Fentec VISTAWALL User manual

A STEPBYSTEP GUIDE TO INSTALLING YOUR FENCE
GATES & FENCES
VISTAWALL
INSTALL ATION
GUIDE - SLAT

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0800 002 725 |fentec.co.nz
Thank you for choosing
Fentec Aluminium range.
This product will provide
you with many years of
trouble free protection if
installed in accordance with
the directions outlined in
this document.
This guide does not apply to
any fences over 1.8m in height.
If your fence is greater that
1.8m, please seek further advice
from Fentec.
Describe your site details when
ordering materials.
Identify your soil type/ground
conditions. Refer to the table in
Tape Measure
Spade
Shovel
Level
String Line
Concrete
Powered
Auger - 300mm
diamenter
Hacksaw or
powered metal
cutting saw
Laser-level
Safety Boots
Gloves
Helmet
Eye Protection
Hearing Protection
Sun Protection
-Make sure you choose the
right tools before start installing
your fence.
TOOLS LIST
It is recommended that the reader
pays particular attention to those items
identified as IMPORTANT in this manual to
ensure satisfactory long-term performance.
Step 2. This will determine the
concrete and footing details
required.
Make sure you are aware of
underground services before
you start digging! These could
be gas, electricity, or water
mains. Call your local council
for more information.
Check your local council
regulations on boundary
fencing.
Check the delivered material
for the correct number of
components and general
condition before beginning
your installation.
The recommendations detailed
in this guide are formulated
along the lines of good building
practice. They are not intended
to be an exhaustive statement
of all the relevant data.
If you have any questions,
please contact our Technical
Team on 0800 002 725. We are
always happy to help in any way
we can.
TOOLS OPTIONAL SAFETY GEAR
minimum required
INTRODUCTION
BEFORE YOU START, READ THIS
IMPORTANT

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COMPONENTS LIST
100 X 16 x 1780mm Slat
30 X 30 Slat channel
Channel cover clip
Channel ends caps, left & right
18mm Slat spacer
Tek screws
30 X 30 Slat channel
Tek screws
100 X 16 x 1780mm Slat
Conversion kit components
To change the orientation of your fence
65 X 65 in-ground post
65 X 65 flanged post
Plastic knock in cap
Aluminium post cap
These items below are
not included but one
type of post and cap are
required for installation.
Required for this product

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STEP 1 - LAYOUT YOUR FENCE-LINE
STEP 2 - DIG POST HOLES
A STEPBYSTEP GUIDE TO INSTALLATION
MARKING OUT YOUR POST HOLES
Determine and mark any legal boundaries and/or
underground services.
Dig post holes using hand tools and/or a powered auger. See Tables A & B for required post-hole dimensions
and depths
Panel Length Post Size POST
CENTRE
+
+ =
=
e.g.
Measure out each fence-line and mark the post
positions.
Determine post centres as follows:
If the fenceline length does not work out as
multiples of the standard panel length - adjust
the length of the last section, or the last few
sections, to suit and cut panels to fit.
Use a string line or laser-level to make sure
any straight lines are aligned.
Standard ‘post centre to post centre’ guide
The table above allows you to work out what your post centres will be. If you have 1780mm slat [allowing
for 10mm either side of the channel] and you are using 65x65mm posts, then you will have an 1865mm post
centre to post centre This also shows the in-between measurements, should you be fitting your slat
between posts other than a 65x65mm profile, i.e, timber posts or concrete blocks
1800mm 65mm 1865mm
Recommended footing depths listed in this table are for wind regions A & B, plus terrain categories 2.0, 2.5 & 3.
If you are building your fence in a cyclonic wind area, on top of a hill, adjacent to an escarpent, on a ridge or in terrain
category 1, you will need engineering advice beyond the scope of this publication
Required post-hole depth into firm
earth or clay
Wall Height Post hole depth
900mm 450mm
1200mm 550mm
1500mm 600mm
1800mm 600mm
Notes:
For higher walls, you will need engineering advice beyond the scope of this
publication
The diameter of your holes should be large enough to have a minimum of
75mm clearance around the post
Please note that 1800mm is the standard height. Heights lower than
1800mm can be done using these components, with wastage.

