Assembly and Fixing Guides

Our pieces are designed to be simple to fit. Pre-cut fixing holes are sized on each product page, and our slot-together items need no tools or welding. Screws, wall plugs and posts are not included unless the product page says so.

Before you start

  • Wear gloves: steel plate is heavy and a cut edge can still catch.

  • Check for cables and pipes with a detector before drilling any wall, and wear eye protection when drilling.

  • Use fixings that suit the surface, and exterior-grade screws outdoors.

  • Get a second person for gates, privacy screens and long toppers.

Fence toppers

Each topper has a 40 mm bottom rail with Ø8 mm pre-cut holes: five on the 1830 mm size, four on the 915 mm. Rest it on the fence top rail or posts, check it's level, and screw through each hole. In England, a fence over 2 m high including the topper, or over 1 m next to a road, usually needs planning permission.

Privacy screens and bin store screens

Privacy screens have six Ø8 mm holes in a 30 mm side frame for screwing to timber posts or battens. Bin store and oil tank screens also have six holes for posts, and two or three panels can wrap a bin store or tank. Set your posts firmly before hanging the panels.

Gates

Complete gates are fabricated and welded in our workshop on a box-section frame. Hinges and latch are not included, so choose heavy-duty ones to suit your posts or walls. Hang it on solid posts or masonry and check it swings clear before fitting the latch. Infill panels are 3 mm plate sized to weld or bolt into your own frame. See our guide to choosing and fitting a metal side gate.

Slot-together pieces

These go together by hand, with no tools or welding.

  • Fire pits: four identical side panels interlock at the corners, then the base plate tabs lock through the side slots.

  • BBQ and fire basket stand: the two legs cross-slot into an X, and the round grate sits on the four top tabs.

  • Fire bowl windbreak: four panels slot together into a square screen around a tabletop fire bowl or lantern.

  • Log store end panels: screw your own timber floor slats and back rails through the pre-cut Ø8 mm holes.

  • Garden obelisk: the two panels cross-slot at the centre, and the legs push into the soil or a large pot.

  • Wine rack: the rails tab into the plates to make a free-standing rack.

  • Fireplace screen: the two feet cross-slot onto the bottom rail.

Always use fire items on a non-flammable surface such as paving or gravel, never on decking or grass, never leave a fire unattended, and let the steel cool fully before moving or taking it apart.

Garden stakes

Push the integral spike 250 to 300 mm into firm soil. The boot scraper has twin 235 mm spikes to drive in by a back door or path.

Wall art

Tree of Life hangs from a single Ø7 mm hole. Saltmarsh Meadow has three Ø7 mm holes in its ground bar. Each swallow has one Ø5 mm hole: fit them on 10 mm stand-off spacers for a floating shadow effect.

Shelf brackets

Each bracket has two Ø6 mm holes in the wall leg and two in the top arm for screwing up into the shelf. [CONFIRM: recommended wall fixing method and screw size for the 6 mm edge-on brackets]. Fix into solid masonry or timber studs, not plasterboard alone.

House numbers and signs

Number plates, name signs and plaques have Ø6 mm holes. Cut-out numerals have two Ø5 mm countersink-ready holes each. Use stainless screws to avoid rust streaks on brick or render, and space each numeral with a paper template before drilling.

Weathervane

The wall or post bracket has four Ø8 mm holes, and the vane turns on a 12 mm spindle. [CONFIRM: weathervane kit contents and spindle fitting steps]. Leave any fixing at height to a professional.

Stuck? Email info@metalplasmacutting.co.uk or call 0151 547 1221. See also care and finishes and the Metalwork shop.