INSTALLATION

GUIDE
TAPERED END
If you are tapering the free end of a fence, the taper must cover a length equal to
twice the height of the fence. The end height shall be a maximum of two thirds the
height of the rest of the fence. Cut the posts to the required height and attach the
CONTACT rails to the posts following the taper. The fence sheets on the tapered end will need
to be marked and cut to the appropriate height. Avoid using an angle grinder to cut
the sheets as the swarf may stain the painted surface.
1300 165 165
Tapered length = height of the fence x 2

H
2 H

Post and Rail

3

Figure 5.0

CAPPING INSTALLATION
Fence capping is placed over the top edge of the fence sheet with the long side
of the capping facing the post and rail side of the fence. The capping is slightly
tapered to allow for overlapping. To fix the capping, drill a hole at each end where
the crest of the fence sheet meets the inside of the capping. Use either a rivet or a POST AND RAIL FENCING
self-drilling screw to fix the capping and the fence sheet together.
Stratco Post and Rail fencing is a traditional and cost effective form of fencing. Its simple design makes it the ideal choice for a DIY
project, especially on sloping sites and uneven ground. Galvanised posts and rails are combined with fence sheets that come in a
Rivet through the capping at the crest of the sheet Capping
range of different profiles, topped off with optional fence capping and a full spectrum of colours to complement any environment.

String line

BEFORE YOU START

Before beginning your fencing project, ensure you have all the correct components and tools needed to finish the job. To ensure a
Screw positions neat finish, any gates should be installed before beginning work on the rest of the fence.
when fixing the
sheet to the rail

Figure 6.0
TOOLS AND HARDWARE REQUIRED
Tape Measure
String Line

MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS Plumb Line

Spirit Level
Fencing may not be suitable within 1000 metres of a marine environment or in severe Hack-Saw
industrial or corrosive environments. It is important that dirt, compost, paving sand Tin Snips
or other materials are not placed against any Stratco steel sheeting. Zinc/Al based Rivet Gun
materials must not be used in any of these circumstances, and in particular concrete Post Hole Digger
BROCIPR
should not be poured against Zinc/Al based materials. For more information refer to Concrete Mix
Copyright March 13 01/03/13
the Selection, Use and Maintenance of Stratco Steel Products Brochure. Drill and Hex-Head Adaptor
DESIGNING YOUR FENCE RAIL AND SHEET INSTALLATION
Accurately determine the position of the fence (in some cases Once marked, the post holes can be dug. The use of a manual
a surveyor may be required) and mark the position using a or mechanical auger is recommended, especially for harder FENCE COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
temporary string line. Using the spacing information provided clay soils. The footings should be a minimum of 700mm
in the table below, mark the position of the posts. If you are deep by 200mm in diameter for a firm natural sandy clay. For
unsure of the wind speed for your area, refer to the brochure variable soil conditions these dimensions should be increased if
titled Determining Wind Speed. You may decide to taper the considered necessary. The last three holes near a free end and
free end of a fence to help it withstand strong winds (figure 5.0). for posts supporting a gate will need to be 100mm deeper than
Alternatively the post spacings at a free end are to be reduced the standard depth.
Capping Joiner Saddle Post Cap RHS Rail SHS Post SHS Gate Post Post Extension
as indicated in the table below. 38 x 25mm 50 x 50mm 65 x65mm

String Line
FENCE POST SPACINGS PER WINDSPEED Maximum
3m intervals The rails must be attached to the pre-installed posts. Use a 250mm
Windspeed Internal Free End Tapered End
string line to position the rails. The rails are fixed to the posts 50mm
W28 3000 1500 3000 Spirit level Rail
W33 2250 1200 2250
by fitting a saddle over the rail and fixing it to each post with Post cap

W41 1500 800 1500 two self-drilling screws (figure 3.0). Fit the post caps over the
700mm Minimum depth
Figures are based on a maximum fence height of 1800mm. The free end spacings Table 1.0 end of the posts and knock into place. If you want to paint the
are required for a distance equal to twice the fence height, if the end is not tapered.
posts and rails, do this before attaching the sheets. Saddle

