When purchasing a fence, one must remember that panels are just one part of the equation. To ensure your fencing project is a success, you need to consider several other components. 

This guide is not intended to be an authoritative source about exactly what you should order for your specific fence. These are general guidelines, but every property and project is different. You should use our Fence Builder program to generate a more reliable product purchasing plan for your project, and if you have ANY questions, you should call or email our staff.

In this blog, we’ll outline the essential parts you need to buy alongside your panels, using an example project of an 80-foot Chesapeake vinyl fence with a single gate. 

Planning Your Panels

The first step in your fencing project is determining the total length of your planned fence. This measurement will help you calculate the number of panels you need. For our example, we’re working with an 80-foot vinyl fence. Here’s how you can determine the right number of panels:
Measure the total length: For our example, it’s 80 feet.

Panel length: Each Chesapeake vinyl fence panel can be 8-feet- or 6-feet-wide, but for this example, we will assume you’re interested in the 6-feet-wide variety.

Calculate the number of panels

When figuring out your panel count/line post count you subtract the gate first. For example, 80 feet of fence minus a 4-foot wide gate would equal 76 feet of paneling. 

Divide the total length, minus the gate widths, by the panel length. The center of the post to the center of the next post with a panel in between is 6ft in total. Even though the spec sheets show the panels are slightly smaller, you will divide your lineal footage by the finish total of 6ft. In our example, 76 ÷ 6 = about 13 panels. It’s best to round up to ensure you have enough, so you need 14 panels.

Extra panels: We recommend buying at least one or two extra panels to account for any cutting mistakes or future repairs. For our example, let’s add one extra panel, making it a total of 15 panels.

End Posts

End posts are required at the start and end of your fence, and for this style of fence, on either side of any gates. For our example, when we assume the gate is cleanly placed between two panel sections:

• Start and end of the fence: 2 end posts.
• Gate posts: Since the gate is between two panels, you need an additional 2 end posts.
• Total end posts: 4 end posts.

The gate's hinge side needs support: You must insert an aluminum insert into every end post where the hinges will be mounted. Using wood instead of the aluminum insert or steel pipe will void the warranty. 

If the gate starts or ends the fence: Instead of an end post, you will use 1 blank post and 3 end posts. 

If the gate makes a corner: You will still use end posts and just rotate the open side of the end post 90° away from the gate.

Line and Corner Posts

Line posts are used to continue the fence in a straight line, while corner posts are used when the fence turns a 90° corner. The general rule is to have a total of one fewer line and/or corner posts than the number of panels. However, our example assumes the gate will be placed between two complete panels. If your plan calls for cutting panels to fit the gate in between irregularly-sized panels, then you would not subtract 1 line post.

For our example:

• Number of panels not including extras: 14 panels.
• Subtract one: 14- 1 = 13 posts.
• Adjust for end posts at the gate: Since we have 2 extra end posts for the gate, we need to reduce the number of line posts by 2.
• Total line and/or corner posts: 11 posts.

Gate Hinges and Latch

Every gate requires hinges and a latch to function properly and to help protect it from weather. At Fencing Direct, gate hinges are included with the gate purchase. Here’s what you need:

• Gate hinges: 2 hinges (included with gate purchase at Fencing Direct).
• Gate latch: 1 latch.

Post Caps

All posts, whether they are line, corner, end posts, or blank posts, require post caps to protect them from weather and give a finished look. In our example:

• Total posts: 15 posts (4 end posts + 11 line or corner posts).

Example Summary

To summarize, for an 80-foot Chesapeake vinyl fence with a single 4-foot gate, you would need:

• Panels: 14 panels (13 for the fence, 1 extra).
• End posts: 4 end posts.
• Line or corner posts: 11 posts.
• Gate post inserts: 1 for every post holding hinge or as extra support for high winds areas.
• Gate hinges: Included with gate purchase.
• Gate latch: 1 latch.
• Post caps: 15 post caps.

Utilize Fencing Direct's Fence Builder Program

Fencing Direct offers a Fence Builder program to make your planning even easier. This user-friendly tool allows homeowners to visually plot out their fence and generate a detailed quote that includes everything needed for the project. By using the Fence Builder program, you can ensure that no essential parts are overlooked and that you receive an accurate estimate of the total cost. This tool takes the guesswork out of planning, making it easier for you to purchase exactly what you need to build your fence without any surprises.

By planning your purchase with these additional components, you ensure that your fencing project will proceed smoothly without unexpected delays or additional shipping costs for forgotten parts. At Fencing Direct, we’re here to help you with all your fencing needs, ensuring you have everything necessary to complete your project efficiently and effectively. We have staff ready to assist you with making sure your purchase is correct; all you need to do is call or email us.