Assembly & care guide: Portable Picket Panel

6 ft × 2 ft 8 in (180 × 82 cm)

For PVC feet and Heavy Duty Steel Mounts.

Start the guide

Printed guide: SF-PORT-01 · Edition 1.1 · January 2026

White Portable Picket Fence Panel standing on two standard PVC feet in a garden.
Standard PVC-foot model

This guide from Simple Fencing shows how to assemble the 6 ft × 2 ft 8 in Portable Picket Fence Panel on PVC feet or Heavy Duty Steel Mounts in five steps: fit the uprights to the bases, fit the rails, slide in the pickets, join panels for a straight run, and fit the rail caps. Plastic straight connectors are included; the Metal Connector Bracket Set for corners is sold separately. A single panel skips Step 4.

Page updated .

Before you start

You will need

  • Check your parts and work on a clean, level surface. Have a tape measure ready.
  • For PVC feet, use a cordless drill/driver with a bit that matches the supplied screws. Use only fixings supplied or approved by Simple Fencing.
  • For the rail caps, have PVC cement or a weatherproof adhesive suitable for rigid PVC to hand. Adhesive is not supplied.

Joining panels? Every panel includes plastic connectors for straight runs. For corners and angled layouts, use the optional Metal Connector Bracket Set.

Parts and dimensions

Model P-PRT-PIC-STR-180X82

Front elevation of the twelve-picket panel on standard PVC feet.
Front view · 1800 mm (71 in) rail length
Plan view showing both PVC feet extending across the panel at right angles.
Top view · 500 mm (20 in) support feet
Size guide: the Portable Picket Panel on standard PVC feet is 180 cm (6 ft nominal) wide and 82 cm (2 ft 8 in) high, shown beside silhouettes of a 183 cm adult, a 168 cm adult and a 124 cm child.
Size guide · 180 × 82 cm on standard PVC feet, next to a 183 cm adult, a 168 cm adult and a 124 cm child
Main components for both models
ComponentProfileLengthQty
Top rail (double-slotted)50 × 88 mm1800 mm (71 in)1
Bottom rail (single-slotted)50 × 88 mm1800 mm (71 in)1
Picket with pre-glued pointed top22 × 76 mm686 mm (27 in)12
Vertical upright50 × 88 mm785 mm (31 in)2

Inch equivalents are rounded to the nearest inch.

Base components

PVC base
2 PVC base feet, each 50 × 88 mm and 500 mm (20 in) long.
Heavy Duty Steel Mounts
2 steel upright inserts and 2 heavy-duty straight base plates.

Fittings

Both models
6 rail caps per standalone panel. Use 2 plastic connectors per straight joint.
PVC feet only
2 foot brackets, 4 self-drilling screws (2 per base) and 4 foot end covers.

Assembly

Start with the bases supplied with your panel. For a standalone panel, go straight from Step 3 to Step 5.

Which steps do you need?

  • One panel on its own: Steps 1, 2, 3 and 5.
  • A straight run: Steps 1 to 5 (plastic connectors are included).
  • Corners or angles: Steps 1, 2, 3 and 5, joining the panels with the Metal Connector Bracket Set (two connector pairs per joint, sold separately).

Watch the assembly

Short studio animations with no sound. Each step is captioned in the picture; the same captions are written out under each video.

On PVC feet · 29 seconds
Read the captions
  1. Seat each upright in its pre-assembled PVC foot.
  2. Fit the double-slotted top rail.
  3. Fit the single-slotted bottom rail with slots facing up.
  4. Slide all 12 pickets into the lower rail.
  5. Cap both upright tops and all four exposed rail ends.
  6. We recommend PVC cement or weatherproof adhesive for rigid PVC. Adhesive is not supplied.
On Heavy Duty Steel Mounts · 44 seconds
Read the captions
  1. Align the holes in the insert and the steel base plate.
  2. Pass both bolts up through the plate and insert.
  3. Tighten both nuts at the foot of the insert.
  4. Slide an upright over each steel insert.
  5. Fit the double-slotted top rail through both uprights.
  6. Slide the lower rail under the crosspiece, slots facing up. The rail locks the stand.
  7. Slide all 12 pickets through the top rail and into the lower rail.
  8. Fit two upright-top covers and four caps to the exposed rail ends.
  9. Use PVC cement or weatherproof adhesive suitable for rigid PVC. Glue is not supplied.
  10. Check both bases sit flat.
Step 1

Fit the uprights to the bases

PVC feet

Centre a bracket on each foot with the long side of the socket running along the foot. Fix each bracket to its foot with two supplied self-drilling screws per PVC base. Fit the foot end covers, then seat one upright in each bracket.

Heavy Duty Steel Mounts

Stand both base plates on a firm, level surface. Fit one upright to each steel insert. The mounts lock in place once both rails are fitted in Step 2.

Set the rail caps and adhesive aside for Step 5.

