Derby Fence is made for quick and easy installation with very few tools required! Follow our fence installation instructions for a smooth, secure, and professional-looking setup from start to finish.

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Fence Installation Overview

Thank you for purchasing your Derby Fence. Before starting your installation, be sure to check local codes and permit requirements. Also, contact your local utility companies to check for underground utilities, such as electrical, plumbing, or cable.

Derby Fence does not do installation. However, we are happy to be a resource for installers throughout the process and help troubleshoot any installation questions. Please contact Derby Fence for any additional installation instructions.

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What Fence Installers Need to Know
Required Tools
  • 4 ft. Level
  • Post Level
  • Mallet or Hammer
  • Tape Measure
  • Pliers 
  • Shovel
  • Post Digger
  • Marking Paint or Chalk
  • Saw
  • Bent Long Nose Pliers
Shipping & Unloading
  • Orders are shipped via flatbed trailer.
  • Forklift will be needed to unload truck.
  • Pallets are 16 feet long (same length as rails), and we typically load rails onto the flatbed trailer first on the bottom and post pallets are stacked on top of them.
  • Post caps, post cap clips, rail buttons, and hardware and also included with each order as required and packed separately in cartons.

Fence Post Installation
  • Derby Fence recommends that all posts be set in concrete.
  • Let posts sit for at least 24 hours before installing rails.

Gates
  • Derby Fence posts aren’t designed to support gate loads, so we don’t supply gates directly.
  • For compatible gates, we recommend Uni-Latch, a trusted partner. Contact: Mike Tanner – sales@unilatch.com | 800-883-5865
  • Mention Derby Fence for correct rail spacing and color. Uni-Latch gates include matching colors and steel hinge/latch posts.

No Pre-Drilling Necessary
  • Screws, nails, and staples can be used to fasten HDPE with screw retention better than wood.
Step-by-Step Derby Fence Installation Instructions
  • Start by laying out your fence line with stakes and string, keeping the string as low to the ground as possible without distorting the straight line. Avoid tall grass and weeds. 
  • Mark your post locations, making sure that ALL posts are 8’ centers. This is critical for proper fence assembly. Hole diameter should be 8” or 9” in diameter and depth depends on code, soil type, and finished fence height. Posts need to be PLUMB and SQUARE to one another for proper installation.

  • Dig post holes. Remove string line without moving stakes. Using auger or post hole digger to dig down to proper depth while staying as plumb as possible. Repeat for every post location. Re-run line on original stakes 8” to 12” from highest point of ground.

  • Set all posts as you would a typical wooden fence, placing dirt, gravel, or concrete (preferably) around the outside of the post. Make sure all posts are PLUMB to insure proper installation. Make sure proper post is in hole (end, corner, in-line, etc.).

  • Derby Fence recommends that all posts be set in concrete. Concrete should come up to 3” to 6” below ground level. Work concrete into hole by shaking post. Plumb and square posts then fill rest of hole with dirt. Let posts sit for at least 24 hours before installing rails

  • Clean concrete off posts with water. 
  • Run rails in a staggered pattern, using 16’ top and bottom rails, and 8’ middle rails as shown in the drawings. Leave a 1” minimum breathing space between rail ends for expansion. Do not butt rails together. Use button clips to secure rails to posts.
ITEM NUMBERDESCRIPTION
1FENCE POST
216 FT RAIL
38 FT RAIL
4POST CAP
5CAP CLIPS
6SPRING BUTTON CLIPS
  • Install caps using cap clips as shown on the drawings. Screwing caps using self-tapping screws is an alternate solution to make sure your caps stay on the posts during acts of nature.
ITEM NUMBERDESCRIPTION
1FENCE POST
216 FT RAIL
38 FT RAIL
4POST CAP
5CAP CLIPS
6SPRING BUTTON CLIPS
Derby Fence Installation Tips
PRO TIP

With the darker colors, during the heat of the day you can expect to see an 8’ rail bow out around 1” to 2”, however, it will return again once the sun has shifted away from direct exposure. This is a natural movement inherent in the plastic material and will not affect the performance of a properly installed fence. A 16’ rail will not be as severe due to being contained in the center post.

We recommend, for the 8’ rail sections, that you insert a 3⁄4” thick wall conduit or rip with the grain a 3/4” plank to 1” wide strips and or a 1” galvanized electrical conduit to accomplish the same task if that deflection is a visual concern.

PRO TIP

Occasionally, you might have posts centered either smaller or larger than the standard lengths due to the property layout. In such cases, you would need to cut the rail length 1/2″ shorter than the center-to-center distance to compensate for expansion and drill two 7/16″ holes through the rail to insert the spring button clip.

Derby Fence Installation Figures

FIG 1

  1. Spring Button Clip
  2. Needle Nose Pliers
  3. Rail

FIG 2

Use bent needle nose pliers to install spring button clips in the end of fence rails.

FIG 3

FIG 4

FIG 5

Press buttons in and slide rail into post. Install button clips after rails are slid through middle post.

FIG 6

Attach four cap slips in center of cap legs with three tooth leg facing towards you to engage post.

FIG 7

Place cap on top of post and tap cap down until flush with top of post.

Derby Fence Post Configurations

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Have Questions About Derby Fence Installation? Contact Us Today!

Call us today at 1.847.680.1550 or use the email contact form below to request information or get a quote from Derby Fence. All fields must be filled in to submit form. Please include your address if you would like more information mailed to you. We look forward to working with you!