200mm Minimum diameter

GATE POST OPENINGS - Single Gate 865mm - Double Gate 3280mm
These are recommended measurements, check the gate widths before concreting the posts. When positioning the sheets, it will look best if the sheet Fence sheet
Figure 1.0 SHS Post
overlap is arranged to face away from the most commonly
viewed angle. The top of the sheets should sit 250mm higher SHS post
than the top of the posts. Ensure the top of the sheets are level
gate and footing installation by using a string line. Sheets are to be fixed to the rails with Rail

Please Note: To prevent possible damage to the gate in high wind weather, the drop bolt must be installed on the gate. self-drilling screws, please refer to figure 3.1 for the number Rail Attachment Detail
of screws per sheet according to the sheet profile. The screws
Installing the gates Preparing the footings are fixed through the sheet along the centre of the rail. To keep
Place the rail just under the post
All gates should be installed before the remainder of the fence If the fence has a tapered end, cut any posts involved in the taper cap and attach the saddle to the
the screws in line with each other, use a string line along the
post with self-drilling screws.
is constructed. The gate must be fixed to the SHS gate posts first (refer to Tapered End). Position and prop the SHS posts fence (see figure 6.0), or use a measuring stick that shows the
before placing the posts in the ground. Fix the hinges to the into their pre-dug holes, using the string line and spirit level distance from the edge of the sheet to the centre of the rail. Figure 3.0
gate using the screws provided. Two hinges are required per to keep them square and plumb. Prepare the Stratco concrete
side. Fix the hinges to the SHS post, making sure the top of mix as per the details on the bag. Posts should be embedded at
the post is flush with the top of the gate. Place the assembled least 500mm into the concrete. Fill the hole with approximately OVERLAP DETAILS FOR EACH SHEETING PROFILE Superdek
gate and posts into the pre-dug holes. Gate posts should be 150mm of concrete. Using a shovel or a pole, agitate the concrete Wavelok CGI
offset 25mm from the fence posts. The fence rails run into the to remove any air pockets. Add a further 150mm and agitate
gate post with the outside face of the rail sitting flush with the again. This process should be repeated until the hole is full. Smartspan CGI Mini
outside face of the gate post. To allow for deflection under the The top of the footing will need to be smoothed with a trowel to
weight of the fence, the centre of the gate must be chocked ensure the surface slopes away from the post. No load should be Figure 3.1

up with wooden blocks, so the gate posts can be positioned applied to the footing for at least 48 hours. Maximum concrete
between 8mm and 14mm off vertical. Use a plumb line to check strength may not occur for up to 28 days, so care should be
this measurement, then concrete into place, as outlined in
Preparing the footings.
taken not to allow excessive force on the fence during this time.
HORIZONTAL FENCING
Begin by following the previous sections on how to layout your Post End Detail
Plumb fence and concrete the posts. From the centre of each post to the Use rivets to fix the capping
Line 100
mm
Final layer next, they should be no greater than 2400mm apart. Horizontal to the fence sheet.
shaped to
slope away fencing does not require any rails as the fence sheets are fixed Self tapping screws are used
500mm
Increase
8-14mm 700mm
from posts. Minimum directly to the posts. Only Superdek and Smartspan profile to fasten the fence sheets to
Footing post depth the fence posts.
depth by off vertical Minimum sheets are used.
depth 150mm layer of
100mm
concrete mix, Fixing Detail
agitated before For strength, the fence sheets should be long enough to cover Post Cap Capping
Concrete Chock up with each subsequent SHS post ends must sit flush
wooden blocks layer is poured.
three or more post spacings and should overlap by 150mm. with the top of the fence.
Position the sheets, with the overlap at the bottom. The top of
Figure 2.0 Figure 2.1 the fence sheets should sit flush with the top of the fence posts.
Install the top sheets first using 10x16mm self-drilling screws,
GATE COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES but temporarily leave the bottom fixing to allow the lower sheet
to fit under. Ensure that you lap the bottom sheet under the top Lapping Detail
sheet for a neat appearance. Continue fixing down the post. Self-tapping screws or rivets
are used to secure the lap of
the fence sheets.
Where the sheets lap, fix the lapping with 3mm rivets or
10x16mm self-drilling screws. Complete the installation by
Pad Bolt Gate Latch Striker Plate Drop Bolt Gate Latch Handle Butt Hinge installing the capping as outlined on the back page.
Figure 4.0
DESIGNING YOUR FENCE RAIL AND SHEET INSTALLATION
Accurately determine the position of the fence (in some cases Once marked, the post holes can be dug. The use of a manual
a surveyor may be required) and mark the position using a or mechanical auger is recommended, especially for harder FENCE COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
temporary string line. Using the spacing information provided clay soils. The footings should be a minimum of 700mm
in the table below, mark the position of the posts. If you are deep by 200mm in diameter for a firm natural sandy clay. For
unsure of the wind speed for your area, refer to the brochure variable soil conditions these dimensions should be increased if
titled Determining Wind Speed. You may decide to taper the considered necessary. The last three holes near a free end and
free end of a fence to help it withstand strong winds (figure 5.0). for posts supporting a gate will need to be 100mm deeper than
Alternatively the post spacings at a free end are to be reduced the standard depth.
Capping Joiner Saddle Post Cap RHS Rail SHS Post SHS Gate Post Post Extension
as indicated in the table below. 38 x 25mm 50 x 50mm 65 x65mm

