Thread: Need help with PVC cemetery fence...

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This spring/summer I'll be working on columns and fencing for my front yard, but I have a challenge I'm hoping some of you can help with. All opinions are welcome. My house sits pretty high up from the street giving my front lawn a noticeable angle that I have to work with. I know how to make the adjustments to the columns, but the side fences are a different challenge.

I've made some illustrations below to give an idea of the two possibilities. Illustration 1 (IL1) is the easier way to make it because then all sections can be made identicle and I wouldn't have to worry about different measurements and making sure I make sections at the proper angles. I personally think IL2 looks better, but it requires me to make sure certain sections are put in the proper place each year. Also, if they're built on angles, storing will be more of a challenge too.

So what do you all think? Does IL2 look that much better than IL1 that it's worth the trouble? If you feel IL1 look good too, then how do you suggest I connect them to the columns so that it looks good?

I have no idea how to proceed.

IL1


IL2

I had the same problem, but from your drawings your slop looks to be A LOT more than mine

I constructed my fence out of EMT. Electrical Metalic Tubing, used for elelectrical work.

I went the route of drawing number one, so all sections are identical for your reasoning, i can take them anywhere and the sections don't matter where the end up year to year.

The way I got around this was pushing the high side into the ground to "step" them up"

This works for me because my posts are metal so they push into the ground easily.

My sections are approximatly 8' and beacuse my slope isn't that much it works

If you find that doing that over an 8' section doesn't work, make a few 4' sections

This way you know where they go but are also easily used anywhere else if you were to move!

Originally Posted by Haunted Host

So what do you all think? Does IL2 look that much better than IL1 that it's worth the trouble? If you feel IL1 look good too, then how do you suggest I connect them to the columns so that it looks good?

IL2 looks much better than IL1. I've never built the pvc fence before, so this may be a stupid question, but...

Could you leave the connection/joint areas - where the verticle poles attach to the horizontal members - loose/adjustable? You could put each section in place, then tighten up the joints. That way any section of fence could go on any slope. If you want to store sections with the verticle and horizontal members at right angles, it would be no problem.

Actually, my current design that I used in my level backyard for my party are 4' sections. I prefer them because they're easier to work with. You can see the pic by going to the link in my signature. I'm just torn on which way to do the front yard. I know which way looks better, but the easier way leaves me the problem of having a fence that is basically on an angle connecting to a column that is verticle. To me it doesn't look as good esthetically.

Originally Posted by Abunai

IL2 looks much better than IL1. I've never built the pvc fence before, so this may be a stupid question, but...

Could you leave the connection/joint areas - where the verticle poles attach to the horizontal members - loose/adjustable? You could put each section in place, then tighten up the joints. That way any section of fence could go on any slope. If you want to store sections with the verticle and horizontal members at right angles, it would be no problem.

The way I construct them, they can't be left loose. Horizontal strips are wood and the verticle are PVC. Holes are drilled into the wood and the PVC is slid through those holes. To your point however, I suppose I could make the holes a tiny bit larger so that I can make the slightest of adjustments when putting it up, however the room for adjustment would be very, very slight. I appreciate the thought and will definitely consider making the holes slightly larger. Thanks!

Haunted Host,
Abunai is right. I drill the holes through the wood strips and so my screws can go into the PVC when I put the fence up on my uneven ground. I have a cordless screw drive to put the screw into the fence post nice and tight right on the slope. It takes a little more time but it is a custom fit for the slope.

I hope that makes sense!

If when making your holes you drill two, one overlapping the first by half you would end up with an oblong hole, Then position the PVC in the center using a dry wall screw to anchor. this way you would be able to rack the fence for your lawn.

So essentially, you mean drill the hole like the illustration below. I could drill an X into the wood, but then the hole on top would look abnormal. If I cut an A, the top hole still appears to be a tight fit while the bottom is oblong allowing me to make adjustments. I think I like this idea. What do you guys think? Does everyone agree, or does someone have any other ideas?

I'm starting to think that I should make all of my sections like this, rather than just the side sections. However, the tight fit makes each fence section that much stronger.

I only foresee one problem with that...Your top hole is still going to have to be wider
When you put your PVC on any sort of an angle, your changing the footprint of it and the size of the hole. The top and bottom holes need to change size together or the hole needs to be on the correct angle.

I think the best solution would be what caretaker said, drill slots and anchor them in the middle of the slots with a screw, but it still allows it to pivot to match the slop

You can figure out width of the slot by putting a piece of wood down on the ground and holding the PVC up right, mark the TOP RIGHT side and the BOTTOM LEFT (from the drawing) that should be the maximum widths your slots need to be, maybe add a little extra for insurance or unevenness in the ground

I see your point. I think my drawing oversimplified this approach. I'm not sure I want such a big hole for the PVC to go through because it might detract from the overall appearance and realism. I might make a section and experiment in the next month. If I can't get it to look right, I'm only out the strips of wood because I can always reuse the PVC.

Any other ideas before I experiment with this one?