Natures Composites Santa Fe User manual

Santa Fe & Mesa Fence 6’ X 6’
Installation Instructions (also for 4’ and 8’ high)
BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
• Verify location of underground utilities before you dig!
• Locate property lines.
• Review local and regional building codes, regulations and zon-
ing laws which may affect your fence.
• Obtain all necessary permits as required by local building codes
Tape Measure
Stakes
String Line
Spray Paint
Post Hole Digger & Shovel
Wheel Barrow
Level
Drill with 3/16” Nut Driver
9/16” End Wrench
9/16” Socket
Miter Saw
Metal Cut-Off Saw
The Santa Fe and Mesa Fence’s versatile, modular design allows for a multitude of configurations suita-
ble for flat, sloping and uneven terrain.
TOOLS REQUIRED:
Step Configuration
Slope Configuration
Variable Height Configuration

PARTS LIST Every Santa Fe and Mesa fence kit comes standard with the following components.
POSTS
2 PCS
TOP RAIL
1 PC
FENCE BOARDS
7 PCS SANTA FE 4 FT
11 PCS SANTA FE 6 T
15 PCS SANTA FE 8 FT
12 PCS MESA
3/8”-16 LOCK-NUT
4 PCS for 6 ft tall
6 PCS for 8 ft tall
3/8”-16 X 1/2” BOLT
4 PCS for 6 ft tall
6 PCS for 8 ft tall
SELF DRILLING SCREW
2 PCS
TOP CAP
1 PC
BOTTOM BRACKET
2 PCS
CHANNEL NUT
2 PCS
3/8”-16 X 1” BOLT
2 PCS
BOTTOM RAIL
1 PC

LAY OUT FENCE LOCATON
 Using stakes and string line mark location of fence according to design. When installing next to property boundary
make sure to position as to not encroach onto adjacent property.
 Mark location of gates, corners and remaining fence posts. Posts should be located no wider than 72” (6 feet)
from center of post to center of post.
When laying out post locations you may end up with a non-uniform section at the end. To prevent this and cre-
ate a uniform fence, we recommend spacing all sections at equal lengths. To do this, measure the total length
of the line of fence you are working on in feet. Divide this measurement by 6 feet and round that number up to
the next whole integer. This number is the number of equal sized sections. Now divide your total length of the
line of fence by the equal section number just calculated. The result will be the distance of your post spacing.
* Installer should consult with local building standards for proper footing size.
INSTALLATION DOS AND DON’TS
Before installation always store fencing materials on a flat surface in a dry location. Don’t allow packaged
materials to be rained on, snowed on or exposed to water.
Don't use hammer or other tools to install composites fence boards.
Do allow for proper air flow under your installed fence.
Don’t allow bottom rails, brackets or fence board to set directly on ground.
Don’t plug the holes in the bottom rail or do anything that would prevent moisture from
draining out of these rails.
Don’t install fence in a location where it is submersed in water.
Don’t expose fence and composite fence boards to open flames or place in close proximity
with heat sources.
Do always install fence with the recommended gaps defined in the installation instructions.
It is recommended when installing on a hot day, greater than 90º F, the smaller recommended gap should
be used. When installing on a cold day, less than 90º F, the larger recommended gap should be used.
72” MAX
or as calculated per above
68 3/4” MAX
BETWEEN INSIDE OF POSTS
72” MAX
or as calculated per above
72” MAX
or as calculated per above
68 3/4” MAX
BETWEEN INSIDE OF POSTS
68 3/4” MAX
BETWEEN INSIDE OF POSTS
93” for 8’ Panel
69” for 6’ Panel
45” for 4’ Panel
24”
(ø12”)*

2 “
POST INSTALLATION
 Dig post holes in locations determined earlier. The recommend hole size is shown in figure above; however, installer should
consult with local and region building codes for proper post footer design.
 Each six-foot panel requires a post at each end. The posts with an adjacent panel must be bolted together before the posts
are set in concrete. Mate each adjacent post to each other, making certain to adjust for step, corner, tee and variable height
configurations. Corner posts must be bolted at right angles to each other. T– Posts, where three sections of fence come to-
gether, require three posts, with the center post bolted at right angles to the outside posts. For both the corner and t-posts
you will have to drill matching holes into the face without any holes. Do this by aligning the post with holes on the face of the
other post you wish to drill. Using a ø7/16” drill bit and the post with holes as a pattern, drill through the face of the post.
Fasten each pair of posts together using the provided 1/2” long bolts and nuts, using four (4) bolts, equally spaced along the
length of the posts for the 4 foot and 6 foot high fences and six (6) bolts, equally spaced for the 8 foot high fences.
3. Verify proper hole depth is achieved by placing post in hole and make sure the
post extends the proper distance above the ground level. It may be necessary to
add or remove dirt from the hole to obtain the proper height.
 Once proper hole depth is achieved, place post in hole and align open channel of
post in the direction of fence. Fill the hole with concrete to approximately 2” be-
low grade level to flush with ground surface. Before concrete sets, be sure to
plumb, level, and align the post.
 Allow the concrete to properly cure in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions before proceeding to the next step.
Corner Post
Step Post
Line Post
BOTTOM RAIL
1. Measure distance between the 2 opposing vertical
mounted steel channel posts at the bottom where the bottom bracket is
positioned.
2. Cut Bottom Rail steel channel to the measured distance minus 1/8”.
* Note the Bottom Rail is the one with slots cut in it *
3. Install Bottom Rail into bottom brackets with the open part of the C-
channel facing upwards
BOTTOM BRACKET
1. Using the 3/8”-16 X 1” hex bolt and channel nut attach
bottom bracket to the vertical channel as shown. Posi-
tion the bottom bracket so that the cup is 2” above the
ground.
2. Firmly tighten bottom bracket in place.
T-Post
93” for 8’ Panel
69” for 6’ Panel
45” for 4’ Panel