String Line
FENCE POST SPACINGS PER WINDSPEED Maximum
3m intervals The rails must be attached to the pre-installed posts. Use a 250mm
Windspeed Internal Free End Tapered End
string line to position the rails. The rails are fixed to the posts 50mm
W28 3000 1500 3000 Spirit level Rail
W33 2250 1200 2250
by fitting a saddle over the rail and fixing it to each post with Post cap

W41 1500 800 1500 two self-drilling screws (figure 3.0). Fit the post caps over the
700mm Minimum depth
Figures are based on a maximum fence height of 1800mm. The free end spacings Table 1.0 end of the posts and knock into place. If you want to paint the
are required for a distance equal to twice the fence height, if the end is not tapered.
posts and rails, do this before attaching the sheets. Saddle

200mm Minimum diameter

GATE POST OPENINGS - Single Gate 865mm - Double Gate 3280mm
These are recommended measurements, check the gate widths before concreting the posts. When positioning the sheets, it will look best if the sheet Fence sheet
Figure 1.0 SHS Post
overlap is arranged to face away from the most commonly
viewed angle. The top of the sheets should sit 250mm higher SHS post
than the top of the posts. Ensure the top of the sheets are level
gate and footing installation by using a string line. Sheets are to be fixed to the rails with Rail

Please Note: To prevent possible damage to the gate in high wind weather, the drop bolt must be installed on the gate. self-drilling screws, please refer to figure 3.1 for the number Rail Attachment Detail
of screws per sheet according to the sheet profile. The screws
Installing the gates Preparing the footings are fixed through the sheet along the centre of the rail. To keep
Place the rail just under the post
All gates should be installed before the remainder of the fence If the fence has a tapered end, cut any posts involved in the taper cap and attach the saddle to the
the screws in line with each other, use a string line along the
post with self-drilling screws.
is constructed. The gate must be fixed to the SHS gate posts first (refer to Tapered End). Position and prop the SHS posts fence (see figure 6.0), or use a measuring stick that shows the
before placing the posts in the ground. Fix the hinges to the into their pre-dug holes, using the string line and spirit level distance from the edge of the sheet to the centre of the rail. Figure 3.0
gate using the screws provided. Two hinges are required per to keep them square and plumb. Prepare the Stratco concrete
side. Fix the hinges to the SHS post, making sure the top of mix as per the details on the bag. Posts should be embedded at
the post is flush with the top of the gate. Place the assembled least 500mm into the concrete. Fill the hole with approximately OVERLAP DETAILS FOR EACH SHEETING PROFILE Superdek
gate and posts into the pre-dug holes. Gate posts should be 150mm of concrete. Using a shovel or a pole, agitate the concrete Wavelok CGI
offset 25mm from the fence posts. The fence rails run into the to remove any air pockets. Add a further 150mm and agitate
gate post with the outside face of the rail sitting flush with the again. This process should be repeated until the hole is full. Smartspan CGI Mini
outside face of the gate post. To allow for deflection under the The top of the footing will need to be smoothed with a trowel to
weight of the fence, the centre of the gate must be chocked ensure the surface slopes away from the post. No load should be Figure 3.1

