Glossary of Definitions A - Z

A

Aluminum Alloy
A mixture of different metals where aluminum is the predominant ingredient.  Premium aluminum alloys are widely used in engineering structures and components where corrosion resistance is required.

Aluminum Railing
A separate product from our 3 grades of aluminum fencing gate systems.  For residential or commercial porches, decks and balconies.  9 premium colors and 4 designer top rails to choose from.

Angles
Turns within a fence run or panels attaching to an existing structure where it is not a perpendicular connection.  See Angles.

Automatic Gate Opener
A motorized arm which automates the opening the closing of many types of gates.  All of our gates can use, pretty much, any gate operator in the US Market. 

 

B

Baked Enamel
Although still used by some aluminum fence manufacturers the reality is that baked enamel is old school.  Powdercoat, which is what is used on GreatFence panels, posts, gates...etc., is twice the thickness and hardness of a baked enamel, making it (powdercoat) more fade resistant, durable, long lasting and scratch resistant.

Ball Cap
An optional, decorative post cap which includes an ornamental ball on top.  Our ball caps are available in all 9 colors which includes are new, gorgeous satin colors.

Base Flange / Plate
The flat bottom piece on a post enabling the post to be mounted on top of an existing surface.  See Welded Plate.

BOCA
A nationwide, strict swimming pool fence code that many, but not all, jurisdictions follow when it comes to requirements for aluminum pool fencing.  The entire list of requirements originated in the attempt to make it difficult as possible for a child to enter a swimming pool area unattended by an adult.  See Pool Fence.

Blank Post
Unlike line posts, corner posts, end posts and t (3-way) posts, Blank Posts have no holes.  Typically used for stair-stepping fence panels on a hill or slope or making non-90 degree turns using swivel mounts.  See Angles, Hills.

Bottom Rail
Simply the lowest horizontal (cross) rail on any fence panel or gate.  Bottom rails are said to be standard when the vertical pickets go through.  Bottom rails are said to be flush, like our Style 9, when this rail is at the very bottom of any panel or gate.  Style 3 panels / gates can be configured with a flush bottom rail; and this is typically done for swimming pool fence enclosures.  See Pool Fence.

Butterfly Scrolls
Also referred to here as Small Scrolls are optional, decorative, cast aluminum pieces that can be added to your aluminum fencing or gates.  Customize your products they way YOU want.  When any scrolls are chosen, they are first fabricated into the panel / gate (as it's made), then the entire piece is painted one of our 9 rust free colors.  See Small Scrolls.

 

C

Caps
Aluminum post caps which are included automatically with each post purchase.

Clearance
A term we use to describe the spacing that is between the bottom of your fence panel and/or gates....and the ground.  Clearance is important for many reasons:

     1.  A lot of people will ask us how far their posts need to go into the ground for "in ground" applications.  Well, that depends upon how much clearance you decide that you want for your fencing and gate system.  Let's say, for example, that you have a 48 inch high fencing and gate system that you are ordering.  The recommended length of the posts you will need for this configuration is 70 inches.  Therefore, if you have a 48 inch high fence/gate system and you decide on 2 inches of clearance (typical), then your posts will go into the ground approximately 20 inches.  One of the many benefits of our fencing and gate system design is that we do not need to what clearance you want;  you can decide this on-site after you have received your product shipment.

     2.  Clearance also comes into play when ordering Welded Plates for a surface mount application; that is, when you will be mounting posts on top of an existing surface (brick, composite, cement, wood) versus inserting and cementing them into the ground.  Each post product page on this website includes our easy Post Chart with minimum recommendations.  See Aluminum Fence Posts.

Column
Any existing structure, free standing in which you plan to connect a fence panel or gate in lieu of using one of our posts. 

Core Drill
Similar to an In Ground (See Posts) application, this term refers to drilling into an existing hard surface like cement for post installation.

Corner Post
A post that is pre-punched on 2 adjacent sides so that you can easily insert 2 fence panels at a 90 degree turn.

Custom Gates
Gates that have a non-standard width.  See Custom Gates.

 

D

Designer Arch
An optional, very decorative, gate configuration whereby during construction, a gorgeous arch is fabricated into the top horizontal rail (s) of any single-swing or driveway double swinggate.  Our most popular upgrade for our residential clientele, designer arches add height as you move to the middle of any single-swing or double-swing gate.  See Sunburst Arch.

Diagram
A sketch showing your fence runs along with approximate footage measurements and any gate locations.  Typically used for figuring out how many panels, posts and mounts you will need.

DLO
Daylight Opening Measurement.  See Custom Gates.

Dog Panel
Optional short pickets fabricated directly into a fence panel or gate to keep small dogs in or other small animals out.  See Dog Panel.

