What is a ... Fence Slat?

A Fence Slat (Privacy Slat) is a metal or plastic insert that turns a chain link fence into a privacy fence. Most slats are made from either aluminum or some type of plastic. 

Slats can be used for more than just privacy.  They can be combined in different colors to make designs or for corporate branding.

Below is a list of different types of PDS Fence Slats which are manufactured by Pexco.  They are all made from extruded High Density Polyethylene, a plastic that is resistant to UV and chemical exposure, with the exception of the hedge slats which is made with galvanized wire and PVC. They range in style, privacy factor, ease of installation, and cost.

Typically a bag of slats will cover approximately 10 linear feet of chain link fencing.

Top Lock Slats

Flat, tubular plastic inserts that have an elliptical shaped hole routed at the top.  They are installed through the mesh, and then a flat polyethylene channel is inserted through all of the slats to lock them into place.  They offer approximately 75% privacy.  The main benefit to top locking slats is that they all lock at exactly the same place, so the line of slats stays uniform at the top.

Bottom Lock Slats

Flat tubular plastic inserts that slide through the chain link mesh and lock into a plastic bottom channel.  PDS Bottom Lock Slats have reinforced legs through the inside of the slats to help them maintain their shape.  They offer approximately 75% privacy. Bottom Lock Slats are easier to install than Top Lock Slats, but they don't align as well at the top of the fence.

Winged Slats

Reinforced inserts that have additional, serrated plastic wings on the sides.  They are self locking, in that the serrations grip the chain link knuckles to hold the slats in place.  The wings also offer near full (90%) privacy.  Winged slats take more time to install because the serrations catch on the chain link.

Fence Weave

A flat, plastic extrusion that is sold in long (250') rolls.  Fence weave is woven through the chain link mesh and cut at the ends.  It is then fastened with brass fasteners.  The process takes longer than installing slats because of the effort involved to weave through all of the diamonds.  The weave offers 70% privacy.  

Hedge Slats

Constructed of 16 gauge galvanized, braided wire core and 3-mil PVC needles, HedgeLink slats mimic real hedges and do a great job of providing privacy while giving chain link fence a more natural look.

It Takes a Village to Raise a Fence

Or at least a few close neighbors....

Foxnews.com has an article on how to avoid conflict with your neighbors when designing and building a fence.  Despite the fact that they too quote Robert Frost in the very first line of the article (it must be obligatory to mention the Mending Wall poem every time a mainstream writer talks about fencing), some of the tips that they give are really useful. 

How to Buy a Regis Aluminum Fence | Material Estimate Guide

The steps below are a simple way to estimate the materials when buying a Regis Ornamental Aluminum Fence, but they will also work for any routed fence, including Bufftech Vinyl Fences.  If you have a non-standard layout, or if you would like a customer service representatives to look over your material list before you order, please email us

Note: Regis Aluminum Fences have a panel length of either 6’ (3000 Residential Series) or 8’ (4000 Commercial Series)

1. Draw your fence on a sheet of paper and label each run with its length.
2. For each run:
   • # of panels = [(length of run - length of gates) / panel length].  Note: if the is a remainder, add 1.
   • # of line posts = [# of panels - 1].  Also, subtract 1 for each gate "in line" (see illustration below)
   • If you plan to cut a panel into 2 or more smaller panels, add 1 line post per additional panel.
3. For all gates in your fence, add 2 gate posts.  The exception is: if the gate is the end point of your fence, add 1 gate post and 1 blank post.
4. For each corner:
   • If there is no gate, add a corner post.  If there is a gate, the gate post will serve as the corner post.
5. For each end point (where your fence stops):
   • If there is no gate, add an end post.  If there is a gate, then the blank post (from step 3) will serve as the end post.
6. For all posts, add a post cap.
7. For all gates, add 1 set of hinges and 1 latch
8. (Optional) Add any decorative elements available, such as: triad finials, scrolls, etc.

What is a Chain Link Butterfly Latch?

A Butterfly Latch is a spring-loaded, self-latching gate latch designed for use with for chain link swing gates.  They are easy to install and operate, which makes them popular for residential fences, particularly chain link pool fences when used in combination with spring gate closers.

How Does a Butterfly Latch Work?
When the gate makes contact with the latch, the momentum of the gate lifts the angled front end of the latch up, opening it.  The gate then hits the back of the latch, which stops its forward momentum.  With nothing to hold it open, the springs in the latch quickly close the front end so that the gate cannot swing back out.

