When it comes to installing a vinyl fence, a common question many homeowners ask is, "Can a vinyl fence be cut to size?" The answer is a resounding yes. Vinyl fences are meant to be cut to size, although we only recommend attempting the simplest method of sizing a fence. The “Remainder” method is used to cut only the last panel down to size to account for the difference between the length of the panel and the last bit of planned length of the fence. The “Proportional” method of panel cutting is difficult and can cause a lot of material waste, and we recommend it should be done by a professional contractor.
Why Would You Cut a Vinyl Fence?
Adjusting to Fence Length Requirements
Often, the panels you order may not match the total length of your desired fence line perfectly. When that happens, you should cut the final panel at the end. This approach ensures that only one panel is shorter than the rest.
Since this is a common scenario, we suggest ordering extra material at checkout. This accounts for any potential mistakes and is more cost-effective than paying high shipping costs for additional small orders to replace panels if you accidentally cut your materials incorrectly.
Accommodating Sloped Yards
If your yard slopes, you might need to adjust how the panels fit into the rails. This is known as "stepping" the fence to conform to the terrain. It involves buying end posts or blank posts and cutting new holes for the rails to fit into the posts to reposition the panels accordingly.
Alternatively, vinyl brackets are available for purchase and can be used instead of cutting new holes into your posts.
Surface Mounting
If you are surface mounting a vinyl fence on a ground patio or around a pool deck, cutting the posts will be necessary. We have a handy guide on how to properly surface mount our vinyl posts.
Potential Challenges in Cutting Your Vinyl Fence
Size Variations
A typical challenge for DIYers is the size discrepancy between the total length of the fence and the total length of all the materials.
A 6-foot fence panel isn't exactly 6 feet due to the way the material slots into the post. Measurements of a panel are from the center of the first post to the center of the next post. So with two posts, one 6ft panel covers 6ft of fencing. When you cut rails down to make a shorter panel, you must ensure there's an additional one and a half inches on each side of your rail for it to properly fit in the post.
Aluminum and Steel Inserts
Some panels, especially 8-foot ones, come with metal inserts within the rails. These are often mandated by local regulations, particularly for the bottom rail. If your panels have these inserts, you'll need to cut them to size along with the rail itself.
