A metal picket fence is made from galvanized steel sheets. The sheets are given a relief, divided into sections of equal width and cut into strips. The resulting strips are coated with an anti-corrosion compound and painted. This is a durable alternative to a wooden picket fence that is just as beautiful.
A fence made of Euro picket fence is reliable protection of the house from the street side, a beautiful option for zoning the estate and flower beds.
Installation is simple, so you can do it yourself.
Users often search for:
- How to install a chain-link fence with your own hands
- How to properly make a fence from corrugated sheets
Euro picket fence
When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the dimensions and working properties of the material. Pickets are produced with a thickness of 0.4 – 1.5 mm. For fencing in the private sector, a thickness of 0.5 mm is most often used. Standard length is up to 2 m. The width is selected individually - from 80 mm to 128 mm.
The material also differs in profile shape. It happens:
- rectangular;
- m-shaped;
- semicircular.
Due to the complexity of manufacturing, a semicircular profile will cost the most. In terms of quality and rigidity, all types are equal. The key factor here is the number of stiffeners. What will they be
the higher the bending resistance of the plank.
The edges of the metal picket fence must be rolled - this will avoid injuries during installation and operation of the structure.
You can learn more about the advantages, properties, and dimensions of the material from this article: “Choosing a Euro picket fence for a fence”
Below we will look at the features of metal picket fences depending on their purpose.
From the street side
To protect the estate from unwanted guests and prying eyes, the owners try to install solid fences so that everything that happens in the yard cannot be seen from the street.
The average fence height is 1.8-2 meters. The fence is complemented by gates and a wicket. A popular type of gate is swinging.
It is possible to install a fence with gaps if there is a vegetable garden or flowers growing outside it. This is necessary so that rays of light and air enter the yard.
The photo above shows a sample of a street fence, where the picket fence is laid out horizontally as a single piece, and the posts are made of concrete.
From neighbors
Before installing the fence, it is better to coordinate this point with the owners of the neighboring estate. This will help avoid conflicts and disputes in the future.
The fence at the border of two areas should allow sunlight and air to pass through and not create shadows.
Therefore, the picket fence is attached to the logs in one row with a certain step.
If you have written permission from your neighbors, you can put a double-sided checkerboard fence on the border. What is happening in the yard will only be visible from a certain angle.
It's another matter when the neighboring plot has not yet been purchased. Then the method of installing the planks is chosen at the discretion of the owners.
Front garden
When constructing a fence for a front garden from Euro picket fences, short-length planks are used so that the height of the fence does not exceed 1 m.
The main functions of the fence are to protect plants from damage by domestic animals and to beautifully divide the estate into zones for decorative purposes.
Attach pickets with gaps. It is necessary to check that the edges of the planks are rolled, otherwise the risk of injury increases.
Flowerbed
These are low fences that are installed solely for decoration. Their height does not exceed 0.5 m.
The planks are fixed in one row with gaps in one color or there is an alternation of shades.
The picture above shows an example of a fence with a pointed white top. This color is most popular for decorating flower beds and landscaping of an estate.
The image shows an example of the original orange fence. The planks are firmly inserted into the ground.
Size of slats
The top of the metal picket fence is available in three options: flat, semi-oval, or a designer version.
It is advisable that the edge be processed, otherwise it is easy to get injured on the fence.
The bar itself is available in three versions:
- Rectangular profiling. The most common type. The number of ribs must be at least 3.
- Longitudinal profiling. More durable and aesthetic than the previous option.
- Semicircular. It is rarely made and has its own production difficulties.
The dimensions of the planks range from 0.5-3 m. The width is 10-12 cm. The thickness of the plank determines whether it will need a foundation or not.
Types of color coating for pickets
There are many manufacturing companies on the market that produce Euro picket fences in different colors and with different profile shapes.
The following companies are popular:
- FinFold;
- TPK Metalroofing Center;
- Grand Line (Grand Line);
- Barrera Grande;
- Nova;
- UNIX (Unix).
The price of the material depends not only on the quality, thickness of the metal, brand recognition, but also on the type of application of the color and protective layer.
During manufacturing, the planks are painted in two ways: on one side and on both sides.
Unilateral
The planks are coated with a layer of protective anti-corrosion primer on both sides, due to which the surface acquires a gray color.
The color layer is applied only from the front part of the material. The inside remains unpainted.
A single-sided picket fence is several times cheaper than a double-sided one. It is often purchased for installing a fence in a country house or village in order to save money on materials.
Double sided
The pickets are painted on both sides, so the fence looks beautiful both from the street and from the yard.
Uniform color on both sides of the planks is achieved in two ways:
- Application of polymer coating. Occurs under production conditions. In addition to the color layer, a polymer layer is applied, which protects the metal from mechanical damage. According to the manufacturers, even if scratches form on the surface, the picket fence will not begin to rust. It is durable, but will be expensive.
