending on how large the
fence area is you can pre-digg all of your holes before assembling your fence.
Set the fence up & brace it before you start cementing it in. When digging
your holes the shape of the hole should resemble a bell. The diameter at the
bottom of the hole is wider than the hole at the top; this is called belling, since
it resembles the shape of a bell. This will anchor the set post and help to
avoid the post from heaving the post due to frost. Never have the top portion
of the hole larger in diameter than the bottom.
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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IV. Attach the Sections – To set the correct section height above grade you will
need to use blocks or wood. For pool fence, consult your local pool code for
above grade restrictions. In most cases pool fences can only be set 2 inches
above grade. For our standard styles, you can set the grade anywhere from 1
inch to 4 inches. Before you cement in the posts you will need to attach the
section to the posts. Slide the section into the posts, and lock it in using the
self tapping screws. You may have to trim the channel when installing the
channel into the corner post. Level the Posts before you cement them in. You
may want to put a level line at the top of the fence also, and pull sections up to
that line. Please check to make sure you are facing the screw side of the fence
all in the same direction.
V. Cement it in – The posts may be shorter than the depth of the hole, such as
36” deep hole with 24” of post to put in it. This is alright; once you pour the
cement the post and cement all becomes one unit. Once you have the first
post level, you will want to cement that one post in. Begin to assemble your
panels in an upright position, post, panel, post, panel until the end of your line.
Now you want to block, level, and brace the panels to be cemented, and then
begin to cement these posts. Then you can proceed to the next line of fence.
Please check height and alignment every 60 ft. You want to stop pouring the
cement when it is about 3 inches to 4 inches below the grade. Push the dirt
back into the remainder of the hole and build the dirt around the post to keep it
from moving. When the cement dries, use dirt to bring the post hole to grade
level.
VI. The fence sections are manufactured to accommodate installation on a slope.
When installing on an uneven grade our fencing has the unique feature of
“racking” to the left or the right to follow the slope. This avoids the unsightly
stair stepping that is required by most other aluminum fence. Please check to
see if the screw side of the fence is facing all the same direction when
installing. As manufactured, the sections can rack 6 to 8 inches every 6 feet.
If you need it to rack more then that, we can manufacture a special section to
do so, up to 42 inches per every 6 foot sections.
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Post Types
The posts are the 2, 2-1/2, or 4 inch square vertical pieces of aluminum. These are
sometimes referred to as poles. We have several different types of posts and it is
important that you understand what each type of post is used for.
Line Posts – These are the most commonly used posts.
They have holes on two sides and are used to connect two
sections of fence in a straight line or to connect fence at
angles that are less then 90° or to follow a radius.
End Posts – These posts only have holes to accept fence
on one side. You use them to complete a line of fencing.
These posts are also used to stop a line of fence to hang a
gate. When that is the case, the post is marked as
“Heavy” indicating that it is of a thicker grade.
Corner Posts – These posts are used at corners or areas
where you have fence meeting at 90 degree angles. There
are holes on two sides to accommodate two intersecting
sections of fence.
Three Way Posts – Three way posts have holes on three
sides. These posts are sometimes used when connecting
to a neighbors Royal Aluminum fence at a corner when
sharing lines of fence.
Blank Posts – These posts have no holes punched in them
and have no screw holes. They are most commonly used
when mounting a gate to the side of a house, since you
only need an area to hang the hardware from, but there is
no sections attaching on either side.
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Gate Installation
I. Overview – The gate is one of the most important parts of your fence. Not
only does it provide entry and exit to your fenced in area, but it gets the most
use out of all of the parts of your fence. For this reason we always provide
our Royal® Aluminum gates with the highest quality self closing hinges and
locks. Because of heavy use, you have been provided two heavy duty posts to
hang your gate with. Set these posts aside until you are ready to put your gate
up.
II. Setting your Posts - Depending on the job, we usually suggest that you set
your posts before ordering your gate. When setting gate posts that will be
accepting fence from the other side please be careful to set the bottom hole of
the end post with enough clearance to accept the section of fence plus the
amount of height you want it to be above grade level. All of our gates are
custom made to fit into the gate opening with our hinges and our latches.
When you order a four foot gate, we do not send you a gate that is four feet
long, we send a gate that will fit a four foot opening with our hinges and latch.
The only way to know what the gate opening should be is by measuring the
inside-to-inside dimensions when the gate posts are in the ground, as per the
diagram below. If you already have your gate, you want to make-sure that
you install the posts so the inside to inside dimensions of the posts are equal to
the opening size of the gate. As with the sections, you want to dig the holes
42 inches deep with a 5 or 6 inch auger and use one bag of cement per hole.