Two separate uprights seated in their PVC feet before the rails are fitted.
Uprights on PVC feet · front view
The bracket is centred, with its socket running lengthways along the PVC foot.
PVC foot bracket · top view
Step 2

Fit the rails to form the frame

Slide the double-slotted rail through the upper openings in both uprights. With its slots facing upwards, slide the single-slotted rail through the lower openings.

Align the picket openings and check that both bases sit flat at right angles to the rails.

The empty frame stands on its feet, with both rails running through both uprights.
Assembled frame on PVC feet · front view
Step 3

Slide the pickets into the rails

Feed the plain end of each picket down through the top rail and into the matching opening in the bottom rail. Seat all 12 pickets so their tops line up.

If a picket feels tight, check that the openings line up.

Downward arrows show two pointed-top pickets sliding into the rails beside ten seated pickets.
Picket insertion · front view
Step 4

Join panels for a straight run (optional)

Align the rails of adjoining panels. Use one plastic connector between the top rail ends and another between the bottom rail ends.

Keep these joints free of adhesive so you can separate the panels later.

Two finished picket sections meeting end to end at their top and bottom rails.
Straight joint · front view
Step 5

Fit the rail caps

Once a standalone panel is assembled, fit all six rail caps: one on each upright top and one on each of the four horizontal rail ends.

For a joined run, cap both upright tops on every panel and only the exposed rail ends.

Rail cap adhesive. We recommend PVC cement or a weatherproof adhesive suitable for rigid PVC. Adhesive is not supplied. Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions, then complete the checks before use.

Six arrows mark the two upright tops and the four horizontal rail ends on a standalone panel.
Six cap positions · standalone panel

Connectors and Heavy Duty mounts

Plastic straight connectors are included. These two products are available separately.

White hook-and-eye brackets fitted to the upper and lower rails of two panels at an angle.

Metal Connector Bracket Set for Portable Picket Fence Panels

Hook-and-eye connector pairs join adjoining rails for corners and angled layouts. They fit both Simple Fencing 6 ft Portable Picket Fence Panel models in this guide.

Each joint needs two connector pairs, one at the top rail and one at the bottom. Order one Double Set or two Single Sets per joint.

Technical details of the hooked pin and slotted eye in one connector pair.
View metal connectors
Portable Picket Fence Panel with both low-profile steel base plates visible on grass.

Portable Picket Fence Panel with Heavy Duty Steel Mounts

This complete 6 ft × 2 ft 8 in panel has two heavy-duty steel stands for increased stability.

The 5 mm steel base plates sit close to the ground. Use a firm, level surface and keep base edges clear of walking routes.

View the Heavy Duty panel

Checks, care and support

Check before every use

Repeat these checks whenever you move or reassemble the fence.

  • Stable footing. Both feet or bases should sit flat. Reposition any panel that rocks or moves.
  • Secure connections. Check each upright at its base, along with any screws and rail connectors.
  • Finished ends. Check the rail caps on the upright tops and the exposed rail ends. On PVC feet, check the foot end covers too.
  • Clear routes. Keep projecting feet and base edges clear of walkways, entrances and exits.

Use with care

Use the fence as a visual boundary. It cannot serve as a load-bearing safety barrier. Do not climb, sit or lean on it. If wind or movement makes a panel unstable, take it out of use and contact Simple Fencing about suitable stabilisation.

Clean, move and store

Wash with mild soapy water and rinse. Disconnect joined panels before moving them. Support the frame and feet when lifting. Never pull or drag panels by their pickets. Use protective padding when stacking and keep small fittings together.

Need help?

Have your order number ready. If you email, include a photo of the part or connection.

03333 222 050 info@simplefencing.co.uk

View the Portable Picket Fence Panel

Installing a permanent vinyl fence instead? Read our DIY installation guide.

Questions about the Portable Picket Fence Panel

Which tools do I need to assemble the panel?

A tape measure and a clean, level surface. For PVC feet, a cordless drill/driver with a bit that matches the supplied screws. For the rail caps, PVC cement or a weatherproof adhesive suitable for rigid PVC — adhesive is not supplied. Use only fixings supplied or approved by Simple Fencing.

Do I need the metal brackets for a straight run?

No. Every panel includes plastic connectors for straight runs: fit one between the top rail ends and one between the bottom rail ends, and keep those joints free of adhesive so the panels can be separated later.

How do I join panels at a corner or an angle?

Use the Metal Connector Bracket Set, sold separately. Its hook-and-eye connector pairs join adjoining rails. Each joint needs two pairs, one at the top rail and one at the bottom, so order one Double Set or two Single Sets per joint.

Is the Portable Picket Fence Panel a safety barrier?

No. Use it as a visual boundary. It cannot serve as a load-bearing safety barrier, so do not climb, sit or lean on it. If wind or movement makes a panel unstable, take it out of use and contact Simple Fencing about suitable stabilisation.

How do I clean, move and store the panels?

Wash with mild soapy water and rinse. Disconnect joined panels before moving them, support the frame and feet when lifting, and never pull or drag panels by their pickets. Use protective padding when stacking and keep small fittings together.

Plan your run

Working out how many panels you need? Lay out your run in the Fence Planner, or browse the portable and temporary fencing collection.