The Long & Short of Fence Posts

If you've ever built, or planned to build, a fence, then you've probably run across the issue of how long your fence posts should be; particularly if you weren't using a pre-fabricated system.  With little to no experience, choosing the right length fence posts can be a confusing issue.  Luckily, there is an easy to remember rule of thumb that many professional fence installers use to determine the height of their posts.

How Long Should My Fence Posts Be?

In general, 1/3 - 1/2 of the above ground height of your fence should be below ground, with a minimum of 2 ft.  What this means in practice is that if you have a 4' high fence, your posts should be 6' with 2' below ground.  If your fence is 6', then you should use 8 1/2' - 9' posts with 2 1/2' - 3' below ground.

If you follow the guideline above - for most standard fence systems - your posts should be deep enough to provide strength and stability for your fence. However, if you live in an area of high wind or extreme cold, you may want to opt for a longer post, because it will make your fence less vulnerable to the elements.  On the other hand, if you are installing an light ornamental system in a low wind area, then you may be able to get away with shorter posts; although longer posts won't hurt.

Product Note:

If you plan to use a drivable post anchor like Oz-Posts to install your fence, then the Oz-Post is the underground extension of your fence post, so a 6' tall fence should have a 3' Oz-Post and 6' wood, vinyl, aluminum, or steel post.

What is a...Routed Fence System?

A routed fence system is one that uses pre-cut holes in the posts to hold the panels in place, instead of brackets and screws.  The holes, which are precisely machine cut into the posts to match each specific fence model, are depedent on the post's function; which means that there are different posts for lines, corners, ends, and gates.  The panels usually either snap into place, or are secured using lock rings, depending on the type of fence.  Contrast this with a bracketed system, where all of the posts are blank and brackets are screwed into the posts to hold the fence panel in place.

Illustration 1: A series of routed line posts for a 3 rail fence system.  

 

Illustration 2: Routed fence posts with panels inserted.

 

Why should I choose a routed fence? 

Of course, the fence you choose will depend on your specific needs, but in general routed systems offer several benefits that bracketed systems can't, including: no visible screws or brackets, typically a lower cost per foot due to reduced hardware requirements, and ease of assembly.

Buy a Routed Fence System Online

Bufftech Vinyl Fences
Regis Ornamental Aluminum Fences

Installing a Fence on a Slope - Option 1: Rackable Panels

A common question that homeowners and do it yourselfers have when planning a fence is "How do I install my fence on a slope". We talk briefly about this in our DIY Fence 101 Guide, but the number of inquiries that we receive on this subject means that we need to explore it a little deeper.

Rackable Pre-Assembled Fence Panels

Fencing a sloped yard can be one of the most challenging fence projects that a Do It Yourselfer, or a professional installer for that matter, can undertake. Luckily, many pre-fabricated fence panels, like ornamental aluminum, steel, and vinyl are designed to be Rackable, which makes the task much easier.

What is a rackable fence panel?

A rackable fence panel is a panel that can adjust to follow the slope of your yard. Whereas standard fence panels have a profile that is rectangular, with rails that run perpedicular to the pickets and posts, a rackable panel's profile looks more like a diamond.
The drawing below illustrates the difference between a standard ornamental fence panel and a panel that has been racked.  When installed on  a slope, the rails will still run parallel to the ground, but the pickets will no longer be perpendicular to the rails.

There is a limit to how far a rackable panel can adjust; which depends on the material, grade, manufacturer, and style.  For example, rackable ornamental aluminum and steel fence panels will typically rack between 20 and 30 degrees for residential grade

Signet Fence sells rackable, pre-fabricated vinyl and aluminum fencing online.  Below are the links to the product pages in our online store, as well as the amount of rack that you can expect from each fence type.
Rackable White Vinyl Privacy Fence - racks up to 7 inches per 8 foot section.  Can be installed on a slope of about 7 degrees.  Vinyl Panels can also be cut to enable further racking.
Rackable Residential Aluminum Fence - rack up to 20 inches per 6 foot section.  Can be installed on a slope of up to about 28 degrees.
Rackable Commercial Aluminum Fence - rack up to 8 inches per 8 foot section.  They can follow a slope of about 8 degrees.

Whatever fence material you choose, it should be a system that is pre-assembled from components as opposed to one that is cast or welded. Solid, one piece fence panels have no moving parts and cannot adjust to the angle of your hill without stairstepping, which we will cover in the next post.

Consult the fence manufacturer's documentation to see if a particular system racks enough to fit your needs before purchasing.