Considerations When Installing Commercial Fencing
You have numerous choices when you install a fence for your commercial establishment. When you make your decision, consider ease of installation, aesthetics, security and maintenance.
Comparing Fencing Materials
You can install a wood, vinyl or metal fence. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. We think you will see that aluminum is the best choice for many applications.
A wood fence can look very nice and it can last for decades, but keep in mind that you will need to apply a finish when you install it, and it will require refinishing every three to five years. You may also have to repair loose boards from time to time. Note that if you use wood posts with any type of fence material, they should be pressure-treated if they will contact the earth. Otherwise, you will end up with a sagging fence. The problem with wood is weather. Any kind of humidity can subject a wood fence to mold and mildew.
A vinyl fence will last a very long time, barring unexpected damage. This material is subject to damage from impacts, which could require the occasional replacement of a small part of the fence. Vinyl fencing can also be subject to dirt and mold. You may need to clean it periodically with cleaners such as soap and water and possibly more aggressive cleaners such as vinegar or baking soda. Stains can require even more aggressive cleaning.
You can’t beat stone for longevity, which can be literally thousands of years, and stone is certainly beautiful. However, stone will require maintenance over the long haul. Needless to say, installing a stone fence is quite a project. Take a look at your stone fence once a year when spring comes around, looking for loose stones and issues with the mortar.
Metal fences in general will last quite a long time. Wrought iron and steel will rust, and they are heavy, making for some difficulty with installation. Aluminum is light, making it easy to move around during installation. Commercial aluminum fencing comes in panels that are designed to easily lock into aluminum fence posts. You can trim aluminum fence panels easily when it comes time to completing a run measurement.
Security
A primary concern is often security. Let’s consider the alternatives.
A wood fence can offer reasonable security, assuming it’s tall enough. Wood may not be difficult to scale, so consider the likelihood that someone might climb over a wood fence and gain entry. Vinyl is also a less-than-optimal choice for security.
Clearly, a stone fence offers poor security unless it’s exceedingly tall, which can be quite costly. Similarly, wrought iron is generally not a good choice for security. Chain-link fencing can provide an effective barrier, but for enhanced security, you’ll have to install unsightly barbed wire at the top.
If you build it high enough, commercial aluminum fencing will present some difficulty to a climber, especially given that the pickets are spaced less than 4 inches apart.
You can add a security mesh to your fence panels and gates. We factory-weld the mesh to a frame that you bolt to the fence. If you want to step up to our highest grade, industrial aluminum fence panels, you can add curved pickets that open outward at a 51-degree angle to thwart climbers.