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STEP 3 - INSTALLING THE POSTS IN GROUND
Place the post into the hole and set the height carefully using a tape measure, or preferably a laser level.
CAUTION: Ensure you allow enough height on the post to allow for: panel height + ground clearance
(suggest 50-100mm) + additional 25mm for bracket and cap clearance.
Fill the hole with concrete around the post taking care not to keep the post in the correct position.
Check with a spirit-level regularly to ensure the post is plumb.
Ensure the post remains square to the fenceline and does not turn as you lace concrete around it.
Repeat Steps 3.1 to 3.4 for all posts.
Set the spacing of the posts at the length of the panel, plus approx 5mm clearance (as per STEP 1).
TIP: cut a spacer-stick out of timber at the correct length between posts. The panel brackets are 30mm
deep – so this allows for some adjustment if required (except where a PS1 is required).
NOTES:
For standard 65x65 aluminium posts, a fairly dry concrete mix can be used which will hold the post in place
without any bracing while the concrete dries. However, the site must be re-visited before concrete sets firm to
recheck post alignment and correct if required.
Any heavier posts (e.g. gate posts) should be concreted in place and braced until the concrete is dry.
If the fenceline follows any contours in the land or the fenceline is curved, regularly check the height of the
posts as you work down the line to ensure a good visual line along the top of the fence.
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
SHS Aluminium 65x65x2.0
Slope top of concrete to allow
water to drain away from the post
Concrete 17.5MPA min
“Good ground”
100kPa Allowable bearing Min 500mm
100mm
Min 600mm
300mm dia
or 250x250mm square
Ground level
INGROUND POST:
FAP6519 65x65x1900mm
FAP6522 65x65x2200mm
FAP6525 65x65x2500mm
FAP1025 100x100x2500mm
(Post sizes are dependent on
the application and design
requirements)
*Posts to be installed in ‘good
ground’ as defined by NZS3604

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Fixings:
(indicative)
In concrete: 4 x M12 HILTI HST
stud anchos or similar with min
70mm embedment.
In timber: 4 x 12mm
coachscrews with min 120mm
embedment.
STEP 4 - INSTALLING POSTS, BOLT-DOWN OPTION
Ensure the surface you are bolting the post to is firm, level, and clean. (See Figure below)
Fix the posts in place with four fixings of the correct type for the situation.
4.1
4.2
BOLT-DOWN POST:
FAF6513 65x65x1300mm
FAF6519 65x65x1900mm
(Post sizes are dependent
on the application and
design requirements)
Fully Welded around 4 sides
of post
125.0mm
89.0mm
18.0mm
50mm
SHS Aluminium 65x65x2.0
Flange 125x125x5
125.0mm
125.0mm

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STEP 5 - SLAT CHANNEL INSTALLATION
If your channels are not the desired length then these will need to be cut, ideally, with a dropsaw to obtain a clean
cut without heating the aluminium to a point that it burns the powdercoating.
With the use of a tape measure, string line/chalk line, or if you have access to a laser level, you can mark the
heights of the top of your slat channel on your posts.
Note: If your site has sloping ground it may be required to step your fence from bay to bay. Once a height has
been established for all of your channels, with the tek screws supplied, screw your channel directly to your post
whilst keeping the top of your channel at the marks you have made on your post
Your screws should be approximately 300-400mm apart down the length of your channel.
Slat cavity
Post
Slat screw
port
Cover clip
Note:
Make sure the post is elevated 10mm higher
than the channel to allow for a post cap
the slat channel is asymmetrical.
To ensure your fence aesthetically looks
correct, make sure the ‘screw port side’ is all
facing the same direction (generally on the
inside of your property looks best).
Attach slat channel to
post by screwing through
the slat cavity
5.1

