Please Read Carefully Prior to Commencing Installation

Brustics brushwood panels are carefully designed and manufactured to suit a wide variety of applications. However, it is possible that in certain circumstances their application may not be suitable.

It is the sole responsibility of the person installing the panels to ensure the suitability of both the panels and the framework onto which they are being attached. No claims whatsoever can be accepted for any loss, directly or indirectly, caused by installing the panels in an unsuitable manner or location.

It is strongly recommended that you read these instructions in full before commencing installation. As with erecting any form of fence a certain level of knowledge, fitness and commonsense are required. It is the installer's responsibility to ensure they have the necessary skills to carry out the installation. Should you require assistance, we have trained operators who can answer your questions and, if required, may be able to make a site visit to provide assistance. Please note a charge is normally made for site visits.

We can also provide a full installation service, in most localities.

General Notes & Tips For Installation

1. Check boundary alignment and ensure that services will not be damaged when digging post holes. Clear site before commencing installation.
2. The distance between posts should span no more than 2 panel widths. ie - approximately 2.23m
3. For ease of handling, keep panels dry prior to installation.
4. Cutting Panels Vertically
   1. Cut top and bottom wires at required width + 20mm. Lay straight edge down panel and cut remaining wires.
   2. Turn back wires to prevent brush escaping.
   3. Reverse panel and bend at line of cut wires. This indicates where back wires should be cut, and repeat process.
5. Cutting Panels Horizontally
   1. Lay panel on firm base and accurately draw line across panel (we find blue felt-tip pen best). Ideally you should not cut panel either too close or too far from horizontal wires.
   2. Cut along line with sharp 9 1/4 inch skilsaw (smaller saws will be over loaded). Adjust depth of blade so no deeper than necessary to reduce drag (wear goggles and gloves).
6. Joining Panels. After fixing panels in position, cut and remove links at edges, straighten loops and re-loop to each other. (If wires are a little short, grip wire with pliers and tap sideways) Snip off extra wire for neatness. Push brush together to fill gaps.
7. In all cases panels must be supported clear of ground by a plinth (normally 150mm or 100x 50mm H4 Timber on its edge), fixed to the posts. If an adjoining garden is to be raised, the plinth can be deeper or raised. It is suggested where 100mm x 50mm is used, the centre of the plinth is supported underneath to prevent sagging.
8. Where ground is sloping, the panels can be racked to suit up to a 1 in 12 fall. If fall is greater, the fence will need to be stepped, extreme care needs to be taken with measurements when stepping fence.
9. Racking Panels - Hold panel upright and a little off level. Drop from a few inches on to a solid flat surface. Repeat till correct angle is attained. Note it is easier to rack the panels when they are dry.
10. Where fence line changes direction it is possible to bend the panels up to 45 degrees. This is done by cutting the panel wires on the inside corner and removing a little brushwood. This looks better than cutting and joining the panels.
11. Brush Capping (helps increase fence life) - Curve the wires to create a rounded appearance.
12. Where fixing on to timber frame we can supply 65mm staples which are driven through panel (not over horizontal wires) to just below surface of the brush, we suggest 4 staples per panel per rail.

Brustics Standard

1. Mark out and measure intended fence line (see Note A)
2. Dig post holes 200mm in diameter and 600mm deep; at approximately 2.2m centres. Set end posts back approximately 75mm from end of fence. The panels can carry past the posts. Where gradient of slope is greater than 1 in 12, it necessitates stepping the fence and the first post spacing should be 900 mm or 2000 mm centre to centre and thereafter 1100mm or 2200 mm, (i.e. 1 or 2 panel widths).
3. Brace end posts plumb and stretch lines tight top and bottom to align intermediate posts. Set posts plumb in concrete.
4. When concrete has hardened, fix timber plinth (Note F) with 100mm nails to face of posts, just above ground line. The plinth should be straight or following general lie of land. N.B. When fixing plinth, consider apperance of top of fence line, this will be parallel to the plinth line.
5. Top Rail 100mm x 50mm H3 can be nailed either on edge between the posts and flush with the front or flat on the top of the posts, leave at least 120mm below the top of the panel and framework to allow for possible future addition of a roll cap.
6. Where high winds are experienced a bottom rail is recommended, approximately 200mm above plinth.
7. Place first panel on plinth, check for plumb and staple (Note K and Diag A) through the panel (not over the horizontal panel wire) into the rail(s). Do the same with the bottom if using timber rail.
8. Place second and subsequent panels on plinth and fix in same way. Check panels for plumb as proceeding. Tie together (Note E).
9. Where a bottom rail is not used fix the bottom of the panels by driving 150mm galv. nails (see diagram D) into the plinth and wire to bottom panel wire. This prevents the panels from slipping off the plinth. It is easier to place wire in position before driving nails.
10. If you wish to cap the Brustics Standard fence, refer to Note 12 of Brustics Deluxe Instructions.

