How to make a fence from a metal picket fence with a slide. Euro picket fence: photo of a fence made of Euro picket fence, methods of installing a metal fence. Do-it-yourself European picket fence, detailed installation and assembly instructions. What is the Euro?

We will tell you in this article how to fasten a European picket fence to a fence, how to properly fasten a metal picket fence, and what fasteners are best to use for installing a picket fence to joists:

How to properly attach a picket fence

Let's start from the beginning 🙂 What factors determine one or another method of attaching a picket fence:
1. The picket fence is always fastened STRICTLY from the front side
It is very important not to confuse the front and reverse side metal picket profile (especially in cases where a European picket fence is used that is the same on both sides: galvanized or double-sided coated).

2. Correct fastening metal picket fence to the logs depends on the type of Euro picket fence profile.
Metal picket fences, depending on the manufacturer, can have various types of profiles. The most common U-shaped picket fence is found, there are also Semicircular profile(its fastening is the same as that of the U-shaped one) and the M-shaped type of profile.
Below we will look correct fastening all listed types of European picket fence profiles.

Fastening the M-shaped picket fence

M-shaped picket fence is attached in the middle of the profile. This is an outdated type of Euro picket fence with a significant drawback: the “wings” of the slats remain loose and will play in gusts of wind. Also, due to this method of fastening, the substructure of a fence made of M-shaped metal picket fence will have minimal rigidity because at the fastening points there is a single thickness of metal and the result is a weak geometric diagonal resistance of the fence section.

M-shaped metal picket profile for a fence

Attaching an M-shaped picket fence to the joists

Fastening U-shaped and semicircular picket fences

The principles of fastening a semicircular and U-shaped metal picket fence do not differ from each other. In both cases, fastening must be done in the side edges of the planks where, due to rolling, there is a double thickness of the metal (an unrolled picket fence is dangerous and we do not recommend its use at all).

Semicircular and U-shaped
European picket fence profiles

There are 2 ways to attach a semicircular and U-shaped metal picket fence to the logs:
1. The method is less reliable but more economical. The plank is fastened 1 piece per lag in a checkerboard pattern:

1 Method of fastening U-shaped and semicircular picket fences (economical)

2. The method is more reliable but less economical. The fastening of the plank is made in 2 pieces for each joist - we always recommend that Clients use exactly this method of fastening the Euro picket fence, because he is the most reliable:

2 Method of fastening U-shaped and semicircular picket fences (reliable)

How to fasten a picket fence, types of fasteners

To attach a metal picket fence to the joists of the fence substructure, you can use various types of fasteners. TPK Metal Roofing Center offers its Clients the following most popular:

**Self-tapping screws 5.5*19 for roofing with a 6-sided head for an 8mm bit**

Roofing screws with a diameter of 5.5 are designed for installation in metal, as indicated by the frequent thread and enlarged drill part. When screwing in the self-tapping screw, the rubber self-vulcanizes, and thereby completely prevents water from entering the drilled hole. The drill tip allows you to work with material up to 2.5 mm thick without preliminary preparation holes.
Diameter (mm): 5.5
Length (mm): 19
Type: Roofing
Color: According to RAL catalog

Attaching the picket fence to roofing screws 5,5*19

Pros:
+ convenient and quick to install with a screwdriver;
+ the most reliable option fastenings;

Cons:
– the cost of the self-tapping screw is higher alternative options;
– visually noticeable on the finished fence;

**Self-tapping screws PShS or “seeds” 4.216 or 4.219 for a Phillips screwdriver**

Self-tapping screws with a hemispherical head and a press washer (PShS) are designed for fastening a variety of products and materials to metal frames, steel sheets up to 2 mm thick without pre-drilling and up to 6 mm thick with pre-drilling. Galvanized tip - drill. The press washer located under the screw head provides additional fastening strength and resistance to increased mechanical loads. Zinc coating provides long service life and corrosion protection.
Diameter (mm): 4.2
Length (mm): 16 or 19
Color: According to RAL catalog

Fastening the picket fence with PShS 4.2*16 self-tapping screws

Pros:
+ low cost self-tapping screw;
+ visually almost invisible on the finished fence;