Drive Thru Gate
A gate consisting of two leafs that open (swing) from the middle.  Often referred to as driveway gates or double swing gates.

Drop Rod
A long piece of middle with one, handle like, turn.  Automatically included with any Drive Thru gate purchase, this product allows you to open and stabilize one of the leafs on your gate.

 

E

End Post
A post that is pre-punched on one side of the post to start or end a fence run. 

Estate Gate U frame
Similar to an arched Drive Thru gate, the leafs are fabricated with a large, heavy duty frame on three sides of each gate leaf.  Additionally, a wave arch, which adds height to the gate, is also automatically included.

 

F

 

Finials
Cast aluminum (not cheap plastic like many other companies carry) ornamental vertical picket top decorations.  It's a decorative upgrade to any panel or gate.  Decorative Finials can be chosen within the product page just prior to adding your product (s) to your shopping cart.

Flange
Bottom part of a post needed when for a surface mount application.  The welded plate is a flange.

Flat Cap / Plugged
An optional exposed vertical picket option whereby the very tops of the vertical pickets are flat and plugged. 

Flat top
A fence or gate style where the vertical pickets stop at the top rail.

Flush Bottom
A fence panel or gate configuration where the bottom horizontal rail is lowered to the bottom of the vertical pickets.  See any Style 9 fence panel or gate.
 

G

Gate Height
The actual height from top to bottom irrespective of any of our gate styles.  Therefore, a Style 1 gate 48" high is the actual height from the top of the vertical pickets to the bottom of the vertical pickets.  Similarly, a Style 9 gate 48" high is the actual height from the top of the top rail to the bottom of the bottom rail.  Compare this concept to Gate Width which is different.

Gate Opening
The distance between two existing structures.  All gate widths listed on this website opening measurements; i.e. the actual width of each gate is slightly less to accommodate the hinges and locking mechanism.

Gate Operator
A motorized device used to automate the opening and closing of our single gates and double gates.  We do not sell gate operators; however, almost every gate operator available in the U.S. market will work with our gates.  We recommend Elite and Mightymule.

Gate Post
Needed for any gate unless you plan to column mount to an existing structure. 

Gate Width
All gate width sizes on this website equal the opening measurement form inside to inside of two structures or two posts.  For example, a 48" wide gate is fabricated to fit a 48" wide opening.  We subtract approximately 1/2" to 3/4" on each side of the gate to accommodate the hinges on one side and the lock on the other.  This applies to all gates:  single gates, driveway gates and estate gates.  Compare this concept to Gate Height which is different.

Grade
Refers to the three levels of our core aluminum fence and gate product offering:  Residential, Commercial, and Industrial.  We carry 3 different grades with the same 9 styles in each grade.  As you move up in grade, three variables are increased in size:  1) vertical pickets, 2) horizontal rails and 3) material thickness.

Gate Upright
The side posts fabricated into both opposite sides of any single gate or both sides of each leaf within any drive thru, driveway gate.

Gauge
Refers to the thickness of our metal fencing materials.

H

Heavy Rackable
A configuration metric for fence panels giving the panel the ability to rack for steep slopes.  See Hills.

Horizontal Rail
Also referred to as the stringer or rail, is the rail.  This is the name for all the horizontal metal pieces which make up a fence panel or gate. 

Horizontal Swivel Mounts
An optional accessory item--a mount, which allows you mount fence panels only to a Blank Post or an existing structure (house, column, building).  See Swivel Mounts - Horizontal.

 

I

In ground
A term used to describe a traditional installation whereby your posts are cemented into the ground.  See Posts.
 

J

J-Bolt
One half of the Heavy Duty gate hinge which consists of a "J" shaped piece of metal.  This part connects the bushing to the 4" x 4" plate on our Heavy Duty gate hinge.

 

K

Knocked Down
A term used to describe a panel that is shipped unassembled.  This is typical for smaller orders of 1 - 2 panels that need faster shipping.
 

L

Leaf
One half of a drive thru, driveway or estate gate.  These types of gates are made up of two leafs that open from the middle.

Line Post
A post pre-punched on two opposite sides of the post so that it can accept to panels in a straight run.
 

M

Magna Latch
A special, child safety gate lock (required by BOCA for child safety swimming pool fencing) that can be installed on certain single (walk) gates, driveway gates and estate gates.

Matte Finish
A non-glossy, textured powdercoat paint finish.  Also referred to as a Satin (flat) paint finish.  4 of the 9 colors offered are matte finish.

Mill Finish
A non-painted fence panel, post or gate.
 

N

Non-90 degree turn
An angular turn in any fence run.  See Angles.

 

O

Offset Welded Plate
An optional configuration whereby the post is not centered on the flange (base) plate.  Instead, the post is welded on one side of the post.  Typically used with End Posts for fence runs or gates are installed flush next to an existing structure (house, column, building).

