Learn how to install the new Vista horizontal cedar fence at Lowes and transform your yard!
We recently installed the new Vista fence at Lowes and it turned out beautifully! This sleek, modern take on a traditional temporary fence is such a refreshing alternative when looking to update your yard fence. With the prices of nearly everything soaring due to inflation, we were looking for a way to upgrade our landscaping without breaking the bank. We didn't want to wait months to hire a contractor to install a fence so when we found this DIY fence that also looked great--we were sold! One quick search on Pinterest reveals that horizontal fences are very in style right now and the black color looks great against a lighter colored house to add some contrast! We also think it will weather nicely, too.
In just a few easy steps, we'll show you how to install this front yard fencing around your home so you too can update your landscaping without having to hire a contractor or digs holes for cement! If you're unsure of how many panels or posts you'll need for your project--you can get a rough estimate using the brand's fence calculator on their website!
What You'll Need:
Sledgehammer (not required but helps if ground is not soft)
Rubber Mallet
Cloth
Screwdriver
Step 1: Layout Panels, Posts and Gate
First, you will want to layout your panels and posts flat on the ground to ensure everything fits properly and you have enough panels for your project's length. Make sure to start with the gate first, then work your way out on either side so your gate is centered exactly where you want it. Also, make sure to double check where your sprinkler lines are if you have an irrigation system so you don't puncture any lines. We turned out sprinklers on to makes sure that we didn't hit anything.
Step 2: Unscrew Spike from Post + Install
Next, unscrew the spike from the bottom of the post and discard the screws. The spike and post are only assembled together for packaging purposes so you don't need the screws. And this will make installing the post much simpler by only having to hammer in the short spike and not damage the top of the post. Next, hold up a fence panel where you want it to go and slide a post through the eyelets on the side. Press the fence post into the grass to make an indentation so you know where to hammer in the spike.
Then, using a sledgehammer or block of wood with a hammer, hammer the spike into the ground. A sledgehammer works best if you have really hard ground, but is not required. We have very soft soil in South Carolina so a rubber mallet worked fine. Hammer in the spike until the top wings of the spike are flush with the ground.
Step 3: Connect Panels with Post
Once your spike is installed, hold two panels together, hovering over the spike and connect the panels by threading the post through the eyelets on each side. Gently push the post all the way down so it goes into the spike's top. Repeat this step all the way down your fence line until complete. Then, with a rubber mallet, go back to each post and gently tap the top on the post further into the ground to give the fence more stability. We recommend doing this step last because once a post is hammered all the way in--it can make installing other sides more difficult and off balance.
And there you have it! A stunning modern fence installed without the costs of a contractor or expensive building tools! For more DIY projects, visit our Home Section.