Cons:
– complexity and inconvenience of fastening (when drilling a picket fence and a ferrous metal joist);

**Blind rivets 3.2*8 (aluminum/steel)**

Painted blind rivet 3.2*8 is used to connect thin metal sheets, fastening to substructures. The closed bead consists of an aluminum sleeve with a standard bead and a steel rod. Before installing the rivet, it is necessary to pre-drill a hole with a drill corresponding to the diameter of the rivet. During the installation process, the rod pulls the sleeve along with it, which allows the parts to be fastened to be tightly connected. The excess rod is bitten off.
Diameter (mm): 3.2
Length (mm): 8
Color: According to RAL catalog

If you need an inexpensive, but beautiful and durable fence, you need to build it from metal picket fence. Moreover, it is not difficult to build, since its design is simple. Since this material appeared relatively recently, it will look unusual against the background of the neighbors’ traditional hedges.

Advantages that make the Euro picket fence popular

It got its name because of its resemblance to a wooden picket fence. Essentially it is cut into strips. It is made of galvanized metal with a thickness of 0.5 to 2 mm and coated with two layers of non-ferrous polymer coating. The average width of one element is 10 cm, and the length is from 0.5 to 3 m.

Its undoubted advantages help it gain popularity:

Greater strength due to the design of the elements, providing high rigidity. Does not deform under significant wind loads.
The weight is small compared to other materials, which greatly simplifies transportation and installation.
Do-it-yourself installation is very simple: just secure the planks with self-tapping screws to the frame. Accordingly, replacing elements if damaged is also easy.
Presentable appearance. You can choose any color. If desired, you can repaint or renew the existing paint.
DIY installation is possible on both sides (in a checkerboard pattern), which expands the design possibilities.
A metal picket fence, like other metal fences, photos of which are on the website, can withstand any weather adversity very well.
Due to high wear resistance, a service life of up to 50 years is ensured.
A fence made of Euro picket fences does not shade the plantings, like others, and therefore is the preferred option for summer cottages. If you want to hide any area from prying eyes, it is enough to mount additional pickets on the other side, covering the gaps with them.
The standard sizes of rails offered by manufacturers make it possible to build not only protective, but also decorative fences made of metal.

Euro picket fence with a gate in a private house

European picket fence at the dacha

Euro picket fence on strip foundation

Combined fence with European picket fence

Euro picket fence with horizontal plates

Euro picket fence photo

Fence made of Euro picket fence “like a tree”

Euro picket fence “in a checkerboard pattern”

No disadvantages have been identified during the operation of this type of fencing in different climatic zones.

Tool for the job

You won’t be able to build a fence from a European picket fence with your own hands without the necessary arsenal of tools. Therefore it is necessary to prepare:

Bayonet and shovel shovels. However, it is better to drill holes for the racks with a drill. It will turn out faster and more accurately.
Apparatus for gas or electric welding. It is used for welding crossbars to posts.
Powerful screwdriver or electric drill. You can, of course, tighten the screws with a simple screwdriver, but this will take a lot of time and effort.
A set of standard locksmith tools.
Level. It doesn’t have to be laser type, a simple construction option is enough.
Regular 5 meter tape measure.
Several brushes different sizes for painting welds, screw heads, and cutting points.
Set of wooden pegs and cord. Used for marking and monitoring the correct installation of the fence.

Necessary materials and calculation of their quantity

In order not to be distracted during the construction process by searching for missing materials, you should make a list of them in advance, and then calculate the required quantity. The list must include:

Steel pillars, round or square, 6x6 cm, cross-section. The wall thickness must be at least 2 mm. Optimal distance between them is considered to be 2-2.5 m. This means that the number of columns is determined by dividing the length of the perimeter by the distance between them. If you plan to cut it yourself from purchased pipes, you should take into account not only the outer height, but also the size of the part buried in the ground. Depending on the condition of the soil, it can be from 0.5 to 1.2 m.
In most cases, crossbars are made from a profile pipe with a cross-section of 2x4 cm. For fences up to 2 m high, they are installed in two rows, if higher - in three. Accordingly, to determine the total footage of the log, the length of the perimeter must be multiplied by 2 or 3.
Crushed stone.
The number of decorative caps for the posts is equal to their number.
Primers and paints for metal work will require about a liter per 8-12 supports (depending on their size) for one coat.
Depending on the number of joists, two or three screws are needed for each plank. If the shape of the picket fence allows for fastening on both sides, you will need twice as many screws. To save time, it is better to buy them with already painted heads.
Euro picket fence, material dimensions are selected according to personal preferences. To calculate the number of slats, there are calculators on the manufacturers' websites. But, as practice has shown, they produce results with a large error. More often in a smaller direction, that is, there is not enough material. Therefore, experienced people recommend increasing the result by 10% for reliability. With acceptable accuracy, the required quantity can be calculated based on the condition that for 1 meter of perimeter there will be 6 pieces of slats with a width of up to 15 cm or 8 pieces with a width of 10 cm. When calculating, the width of the gate, as well as the wicket, is not taken into account.

You should choose a picket fence with rolled edges, so it will look much better.

The procedure for building a fence with your own hands

Perimeter marking

First of all, the construction site must be cleared of the remains of the former fence, debris, and leveled. Then, checking the site plan, you need to drive pegs into the corners of the future fence and pull a cord between them. Along its line, the installation locations for intermediate posts are marked. It is advisable to choose the distance between them according to the length of the crossbars, but not more than 4 m, in order to prevent them from sagging. If the length of the lag is short, then more frequent placement is not prohibited.

Installation of pillars

On normal soils, holes are made 50-60 cm deep and the support is driven in the same depth with a sledgehammer. After aligning it vertically, the free space in the pit is filled with a mixture of sand and crushed stone with careful compaction. On soft soil, the depth of the holes increases to 75 cm. The post is installed on a cushion of crushed stone 10 cm thick, reinforcement is installed around it, the vertical is set to 90° using stones or wooden wedges and concrete is poured. No action should be taken for at least a couple of days until the concrete hardens.

Since the corner supports bear increased load, the holes for them should be deeper. It is preferable to make the pole itself from a pipe of a larger cross-section, for example, 8X8 cm. Regardless of this, the installation of reinforced supports will also be required under them. does not require the use of powerful pillars.

Frame assembly

Logs can be attached to poles with self-tapping screws, bolts, or welding. The fastest and reliable way, of course, welding. The top row is attached at a distance of 15 cm from the edge of the posts, the bottom row at a height of 20-30 cm from the ground. In order not to have to mark the place of fastening of each log, you need to stretch the cords at the top and bottom between the corner supports and navigate along them. Gates and wickets are installed together with the frame. The finished frame must be coated with a primer and painted to match the color of the picket fence. The holes at the top of the pipes must be closed with plugs to prevent water from entering. The plugs must be inserted with force so that they are not blown off by the wind.

Sometimes cross members are made from wooden beam. However, it is not as resistant to external influences as metal protected by a polymer coating. The timber must be impregnated with an antiseptic and painted. Since the strength of the tree is also not at its best, the distance between the posts should be reduced to 1.5 m to ensure the reliability of the entire structure.

Fastening the picket fence elements

Colored euro picket fence

Fastening European picket fence plates

Euro picket fence plate fastening

Euro picket fence installation diagram

Assembling a European picket fence using self-tapping screws and brackets

DIY picket fence

Self-tapping screws when attaching pickets to crossbars must be tightened without fanaticism, without damaging the polymer coating. In order for all slats to be at the same level, after installing the first one, pull the cord along its height and align all subsequent ones with it. To speed up installation, picket fences need to be wooden block or a piece of pipe, make a template and use it to measure the distance between them. To give the fence a finished look on top of the pickets, you should secure the cornice or ridge strip with self-tapping screws. If the upper ends of the slats are pointed, this will increase the protective properties of the fence. Therefore, in this case it is better not to cover the top with anything.

Construction tips. The optimal gap between the slats is 2-5 cm. When large sizes the fence will not look aesthetically pleasing. When attaching pickets in a checkerboard pattern, the distance between them increases to 8-10 cm.

You can build a fence from Euro picket fence yourself very quickly and efficiently if you purchase ready-made sections. Since it will be difficult to move the sections alone, you will have to use one or two assistants. In appearance, such a fence will not differ from a fence built by professionals, but will cost much less.

