Vinyl fence is a durable, low-maintenance fence material. It typically comes in 6 ft or 8 ft lengths. Perfect if you have a fence run that is perfectly divisible by 6 or 8. But often, you need to cut a fence panel.Can vinyl fence panels be cut to size? If so, with what? And how? In this blog, we’ll discuss whether a vinyl fence panel can be cut, what to cut vinyl fence with, and how to cut vinyl fence panels.
Can vinyl fence panels be cut to size?
In general, yes - vinyl fence panels can be cut to size. Typically, cutting the width to size won’t cause problems. Cutting down the height, however, could cause installation issues. Before taking out the saw, you should ask these questions:
- Will cutting the panel void the warranty? Sometimes, cutting or modifying the fence panel in any way can void the manufacturer’s warranty. If so, you’ll need to weigh the importance of cutting the fence panel with the desire to keep the warranty.
- How does the panel attach to the posts? If the vinyl fence panel attaches to the posts by slipping into routed post holes, you won’t want to cut down the height. If you cut down the height, the rails will not match up with the placement of the holes.
- How do the pickets attach to the rails? You don’t want to cut off any special grooves or channels in the pickets that create a secure picket-to-rail connection.
What to cut vinyl fence with
We recommend using a circular saw with a fine-tooth blade to cut vinyl fence.
How to cut vinyl fence panels
- Using a tape measure, measure the length between the posts where you’ll install your vinyl fence. If the fence panel attaches to the posts using routed postholes, add a couple of inches so the rails on the panel are long enough to fit in the holes.
- Measure the length of the fence panel you want to cut and mark using a carpenter’s pencil or chalk. Be sure the mark is straight and square.
- Using a circular saw with a fine-tooth blade, cut the vinyl fence along the mark you created in step two.
- Remove any pickets that no longer fit in the panel.
- Attach the panel to the posts, following the fence panel instructions.
Note: If you shorten a vinyl fence rail that has locking tabs, install rail clips on the end of the cut side before installing.
