Need to build a half wall/ fence need some ideas…

[mudski]

…on starting it.
I have to get a half wall/ barrier/ fence whatever built at the end of my paving. I know what I want just how to start it has got me puzzled.


The design I have in my head is to use four upright posts, Cypress 90mm square, two at either end then two in the centre evenly spaced, run timber long ways to connect all four, then a wide length of timber along the top, say 150mm wide or so. Then use Colourbond steel paneling to fill in the gap.
My issue is how to mount the posts. I’m thinking using these…


But how to bolt them down without damaging the concrete sleeper and sandstone paving, being so close to the edge.


Any ideas?

Thanks.


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[Cremulator]

I am not a builder, but I would consider lifting one of the sandstone pavers and sinking the post down 600mm next to the inside of the concrete retaining wall.
It should be strong and the finish would look good with the sandstone notched out around the post.

[mudski]

I am not a builder, but I would consider lifting one of the sandstone pavers and sinking the post down 600mm next to the inside of the concrete retaining wall.
It should be strong and the finish would look good with the sandstone notched out around the post.

I thought of that but there 75mm on concrete under the paver. The bracket I have posted a pic of, this would be sitting half on the sleeper and half on the paver. As I want the colorbond to hang down slightly lower than paving so water can't get under and being so close to the edge of both my concern is if I drill into either I will crack them.

[Cremulator]

(and when I say one, I mean all the posts you need for the railing).
I would be concerned about the lateral leverage on the post bracket if it's just bolted to the concrete retaining wall.

[Cremulator]

I thought of that but there 75mm on concrete under the paver. The bracket I have posted a pic of, this would be sitting half on the sleeper and half on the paver. As I want the colorbond to hang down slightly lower than paving so water can't get under.

Ah ok, maybe you could bolt the post bracket to the concrete under the paver?
I dunno. I'm out of my depth here

[mudski]

Ah ok, maybe you could bolt the post bracket to the concrete under the paver?
I dunno. I'm out of my depth here

Yeah getting close to being out of my depth of knowledge on this too. The bracket will be sitting half on both sleeper and paver so, being so close to the edge of both my concern is if I drill into either I will crack them.
I though of welding an extension from the sleeper posts so there is some lateral strength happening there. The end posts will be secured to the house an pergola post.


Once I get these brackets sorted the rest will be fairly straight forward.

[Cremulator]

Ok, makes sense. That sounds like it will be sturdy being fixed at both ends, but you're right, drilling into both concrete and sandstone close to the edge will be a concern.

[MB]

Far from a Builder meself @mudski Mate but if near crumbling masonry potential edges, chemical anchors after careful tile water lubricated drilling and vibration hammering once through the pretty stuff could hopefully work?
Expansion masonary type bolts are horrible near edges, chemical anchoring compounds of say allthread are available stronger than what they’re binding too…generally MPA wise


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[Cuppa]

I reckon you should have put brackets in before laying the pavers. Maybe you'll need to lift pavers & bolt some stirrups (or brackets) to the concrete & possibly need to cut the pavers around the bracket, or cut circular holes in the pavers & then fill the hole around the stirrup with concrete up to the level of the top of the pavers? The bottom of the post will then sit just above the paver with no risk of rotting out over time. I reckon having the stirrups on the edging would look look naff. You could use a mix of rectangular (rather than square) posts (ie 90 x ??) & if needed to get the aesthetic balance right either some thicker battens to attach the Colorbond too, or spacers attached to the posts to attach the battens to.

screenshot_1365.jpg

Crap drawing but hopefully you get what I mean. I'm sure there are plenty of alternatives but this is what I came up with. Just that I wouldn't choose to bolt to the pavers. I suppose you could drill right through the pavers into the concrete & use longer bolts? It'd be easier than what I've drawn.

screenshot_1367.jpg

[Hodge]

Way out of my knowledge depth here Mark.
But how about "somehow" utilizing those H retaining posts. Somehow extending them upwards. Neatly attaching a bracket of some type from the outside of the wall, upwards and then securing the fence to those?
I googled H retaining post extension and a few options popped up... Example below.
Just brainstorming here.


Screenshot 2022-10-13 070316.png