Posted by Kristen Fugere on Thu, May 31, 2012 @ 02:06 PM
Deciding between vinyl (PVC) and ornamental aluminum fence can be difficult for the average buyer. Several factors must be taken under consideration before making a well informed selection. These aspects are: desired level of privacy, perimeter security needed, ongoing fence maintenance, gate configuration, fence cost, and fence color selection.
Privacy:
When it comes to privacy, vinyl fence pulls ahead. With fence heights reaching up to 6’ or 8’ and its solid state, vinyl is perfect for back yard fence, pool enclosures, perimeter fencing, and dumpster or mechanical enclosures. Aluminum fence can only offer similar privacy if fill-in panels are added. However, these panels take away from the traditional ornamental look of the fence.
Gate configuration:
For many buyers, larger gates are a must have. With ornamental aluminum, these demanding sizes can be met. Aluminum gate sizes vary from 3’ wide walk gates to 30’ wide slide gates. Features such as self-closing hinges, pool latches, magnetic latches, and gate operators and access controls for larger fences all work wonderfully with aluminum fence. Aluminum gates also work to meet standardized pool codes. Vinyl Gates are only manufactured in sizes from 3’ wide single panel swing gates to 12’ or 16’ wide double panel swing gates. Large gates are usually constructed with pipe posts and frames, to which the vinyl fence panels are then attached. Vinyl products are rarely used in automated systems.
Maintenance:
Requiring little to no maintenance vinyl has a slight edge over aluminum. Though ornamental fence is also low maintenance, a simple occasional wash with soap and water is all it takes to keep this vinyl as beautiful as the day it was installed.
Security:
Ornamental aluminum definitely takes the lead when it comes to security fencing. Due to its limitations, vinyl fence cannot meet the material conditions for large gate uses. It simply cannot be made as security conscious as it aluminum counterpart. When looking to improve security of an office building, and apartment complexes, commercial and industrial grade aluminum fence is always the best choice. Heavy duty and decorative gates can easily be equipped with automated electric operators and access controls for additional security measures and ease of operation. Residential grade aluminum fences are somewhat less secure, but are still an ideal solution for keeping children and pets in or out of the back yard.
Cost:
The cost of installation for either material is about the same, relative to size. Naturally, the price goes up as the size of the fence increases. Large ornamental aluminum gates will cost more than smaller sized vinyl ones.
Color selection:
Ornamental Aluminum Fences are available in a variety of styles, sizes and grades for almost any fence requirement. The standard powder coating colors - green, brown, white, and black - give years of attractive protection. Ornamental color variations are currently being increased but specific suppliers do produce custom colors. Although most vinyl fences are white, many manufacturers now offer several color selections as well as wood grain and textured surfaces.
Once these aspects have been taken into consideration, you can make an informed decision for your fence solutions, whether it is vinyl or aluminum.
Article contributed by Michael Fugere.
Posted by Dawn Lowndes on Tue, May 31, 2011 @ 08:43 AM
When you are checking out your options for purchasing or installing fence materials it pays to be wise. Whether you are a business owner or a homeowner, making the right choices prior to a fence installation will determine its long-lasting good looks and fence durability. Contacting a licensed fence company can give you access to their professional level of experience. This will without doubt, help you make an informed consumer decision. You can select and install your own fence and be proud of your do it yourself – DIY eagerness. And, it may even save you money. But if you are not sure of how to do a quality commercial or residential fence installation you could cause yourself more expense in the long run.
By choosing the right group of professionals you can get expert fence advice. When you contact companies you are expecting to offer you information or an estimate they should present themselves in a professional manner. This means they should be courteous, informative, and timely for your appointments. A vast amount of fence companies offer the option of contacting them via the Internet. Do your research! A really professional looking website provides some assurance that you are communicating with a qualified fence company. You can specifically ask questions to your local fence professionals. They are familiar with the precise weather and geological factors that will affect your local fence installation.
At no cost to you, a fence estimator can come to your property and advise you on the different options available to you. They will likely have small sized samples for you to look at and touch. A skilled estimator will be able to explain the differences between the various types of residential or commercial fencing options. They can give exact costs and selections based on your particular fence site factors. The estimator will also be able to answer any ‘why this fence material’ or ‘how fence is put in’ questions you may have. They are certain to tell you some things about your would be, typical fence installation, that you would never have discovered on your own.
Once you have done your research and made a fencing material decision, you will need to decide on who is actually going to install the fence. Will it be you or a professional? If you intend to complete it a few things to consider are: Do you have the necessary tools to install the fence? Do you really have the know-how to install a fence? Can you give up your time for a couple of weekends or more (depending on the size of your fence project) to complete the installation? You will also have to do all the legwork for obtaining all permits. Remember that you will be the one warranting the fence. This mean you will be the only ‘fix’ it party and all material warranties are voided when the fence is not professionally installed.
