Aside from being used in various applications such as cars, ships and weapons, steel is also popularly used around the world as a steel fence.

A steel fence may look simple as it stands around your home or office, but this can offer great service to you. A steel fence can enhance how your yard looks, can provide security for you and your family, and can define property boundaries.  If you’re considering a fence for your property for security reasons, steel fence is a great choice.

Putting up your own steel fence may not that be expensive especially when you’re the one doing it.

Learn the procedures in building your own steel fence by following the procedures given below.
Before anything else, always secure your safety in performing this activity. Here are some reminders that you have remember before taking some real action:

• Wear protective gloves, boots, and clothing to prevent serious lacerations when handling fencing components.
• Never forget to put on protective eye wear! Sharp edges of fencing and components can cause serious eye injury.
• Coiled fencing is under tension. Stay clear of fencing when releasing strapping from coiled fencing to prevent being struck and injured by fencing components.
• Carry staples in an apron, not in your mouth.
• Stand on the opposite side of the post when tightening wire.
• Don’t rush! Do one job extra carefully and cautiously.
• Work with a partner to make the job safer and easier.

Instructions in Building Your Own Steel Fence

1.      Use stakes and twine to mark the fence perimeter. The twine is important, as having that line running between the stakes will allow you to make an easy visual check for straightness. The stakes should be driven where you intend to place your fence posts, and these should be set a uniform distance between 8 and 10 feet apart.

2.      Break your pattern to set the gate posts, if there is to be a gate. The width of the gate posts will be determined by your choice of gate, and its position will be determined by terrain or personal choice. However, try to place it in such a way as to maintain an even, orderly appearance to the fence. Using one of the existing posts already in your post-setting pattern would be ideal.

3.      Dig the post holes wherever a stake has been set. The best combination of tools for this job is a post-hole digger and a shovel. Dig all the holes to the same depth, which should be set between 24 and 30 inches.

4.      Decide whether you want to set your fence posts in compacted dirt or concrete. Start either choice by placing the steel fence post into the hole, and tapping it down 1 inch or so into the bottom of the hole to give it enough support to stand on its own while you work. Check with a level, and make any adjustments to make sure it is vertically straight. Setting the posts in concrete will give them great resistance. To do this, mix and pour the concrete into the hole to a level just a few inches from filling it. Let that set, and once the concrete hardens after 24 hours, fill in the rest of the hole with dirt. To use compacted earth, fill in the hole about 1 foot at a time, and tamp the dirt down with an iron tamping rod. Repeat this layering of tamped dirt until the hole is full.

5.      Measure the distance between your first post in the fence line down to the first corner. Check this against the available chain-link fencing (which ought to be in a roll) to make sure you have enough. It may be necessary to stop somewhere along the fence line, especially for a long fence, rather than at a corner. A measuring tape may be enough to do this, but once again, a route roller would be more helpful.

6.      Slide three bracing bands down the first post in the fence line and onto the first corner so that they are facing each other. These bands should be placed equidistant apart, with the top and bottom bands at least 4 inches from the ground and the end of the fence post. However, past that, where they are placed is up to you. The top and bottom could be the minimum 4 inches from the post ends, and the third one centered between them, or the top and bottom could be 7 inches from the ends.

7.      Stand the chain-link roll-up next to the first fence post, unroll it a little, and weave a tension bar through its first column of links. Bolt the bracing bands together so they secure the tension bar.

8.      Attach the come-a-long tool to the chain link roll, and drag the roll to unfurl down the fence line.

9.      Cut the chain-link fencing with bolt cutters upon reaching the corner post. Measure the place to cut only after pulling the fencing a little around and past the corner to achieve some tautness on the fence.

10.  Repeat Step 7 to secure the fencing to the corner post.

11.  Tie the chain-link fencing to the remaining posts along the fence line with chain-link wiring. A pair of pliers will prove handy for manipulating the thick wire.

12.  Repeat steps 5 through 11 to finish building the fence.

13.  Plug the fence posts with post caps once all the other work is finished. They may require a little tapping with a rubber mallet to make them secure, but don’t use a regular hammer.

Building a steel fence may be a long and tiring process but after all, it feels so satisfying to see your backyard with a new look and all secured. Experience the relief of having your own steel fence at your home!