Relatively recently to abundance building materials which are used for the construction of fences and fences joined.

General information about this type of building materials

Attaching a picket fence does not cause any particular difficulties even for a beginner if you use all the recommendations and advice from experts in this industry. This material is environmentally friendly and has rightfully now taken a leading position in consumption due to its properties, such as reliability, lightness and aesthetic appeal.

The Euro picket fence is based on corrugated sheeting, which consists of cold-rolled galvanized steel top quality. At the manufacturing plant, it can be processed and cut, after which it can be used for its intended purpose. The main difference between Euro picket fence and corrugated sheeting is that it is not a solid sheet, but is presented in the form of separately cut slats, which in their appearance resemble a wooden picket fence. Next, the material is coated with one or several layers of polymer paint. The service life of a high-quality European picket fence can last about 40-50 years.

Qualities that a European picket fence has

There are many positive qualities that this building material has:

By using modern technologies it became possible to apply special coating, thanks to which the material acquires different colors and texture - starting with simple coloring and ending with antique-style works. Based on appearance alone, it is extremely difficult to distinguish a European picket fence from a picket fence based on valuable wood species.

Due to its metallic origin, the Euro picket fence is not subject to rotting. Due to the fact that during the production process it is covered with a double protective layer, it is rarely subjected to corrosion processes, and even in such rare cases it is possible to replace damaged slats, and not the entire sheet.

The variety of picket fence sizes is also pleasing – from 50 cm to 3 meters. Thanks largely to this, it has gained a wide range of applications: from fencing flower beds and playgrounds to fencing houses, offices and factories.

Compared to other building materials, the weight of metal picket fences is light, which gives the advantage of easy loading and transportation.

The aesthetic appeal of European picket fences gives a great impetus to the flight of imagination of designers in the process of designing landscapes of territories.

High resistance to adverse influences external factors, as a result of which the service life can be about 40-50 years.

The favorable combination of such qualities as airflow and transparency makes it possible to use Euro picket fences on summer cottages. It creates virtually no shadow on the site, which has a beneficial effect on ventilation of the area. Easy to attach Euro picket fence and affordable price More and more fans and users are giving this building material.

Analyzing all aspects of the functioning of this type of building materials, we can confidently say that negative aspects not found.

Variety of design solutions

Lots of different options design solutions pleasantly pleased, their main types are:

“Wave”, which is installed from sections, the top of each of them is similar in shape to a wave;

“Convex arc”, which is installed using the binding method, their upper edge is similar in appearance to a convex arc;

“Concave arc”, a sectional installation, where each section is similar in appearance to a concave arc;

“Herringbone”, the installation resembles the previous options, the only difference is that the top is similar in appearance to a Christmas tree;

"Canyon", sectional installation, in which each subsequent rail from the beginning of the section is reduced by one centimeter, and after the center it increases accordingly;

“Peaks”, the top of each sectional component is similar to a peak;

“Wings”, the upper outline is similar to the wingspan;

“Ladder”, built from alternating slats of different sizes;

“Pyramid”, the outline of the tops is similar to the image of a pyramid;

“Trapezoid”, the shape of the bends has the shape of a trapezoid.

Fastening a metal picket fence

It is possible to attach a Euro picket fence to joists various types: brick, concrete, metal. The last representative is the most popular, since the material from which it is made is almost identical to the material of picket fences, and its service life is quite long, and the cost remains low. The diameter of the log is selected taking into account the weight of the structure (section). As the section becomes heavier, the diameter of the post should also increase.

How to attach a European picket fence to a fence

The step-by-step instructions for attaching the Euro picket fence are as follows:

The whole fastening process

The installation of any fence begins with the creation of supports. Metal poles can be installed in several ways: by driving into the soil or by concreting. To implement the first option, a hole is drilled into which a post is driven and fixed with a special mixture. The second option is implemented by making a hole in the soil under the post (about 55-75 cm), then installing the reinforcement in a perpendicular position relative to the earth’s surface, securing it with reinforcement and waiting for it to dry.