Fitting Brustics Panels To Existing Frame Or Fence

1. Ensure all posts and rails are sound and replace if necessary.
2. Follow instructions 4-10 of Brustics Standard. Existing rails may need packing out to be flush with posts.

Brustics Deluxe

1. Instead of using a timber framework, we use galvanised steel tubing. This allows us to easily cap the posts and rails to give the total brushwood appearance.
2. Mark out and measure intended fence line, refer to Note A.
3. Dig/bore post holes 200mm in diameter and 600mm deep; at approximately 2.2m centres. (See Note 2 Brustics Standard)
4. Drive end pipes (32mm diameter), in centre of holes, (pipes should be approximately 150mm longer than necessary to give some support before concreting) until top of pipe is panel height plus plinth height less 60mm above ground level. Plumb pipes, concrete, and allow to harden. N.B. If fence is not to follow the lie of the land, need to adjust this measurement to allow for variances.
5. Tightly stretch a line just above ground line between these pipes and another 100mm from top (check line for sagging) these are for line and height of remaining pipes.
6. Make a mark 100mm from top of pipes and drive in till the marks reach line.
7. Ensure pipes are plumb, concrete holes and allow to harden.
8. Fix timber plinth (Note F) to face of posts, (Diag B) using bolts or tech screws. The plinth should be parallel to top line (instruction 4).
9. Lay 15mm steel tube along tops of uprights. Check distance between top of plinth and underneath of tube is panel height less 60mm, then weld tube onto uprights; paint weld with galvanising paint.
10. Place first panel on plinth and check for plumb. At 300mm centres, pass 1.6mm wire behind top panel wire and round horizontal 15mm tube and tie tightly.
11. Place second and subsequent panels on plinth and fix in same way. Check panels for plumb as proceeding. Tie together (Note E)
    Fix the bottom of the panels by driving 150mm galvanised nails (See Diag D) into the plinth and wire to bottom panel wire. This prevents the panels from slipping off the plinth. It is easier to place wire in position before driving nails.
12. Brush Capping - After shaping (See note J), lay the sections over the top of the panels. Thread 1.6mm soft wire (under top wires and 15mm pipe) through panel and around the roll cap, and twitch tightly where brush is dense and a little looser at the ends (to obtain an even appearance). When covering posts, half caps are used and fitted in a similar way.

Brustics Border

1. Mark out and measure intended fence line (See Note A).
2. Dig post holes 200mm in diameter and 600mm deep. Spacing between posts must be exactly 2.23m or 1.115m, i.e. 2 or 1 panel widths. As you dig post holes, place posts in hole and check distance between posts using a 2.23m or 1.115m spacer. Remember corner posts need to be 100mm x 100mm - other posts can be 100mm x 75mm.
3. Brace end posts plumb and stretch lines tight, top and bottom, to align intermediate posts. Plumb remaining posts and set in concrete.
4. When concrete has hardened, fix H4 plinth (Diag C) between and in the centre of posts at ground line and straight or following lie of land (See Note F). N.B. When fixing plinth consider appearance of top of fence line. This will be parallel to plinth line.
5. Cut top of posts parallel to plinth at panel height plus 5mm.
6. Nail capping (100mm x 50mm H3 - we recommend beveling the edges to enhance appearance) on top of posts ensuring correct distance between (2230mm measured horizontally).
7. Using 50mm nails, nail 25mm x 25mm bead on edge to rear of inside of posts and underside of capping.
8. Place panels on plinth and against beads (if a tight fit a flat bar or wide chisel may be used to lever centre together).
9. Nail second set of beads to hold panels in place.
10. Fix the bottom of the panels by driving 150mm galv. nails (see Diag D) into the plinth and wire to bottom panel wire. This prevents the panels from slipping off the plinth. It is easier to place wire in position before driving nails.
11. Tie panels together (See Note E).

Bottom Placement and Fixings

Equipment Checklist

Items you may require include:

1. Post Hole Borer (or spade)
2. Spot Welder (if using steel framing)
3. Saw/Hacksaw for cutting posts/rails
4. Skilsaw - if cutting panels horizontally
5. Side Cutters
6. Pliers
7. Level
8. Wheelbarrow (somewhere to mix concrete)
9. Hammer
10. Loppers (Secateurs)

Materials Checklist

(Refer to Installation Instructions for details)