up with wooden blocks, so the gate posts can be positioned applied to the footing for at least 48 hours. Maximum concrete
between 8mm and 14mm off vertical. Use a plumb line to check strength may not occur for up to 28 days, so care should be
this measurement, then concrete into place, as outlined in
Preparing the footings.
taken not to allow excessive force on the fence during this time.
HORIZONTAL FENCING
Begin by following the previous sections on how to layout your Post End Detail
Plumb fence and concrete the posts. From the centre of each post to the Use rivets to fix the capping
Line 100
mm
Final layer next, they should be no greater than 2400mm apart. Horizontal to the fence sheet.
shaped to
slope away fencing does not require any rails as the fence sheets are fixed Self tapping screws are used
500mm
Increase
8-14mm 700mm
from posts. Minimum directly to the posts. Only Superdek and Smartspan profile to fasten the fence sheets to
Footing post depth the fence posts.
depth by off vertical Minimum sheets are used.
depth 150mm layer of
100mm
concrete mix, Fixing Detail
agitated before For strength, the fence sheets should be long enough to cover Post Cap Capping
Concrete Chock up with each subsequent SHS post ends must sit flush
wooden blocks layer is poured.
three or more post spacings and should overlap by 150mm. with the top of the fence.
Position the sheets, with the overlap at the bottom. The top of
Figure 2.0 Figure 2.1 the fence sheets should sit flush with the top of the fence posts.
Install the top sheets first using 10x16mm self-drilling screws,
GATE COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES but temporarily leave the bottom fixing to allow the lower sheet
to fit under. Ensure that you lap the bottom sheet under the top Lapping Detail
sheet for a neat appearance. Continue fixing down the post. Self-tapping screws or rivets
are used to secure the lap of
the fence sheets.
Where the sheets lap, fix the lapping with 3mm rivets or
10x16mm self-drilling screws. Complete the installation by
Pad Bolt Gate Latch Striker Plate Drop Bolt Gate Latch Handle Butt Hinge installing the capping as outlined on the back page.
Figure 4.0
 INSTALLATION
GUIDE
TAPERED END
If you are tapering the free end of a fence, the taper must cover a length equal to
twice the height of the fence. The end height shall be a maximum of two thirds the
height of the rest of the fence. Cut the posts to the required height and attach the
CONTACT rails to the posts following the taper. The fence sheets on the tapered end will need
to be marked and cut to the appropriate height. Avoid using an angle grinder to cut
the sheets as the swarf may stain the painted surface.
1300 165 165
Tapered length = height of the fence x 2

H
2 H

Post and Rail

3

Figure 5.0

CAPPING INSTALLATION
Fence capping is placed over the top edge of the fence sheet with the long side
of the capping facing the post and rail side of the fence. The capping is slightly
tapered to allow for overlapping. To fix the capping, drill a hole at each end where
the crest of the fence sheet meets the inside of the capping. Use either a rivet or a POST AND RAIL FENCING
self-drilling screw to fix the capping and the fence sheet together.
Stratco Post and Rail fencing is a traditional and cost effective form of fencing. Its simple design makes it the ideal choice for a DIY
project, especially on sloping sites and uneven ground. Galvanised posts and rails are combined with fence sheets that come in a
Rivet through the capping at the crest of the sheet Capping
range of different profiles, topped off with optional fence capping and a full spectrum of colours to complement any environment.

String line

BEFORE YOU START

Before beginning your fencing project, ensure you have all the correct components and tools needed to finish the job. To ensure a
Screw positions neat finish, any gates should be installed before beginning work on the rest of the fence.
when fixing the
sheet to the rail

Figure 6.0
TOOLS AND HARDWARE REQUIRED
Tape Measure
String Line

MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS Plumb Line

Spirit Level
Fencing may not be suitable within 1000 metres of a marine environment or in severe Hack-Saw
industrial or corrosive environments. It is important that dirt, compost, paving sand Tin Snips
or other materials are not placed against any Stratco steel sheeting. Zinc/Al based Rivet Gun
materials must not be used in any of these circumstances, and in particular concrete Post Hole Digger
BROCIPR
should not be poured against Zinc/Al based materials. For more information refer to Concrete Mix
Copyright March 13 01/03/13
the Selection, Use and Maintenance of Stratco Steel Products Brochure. Drill and Hex-Head Adaptor