- Powder painting. If the application conditions are met, the quality will be no worse: if the metal is primed, covered with a protective layer, painted, and then baked in a special chamber. But in reality, there are many inexpensive fakes that begin to rust at the slightest scratch. It is almost impossible to identify a fake by appearance.
Therefore, it is better to pay more, but buy a high-quality double-sided picket fence with a polymer coating.
An alternative is to paint the pickets yourself. To do this, buy paint intended for roofing. It is more resistant to fading and does not leak. You should not apply it with a brush or roller - drips will appear. It's better to use a spray gun.
The materials in greatest demand are in the following colors:
- brown;
- green;
- blue;
- white;
- turquoise;
- red.
The design of metal picket fences to look like wood is gaining popularity. You can only distinguish the imitation from the original up close.
Read more in the article: “The nuances of painting metal parts of a fence.”
Financial issue
The cost of a picket fence in different regions
Prices for picket fences differ in the regions of Russia. It depends on how rich the area is in forests and on the number of enterprises involved in timber harvesting. Another factor that determines the cost of a picket fence is the species from which it is made. Usually these are coniferous trees - larch and pine. The fencing from the second option will cost owners less.
| region | Average price per meter | Average price per piece |
| Udmurtia | From 400 rubles | 8 rubles |
| Kirov region | From 450 rubles | 10 rubles |
| Moscow | From 650 rubles | From 35 rubles |
| Khabarovsk | From 1200 rubles | From 50 rubles |
| Murmansk | From 1100 rubles | From 45 rubles |
Picket fence price with installation
If finances allow, a simple way out of the situation would be to call a team to bring and install the fence. The price depends on the degree of urgency and how long the company has been working in this field.
| Region | Average cost of work (fence + installation) per 1 m.p. |
| Udmurtia | From 1000 rubles |
| Kirov region | From 1100 rubles |
| Moscow | From 1300 rubles |
| Khabarovsk | From 1700 rubles |
| Murmansk | From 1800 rubles |
When the fence is delivered “turnkey”, the craftsmen carry out the work of painting and finishing the fence, hanging gates and gates, attaching locks and handles. At the same time, the cost of the fence increases by several hundred rubles per linear meter. But the owner does not have to worry about the quality of construction. Companies provide a guarantee for a certain period of time. If the customer finds a defect, the workers undertake to correct it as soon as possible.
It is necessary to calculate how much a fence costs individually. It all depends on the region where the owner of the estate lives and the prices of the companies involved in installing fences.
Methods for installing a Euro picket
On the left is one-sided filling, on the right is two-sided.
To get a blind fence and completely close the estate from prying eyes, you should take planks with a length of 1.8 m. Fixation is carried out at a distance of 3-5 cm from the ground.
If the area can be left open, then picket fences 1.25 – 1.5 m long will suffice. Fixation is carried out with gaps.
Let's take a closer look at what types of installation of slats to a fence there are.
Single sided (front side)
The standard method of fastening material in a vertical position. No experience or construction skills are required for fixation.
For one-sided installation, each strip of metal is mounted vertically to the transverse joists using self-tapping screws, rivets (optional) with gaps and in one row.
The size of the gaps is selected individually depending on whether the owners want to make the fence completely transparent or not.
The standard distance between the slats is up to half their width. But let's allow a step of larger or smaller size.
This type of fence is most often made in one color. But a two-color design also looks beautiful, when the pickets are in one tone, and the posts and logs are in another.
Double-sided (chess)
There is another name - two-row.
In checkerboard, the pickets are attached vertically to the transverse joists so that each plank overlaps the other by at least 1 cm.
For this purpose, the distance between the pickets is made slightly less than their width. The fence comes out solid. Everything that happens outside the fence is visible only from a certain angle.
If the owners want to get a solid blank canvas, the pickets are overlapped so that each of the strips overlaps the other by at least half.
The disadvantage of double-sided installation is increased material consumption. For each linear meter you will need on average 50% more euro picket fence.
Horizontal
Less common than vertical installation. The planks are fixed in both one and two rows.
The fence looks unusual. With double-sided fastening, the fence comes out completely solid.
The disadvantage of the horizontal fastening method is the purchase and installation of additional intermediate posts, which will provide the structure with the necessary rigidity. As a result, material costs increase.
Most manufacturers produce picket fences with a length of no more than 1.8 m. If the pitch between the posts is larger, you will have to order the strips of the required size for an additional fee.
To save money, you can simply install racks more often.
The picture above shows an example of a finished metal picket fence using the technique of horizontally mounting slats on brick posts.
Finishing work
When the fence is ready, you can start painting it. The natural color of the wood pleases the eye and seems ideal. But if he spends some time in the rain, snow or scorching sun, no trace of this beauty will remain. Therefore, a prudent owner is obliged to choose a paint whose color he likes and fits into the overall exterior of the house, or stain . The latter, in combination with colorless varnish, will help to imitate wood of any species or “preserve” the original color.