The next step is to install transverse joists to the already fixed pillars. They can be attached in several ways: on the frame plate or overlapped. It is recommended to resort to the latter option, as it improves the aesthetic qualities of the structure. Docking areas must be cleaned and primed.

Then you need to install the wicket and gate with the installation of the appropriate fittings.

To prevent sedimentary water from entering the pipes, plugs are fixed, often on a plastic base.

Upon completion of the installation and painting work of all installed structures, you can begin fixing the euro picket fence. The pickets are attached using self-tapping screws of the appropriate color. Each rail must be fixed in four places. If a double-sided fastening is planned, then it is implemented in a checkerboard pattern on the front and back sides.

Any owner of a private house or cottage prefers durable and modern look fencing for your site, which will fit well into the local corner of nature. At the same time, the most important tasks that one has to face in choosing a material are: low price, practicality and reliability.

Most convenient option, meeting all requests - a fence made of Euro picket fence with your own hands. Similar to him wooden picket fence has lower strength and shelf life, and also requires constant care and painting.

On the contrary, the Euro picket fence is not only durable, easy to maintain, does not require antiseptic treatment or painting, but also retains a beautiful, aesthetic appearance for a long time. A significant advantage of such a fence is simple design and the ability to quickly mount the fence with your own hands, which significantly reduces the cost and speeds up the entire process.

A fence made of galvanized steel is a more modernized version of a metal picket fence and is characterized by good ventilation, low weight, high fire resistance, long service life, optimal performance rigidity and strength, resistance to corrosion.

By all indicators, fences made of Euro picket fences best alternative other types of fences and therefore has deservedly become the most popular of all materials that today decorate many private plots and even cottages.

Types of Euro picket fence

Checkerboard fence

According to the methods of technological processing and production, several types of European picket fences are distinguished.

According to the methods of edge processing, there is a picket fence (rail):
- with rolled section edge; The rolled edges of the section increase strength and give a more attractive appearance to the product;
- with unrolled. A product with non-rolled edges has a lower price, but is not very attractive.
According to the manufacturing method, they are distinguished:
- Treated slats. When each part is individually cut, to improve the quality of the manufactured product, each individual strip is processed on a rolling machine. This treatment eliminates nicks on the edges and increases the price of the finished product;
- Unfinished slats. In mass production, slats are cut from solid corrugated sheets. The ends of the picket fence are not machine processed, which reduces their quality and cost.
By dyeing method:
- one-sided polymer painting;
- double-sided polymer painting.

Powder coating ensures that the slats are coated on both sides with an equal, even layer of paint. With one-sided painting, the back side remains matte, and the cost of the product is significantly reduced.

Options for a European picket fence

The options vary in the shape of the slats and are:

direct;
wave, pitch 50 mm;
wave, pitch 25 mm;
two waves;
with one-sided lining, pitch between slats 40 mm, 18 pieces of lamellas per span;
with double-sided lining, pitch between slats 70 mm, 29 pieces of lamellas per span;
in a checkerboard pattern.

Options for European picket fences, photo:

Picket fence with one-sided lining.

Picket fence with double-sided lining

A fence made of Euro picket fence in a checkerboard pattern.

Fence cost

The average cost of one linear meter of a picket fence depends on the processing method, coloring, height, installation method (either independently or to order), the number of meters of the fence itself, the size of the picket fence (length - 50 cm - 3 m, width - 8 - 11 cm).

Depending on the width and length of the picket fence for one linear meter fencing them may require from 6 to 8 pieces. Depending on the type of material and manufacturer, the quality varies finished product, bar height, coating thickness.

Considering all the factors, the price ranges from 500 to 1000 rubles per linear meter of fence. For possible delivery to a remote region or city, the price is from 25 to 30 rubles per kilometer.

Nuances of selecting materials

Installing a fence with your own hands is a responsible task, therefore, when choosing a material for your fencing, you need to take into account all the advantages, a number of advantages, differences and varieties of European picket fences.

The material must be very strong and rigid in order to withstand significant loads, surface pressure, and exposure to a number of adverse conditions, including weather.

It is worth considering the simplicity of installing the fence yourself. A picket fence fixed with self-tapping screws does not require additional fastening, so any damaged element can be easily replaced by yourself.

