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No Dig Fencing: An Easy DIY Alternative to Traditional Fence Installation

Valerie Albarda

By Valerie Albarda
Updated July 2, 2024

Fencing sets property boundaries, contains children and pets and adds curb appeal, but it can be costly and time consuming to install. An alternative to traditional fencing is a no dig fence. Read on to find out how you can get the look of traditional fencing without the time, effort or cost.

Skill

Beginner

Time

One Day

No dig iron fence with gate in front of white house with black shutters, columns and manicured lawn.

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

What is a No Dig Fence?

A no-dig fence refers to how the fence is installed. Traditional fences are installed and secured by excavating holes and filling them with cement. This takes a bit of time and effort. With the no dig fencing method, as the name implies, you don't need to dig unsightly holes all over the yard, and you don't have to wait hours for posts to dry in cement blocks. It's a DIY-friendly process and it doesn't require a whole lot of effort.

No Dig Fencing: The Alternative to Traditional Fencing

A black iron scrollwork fence with decorative leaves.

A no dig fence is a great alternative to a traditional fence. Choose a look that complements your home and property. Whether it’s a decorative iron fence, a dog-eared fence or a white picket fence, you can achieve the look of a traditional fence with a no dig fence and you can do it yourself in a weekend, significantly cutting down on installation time.

Installing a traditional fence is a labor-intensive process that takes time — from digging post holes to setting the posts in concrete to waiting for the concrete to dry.
With no dig fencing, there’s no need for special tools. When you DIY it, it’s just you, a hammer, a block of wood, and the fence.

Benefits of a No Dig Fence

A Zippity black iron no dig fence enclosing a patio with a man in a chair and a dog walking around.

No dig fencing isn’t a one-trick pony. There are many benefits associated with a no-dig fence.

Sturdy and Durable

No dig fencing is designed to last as long as traditional fencing in normal soil conditions.

Versatile

Who doesn’t love a fencing solution that works in so many ways? It defines property boundaries. It instantly adds elegance to walkways. It protects the swimming pool from accidents. It surrounds your wonderful vegetable or flower garden. And it comes in an array of styles and materials.

Easy to Install

With no dig fencing, installation is easy. It doesn’t require special tools, screws or materials except for items you likely already have in your tool box – a sledge hammer and a wood block. Installation consists of driving a stake in the ground and sliding a post through eyelets that connects panels.

Good to Know

If you’re having your no dig fence installed by professionals, the installation methods and materials may differ.

Easy on the Landscape

No dig fences are easy on your landscape. Traditional fence installation requires excavation — which involves tearing up the lawn by digging holes and mounds of dirt — and concrete foundation work.

Affordable

Yardlink cedar dog ear fence panel gate in front of box garden and harming cottage in background.

Overall, no dig fencing is more affordable than traditional fencing because you save on installation. No dig fencing is DIY-friendly and can be easily done in much less time, saving you time and money.

Saves Time

Because no dig fences are modular and don’t require digging or mixing concrete, they save you lots of time — cutting your installation time almost in half.

Moveable / Portable

Yardlink cedar fence panels and gate at driveway of a white house with large tree in front of home.

If you decide to move, your no dig fence can go with you. Because there are no cement-laden posts to dig up, it’s easier to remove the panels and posts and take them with you to your new home. Or you could even relocate them to different parts of your yard.

The Cons of No Dig Fences

Despite the many benefits of no dig fences, there are a few cons:

  • The fencing is a decorative option but not designed to add privacy.
  • The panels aren’t trackable so you can’t install the fencing on a significant incline.
  • No dig fences are light-duty fences — they’re not designed to contain large dogs, etc.
  • No dig fencing height is restricted to a maximum of 4 feet.

No Dig Fence Materials

Materials for no dig fences have come a long way since they were first introduced. Now, homeowners have a wide variety of materials from which to choose, including aluminum, metal, wood and vinyl.

Things to Remember Before Installing a No Dig Fence

Installing a fence is a big step for many homeowners and when it comes to adding to the curb appeal, you want to get it right. Here are some key things you should do before jumping into your project.

  • Call 811 to make sure underground utilities are clearly marked before beginning any work.
  • Assess your landscape to ensure it’s suitable for no dig fencing. No dig fences work best on flat or gently sloping land.
  • Check your local regulations or specific guidelines that may affect your project.
  • Know your budget and stick to it, especially if you have other home improvement projects in mind.
  • If you live in an area with a Home Owner’s Association, check with them for any fence restrictions or predefined fence size/type/color stipulations.
  • Remove any debris or obstacles from the area.

How to Install a No Dig Fence

Installing a no dig fence isn’t a challenging task for a DIYer to conquer. While it isn’t necessary, it might help to lay the no dig fence panels and the no dig fence posts out on the ground in the order that you plan to use them. This may help keep you on track and save time overall.

DIY Installation of a No Dig Fence

Helpful Tips to Remember

While each brand and/or model of no dig fence may differ in style, the manner of installation is essentially the same. Below are a few universal tips to help make your no dig fencing installation as seamless as possible.

A.

A gif of an iron gate closing and a pole sliding down.

If you’re installing a gate, the hinge rests on top of the base panel eyelet.

B.

A gif of iron fence closing, eyelets aligning and a post sliding down to the grass.

The right fence panel eyelets sit on top of the left fence panel eyelets. They’re both secured when a post is inserted and slid down into the stake.

C.

A gif of iron fence closing and a post sliding down to the grass.

To mark the placement of the next stake, slide a post down through a panel eyelet. This allows you to see exactly where the next stake will go without having to measure its location.

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