If the ground is not flat, there is a tricky problem: how to install a fence on an undulating slope? Traditional fence installation methods often result in awkward gaps at the bottom of the fence. That not only affects the appearance but also may allow pets to slip away or small animals to break in. What’s more troublesome is to eliminate these gaps, land leveling or complex custom installation may be required. However, in the face of these challenges, you can choose the Rackable Fence, just like the Flat Top Rackable Fence, or the Rod Top Rackable Fence.
The Rackable Fence Panels can cleverly adapt to changes in terrain and achieve a seamless combination of fence and slope without destroying the topography. This article will explain in detail what an adjustable slope fence is, how it works, its significant advantages, common materials, applicable scenarios, and important considerations when selecting and installing it, to help you better understand and choose the product.
What is a Rackable Fence?
Rackable Fence is a specially designed fence system, the core feature is that the fence panel can adjust its angle to adapt to the slope change of the ground. It cleverly solves the problem of traditional fences on slopes. The posts of the fence can remain strictly perpendicular to the ground, while the rails and pickets connecting the posts can be tilted as a whole to keep pace with the slope of the ground. It’s mainly due to its sophisticated structural design:
Connection: The connection between the rail and the post allows a certain angle of rotation or pivoting. This means that when installed, the fence panel can swing up and down according to the slope of the ground without forced bending or cutting.
Panel: The connection method between the vertical bar and the rail inside the fence panel has also been specially processed. In some designs, the vertical bar itself can have a certain amount of movement space on the horizontal bar. When the panel is tilted, the vertical bar can remain relatively perpendicular to the ground. In other designs, the vertical bar tilts with the horizontal bar as a whole, but the overall structure allows this tilt without distortion or damage.
Difference from Stepped Fence:
To understand the rackable fence, we have to mention the stepped fence.
Stepped fence: When installed on a slope, each section of the fence board is usually installed horizontally between columns of different heights, thus forming a series of step-like visual effects as a whole. Although this method is simple, there will be an obvious triangular gap under each step, which affects the appearance and functionality.
Rackable fence: With some accessories, such as an adjustable rail bracket, it can allow the top and bottom lines of the fence board to follow the slope of the ground more smoothly. As if it is an extension of the ground contour, thereby effectively reducing or even eliminating the gap at the bottom.
Difference from Custom Sloped Fence:
Custom Sloped Fence: this usually refers to professional carpenters or metal processing masters. They accurately measure, cut, and adjust each piece of material on site according to the specific terrain to perfectly adapt to the slope. This method is time-consuming, labor-intensive, costly, and requires extremely high skills of workers.
Rackable Fence: usually a prefabricated modular system. This means that they have been designed with adjustable connection mechanisms in the factory. When installing on site, you only need to simply adjust the angle and connect according to the slope, which greatly simplifies the installation process and improves efficiency.
The main advantages of adjustable slope fence
The unique design of the rackable fence brings many significant advantages:
- The core advantage is that it can be easily installed on any undulating ground without expensive and time-consuming land leveling work, protecting the original terrain.
- Smooth lines: The top and bottom lines of the fence can better follow the contours of the ground, avoiding the abrupt and broken visual effects of stepped fences.
- Overall coordination: Make the entire fence look more unified, professional, and complete, and enhance the overall appearance value of the property.
- Reducing the gap at the bottom is one of the most important functions. By eliminating or significantly reducing the large gap at the bottom, the rackable fence can effectively prevent small pets from escaping or unwanted wild animals from entering your yard.
- Compared with slope fences that rely entirely on on-site cutting and precise customization, prefabricated rackable fences are faster to install and require relatively less professional skills from the installer.
- The workload of tedious on-site cutting, measuring, and adjustment is reduced, thus shortening the project cycle.
Common Materials for Rackable Fences
The design flexibility of rackable fences makes it suitable for a variety of common fence materials:
Aluminum: Lightweight, excellent corrosion resistance, high strength and low maintenance cost. Aluminum is easy to cast and process, which is very suitable for designing flexible joints and pivoting structures.
Vinyl/PVC (Vinyl): Durable, with a variety of color options, no need for painting, and simple maintenance. The modular nature and easy connection of vinyl fencing also make it a popular choice for manufacturing adjustable slope fencing.
Steel: Extremely strong and provides excellent security. Some Ornamental Steel Fences also have rackable functions, which are achieved through sophisticated hinge and connection designs.
It is worth noting that wooden fences can achieve similar slope adaptation effects through traditional carpentry skills. There are relatively few prefabricated, modular rackable wooden fence systems on the market. Many of these products rely more on skilled carpentry skills for on-site adjustment.
When Should You Choose a Rackable Fence?
Here are some typical situations where you should consider choosing a rackable fence:
- Your yard, garden, or property boundary has a significant and irregular slope or undulating terrain.
- Have strict requirements for the gap at the bottom of the fence. Such as for pet safety, or to prevent pests and small animals from entering.
- Need a smoother, more professional, and seamless look on your sloped fence, without the need for a staircase.
- Need a more efficient, standardized fencing solution on your sloped terrain than a fully customized one.
- Your budget allows, and you value the long-term value of the above advantages.
How to Selecting and Installing Rackable Fencing?
Although rackable fence panels simplify slope installation. There are still a few things to keep in mind when selecting and installing it:
- Measure the slope accurately: Before purchasing, be sure to accurately measure the maximum slope of your terrain. Make sure the adjustable rangeof the fence you choose can fully meet the actual slope changes of your ground.
- Manufacturer Specifications: Different brands and models of rackable fences have different parameters. Such as maximum adjustable angle, fence panel width, height, and connection method. Please carefully review the product description.
- Post-installation: Even though the fence panels can be tilted, all posts must be installed strictly vertically and buried firmly. The stability of the posts is the foundation of the stability of the entire fence system.
- DIY vs. Professional Installation: The design of the rackable fence simplifies the complexity of slope installation. It is still a wise choice to seek professional fence installation services.
Conclusion
The Rackable Fence Panel is an innovative and practical fence solution to meet slope terrain. Through its unique design, it perfectly combines functionality and aesthetics. As a professional fence manufacturer, our adjustable fence can achieve a convenient installation process. We support customized services such as size and color, providing you with both beautiful and efficient fence options.