Moreover, it is better to apply the paint with a brush, and first spray the stain with a spray bottle.
The top of the fence can be given an interesting wave or semicircle shape. To do this, you will have to arm yourself with a pencil and a drawing tool. You should not rely on your “diamond eye”, since the consequences of failure will be very difficult to correct. Decorative elements of various shapes made of wood or metal are suitable for decoration on the front side of the fence.
Good to know: If the fence is designed with regular even boundaries, then ropes need to be pulled along the lower and upper edges. Then there will be no problems with the correctness of the lines.
Options for decorative solutions for the top of the fence.
For those who like to profit from other people's goods, picket fences with a conical top will cause great inconvenience. Also, nothing prevents the owners from stringing barbed wire on top.
This wooden creation should be crowned with a reliable gate or gate - it all depends on the wishes of the owners. In any case, the “doors” in the fence must be locked. If necessary, there can be several gates.
If the person erecting the fence is the happy owner of an entire farm, and on the site, in addition to the house, there are hectares of beds, a mini-farm, a pasture and a playground, then it makes sense to consider a picket fence for zoning the territory. Low wooden fences around flower beds and bushes also look very nice.
In order for site owners to be inspired by the idea of building a new fence, the photo below shows beautiful wooden picket fences.
Classic. Arched spans, pillars with decorative tops.
Another solution for the top of the pillars. A small detail is a different image.
Reverse arch.
A gate made of the same material and an arch above it fit very nicely into the fabric of the picket fence.
Above the gate you can place not only an arch, but also a pergola.
"Flowing" fence. A wooden picket fence is one of the few fence options that can easily accommodate complex terrain.
Step solution.
Luxurious option on a stepped base.
Sometimes an unusual color sets the style.
A radically different style solution. Although the focus is also on color.
A bright yet classic color option.
Wood is rarely painted in dark colors, but why not.
Unusual black fence.
Chameleon fence. The artistic coloring makes it that way.
Another creative color option.
Fence colors with a nod to colonial style.
The original version of the spire. Nothing prevents you from coming up with and implementing your own.
Variations with the direction of the pickets are possible. They are mounted not only vertically, but also horizontally.
….A mesh option is also possible.
It is difficult to say how long the entire fencing installation process will take. If the materials are prepared, the area is small, and there are helpers, then you can get it done in a day. A team of specialists will need the same amount. A week is not enough for a person who does everything alone and has to fence off a large area.
Original design of the picket top
To get an unusual fence, you can pay attention to decorating the top of the slats and make a structure from combined shapes.
The most common design options are:
- Arc. The top of the planks is convex or concave.
- Trapezoid. The top of the planks is formed in the form of this geometric figure.
- Ladder. The planks are alternated along the length: first long, then short, or vice versa.
- Herringbone. The pickets form a cone-shaped shape, like the top of a Christmas tree.
- Wave. This design is used for sectional installation of metal picket fences.
- Peaks. The upper part of the bar is designed in the form of a peak. There can be one or several such strips within one span.
- Canyon. Long strips are attached to the sides of the sections. Their length gradually decreases closer to the center.
The use of a decorative design on the top of picket fences will go well with pillars made of brick, stone and a plinth made from them.
Suitable types of poles
Spans lined with euro-picket fences are often attached to racks made of metal or brick. The use of concrete and wooden pillars is unjustified due to high costs and short service life.
Metal
It is allowed to use iron racks that have been used. But it is better to buy new profile pipes of round or rectangular cross-section. All metal elements must be treated with anti-corrosion primer.
Brick
Installation of brick pillars requires construction skills and knowledge of masonry techniques.
Craftsmen recommend fixing a profile pipe inside the future pillar. It will become a reinforcing element and increase the strength of the racks. Brick laying is done around it.
Selecting the correct fence height
This parameter should depend not only on the wishes of the owners, but also take into account the requirements of SNiP. On the street side, it is allowed to install a fence up to 1.8 m high. In this case, the fence will completely close the area from prying eyes. Provided that the planks are fastened together tightly.
If visibility of the estate does not matter, then a fence height of 1.25 or 1.5 m is quite sufficient.
When installing planks vertically, the section width is from 2 to 2.5 m. At this distance, pillars are installed in the ground, and transverse beams are attached to them.
For a fence height of up to 1.5 m, two crossbars are sufficient; for higher heights, it is recommended to attach three pieces.
Read more about “How to determine the optimal fence height.”
How to attach a Euro picket fence to fence joists
In practice, two methods of filling spans are most often used:
- Straight. Take planks of only one length. They are mounted vertically tightly or with gaps. A U-shaped protective strip is placed on top of the fence. The color is chosen the same as that of the picket fence. It gives the fence neatness and protects the cut points from precipitation and rust.
