How to Put Metal Fencing on Top of Block Pavers?
Putting metal fencing on top of block pavers is a great way to add character and privacy to your yard. Unlike wood fences, which can rot and fall off at the ground, a fence built with metal posts can last decades. Here’s how to put one up:
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Install Fence Posts with Base Plates
If you’re putting up your fence on a concrete slab, it’s best to mount the posts directly into the concrete, rather than using the standard flange/deck mount. To do this, you’ll need to use metal base plates that are welded onto the bottom of each post. These plates have holes that allow you to install drilled concrete anchor bolts to securely hold the posts in place.
Choose the Right Type of Fence
There are several types of metal fences to consider, depending on your style and what you want it to look like. There are traditional styles, which work in any landscape; there are also modern options that evoke wrought iron or even traditional Americana.
Vertical Metal Fencing
For a minimalist aesthetic, a vertical metal fence might be your best choice, with a simple flat rail and slender, evenly-spaced pickets. They’re usually made of aluminum or steel, and come in a wide range of colors and textures. Some have details, like post caps and points, that draw attention to the pickets. Others have orbs, which were a sign of hospitality in early America and are often found on fences in front of Colonial homes.
Another popular option is a decorative metal fence, with a variety of patterns and shapes. You’ll find many styles available at home improvement stores. These fences can be painted to match your existing decor or used as a blank slate for creative design.
If you don’t have the time to DIY, hire a professional who can handle the job. He’ll have the tools and experience necessary to assemble your fence, as well as the expertise to install it on a solid concrete slab.
When installing a metal fence on a concrete surface, you’ll need to make sure that the posts aren’t too close to the edge of the surface, so they won’t pop out of the side of the concrete. It’s also important to avoid putting too much pressure on the fence post, as this can cause it to crack.
For added security, you can use T-posts or tee posts to hold the fence in place. They’re usually anchored with anchor plates at the bottom of each T-post, and they face either inward or outward to prevent livestock or predators from entering the fence.
Once you’ve installed the T-posts, you can finish the job with decorative fencing panels. Ameristar’s Montage rackable tubular-steel panel is a popular option, but you can also opt for simple vertical fence panels, stepping them down a slope.
Pavers can be a tricky surface to work with, but they’re generally more stable than other options such as wood or masonry. However, if you’re putting something that requires a high degree of stability over the pavers, you may need to remove some of them, install a footing or other support, and then reinstall them.
