How to Make Your Own Vinyl Fence Replacement Slats

A chain-link fence with damaged vinyl slats can reduce the sense of privacy and security the vinyl slats are supposed to provide. But because most home improvement stores sell slats in bundles, homeowners often have to spend more than necessary to replace just a few slats. Do-it-yourselfers can avoid the expense by making inexpensive slats at home. The process is not complex; it requires only a few supplies. The amount of time necessary to complete the work depends on the number of slats you must replace. But an individual with little experience with chain-link fence slats should be able to replace one slat in less than an hour.

Vinyl sheet
Pencil
Utility knife
Electric sander or sandpaper
Cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Obtain a vinyl sheet that is the same color as the slats in the chain link fence. Vinyl sheets are available from home improvement stores.
- 2
  Extract a vinyl slat from the chain link fence. Ensure that it is in ideal condition, because you will use it as a template for the replacement slats.
- 3
  Place the vinyl sheet on a flat surface. Lay the slat on the vinyl sheet.
- 4
  Trace around the edges of the vinyl slat with a pencil. Cut along the lines with a utility knife to produce a new slat.
- 5
  Sand the edges of the new slat to remove the burr and make them smooth. You can complete the task in a short amount of time if you use an electric sander, but sandpaper is also effective. Begin with a rough grade of sandpaper, such as 100-grit, and change to progressively finer grades until the edges are as smooth as you wish. Wipe the dust off the slats with cloth.
- 6
  Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the number of slats you need to replace.
- 7
  Weave the new slats through the holes in the chain link fence, in the same direction as the original slats. Replace the slat you used as a template.

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