- Wave. The planks are cut at a certain step. Within one span, one wave is created. When a step of 50 mm is taken, the difference between the longest and shortest strips is significant, so the wave turns out to be distinct and the fence openwork. With a smaller step of 25 mm, the wave will go more smoothly. The number of slats for cutting will be less.
As for fasteners, they use:
- Self-tapping screws. Screws in easily and quickly. But it’s not difficult to unscrew them either. It is better to install such a fence on estates where the owners live permanently. It is recommended to use self-tapping screws with rubber gaskets to prevent moisture from entering the fastening areas. The color of them can be matched to the picket fence.
- Rivets. They are more difficult to secure, but they cannot be unscrewed from the street side. This is the best option for a fence on a summer cottage, where the owners appear only periodically.
It is important to take into account that if the fence frame has three cross beams, then six screws or rivets will be needed for each plank; four pieces will be enough for two cross members.
Buy or make it yourself?
There are three options for how you can proceed.
In the first case, a specialist will arrive who will draw up an estimate, make a drawing and buy all the materials for you, after which he will carry out the assembly. This is the most expensive of all methods, but in some cases it is indispensable if we are talking about combining brick supports and a decorative picket fence.
In the second case, if you decide to make, for example, a fence from a metal picket fence, you will have to do the calculations yourself, acquire your own tools, and purchase ready-made materials in the store. Assembly, as a rule, with a simple structure and ready-made supports, takes one or two days.
In the latter case, you buy blanks and form a fence from them. There is no need to count on the fact that you will get a fence equal to the factory one. But for a summer cottage it will do just fine.
Step-by-step instructions for installing a European picket fence with your own hands
Let's look at the step-by-step construction of a metal picket fence on metal posts with pouring a strip foundation.
Tools, materials
To work you will need:
- screwdriver;
- welding machine with mask, electrodes;
- bayonet shovel;
- galvanized screws;
- tape measure, level, plumb line;
- wooden boards for formwork;
- cement, sand, crushed stone for mortar;
- construction mixer, concrete mixer (for large volumes of pouring);
- screwdriver;
- cord, rope for marking.
It is recommended to take profile pipes measuring 60*60 cm for pillars, and 2*4 cm for cross beams.
The number and parameters of pickets are determined depending on the design of the fence.
There are owners who, to save money, buy corrugated sheeting and cut it into strips, thus obtaining pickets. Although buying profiled sheets is cheaper, the risk that the planks will begin to rust faster and you can easily get injured on them is much higher.
Pouring the foundation
Initially, marking is carried out using a cord and wooden pegs. It is recommended to pour a strip foundation under such a fence. It can withstand high loads very well.
You can familiarize yourself with the procedure for constructing the tape and other foundations in the article: “Optimal foundation for a fence.”
Installation of pillars
Before installation, all metal elements are treated with a protective primer against corrosion. It is recommended to immediately paint the posts in the color of the picket fence.
The procedure for installing supports is described above, in the section on choosing the material of fence posts.
Frame installation
This stage should be started after the concrete solution has hardened. The same profile pipes, only of a smaller cross-section, are used as logs. They are welded to the posts. The seams are carefully rubbed.
There are ready-made poles with holes for cross beams on sale. In this case, the logs are attached to the posts with bolts.
With a fence height of 1.5 m, two logs are fixed at a distance of 25–35 cm from the top and bottom of the fence. If the height is more than 1.8 m, then it is better to install another additional crossbar in the center. This way the tall structure will better withstand wind loads.
It is important to protect the top of the supports and the end of the joists with plugs. They can be made of metal and welded. An alternative is to buy ready-made plastic ones. This will prevent water from entering the internal cavity of the pipes and extend their service life.
Fixing the picket fence
It is carried out using self-tapping screws or rivets. The pitch between the slats is selected based on how transparent the owners want the fence to be.
If you are not sure that you can handle installing the fence yourself, you can always order turnkey installation from a construction team.
Photo gallery of finished fencing
Below are different designs of metal picket fences located on flat terrain or a slope. The pillars are made of metal, brick, and decorated decoratively like columns. Materials of different colors were used for the cladding.
The durability of metal pickets allows owners not to think about the next repair or painting of the fence, saving money for other needs. And the ease of installation allows you to install a fence in a matter of time, even for people without experience in construction.
Where is a picket fence used?
A picket fence most often encloses green spaces located near a house, using classic wooden slats decorated with traditional Russian ornaments. If we talk about the fence, then a metal picket fence is added to the wooden ones. It can be of different sizes, stand on a ledge or without it, have stone columns or be solid.
If the picket fence is located with small indentations from each other, it allows you to expose beautiful plantings in the form of bushes or flowers. Other design elements in the form of different colors of slats or their heights will look similar.
