About this calculator
Panels, posts and gates for a steel palisade or ClearVu (358 mesh) security fence.
How it’s calculated
Panels = (fence length − gate widths) ÷ panel width, rounded up. Posts = panels + 1, plus one extra per gate. Palisade panels are commonly 3.0 m × 1.8 m on 76 × 76 mm posts 2.4 m long (Cashbuild). ClearVu panel widths vary by supplier, so enter the width you are quoted.
Worked example
With these inputs:
- Fence length
- 30 m
- Fence height
- 1.8 m
- Style
- Palisade (steel)
- Panel width (post to post)
- 3 m
- Gates
- 1
- Gate width
- 0.9 m
the result is:
- Panels and posts
- 12 posts
- Panels
- 10
- Posts (incl. gate posts)
- 12
Tips from the trade
- Set the end and corner posts first, then string a line for the rest.
- Check where your boundary pegs are and what your municipality allows for boundary fences and walls before you build. Ask about buried cables and pipes before digging.
- Pool fences have their own rules; check them first.
- Gate posts take more load: go bigger and deeper.
Common questions
How many palisade panels do I need?
Take off the gate widths, divide the fence length by the panel width (commonly 3.0 m) and round up. You need one more post than panels, plus one more for each gate.
Results are estimates for planning and pricing. Check quantities against your drawings, the manufacturer’s data and SANS 10400 (the National Building Regulations) and your local municipality before ordering.