Place a string line along posts at the base level of the fence (Fig 4.1). Turn a PowerFence Bracket upside down to form the cleat position. Put this over the top of post, sliding it down the post so the base of the cleat plate is in line with the string line.

Fix off the cleat to the post with screws (Fig 4.2).

It’s best to only fix cleats one bay ahead of the bay being installed, allowing for minor adjustments as the fence is built (Fig 4.3).

With the starting cleat in place on both posts of a fence bay, the first PowerPanel can be installed.

Place the PowerPanel on the cleats and have another PowerFence Bracket ready in the normal lateral-fix position (Fig 5.1).

Slide bracket down the post and drop over the top of the first panel to temporarily lock the panel to the post and stop the panel from falling either side. There’s no need to permanently fix any lateral brackets with screws until just before installing the final post covers (Fig 5.2).

Continue to install panels along the fence using a notched trowel bed of Hebel Adhesive between the horizontal joints of all panels (Fig 5.3 & 5.4).

PowerFence can be built a single bay at a time, but it’s generally easier and faster to install each row of panels along the entire fence length at a time.

When building PowerFence a bay at a time it is important to slide both sides of the brackets on to the posts as each panel is stacked in the bay. This way the PowerFence Bracket is already in the right place for the next bay. (Fig 5.5 & 5.6).

These brackets are then simply lifted by sliding up the post and dropping over the panels as the next bay is installed (Fig 5.5 & 5.6).

For sloping ground fix the PowerFence Bracket starting cleat in the correct position to follow the sloping terrain.

The vertical step between each bay shouldn’t exceed 200mm (approx 15 degree slope).

When installing on sloping ground it’s important to follow a set sequence with each PowerFence Bracket pair ensuring the correct ‘ready’ position of a bracket for the next bay.

When climbing sloping ground, always install the lower arm bracket first, then slide the adjacent upper arm bracket down the post and leave unfixed. It can then be lifted to fit over the panel in the next ‘higher’ adjacent bay. Conversely, when descending a slope, slide the lower arm bracket over the post first and leave loose. Then drop the upper arm bracket over the panel being installed. This way, the lower arm bracket is already in position to accept the panel in the next adjacent ‘lower’ level bay.

Angle turns are achieved by embedding two posts close together at the required turn of angle and installing the panels at the splayed corner like an end bay. The two closely aligned posts are then fully covered on both sides using PowerFence Post Covers and screw fixings.

After the fence is assembled and all the panels glued together, complete all bracket connections by screw fixing the bracket arms to posts using two screws for each side.

Fix the PowerFence Post Covers over the PowerFence Bracket arms and screw fix the post covers directly to the post using the 10-24x40mm countersink head screws. Pre-drill and countersink pilot holes into the compressed fibre cement post covers prior to screw installation - so the screw heads finish flush with the post covers.

Use 150mm vertical screw spacings at all corners and end posts, and 150mm centres on other intermediate posts.

For end bays simply finish with a PowerBracket set on the PowerPanel side of the end post. Then cover all three exposed sides with PowerFence Post Covers, screw fixing the end post cover to the post at 150mm centres.

This completes the structural system for each post.

To make installation easier, pilot holes can also be drilled in the steel posts before fixing screws, using the countersunk drilled post covers as a template.

On sloping ground it may be necessary to place an additional cut section of post cover to ensure the stepped panels are completely covered.

Post covers are made from thick fibre cement, and therefore can be cut using the same diamond turbo blade on a circular saw as the Hebel PowerPanel. The post covers should be cut slowly, passing along the cut several times and increasing the cut depth of the saw by a few mm on each pass. Always use a guide fence with the saw to ensure straight neat cuts.

Note: Hearing and respiratory protection is also necessary during cutting.

There’s a variety of ways to decoratively complete PowerFence.

Panels can be easily capped and strengthened using 76 x 50 galvanised ‘U Channel’, which is placed over the top of each panel and glued into place with construction adhesive.

Ensure there is 5mm of expansion space at the ends of each capping length, as with the panels (Fig 8.1).

To finish the tops of posts, a 600 x 200 x 50mm Hebel block can be used.

Cut in half to make a 300 x 200 x 50mm cap, glue and screw fix over the post.

When fixing post caps into the Hebel panel use a 100mm, 14-10 bugle head type 17 screw.

Pre-drill the post cap, glue the post cap down with Hebel Adhesive and screw fix into place (Fig 8.2, Fig 8.3, Fig 8.4).

PowerFence can be finished using either roll on flexible exterior paints or texture coat finishes.

If a supportive galvanized panel capping has been used then no further protection along the top of the panel is required. However, if the PowerPanel itself is the top edge of the fence, Hebel recommends the top of all panels and 100mm either side of the panel from the top, be first coated with an exterior grade waterproofing compound.

This should be compatible with the final coating system. It will further protect the panel from water ingress, maximizing the life of the coating system used.