The value of a picket fence is manifested in large design possibilities, which allow you to mount it yourself on one or both sides of the fence, and also choose any color you like or a combination of several. If you need to refresh the appearance of the structure, you can repaint it in any other color.

Overall quite large design has a relatively low weight, which greatly facilitates installation, transportation, installation, affects the quality and relatively low price.

The high-quality material used in the production of Euro picket fences is galvanized cold-rolled steel, which resists adverse weather conditions well and has a long service life of about fifty years.

A wide range of sizes allows you to select the height of the fence and gate to suit almost every taste and request (from half a meter to three meters of picket fence length).

The most common form of slats is U-shaped, however, there are other known varieties: straight U-shaped, arched with an inward bend and arched with an outward bend, triangular and trapezoidal.

Instructions for self-production

Do-it-yourself European picket fence is fast, high-quality and convenient. But before you begin work on installing a fence, you need to clarify all the rules and regulations adopted in your area regarding the location and construction of the fence, so that you do not have to dismantle it later. It is worth checking where the gas pipeline and municipal lines are located so as not to damage or block them. To avoid risk improper installation You should carefully read the instructions developed by the manufacturer.

It is necessary to purchase the following materials for installing the fence: crossbar strips square section(two pieces per flight), profile pipe(as intermediate posts), screws, hardware, shovel, drill, tape measure, measuring level, sledgehammer, drill, sand, crushed stone, cement, primer and finishing paint.

Before starting the construction of a new fence, it is necessary to clear and mark the perimeter of the plot of land on which the installation will be carried out. All unnecessary objects, garbage and anything that will interfere are removed from the site. Do-it-yourself fence installation is carried out in several stages:

At the first stage, mark the length of the area using a level, pegs, rope. The specified distance between the columns of the section is chosen from 1.5 to 2 meters. Now that we know how many sections and pillars there will be, it is not difficult to calculate the amount of materials required for the work. It is worth considering the density of the slats and the gap distance between them. To obtain the required total number of materials for one section, divide the required total area by two and multiply by the number of sections.
Prepare holes for the posts. Using a shovel, manual or automatic gasoline drill, holes are dug in the ground for posts 55 cm deep. If the fence has a large perimeter or the soil is frozen in the cold season, such a hole drill is indispensable for work.
Load-bearing pillars are installed in the prepared pits. In the center of the pit recess, fix the pipe in a perpendicular position and drive it 1.1 m deep with a sledgehammer. Then crushed stone is poured into the pit and concrete is poured. To check the exact position installed pole use a building level. The procedure is repeated for each individual pillar.
When installing the crossbars, the bottom one is fixed 30 cm from the ground, and the top one is 30 cm from the beginning of the structure. The instructions describe in detail the fastening of the transverse joists. As a rule, installation begins with the bottom joist, and its ends are inserted into the post locking rings. Installation begins with the first lower log and gradually moves upward. The installation of the upper joist is carried out later.
At the next stage, a picket fence is attached to the crossbars from the bottom of the structure. The slats are fixed at an equal distance from each other - 4-5 cm. Since the euro-fence panels are attached to the transverse joist, they start from the lower crossbar, sequentially approaching the central joist, and then install the last part on the upper joist.
Using glue and self-tapping screws, install the cover strip. Self-tapping screws must be included with the fence. But if you need to purchase self-tapping screws yourself, then it is better to consult a specialist in order to purchase a quality tool. Sometimes glue is used to attach the planks.
Gate installation - the final stage of installation. Before installing them, supporting pillars are mounted for subsequent fastening of the gate itself. Install the gate in accordance with the supplied production instructions and pay attention to details when installing brackets, loops, and latches.
After everything prime all the fencing, and in a day they start painting.

The photo shows a one-sided fastening made of slats in contrasting colors.

If you are deciding which fence would be better suited for a home or a country hacienda, then the European picket fence will not only fit perfectly into the natural landscape, but will also delight both your family and all your neighbors with its modern, dignified appearance.

Thanks to a large variety of color options, design varieties You can choose a fence to suit your taste and significantly transform it, as well as emphasize the individuality of the appearance of your site. Practicality, reliability, and affordability have made Euro picket fences a fairly popular material not only among private owners, but also among owners of office buildings.