You may be wiser to choose a licensed and bonded fence company to complete what for them is a standard fence installation. This will increase your up front fence cost, but you will know that your fence project was done in a well-informed way. You can enjoy your duty free weekend while it is efficiently installed with a fence warranty that includes labor. The fence company will also obtain all the necessary permits and contact Ms. Utility before beginning the install. Good quality fence companies have these expected operative processes in place.
Whether you choose to install DYI fence or get a professional to 
install the fence for you is up to you. Just don’t sell yourself short by not making a well-informed decision.
Article contributed by Dawn Lowndes.
Posted by Dawn Lowndes on Sun, Oct 31, 2010 @ 04:30 PM
Most people already understand that there are more benefits than drawbacks to having a fence. This is why fences almost sell themselves in today’s market!
The impact of a fence on a property and its value can be numerous. Fences enhance, secure, delineate, and add increased value in many ways to a variety of fence picks. Single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, apartments, estates, shopping centers, malls, restaurants and many more types real property are enhanced by the installation of vicinity suitable fences. In most cases, fences are used to add security while clearly delineating property lines. Schools, childcare facilities, wholesalers, construction contractors, correctional institutions, and military bases are all in need of the kind of security that is readily offered by fence installation.
BENEFITS
Imagine this! You are at a zoo without fences and the animals are roaming the area freely! Does this seem like an absurd assertion? Well, many people do actually own pets. Without fences the SPCA would be much more challenged to perform their community mission. This same principle applies to schools and childcare centers that host small children. Keeping precious beings such as children and pets confined is one of the chief benefits of erecting a fence. Other benefits can be keeping out would be thieves, hiding eyesores such as dumpsters, and creating a sense of privacy for your own fenced backyard. Another benefit of a fence is the immediate creation of safety. Safety is always of maximum concern to parents, childcare workers and educators. Furthermore, business owners must attempt to create safe areas to reduce their commercial liability. Another straightforward advantage of a fence is increased property value. Beautiful fences not only increase property value, but also can deftly increase perceived living space. This can transfer to positively affect resale values and create more marketable homes.
DRAWBACKS
There are a few fence drawbacks. Some fences require maintenance and most fences seem to stockpile spider webs and pollen. Wood fences decay over time. The will certainly need a regular painting, staining or pressure washing. Chain link fences can rust, as do ornamental steel fences. PVC and ornamental fences need to be cleaned. Maintenance for a fence is a must. When making the choice for a fence, the chosen material must be considered with a full knowledge of the maintenance cost and time necessitated to complete the, sometimes annual, task.
Other than maintenance, there are few other drawbacks to a fence. As a child, I can recall a bona fide dislike of fences. They could quickly bring to an end a first-class shortcut. Traffic limitation, whether foot or automobile, could be present a problem in some cases. And, visual limitations should always be considered as a possible drawback during a fence installation. As always, the actual cost of erecting a good fence will never be a cheap as the buyer would like it to be. The wide selection of quality fence materials available in both residential and commercial grade can greatly change the cost of a fence. As always, make sure to get the best fence installation for your money. The long-term cost associated with a cheaply installed fence will be infuriating to the buyer who has to deal with a product that prematurely becomes an eyesore.
A world without fences would be an unorganized, less private, less secure with no indications of who owns what. A fence determines when a homerun is ‘out of the ballpark’. How about honor system correctional facilities? Who really thinks about the day-to-day benefits of fence? Fences really are important. There is a need for fences. I don’t think it is debatable that there are more benefits than drawbacks to fences.
Article contributed by fence professional John (J.P.) Patterson
Posted by Dawn Lowndes on Wed, Sep 29, 2010 @ 01:10 PM
The choice of pool fencing begs that the questions below be answered:
¨ Is this a private backyard pool?
¨ Is this a hotel or resort pool?
¨ Is this a community or public pool?
A backyard pool fence type would depend on whether or not you desire privacy when taking laps or are quietly floating around. Nearby neighbors can be cause for another privacy consideration. You may also have a wonderful view you do not want to block. A community pool may be very concerned with security from night invaders looking for an unwelcomed swim. A hotels or resorts will always be looking for the most enhancing look possible in their fencing choice.
Your specific needs will determine what the best pool fence is for your purposes. You must also need to review pool fence codes when making your decision. Read on for more product details to help you decide what the best type of fence for your pool will be.
Ornamental pool fencing is the most revered selection in the fence industry. These aluminum or steel fences provides a wonderfully decorative look and allow for good airflow. It also gives the lounging sunbather an unobstructed view while providing needed security.
