Step 1: Plan your fence
At Uvalco Supply we provide a full complement of fence building materials. We can also help direct you to a professional fence builder if you decide you don't want to go it along. But at Uvalco, we believe it all starts with planning.
First, sketch out a map of your property. Be sure to define the different areas for grazing, livestock pens, barns, cultivated fields, etc. It will be helpful to get an aerial image of your property for reference – you can get this from your local agricultural extension agent or online from Google Earth.
You will need to sketch out your fence lines, corners, angles, and gates to scale on your property map. Be sure to take into consideration natural obstacles like ditches, streams or other obstacles in the path of the fence. Avoid water gaps if at all possible. Be sure to consider the optimum placement of gates for the best vehicle and animal access. Remember to consider future expansion as well.
In planning your fence layout, remember:
- Post center spacing should be 20-25 feet for high-tensile wire and 12-16 feet for low-tensile wire.
- Regardless of length, all fences require end braces.
- Use rigid posts for all dips, bumps and ledges
- Use a combination of line bosses and tee posts for the best result.
- Don’t set gates perpendicular to the fence line. However, if it must be perpendicular, be sure to use a gate foot.
- Consider future use – if there’s a possibility that other fence lines will connect to the fence you’re building now, place end posts for the connecting fence.
Step 2: Make sure you have the right tools
Uvalco carries tools designed to make the installation process as easy and trouble-free as possible. We recommend using two stretcher bars and puller to pull the wire to the center. Splicing is much easier using a fence tool and crimp sleeves. Other tools include high-tensile pliers, double-barbed staples, inline strainer, strainer handle, post clips, drill chuck and more.
Step 3: Lay out the fence line and set posts
Prepare the Fence Line -- The fence line should be cleared and clean before starting the fence. The optimum width for your cleared fence line should be wide enough to drive along. Remove all dead brush and any other obstacles that can be removed before you build the fence. Fill and level any holes along the path of the fence to minimize predator incursions. Install an apron fence (where the bottom of the fence is buried in the ground) for total predator control.
Set the End Posts -- Lay out the fence line according to your plan, locating ends, corners, and gate openings. Set end posts at the ends and corners of the first pull.
Pull a Guide Wire Between the End Posts -- Although it’s not absolutely necessary, a guide wire pulled between two end posts makes setting the line posts and brace posts much easier. This can be temporary or permanent.
Tighten the Guide Wire -- Using a smooth wire puller is the easiest way to tighten the guide wire, or you can use a conventional come-along.
Set the Brace Posts -- Set the brace posts using the guide wire as a line. The width of the brace should be 2.5 times the height of the fence. Posts can be driven in with a post driver, tamped, or cemented.
Set the rest of the line posts and line bosses -- The general rule for post spacing is 20-25 feet on center. A rigid line boss should be set on the edge of every hump and in the bottom of all dips, regardless of spacing.
Step 4: Build the end braces.
- Measure and cut cross-member
- Figure height of cross-member
- Determine brace pin placement
- Set the brace pins in the posts
- Set the cross-member into position
- Set the brace with the brace wire
- Attach an inline strainer to the brace wire
Step 5: Tie the Wire to the End Braces
- Roll out the fence
- Strip off the vertical stays
- Align the fence
- Tie the fence wire to the end brace using a high-tensile knot
Step 6: Tighten the Fence
- Attach the fence wire to the stretcher bars
- Tighten the fence-- The correct tension is reached when approximately 50% of the crimp in the line wires has been pulled out
Step 7: Splice the Fence
- Cut the fence wire
- Place the splicing sleeves on the horizontal line wires
- Crimp the splicing sleeves
- Release the stretcher bar pullers
Step 8: Trim the Fence
- Staple the fence to the wooden fence posts -- do not hammer the staples completely into the wood; leave enough room to allow the wire fence to slide freely under the staple.
- Attach the fence to the intermediate steel posts using Class 3 galvanized clips
The fencing experts at Uvalco Supply can help you with more detailed directions when you’re ready to plan and build your fence; rest assured that you can count on us for the best supplies and the best advice. Contact us today to get your project started right.
