Tag: aluminum hand railing - page 2

Caring for Your Aluminum Fence in the Winter

It’s evident that winter is coming.  The temperatures have dropped from the high seventies to the low fifties in just a week.  Colder temperatures along with the extreme weather that winters here in Michigan bring can do some serious damage to the maintenance of your home and property, including the aluminum fence that encloses the perimeter of your home.  During winter, perception is known to come down in multiple forms including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.  We have been known to have a complete thaw one day and freezing ice and snow the next.  Winters in Michigan can do some serious damage to your fence.  To avoid this there are a number of precautions that can be taken to prevent damage to the fence come spring.

Landscaping around the fence is one of the best things that you can do for your fence.  Proper landscaping prevents the full weight of the snow from leaning up against the panels.  It is also important that trees that overhang the fence are properly trimmed back.  This helps to prevent tree limbs from falling on the aluminum fence.  Snow and ice are heavy and can potentially fall on the fence and damage the panels.  Properly trimming trees prevents this from occurring.

Snow should never be allowed to pile up around the fence.  One way to help prevent this is by removing the build up of leaves and debris from around the fencing panels in the fall.  Without the leaves sitting up against the fence collecting moisture, going through the freeze thaw process, the fence should stay in good condition.  Leaves lock in moisture which causes fence damage, warping, and rust.

Maintenance throughout the winter is always necessary as snow should always be moved away from the fence using a rake or shovel.  Without the snow built up around the fence it can evenly melt and allow the fence to uniformly dry out.

Maintenance is a key element in keeping your home in top shape.  The same is true of your aluminum fence.  If you begin to notice small damage to the fence be sure it is quickly taken care to prevent further, bigger issues down the road.  If there is damage to the posts they can quickly become weakened and may not withstand the shrinking and expansion that comes with the freeze and melt of the winter weather.  Repairs and maintenance need to be kept up on to prevent small repairs from becoming major problems down the road.

iFenceUSA is an online distributor of wholesale aluminum fences and gates for residential, resort, commercial, and industrial installation.  As an industry leader in maintenance-free aluminum fencing products we have all your aluminum fence and gate needs covered.  More information can be found online at https://ifenceusa.com/.

Design Choices With iFenceUSA Aluminum Fencing

A four-foot-tall aluminum fence in white, adorned with circles offers a contemporary design to enhance the clean look and feel homeowners are looking for in a backyard oasis.  A six-foot-tall, classic black aluminum fence with an added dual driveway gate offers sophistication and style to regal, two story colonials in brick.  Aluminum fencing offers several unique design options which offer homeowners a way to individualize their unique story.

Aluminum Fence Height:

  • The height of your home’s aluminum fence is one of the more critical choices you will make when selecting your new fence.  The height of your homes fence will depend on the job that it needs to perform.  Aluminum fencing used around the perimeter of a pool must be four feet or higher other than that the only other regulations you need to consider is those in place by your HOA and local municipalities.

If a fence is only for aesthetics you can literally choose any height that is offered for sale, from three feet to twelve feet.  Are you using the fence to keep children or pets inside the yard?  Is the fence being added for additional safety, to prevent unwanted visitors?  Maybe the fence is purely for aesthetics.  Whatever the reason, iFenceUSA has a fence that meets your height requirements.

Resort, Residential, Commercial, or Industrial Grade:

  • Another choice that homeowners need to make is when selecting the grade (thickness of aluminum) of fencing. It may seem obvious that homeowners would choose residential grade aluminum fence however that is not always the case.  The grade of fencing not only determines the strength and thickness of the aluminum that is used in your fence but also the size of the individual pickets, and then length of the aluminum fencing panels.

Style:

  • iFenceUSA offers eighteen unique options of aluminum fencing to choose from including popular options The San Marino, a flat top aluminum fence style and The Bella Vista, a simple and elegant spear top style. There are three major options when it comes to aluminum fence styles: flat top, exposed spears & finials, and flat top with spears.

Flat Top:

The most popular style in aluminum fencing which covers the pickets so that there is nothing left above the top flat railing.

Spears & Finials:

This style offers a more decorative option for aluminum fence.  The pickets are spruced up with a variety of ornamental styles of finials, spears, butterfly scrolls, and circles.

Flat Tops with Spears & Finials:

Aluminum fencing that offers homeowners a combination of elegance with ornamental option with a subdued flat railing.

 

Color:
  • One of the last but important decisions homeowners will make has to do with the color of their new fence. Black aluminum fence panels, both matte and glossy, are the most popular option for homeowners.    iFenceUSA offers nine color choices when picking out your new fence including: Matte bronze, Bronze, White, Matte White, Green, Beige, Matte Sandstone, Black, and Matte Black.  When choosing a color for your fence consider the color and style of your home, choose a color that will compliment your home and matches its style.

 

iFenceUSA is an online distributor of wholesale aluminum fences and gates for residential, resort, commercial, and industrial installation.  As an industry leader in maintenance-free aluminum fencing products we have all your aluminum fence and gate needs covered.  More information can be found online at https://ifenceusa.com/. 