FENCE BOARD INSTALLATION
Santa Fe
1. Fence boards come pre-cut to the maximum post spacing size.
However, if your installation requires post spacing shorter than
72” (six feet) or your fence board/post gap fails to meet the
minimum gap distance you will need to cut the fence boards to
the correct length. Measure the distance between the insides
of the C-channel of the two post you are installing the section
of the fence boards into. Cut the fence boards to 1/2” to 3/4”
shorter than the distance you just measured in order to main-
tain a 1/4” to 3/8” gap between each end of the fence board
and in the inside of each post.
2. Install Santa Fe Boards with the tongue of the fence board facing up and the
groove in the fence board facing down. Hold the fence board at an angle and in-
sert one end into the channel of a post. Then rotate the other end of the fence
board down until it slides into the channel of the other post. Push the first fence
board down until it comes to rest in the Bottom Channel.
3. Install the remaining fence boards, pressing each groove onto the previous
board’s tongue.
DO NOT USE A HAMMER TO FORCE THE FENCE BOARDS INTO POSITION,
AS IT MAY DAMAGE THE COMPOSITE FENCE BOARDS!
1/4” to 3/8” Gap
at both ends
Tongue
UP
TOO HIGH TOO LOW
Adjust Bottom
Bracket
4. On Santa Fe Fences, the last board may extend above the top of the post, or be too far below the top of the post. If
this happens, simply adjust the Bottom Rail Brackets to achieve the correct alignment .
5. With the top board on the Santa Fe Fence, you will need to cut a relief notch in the
fence boards as shown in both corners. Do this by removing the top board. Cut the
relief notch as shown then reinstall. This is so the top picket is free to naturally expand
and contract within the channels and is not bond by the screws used to attach the Top
Cap.
3”
1”

Mesa
1. The first Mesa Fence board needs to have a relief cut made to allow for
expansion and contraction. To do this, cut only the first board 1” shorter
then the distance from the Bottom Rail to the top of the post.
2. Install the first Mesa Fence boards with the groove of the first board in-
side the post channel and the tongue facing outwards. Press the board
into the channel firmly until it stops.
Tongue
Groove
1”
3. Install the remaining fence boards, pressing the groove onto the
previous’ boards tongue firmly and down into the Bottom Rail
channel. In most cases the fence boards for the Mesa fence
will be too long and need to be cut to the proper length so
that the top of the fence board is flush with the top of the
vertical posts as shown.
4. The last board may need to be rip cut to properly fit and obtain
a 1/2” to 3/4” gap between the edge of the picket and the inside
wall of the vertical post.
5. With the last fence board you will also need to cut a relief for
expansion and contraction as shown. Depending on your post
spacing you may need to extend the relief cut into the board
prior.
6. Finish by sliding last fence board down into position.
1/2” - 3/4”
Gap
Rip Cut as
required
3”
1”
TOP RAIL AND TOP CAP INSTALLATION
Complete construction of the fence panel by installing the Top Rail and Top Cap
by first sliding Top Rail onto top of fence boards. If distance between posts is dif-
ferent then the Top Rail may need to be cut by measuring the distance between
inside of vertical posts and cutting the Top Rail this distance minus 1/8”. Then in-
stall the Top Cap over the top of the posts and Top Rails. Position the Top Cap by
centering on post so that the cap extends onto the Top Rails equally on both sides
of the post. Fasten the Top Cap with self-drilling screws drilled into the Top Rails.
1302 Industrial Park Avenue
Torrington, WY 82240
307-532-9942 Tel
307-532-9943 Fax
877-810-4029 Toll Free
www.naturescomposites.com
Natures Composites’ products are manufactured in the U.S.A. and distributed through retail and wholesale channels throughout the United States, Canada,
Mexico and Europe. Learn more about Natures Composites and our products by visiting www.naturescomposites.com