How to Install an Aluminum Fence: 5 Steps Your Professional Will Follow
Sep 22, 2025
Considering the installation of an aluminum fence around your house? You've made an excellent decision. Aluminum fencing provides the ideal mix of durability, minimal maintenance, and aesthetics that most property owners can only dream of. This is especially true when comparing different fences in the Chicago area, where weather extremes demand the most resilient options.
Although this is not a project for the typical homeowner to undertake themselves, a working knowledge of how to install an aluminum fence can prepare you for the task and allow you to understand what to anticipate from the professionals at Fenceworks.
Professional fence contractors take a methodical approach to guarantee your aluminum fence installation has been completed properly and will last for years to come. The following are the five major steps Fenceworks will take to change your property for the better:
1. Planning and Layout
Professional installers start with careful planning prior to undertaking any digging. Your installer will measure along the perimeter of where the fence will be installed and mark the exact location for each fence post. This step involves checking property lines, finding any underground utilities, and spotting slopes or uneven terrain.
The design involves selecting the appropriate fence height and style that matches your property and also adheres to any local ordinance or homeowners association regulations. The structure needs adequate post spacing, typically six to eight feet apart, depending on your specific fence style.
2. Setting Posts
Once the layout is established, the installers begin to install fence posts. This involves digging post holes two to three feet deep, as per your fence height and frost line depths in your location. Aluminum fencing installers use power tools to ensure each hole is the correct depth and width.
The posts are then secured and concrete or gravel is used to set them, depending on your local building codes and the type of soil. All the posts must be plumb and aligned with neighboring posts for your fence to look professional and also function correctly. This step requires the time to allow the concrete to set before proceeding.
3. Installing Rails
With the posts securely in place, your contractor will fix the horizontal rails that span each post. The rails are the backbone of your aluminum fence system and must be level and properly aligned. Professional contractors use brackets and hardware that are made for aluminum fencing to provide a secure fix.
The number of rails depends on your fence height and design. Two or three horizontal rails are the norm for most home aluminum fences. Each rail is cut to size to fit between posts for neat lines and a completed appearance.
4. Adding Pickets
The pickets are the part that provides your aluminum fence with its unique look and serve as the main barrier component. Each picket is fastened to the horizontal rails by contractors using manufacturer-recommended fasteners. Even picket spacing is required for form and function.
This is something that takes attention to detail so that each picket is exactly vertical and evenly spaced. Professional installers employ special tools and methods to ensure even spacing along the full length of fence, especially on uneven or sloping ground.
5. Final Adjustments
The final step is to do any adjustments as needed and perform a final inspection of the completed installation. Your contractor will tighten any connections, make sure gates swing correctly, and the entire fence is structurally sound.
Any slight spacing or alignment corrections are done here. The installer then cleans up the work area and takes away any remaining materials, leaving you with your new aluminum fence.
Investment in Long-Term Value
Professional aluminum fence installers at Fenceworks deliver long-term value for your property. Where wooden fences need to be stained or painted on an ongoing basis, aluminum fencing continues to look great with very little upkeep. Professional installation means your fence is constructed to endure weather and everyday use for decades to come.
With these five steps of installation in mind for professionals, you can recognize the expertise involved in the installation of aluminum fences and have a peaceful night's sleep with your investment.