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STEP 5 - SLAT CHANNEL INSTALLATION CONT.
5.2 Fitting Slats
See vertical conversion guide on pg 10 to change the orientation of your fence.
Depending on the height of your slat wall and the number of slats you have, these factors will determine the
slat spacings required for your fence. Typically with the full use of this fence, the 100mm x 16mm slat we would
work on 1 slat per 118mm, thus giving you a 18mm gap between each slat.
If you are doing a lower height than 1800mm or using custom spacings, you will need to divide the height of
your wall into the number of slats you have to obtain the spacings for each slat.
E.g. 1500mm high wall with 12 slats = 125mm spacings (25mm between each slat)
Two methods can be used to set your slats out.
• The first is to use the spacer provided which is fixed at 18mm and clips into the channel between each slat
and fix each slat individually through the side of the slat channel every 118mm.
• The second is to cut your own spacer blocks (can be from anything, Wood or Plastic) and once the first slat
has been screwed in place the spacers will be used to separate the slats from one to the next, at your own
custom spacings.
One screw per slat is all
that is required
Post to be 10mm higher
for the post cap
Note: It is important to maintain both parallel and
level within each bay. This will ensure a straight
looking fence. This can be achieved by using a tape
measure to check for the ‘parallel’ with either the
top of the channel or your starting point.
Important: We do not recommend the slats be
fitted with less than 5mm gaps between each slat.
This may cause capillary action and cause corrosion
to the slat system.

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Insert channel cover clip and channel caps
Once all your slats have been assembled you can now
install the “Cover Clip”to the channel to hide all visible
fixings.
Make sure the cover clip is the same length as your
“Slat Channel” then you are ready to go.
The easiest way to do this is to use either a rubber
mallet or the rubber handle of your hammer. Insert
one edge of the cover clip into the channel then with
the rubber mallet/hammer handle from either the top
or bottom, Tap the other edge firmly, this will clip it
into place. Work your way to the other end until it is all
secured in place.
One all the slats have been installed, we have an
optional cap to cover the profile of the slat channel.
These consist of a left and right hand cap.
Caps are just inserted onto the top of the channel.
Cover clip hides screw
heads once fitted
Left & right
channel caps
Channel
cover clip
6.1
STEP 6 - COVER CLIP INSTALLATION
Important: It is important that the object you use to
tap the cover clip in with won’t damage the powder
coating.
Do not use the metal part of your hammer, this will
cause scratches or dents.

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VERTICAL CONVERSION GUIDE
How to Convert the orientation of your VistaWall Slat fence
Fitting bottom slat
Depending on the total width of the bay, the
maximum post width face to face is 1800mm.
Lay the additional slat horizontal and screw
fix on either end. Trim channel to the total
length of the exposed slat between posts.
Screw fix this to the top of the slat, this will
become the base of the vertical slats.
Fitting vertical slats
Starting from one side, fix one slat against one side
and work across using the 18mm spacers provided.
Tip: use a strap or similar close to the top of the
post to secure the slats prior to fitting the top cap
Fitting top cap
After fitting all the slats, place the top cap
across and screw fit to secure the fence
Slat
Post
Slat channel

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the best method to cut aluminium?
For the best results, use a drop saw with an aluminium cutting blade. This will create a clean, square cut.
A grinder is acceptable, provided you use a thin metal cutting blade to reduce the risk of burning the
powdercoat.
Can this be installed in coastal areas?
Yes, we have a 5 year warranty on our products. If you are in a coastal zone then an increase of cleaning
and maintenance will be required.
We do not recommend the product to be in direct contact with salt water.
What do I do if I have hard water?
Regular cleaning of your fence will be required to help prevent water spots from appearing. Hard water
is corrosive to the powder coating, therefore neglect will cause deterioration to your fence.
Can this be used for a balustrade?
No, currently, this has not been tested for balustrade purposes.
How do I set up my posts around angles?
You will need two posts for this. The channel system is required to be square to the posts and slats. This
can only be done with two posts side by side.
TO LEARN MORE VISIT: WWW.FENTEC.CO.NZ
This document is only intended to be a general guide, as every property and situation is different. Any installation work, including the use of power
equipment is completely the responsibility of the person(s) installing. All persons using power equipment must be trained and certified to use the
equipment and must wear all applicable personal protection gear. Fentec cannot accept any responsibility for any faulty installation or damage or
injury arising from installation work.
FENTEC’S TECHNICAL SUPPORT: 0800 002 725
CONTACT FENTEC

0800 002 725 |fentec.co.nz