D.I.Y. corrugated iron feature wall

D.I.Y. corrugated iron feature wall

Michelle, Team member
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Project Overview

You can transform a tired looking, old fence by building a corrugated iron feature wall. This easy-to-follow guide tells you what tools and equipment you need to add some style to your backyard.
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man smoothing a metal edge
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How to smooth metal edges

When you cut metal with a hacksaw or an angle grinder, you are sometimes left with burrs on the face of the cut. A quick way to clean these up is to rub the metal along a hard, rough surface like a brick or a concrete slab. A metal file will do a better job, but this works well.

Step by Step Instructions

1 Measure and mark for your feature wall
2 Lay a string line
3 Dig the holes for your post
4 Sink the posts
5 Attach the plinth board
6 Mark where the rails will go
7 Notch out the channel for your rails
8 Attach the rails
9 Build the box frames
10 Attach the corrugated sheeting to the box frames
11 Attach the box frames to the rails and posts
12 Finished project

  • Step 1. Measure and mark for your feature wall

    The first thing to do is work out where you want your corrugated metal feature wall to go and how long it will be. Once you’ve worked that out, measure the distance and mark it out on the ground using spray paint.

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    person measuring and marking the position of feature wall

  • Step 2. Lay a string line

    To make sure your feature wall is straight, lay a string line to mark where your post holes will be. This will ensure that they are straight and level.

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    lay a string line

  • Step 3. Dig the holes for your post

    Use the post hole pincer shovel or the long handle shovel to dig the holes for your post. To make it easier to keep the posts at the same level, dig the holes to the same depth.

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    person digging holes for the feature wall posts

  • Step 4. Sink the posts

    You’ll need to get someone to help you with this part of the project. Insert the post into its hole and use the spirit level to make sure it’s straight. Pour the quick set concrete into the hole and add water. Stir the mixture with the crowbar and wait for it to set. Repeat this process to sink the other posts.

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    person sinking the post by adding water

  • Step 5. Attach the plinth board

    The base for the corrugated metal fence is called a plinth and it should sit just above the ground. Ask someone to help put the plinth into position. Use the spirit level to make sure it’s square, then attach it to the post using the nail gun.

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    person attaching plinth board with nail gun

  • Step 6. Mark where the rails will go

    The rails give the frame for your corrugated fence strength and also somewhere to attach the box frames. Measure and mark where you want your rails to go on each post. Make sure they are evenly spaced on the posts and are the correct width for your rails.

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    Mark where the rails will go

  • Step 7. Notch out the channel for your rails

    Use the circular saw to cut along the lines for the rails. Use a chisel and hammer to chip the timber away from the posts. Repeat this on all of the posts for all of the rails.

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    person using circular saw to notch out channels for rails

  • Step 8. Attach the rails

    Place the rails into the channels that you cut into the post. Use the nail gun to secure them. Repeat this until all the rails are in place.

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    person attaching the rails with a nail gun

  • Step 9. Build the box frames

    The box frames need to be attached to the corrugated metal before you can secure it to the rails and posts. Using the pre-cut timber and the nail gun, build as many box frames as you need for your corrugated metal fence.

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    Person attaching box frames

  • Step 10. Attach the corrugated sheeting to the box frames

    Corrugated metal sheets have sharp edges, so it’s best to wear protective gloves when working with it. Using a cordless drill and the galvanised screws, attach the corrugated metal sheets to the box frames. It’s better to use too many screws than not enough when you attach the sheets. Also make sure the corrugated sheeting has an overhang on one side. This is so that when it’s attached to the post, the sheeting has a continuous flow.

    Previous Step Next Step
    person attaching corrugating sheeting using a cordless drill

  • Step 11. Attach the box frames to the rails and posts

    For the final stage you’ll need someone to help you to carry and put the box frames in place. Starting at one side, place the box frames on the plinth.
    Once it’s straight, use the cordless drill to secure the frames to the rails and posts. Once again it’s best to use too many screws than not enough. Repeat this until all of your corrugated metal sheets are in place.
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    Persons attaching box frames in place

  • Step 12. Finished project

    Your corrugated iron feature wall is now complete.

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    final step

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Bucket
  • Chisel
  • Circular saw or handsaw
  • Crowbar
  • Earmuffs or earplugs
  • Hammer
  • Impact drill and bits
  • Long handle shovel
  • Measuring tape
  • Nail gun
  • Pencil
  • Permanent marker
  • Post hole pincer shovel
  • Protective gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Set square
  • Spirit level

Materials

  • 640mm x 2.4m corrugated sheeting x 6
  • 125mm x 75mm x 3.6m cyprus pine posts x 3
  • 70mm x 35mm x 2.4m treated pine
  • 150mm x 25mm x 3.6m treated pine plinths x 2
  • 75mm x 32mm x 3.6m treated pine rails x 3
  • 30mm button head galvanised timber screws
  • 75mm galvanised nails
  • Quick set concrete
  • String line
  • Spray paint
  • Steel posts x 2

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