Video instructions

Options for installing a European picket fence - see video. Material from the Fence Pro channel.

When building a private house, fencing the site plays no less a role than erecting walls and installing floors. The fence is the first thing that visitors to the estate see, and already from it they can give the first assessment of quality construction work. If previously the fence was an ordinary picket fence made of low-quality boards that remained after the main construction work, now they use various materials. We will tell you later in the article how to install a European picket fence with your own hands.

The following materials are used for the production of fences and fences:

Concrete slabs. Such fences have standard concrete sections. They are installed on special poles that have a groove.
Fence made of corrugated sheets. It is one of the most popular designs. It is easy to install, inexpensive, and has an excellent appearance.
Euro picket fence. Relatively new material. It consists of slats made of galvanized sheets of small thickness. This sheet is protected by several layers of polymer coating and paint. In principle, a picket fence resembles corrugated sheeting, only it has the shape of strips rather than sheets. This new material has proven itself well and has earned popularity among builders.

This material is produced at the ArcelorMittal and ThyssenKrupp metallurgical plants in Belgium and Germany, respectively. Like any other material, Euro picket fence has both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include:

Long service life. Thanks to several layers of polymer coating and paint, this material will last for quite a long time. At correct installation and 50 years of operation is a short period for it.
Various sizes. Due to the fact that the length of each picket varies from 0.5 to 3 meters, they can be used to create fences of any height.
Light weight. Having a low weight, the Euro picket fence is easy to transport and install.
Beautiful appearance. Due to the fact that in the production of European picket fences we use various options colors, from regular to imitation of valuable wood, such a fence will look very beautiful and neat. It will suit any home design.

There are practically no disadvantages to the European picket fence, the main ones being:

Weak protection. Naturally, there is no point in comparing it with a fence made of cast concrete or cinder blocks. Thin sheet metal is unlikely to stop someone who wants to get into the territory. Therefore, in areas with a bad crime situation, it can only be used as a fence between neighboring areas.
Gaps between pickets. Thanks to this, it will not be possible to remain behind such a fence unnoticed. If you do not want passers-by to see the courtyard, you need to install a continuous sheet without gaps. However, for those who grow on personal plot flowers or other crops, it’s just to your advantage. Such a fence will not provide shade and will ensure normal ventilation of the flower bed.

Types of Euro picket fences and methods of their installation

Currently, there are a large number of types of European picket fences, thanks to which you can make an excellent fence:

Picket fence "Nova". It is a 115 mm wide strip made of durable galvanized steel 0.5 mm thick. Each strip has 16 stiffening ribs, which allow it to withstand fairly high mechanical loads. The steel is coated with a layer of polymer 25 microns thick, which provides it with excellent wear resistance.
Model "Econova". It is a model that is very similar to the previous one. By reducing the width of the strip by 15 mm and the stiffening ribs to 12, it was possible to reduce the price of this material without losing performance characteristics. The length of the pickets is generally from 1 to 2 meters. Due to its low price, this material can be used in the countryside or in country house. Typically, this picket fence is mounted with a gap of 10 to 100 mm, but it is possible to install it continuously in a checkerboard pattern (double-sided installation).
Picket fence "Light-M". It has a strip width of only 70 mm, and only 6 stiffeners. It can be installed either with a gap or completely. Thanks to these dimensions, the material is low in weight, which does not require the construction of a massive fence structure. Low price makes it possible to use it for fencing front gardens, playgrounds, etc.
Barrera picket fence. It differs from all of the above in the method of coating the steel workpiece. Powder-polymer coating makes the protective layer very strong and durable. The length of the pickets varies from 1.5 to 2 meters, and the width - from 80 to 120 mm.

In addition to the different types of Euro picket fence, there are several ways to mount a Euro picket fence, making sections out of it. A section can be made up of planks of various lengths, creating a fence of various design shapes:

Wave. The pickets are installed over the span so that their upper end resembles a wave.
Convex and concave arc. The pickets are positioned so that the highest or lowest are in the middle, respectively.
Herringbone. With this design, the location of the pickets is chosen as in the previous versions, and the upper edge of the planks has the shape of a Christmas tree top.
Ladder. This type consists of alternating long and short pickets.

