How to Build a Modern Privacy Fence in Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide Using HOFT Systems

Modern privacy fencing has evolved well past basic treated lumber. More Canadian homeowners (and builders) are choosing innovative aluminum and customizable systems like HOFT to create sleek, low-maintenance backyards that feel private and feel like an extension of their living space. At The Ultimate Deck Shop, we’ve helped hundreds of clients—DIYers, renovators, and pros alike—make the leap to fencing that stands up to harsh Canadian weather, ages gracefully, and never looks outdated. Below, we’ll walk step-by-step through building a modern privacy fence with HOFT systems, including hard-won tips from years of local Western Canada fencing projects.

Why Go Modern with HOFT for Your Privacy Fence?

• Lasting Canadian Durability: HOFT’s powder-coated aluminum posts and rails never rot, warp, or rust—ideal for our wild prairie winds, snow loads, and unrelenting freeze-thaw cycles.
• Effortless Customization: You can use composite, wood, or PVC boards—tightly packed for privacy or spaced for airflow—with easy-slide aluminum spacers for that crisp horizontal aesthetic.
• Simplified Installation: Pre-pierced, heavy-duty U-channels and intuitive rail kits mean even first-timers tackle pro-looking projects (no woodworking wizardry required).
• Low Maintenance, Contemporary Looks: Forget annual scraping and repainting—your HOFT structure keeps looking sharp year after year with only basic cleaning.

Step 1: Plan Like a Pro

Before the shovel ever hits the ground:

• Check Your Local By-Laws: Fence height, material types, and boundary rules all matter. In most of urban Saskatchewan and Alberta, the max rear fence height is about 6.5' (2m)—but always check with your city’s planning office.
• Mark Your Layout: Use string lines and stakes: professional results come from straight lines and good geometry. Identify where you want gates, corners, and any transitions. If you have slopes, plan for step-downs or racked panels.
• Call Before You Dig: Contact your provincial utility locate service, as all post holes must be clear of underground lines.
• Measure Carefully: HOFT’s recommended spacing is 6 feet (1.83m) post-to-post. This is critical for board lengths and for avoiding custom cuts.
• Choose Your Boards: Will you use natural wood, composite, or PVC? HOFT systems accept most deck board profiles up to about 6" wide. Composite (like Trex) offers low-maintenance longevity. Wood (such as cedar) offers natural beauty at a budget-friendly price, but does require finishing annually.

Step 2: Gather Your HOFT Fence Materials

• HOFT posts and U-channel kits (for 6’ or 8’ fence runs)
  

• Aluminum spacers (included in kits, or get extras for custom board patterns)
• Boards (composite, wood, or PVC—sourced separately based on style and maintenance preference)
• Gate kit if required
  

• Concrete mix (about two 60lb bags per post in most soils)
• Drainage gravel
• Power drill/screwdriver and Torx bits
• Basic tools: level, tape measure, string line, shovel, wheelbarrow, and stakes for layout
• Optional: Shelves, hooks, or other stylish HOFT accessories
  

Step 3: Post Installation—Critical to Success

• Mark Out: Re-check your lines and mark post locations at precise 6’ (centre-to-centre) intervals for best fit.
• Dig Your Holes: In the Prairies and much of Canada, dig at least 36” deep and 8”–12” wide to avoid frost heave.
• Gravel for Drainage: Drop 4–6" of gravel in each hole before setting posts. This helps prevent moisture from pooling at the post base.
• Set and Plumb Posts: Stand your HOFT post in the hole, brace it straight with a level, then fill the hole with premixed concrete. Check plumb on two axes. Secure until set (24–48 hours depending on temps). Repeat for all posts.
• Pro Tip: Don’t rush this step; uneven posts—however slight—throw off modern fence lines dramatically.

Step 4: Installing Rails, Boards, & Spacers

• U-Channel Rails: Attach the pre-pierced HOFT U-channels to each post using included screws or recommended fasteners. These channels securely hold your fence boards.
• Slide in Boards & Spacers: Starting from the bottom, slide your chosen boards horizontally between posts. Boards can be wood, composite, or PVC. Insert a spacer (included) between each board for consistent, modern gaps—usually 1/2” standard. This gives that high-end architectural flair and helps with airflow.
• Custom Touch: Want closer board spacing for ultimate privacy, or thinner boards for a lighter feel? Use extra spacers as needed.
• Top Cap: Once the final board and spacer are in, finish your section by snapping the HOFT top rail into place for a clean edge.
• Repeat: Continue section by section until your fence line is complete.

Step 5: Adding a Modern Gate

• Select Your Spot: Leave a full panel width for gate installation.
• Frame with the HOFT Gate Kit: This ensures your gate aligns seamlessly with your modern horizontal lines.
• Install the Kit: Frame your boards, attach hinges to both the gate and the adjacent post, and install the latch. A 1/2–3/4” gap allows for swing and seasonal expansion. Use at least two heavy-duty hinges and a secure latch—double check for plumb and swing clearance.

Step 6: Accessorizing Your Modern Fence

The right accessories elevate your fence from merely functional to backyard showpiece. Here are our favourites:

• Hooks for planters, string lights, or tools
• Outdoor shelves for drinks, candles, or art
• Rail fillers for a seamless finish or irregular height transitions

Step 7: Maintenance—Engineered for Easy Living

• Aluminum Components: Just hose down or use mild detergent as needed. That’s it—no rust, no rotting, and no restaining.
• Composite or PVC Boards: Also maintenance-free except for seasonal cleaning for dust/debris.
• Wood Boards: To maximize lifespan, seal or stain annually—otherwise let them silver out naturally for a rustic-modern effect.

Materials Checklist (All in One Place)

• HOFT Privacy Posts and U-Channels (8’ or 6’ panels)
• Spacers (included, plus extras if needed)
• Boards (wood/composite/PVC, sourced for your style and maintenance goals)
• Concrete Mix and Drainage Gravel
• Torx bits, drill, shovel, string line, level, wheelbarrow
• Optional: HOFT gate kit, accessories

Our Advice for Canadian DIYers & Builders

• Don’t try to go it alone if you’re unsure—our team at The Ultimate Deck Shop offers free 1:1 design advice, pro tips for post setting in tough soils, and help calculating your board requirements (and avoiding waste).
• If your project spans a tight timeline, or you want a hand with just the trickiest bits (like mastering the perfect gate), ask about our Assisted DIY service or referrals to the best local fencing pros.
• Modern HOFT fences add real home value and year-round function—and they’re a project you’ll still love in every season, for years to come.

To see all our in-stock HOFT kits, matching boards, gate solutions, and modern accessories, browse our HOFT privacy fence section online or ask us for a free personalized quote and planning session. Serving all of Canada from our Saskatchewan locations—because your backyard deserves the best.