Not All Yards Are Flat: Racking Your Aluminum Fencing Panels

When it comes to fence installation the Earth is unfortunately not flat but instead full of a variety of landscapes.  The variety within your landscape can lead to some major difficulties when looking into adding a fence to the perimeter of your home.  To combat this exact issue, iFenceUSA offers aluminum fence panels that conform to the slope of your landscape.

Racking

To ensure that your fence is installed with the slope of your landscape in mind it is important to work with an aluminum fence provider that offers fencing with what is sold in custom racked positions.  This occurs more easily in aluminum fence panels because of their construction.  Fence panels are screwed together, allowing the railing to be angled while the pickets remain straight up and down.  In the fencing industry this is known as “racking”.  This function allows the fence to follow the grade of your yard, uphill or downhill.

When planning for the installation of your new aluminum fence and gate it is crucial for homeowners to remember that it is impossible to follow every change in grade within the yard.  The main goal of racked aluminum fence panels is to follow a gradual slope over the span of the fence rather than each slope individually.

Stepped Fencing

Steeper slopes can be addressed with a more customized aluminum fence panel that into consideration more sudden drops.  This is often referred to as stepping or staggered.  Instead of the panels being angled as they are in racking they are designed to create a step up or down with each panel.  Each of the aluminum fence railings stay horizontal and the step is created when a new aluminum panel is installed lower/higher than the previous one.   The aluminum panels are attached at different points which allows then to be positioned at a different level than the previous panel.

Stepped fencing often occurs when the landscape grade is more sudden rather than gradual as it is in racked fencing.   Many times, stepped fencing occurs when used in conjunction with retaining walls.  In stepping taller aluminum fence posts and additional rails may need to be worked into your online aluminum fence order.

Choosing IFenceUSA For Your Next Fence Purchase

iFenceUSA offers several customizable options when it comes to ordering wholesale aluminum fence online.  Since most landscapes are non-conforming and there are more issues to address than a flat backyard iFenceUSA has specialists available to help you with every stage of your project from measuring the yard, determining tricky installation spots with in the space, measuring the yard, choosing a style, ordering, and installing your aluminum fence.  From traditional black aluminum fencing to contemporary, bold bronze aluminum, iFenceUSA is your one-stop shop meeting all of your aluminum fence needs.

iFenceUSA is an online distributor of wholesale aluminum fences and gates for residential, resort, commercial, and industrial installation.  As an industry leader in maintenance-free aluminum fencing products we have all your aluminum fence and gate needs covered.  More information can be found online at https://ifenceusa.com/.

Caring for Your Aluminum Fence

Unlike traditional wood gates and fences, aluminum fences and gate do not need regular maintenance.  However, to preserve the beauty and to ensure the prolonged existence of your aluminum fencing and aluminum gates, an annual schedule for maintenance should be planned.

Cleaning and Caring for Your Aluminum Fence

Spray your aluminum fencing regularly with water using your garden hose. This helps to eradicate fertilizer chemicals, dirt, and grass clippings thus, keeping it looking as good as new. In coastal areas, frequent spraying of your aluminum fence panels with water is advised to reduce the buildup of dirt and salt.

Light Cleaning

Rinse your aluminum fencing with water from top to bottom and then back up. This cleans the surface and prevents streaking as well as the gathering of dirty “run-down”. After rinsing, wipe the fence with a lint-free, soft cloth or better still, air dry.

Thorough Cleaning

For more filthy parts of your fence, first rinse the surface of the aluminum fencing with clean water and then wash with a sponge and mild dish soap mixed with water. Make sure not to allow soap to collect on the surface and, rinse any “run-down” immediately. Once washing is done, rinse the whole section with water. Dish soap must not dry on the surface! Air dry or wipe with lint-free, soft cloth. Carry out these steps repeatedly to get rid of water soluble debris.

Make Use of Cleaning Products

Degreasers and cleaners can also help with stain removal especially for stubborn stains. Simple stains can be cleaned by applying a degreaser which must be rinsed after applying. For stubborn or hard water stains, cleaner such as CLS.  It can come in handy to remove stains. It should also be rinsed after use.

However, adequate care should be taken when making use cleaning products for your aluminum fence as some abrasive agents, household cleaners, steel wool or cleaners with solvents contain harsh chemicals which could cause discoloration and damage to your fence.

Maintaining Your Aluminum Fence
  • Adjust the aluminum fencing panels every spring. This is a normal maintenance activity that must be performed by the homeowner.
  • Always keep your aluminum gate secured to prevent it from swinging in the wind.
  • Make sure to tighten the screws on your aluminum posts and panels at least once a year.
  • Carry out frequent inspections to check for any loose aluminum fence post and once you find any, simply re-tamp & realign.
  • Avoid mounting or stacking any materials or objects beside your fence.
  • Make sure not to make use of weed trimmer at the bottom of the aluminum fence panel

iFenceUSA is an online distributor of wholesale aluminum fences and gates for residential, resort, commercial, and industrial installation.  As an industry leader in maintenance-free aluminum fencing products we have all your aluminum fence and gate needs covered.  More information can be found online at https://ifenceusa.com/.