Do-it-yourself European picket fence installation

The main stages of installing a European picket fence

The process of installing a fence made of Euro picket fence is practically no different from installing a fence made of corrugated sheets. The entire work process can be divided into several stages:

Development of a fence scheme made from Euro picket fence. It will help you navigate during construction and select the right amount of material.
Foundation construction.
Construction of support pillars.
Welding of transverse joists.

Do-it-yourself European picket fence installation

Many people believe that it is not necessary to build a foundation for installing a fence. But this is far from true. The fact is that if there is no foundation under the fence, it will be easy to dig under the fence. It doesn't have to be a person. Meeting a wild animal or a homeless large dog on your doorstep can bring a lot of trouble. Therefore, before you make a fence from Euro picket fence yourself, it is better to pour a concrete foundation under it.

Installation procedure:

The construction of the foundation begins with the construction of a trench. Since the weight of the fence is not too heavy, a trench depth of 30 cm is quite enough. The height of the foundation above the zero mark is approximately 30-40 cm. In the places where the pillars are installed, the width of the foundation must be increased so that it is possible to lay them with decorative bricks.
After the trench is dug, a layer of crushed stone and sand is laid on its bottom. Next, the formwork is installed. For its device it is better to use chipboards or OSB. The formwork is secured using wooden beams or reinforcement.
A reinforcing belt made of reinforcement with a diameter of 10-12 mm, connected together with wire into a single structure, is installed inside.
Then the support pillars are installed. For them, a profile pipe with a cross section of 50x50 mm with a wall thickness of at least 4 mm is used. They are fixed by welding to the reinforcing belt. When installing the pole, you must ensure that its position is correct. In order for them all to stand in a line, first install the first and last. 3-4 nylon threads are pulled between them, which will become a guide for installing the rest.
If it is planned to install lighting lamps on the poles, wiring is installed inside the pipe.

When the installation of the pillars is completed, you can begin pouring concrete. A solution is prepared from a mixture of cement, sand and crushed stone of the middle fraction in a ratio of 1: 2: 2. Cement is used grade 400 with the addition of slag. It is inexpensive and will do the job quite well.
After the foundation has hardened, you can begin to cover the steel pillars with decorative bricks. Well masonry is used here. The process itself is not very complicated. The only thing you need to do is to constantly monitor the evenness of the masonry. When laying bricks inside, mortgages are installed to which the logs will be welded. They are made independently from reinforcement and a piece steel sheet 4 mm thick.
After laying the row, the embedment is welded to the pipe and laid with bricks. They must be located on the same level. Typically, 3-4 logs are used to attach the picket fence. Accordingly, 3-4 mortgages are installed on each pillar.
After the pillars are covered with bricks, the logs can be welded to the mortgages. Before welding each of them, the position is checked by level.
Next you need to paint everything metal parts fence in the color of the picket fence. To begin with, they are primed, and after the primer dries, they are painted in two layers.

How to attach a European picket fence to a fence

The next step is to install the Euro picket fence:

Each plank is screwed to the joists with 2 self-tapping screws. Accordingly, if the lag is 3, then there should be 6 attachment points. The question of what is the best way to attach a Euro picket fence is debatable. Many do this using self-tapping screws, while some prefer a bolted connection.
Self-tapping screws should not differ in color from the picket fence. If you can’t find these on sale, you can paint regular fasteners in the desired color. It is better to use self-tapping screws from stainless steel. They are not subject to corrosion and will not damage the picket fence. When using steel usually, rust from the self-tapping screw can be transferred to the strip, which will need to be replaced.
The standard gap between the pickets is 3 cm, but during installation it is necessary to calculate its size so that the slats are installed evenly. Before installation, marks are made on the logs along which each picket will be attached.
The installation process is quite simple. Drills at the top point through hole a drill with a diameter of 3.5 mm into which a self-tapping screw is screwed. Then its position is adjusted and the bottom self-tapping screw is screwed in, after which all the others are screwed in. After this, you can install the Euro picket fence on the gate with your own hands.