Stop pouring cement once you have reached 3 or 4 inches below the grade.
When the cement dries, fill the hole with dirt to make it level with the grade.
For gates that are mounted on a sloped area, please measure from the top of
the shorter posts straight across to the taller posts and give us the difference to
the top of the taller post, gates with a grade change have to be special ordered
after the fencing is installed.
III. Hanging your gate – Depending on what your gate is for dictates where you
place the hardware. If you don‟t have a pool you can mount your hardware
any way you choose. When you are using your fence to enclose a pool you
will have to set the gate swinging away from the pool, and your gate latch has
to be set at 54” above the grade. In most areas, a top pull magnetic latch is
also required for pools. Before physically attaching the hardware, you should
make sure that the gate fits in the opening and that you left enough clearance
so the gate is not hitting the ground. If necessary, the spring on the self
closing hinges can be adjusted with a Phillips head screw driver.
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I cut sections to make them fit openings smaller then 6ft?
A: Yes, you can cut our sections to fit spaces as large or small as you need. In most
cases your layout won‟t perfectly accommodate our 6ft. sections, so some cutting will
be required. This is best done on the job site as you are installing the product, since
the measurements you take can be effected slightly by small changes in the fence line
as you go along. Before you can re-attach the cut section to the post you have to re-
cut in our notching system (pictured below). The best way to accurately make the
cuts is with wire snipers. You can get the length and design of the notching system
by putting the newly cut section on top of an uncut one, and following the notching
on the railing.
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Q: Parts of my layout are not square; can I install my fence to follow a radius?
A: Yes, you can install the fence in a semi circle or to follow a curve, however you have
to plan for it before ordering the fence. To follow a radius you have to use a „line post‟,
not a corner post, this is a common mistake. To prepare the section to follow the curve,
you have to use wire snipers to notch back the sections a little more (consult picture
above). You‟ll want to make small extensions to the notches, holding the section against
the post on each cut to see how well you are following the curve. The longer the notch,
the more of an angle the section will have. If you are following a radius over a small area
(example 180° over an area of 6‟) you have to cut smaller sections and order extra line
posts to put in-between. If you fax or bring a layout before ordering, we can help you
figure how many extra posts you will need.
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Q: How do I install on a slope?
A: When installing on an uneven grade our fencing has the unique feature of “racking” to
the left or the right to follow the slope. This avoids the unsightly stair stepping that is
required by most other aluminum fence. Simply hold the section down and push it to the
left or right to adjust the degree of slope. Please note – make sure the screw side of the
fence is facing all the same direction when installing. As manufactured the sections can
rack 6 to 8 inches every 6 feet. If you need it to rack more then that, we can manufacture
a special section to do it up to 42 inches per every 6 foot sections
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Q: How do I install on concrete, cement, etc.
A: To install on/in cement, brick, or concrete you have two options. The first is referred
to as „coring‟. We always suggest coring because it preserves the look and strength of
the fence the best. Coring involves drilling holes for the posts into the concrete and filling
them with a special type of cement, called „Rockkite‟. To start you will need to get a
core drill with a 3” round bit for a 2” post, this can be rented from your local hardware
store. You will use this drill to core holes into the cement for every post. When coring
the holes, they should not go all the way down to the dirt. For example, if your cement is
4” deep, you would only want to core down 3”. This is necessary to prevent the fence
from shifting with the cement, brick, or concrete you‟re installing it into. Since the holes
you are digging are not nearly as deep as the holes you would put into the ground, each
individual post must be cut shorter to accommodate the new hole depth. Your second
option is to use „shoes‟. These have to be ordered with your fence, and you need one per
post. They allow you to physically attach the posts onto the surface you‟re installing
onto, without drilling any holes. Since all of our posts are longer then the fence to
accommodate the holes you normally would dig, using shoes means you have to cut all
your posts. We always suggest that you core into the cement, since the shoes are not as
strong as when the posts are cemented into the ground.
Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc. 1-800-543-3231
©2009 Royal® Aluminum and Steel, Inc -- Do not copy or distribute these instructions without proper written consent. For distribution exclusively with Royal® Aluminum fence products.
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Q. Can I make special angles such as a 45% degree angle without using a bracket?
A. Most angles can be done by cutting back the notch. If you can‟t achieve the
degree that you need that way then you will have to cut the horizontal rail on the
angle that you need (see below). You will want to use a line post to install.
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