Exposed Picket Fence Panel
In any grade, styles 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 are all fence panel and gate styles where some or all of the vertical pickets are exposed.

 

P

Panel
Short for fence panel.  Not a gate;  gates are welded into a frame.

Paypal
An optional payment method for ordering on this secured, website.  The safer, easier way to pay.

Perimeter
The boundary of a residential or commercial property.

Pool Fence
Fence and gates with specific, child safety spacing features making it difficult for children to gain entrance into a swimming pool area unaccompanied by an adult.

Powder Coat
A powder based painting application whereby powder is electrostatically applied and then is cured under heat to allow it to form a durable, rust free skin.

Pre-punched Posts
Posts which have holes pre-drilled into them during fabrication so that fence panels can later be inserted and set.

Puppy Pickets
See Dog Panel.

 

Q

Quote
A document itemizing all the products, pricing and investment costs for any particular fence/gate project.

 

R

Rackable
A service/process that we can do to some or all of your fence panels (not gates) in order to allow the fence panel to flex or "rack" more than the standard 5 inches per panel.  We are basically over-punching the holes where the vertical pickets go through the horizontal rails to allow the fence panel to have more room to flex or "rack" on-site during installation for a larger hill or slope (around 28 to 30 degree slope).

Rack
To shift or flex.  This term applies to our fence panels (not gates) which have the ability to be shifted on site to follow the contour of a slight slope, medium slope or steep slope or stairs.  The homeowner/business owner or installer has the ability to do this on site prior to installation.  Racking is but one of many benefits to using our products; we have a fencing system that gives you the ability to install our fence panels on a hill or slope.

Reverse Arch
Is a designer arch, reversed.  This type of arch loses height as you move towards the middle of the gate.  Add the designer arch to your gate and during checkout simply note in the Customer Notes text box that you want the arch reversed.
 

Rings
Optional metal circles that are fabricated into some of our fence and gate styles.  See Rings.
 

S

Self-Closing Gate Hinge
An optional gate hinge; spring-loaded that will enable any single gate or double gate to automatically close.  Required for swimming pool fence in most US jurisdictions.

Self Locking
Some jurisdictions require that any gate you want to install must be self locking.  You must order 1 Magna Latch for any single gate or 1 Magna Latch for any double gate to make it "self locking."  None of our other gate locks are "self locking."

Single Gates
Gates that hinge off of 1 post, column, or building.  Single gates automatically include two standard gate hinges, hardware and a standard LokkLatch gate latch.

Stair-step
A type of fence panel installation on a hill or slope.  Basically, you are connecting 2 fence panels to a post at different height.  See Hills.

Straight Rail End Mount
Used in lieu of a post to connect and set one (or both) end (s) of a fence panel to an existing structure.  Also used for stair-stepping fence panels on a hill.

Sunburst Designer Arch
An optional gate (not fence panel) configuration whereby during the fabrication process we add a gorgeous arch to the top horizontal rail (s) of any single-swing, driveway or estate gate. 

 

T

T-Posts
Are prepunched on 3 sides of a post, in advance for you, so that you can easily insert and set 3 panels perpendicular to one another.

"Trim to Fit"
All fence panels (any grade) can be quickly and easily cut down (the width) on-site to complete any particular fence run measurement that you have.  NOTE:  Single Gates and Driveway Double Gates cannot be modified on site.  Gates are welded into a frame; therefore, it's recommended that you start your installation with your gates or at least have your gate spacing (exact measurements) in mind when beginning the installation of any fence and gate system.

U

U Frame
A heavy, large frame (2" x 2", 2.5" x 2.5") fabricated into both leafs of an estate gate.

UV Test
A test used to see the quality and durability of a paint finish.  See UV Protection Test.

 

V

Verisign
The leading provider of online, ecommerce security.  Verisign provides solutions that allow companies and consumers to engage in communications and commerce online with confidence.

Vertical Swivel Mounts
Special mounts required to connect heavily racked panels to each post.  This is important because typically home owners will only need pre-punched posts (line, corner, end, t); however, for very large steep hills, your heavily racked fence panels can only be connected to a post or structure using this accessory item.  See Swivel Mounts - Vertical.

Vertical Picket
All the vertical metal members that make up each fence panel or gate. 

W

Welded Plate Post
An optional item whereby we fabricate a square piece of cast aluminum (flange) with 4 pre-drilled holes on the bottom.  This is for applications that require you to mount your posts on top of an existing deck (wood, cement, composite....etc.). 

 

XYZ

Z-Lokk
An optional gate locking device with dual security.  A top seller!

 

*Single Gates and Drive Thru Gates will match the rail configuration that you choose for your fence panels.