How to extend Colorbond fence and install gate?

Question

I would like to extend my colorbond fence in my front garden. I have one half height panel which I would like to relocate to the end of the new row of panels. I'd like to remove and reuse a panel and put a colorbond gate in its place either side attached to house and fenceline. The fence will be installed on to a limestone wall. Please could I get some advice on tools and techniques to do this?

Many thanks!

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @DIYH,

It might come up in conversation, but whilst having a chat with the council, it would be best to enquire as to whether there are any restrictions on front fences in your area. Your fence finishes at the same place as your neighbours, which might indicate there is a required setback and that you can not build a front fence.

Where I live, a front fence can not be above 1200mm once it passes the front of the house.

Mitchell

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @DIYH,

It looks like your retaining wall is fairly tall, which means there's a good chance it had engineering documents submitted when it was installed. The first thing I'd be doing in your situation is contacting my local council to see what they require as modifying your fence will increase the loading on the retaining wall outside of its initial design.

Considering the original posts were installed by coring and then concreting them in, I'd say you need to do the same. Simply bolting to the limestone is unlikely to be sufficient to resist the lateral forces that will be applied to your fence from wind. For this reason, I'd say you need to get in touch with a fencing contractor or builder for their assistance with this one.

Reusing the panels is definitely achievable. It would just be a case of unscrewing and relocating them.

The main issue is the posts and how they are mounted, so as long as you get that part correct, the rest is more or less what is shown in the aforementioned articles.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, don't jesitate to ask.

Jacob

DIYH · Answer

Thanks for the feedback Jacob, I hadn't expected such a quick response! Here's are the photos. As you can see most of the fence extension I would like will be attached to this limestone wall and extended down to the end of the driveway. The corner panel is where I'd like to exchange it for a gate or panel/gate combo .

I'm not sure if it'll be easier to attach with some sort of mount rather than core drilling, or could I use some long bolts along the wall?

I'd Iike to reuse the corner panel and the half height panel within my extension to save money.

Much appreciated!

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