The most popular ornamental styles are 4 foot high 2-rail and 6 foot high pressed point. The 4 foot high 2-rail design allows the customer the shortest height fence allowed by pool code. The shorter fence allows for plenty of airflow and panoramic views. The 6 foot high pressed point design gives the customer the decorative look of ornamental, but also provides great perimeter security.
Additionally, ornamental gates are easy to install with self-closing and latching hardware that readily meets pool code. Other gates, such as vinyl, can only make use of less trusty hardware selections. Ornamental gates are typically lighter and thereby have less wear and tear on the installed gate hardware. Ornamental fence is definitely the most reliable for gate material.
Wood, vinyl, or chain link fence with privacy slat inserts offers complete privacy for pool fences. Wood fence is also the most cost effective way to produce a private pool area. Vinyl is the most decorative privacy style and has numerous colors to suit your homes look. Chain link with privacy slats gives the customer the most secure privacy fence.
Airflow can be big concern when opting for privacy fencing. If you have a small pool area with little to no shade this is something that should be taken into proper consideration before selecting your fence.
Per pool code, all walk gates for pool fence must be self- closing and latching. They must swing out or away from the pool area. Driveway gates must remain locked at all times because they cannot self close or latch.
With all these variables and considerations, it would be impossible to assess the BEST POOL FENCE without your compete project details. It really is up to YOU to decide what is your best pool fence!
Comment below and tell us about your best pool fence.
Posted by Dawn Lowndes on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 @ 03:17 PM
Who wins in the race between vinyl and ornamental aluminum fence?
Which fence is the top pick in for your specific commercial or residential needs?
This can be a confusing decision on for the general public. The overall fence look you want and color selection must be accounted for, but the real judging points on who wins when making the choice between Vinyl (PVC) and aluminum fencing are security, gate configuration, and privacy. Read the advice below to make an easy and expertly informed pick.
Vinyl Fences
Vinyl fence has the hands down advantage against ornamental for privacy!
Because of its complete privacy application, vinyl fence is perfect for back yards, pool enclosures, perimeter fences and dumpster or mechanical enclosures. Vinyl privacy fences 6’ or 8’ high are attractive long lasting and almost maintenance free.
Little to no maintenance is gives vinyl a slight advantage in the race, but ornamental fence is also low maintenance. A simple occasional wash with soap and water is all it takes to keep this vinyl as beautiful as the day it was installed.
The main difficulty with vinyl fence is its gate limitations Vinyl fence does not meet the material conditions for large gate uses. It simply cannot be made as security conscious as it aluminum counterpart. Read on in ‘gates’ for the vinyl’s limitation factors. This is the number one factor in the vinyl versus aluminum decision!
Aluminum Fences
Security is definitely Ornamental aluminum’s advantage in the competition.
When looking to improve the security and look to any office building, apartment complex, etc. commercial grades are always the best choice. Heavy duty and decorative gates can easily be equipped with automated electric operators and access controls for added security and ease of entry and operation. Selecting commercial and industrial grades of this product will improve the overall security that is achieved by aluminum fencing. Residential grades are somewhat less secure but are an ideal solution for keeping children and pets in or out of the back yard. Pool styles also offer attractive and secure protection to any back yard pool.
The main drawback of aluminum fence is that it doesn’t offer the same amount of privacy as vinyl unless fill-in panels are added. These panels can take away from the traditional ornamental look of the fence. Going for the traditional wrought iron look of aluminum will be significantly altered in a privacy application.
Gates
Many customers need larger gates and ornamental gates can be made huge.
Aluminum gate sizes vary from 3’ wide walk gates to 30’ wide slide gates. Aluminum gates install and work with ease. Self-closing hinges, pool latches, magnetic latches, gate operators and access controls for lager gates work well with the aluminum fence. These gates are easily used for automated access control systems. Aluminum gates also work smoothly and reliably to meet standardized pool codes.
Vinyl Gates are only manufactured in sizes from 3’ wide single panel swing gates to 12’ or 16’ wide double panel swing gates. Large gates are usually constructed with pipe posts and frames and vinyl fence panels then attached. Vinyl products are rarely used in automated systems.
Cost of Aluminum and Vinyl fence
The costs of these installations are about the same relative to size. Obviously the price goes up as the size of the fence increases. Large ornamental aluminum gates will cost more than smaller sized vinyl ones.
Color
Ornamental Aluminum Fences are available in a variety of styles, sizes and grades for almost any fence requirement. The standard powder coating colors of green, brown, white and black give years of attractive protection. Ornamental color variations are currently being increased but specific suppliers do produce custom colors.
Although, most vinyl fences are white many manufacturers are offering several color selections as well as wood grain and textured surfaces.
The final winner in the vinyl versus aluminum fence choice of depends on whether you want privacy or security. Vinyl is a great for privacy and aluminum fence is excellent for security!
Article contribution by fence professional Terry Lewis.