Fence and gate systems and methods for use

A method of forming a fence system comprising the steps of:

• providing upper and lower rails each comprising:
• an elongated hollow body comprising opposing longitudinally-extending first and second side wall portions and opposing longitudinally-extending upper and lower walls defining an inner cavity, an interior barrier extending between the first and second side wall portions to define a first chamber and a second chamber, where:
• a rail opening is formed in a respective one of the upper and lower walls of each of the upper and lower rails and extends into the inner cavity thereof, in which each rail opening is a slit that extends along the entire length of each of the upper and lower rails, such that portions of the respective upper or lower wall on opposing sides of the slit and extending from the first and second side wall portions of each of the upper and lower rails define first and second flaps, respectively, where the rail opening is between the first and second flaps, and
• each of the upper and lower rails is configured such that the first and second side wall portions cause inward deflection of each of the first and second flaps toward each other;
• providing a plurality of posts;
• supporting ends of the upper and lower rails on the plurality of posts;
• and
• arranging a panel insert such that:
• an upper edge portion of the panel insert extends through the rail opening and into the first chamber of the upper rail such that:
• the upper edge portion of the panel insert engages the interior barrier of the upper rail, and
• inward deflection of the first and second flaps by the first and second side wall portions of the upper rail grips the upper edge portion of the panel insert;
• and
• arranging the panel insert such that:
• a lower edge portion of the panel insert extends through the rail opening and into the first chamber of in the lower rail such that:
• the lower edge portion of the panel insert engages the interior barrier of the lower rail, and
• inward deflection of the first and second flaps by the first and second side wall portions of the lower rail grips the lower edge portion of the panel insert.

A fence system comprising:

• first and second rails, where;
• each of the first and second rails comprises:
• an elongated hollow body comprising opposing longitudinally-extending first and second side wall portions and opposing longitudinally-extending upper and lower walls defining an inner cavity,
• an interior barrier extending between the first and second side wall portions to define a first chamber and a second chamber, where:
• a rail opening is formed in a respective one of the upper and lower walls of each of the first and second rails and extends into the inner cavity thereof, in which each rail opening is a slit that extends along the entire length of each of the first and second rails, such that portions of the respective upper or lower wall on opposing sides of the slit and extending from the first and second side wall portions of each of the first and second rails define first and second flaps, respectively, where the rail opening is between the first and second flaps, where:
• each of the first and second rails is configured such that the first and second side wall portions deflect each of the first and second flaps inwardly towards each other;
• first and second posts arranged to support the first and second rails;
• and
• a panel insert;
• wherein:
• the panel insert is arranged with first and second edge portions thereof within the rail opening defined by the first and second rails, respectively, such that:
• the inward deflection of the first and second flaps by the first and second side wall portions of each of the first and second rails grips the first and second edge portions of the panel insert that extend through the rail opening and into the first chamber of each of the first and second rails, and
• the first and second edge portions of the panel insert engage the interior barriers of the first and second rails when the first and second edge portions of the panel insert are gripped by inward deflection of the first and second flaps by the first and second wall portions of the first and second rails.