Fun, Functional and Fantastic Fences: A Fence Blog

Posted on: 5 June 2017

An industrial fence may be needed on a residential property if you have livestock that needs to be contained or if you need to keep out deer and other wildlife. You may also want a more sturdy fence to hold up against inclement weather, the potential for brushfires and rough vegetation that may grow in a very rural areas—all of which would otherwise scratch and damage a lightweight fencing material. When you are ready to choose an industrial fence for your residential property, note a few details to keep in mind and discuss with the fencing contractor so that you're sure to be happy with the fence for years to come.

Material

You may assume that a metal fence is the most durable, and metal certainly is a good choice for any property that may be at risk for brushfires, as it's unlikely to melt or suffer other damage, even when exposed to direct flames. Metal also resists cracking in extreme temperatures.

However, PVC or polyvinyl is also very strong and rustproof, so you may have less maintenance with these materials, especially if they will come into contact with vegetation or even long grass. Vegetation can hold moisture, especially morning dew and rain, which then exposes metal to that moisture, increasing the risk of rusting.

Gate

Note the type of gate you may want with the fence, and this may help determine the design. If you prefer a sliding gate, you may need a fence with long panels that can accommodate the chains and tracks needed for the gate. If you prefer a swinging gate, you can have shorter fence panels that will accommodate the tall and thick poles needed for the hinges of the gate.

Environmental pollutants

Ask about any fencing materials and their potential for polluting the environment. Metal that rusts may be adding toxins to the ground if the rust flakes off and mixes with the soil. Some plastic coatings may eventually wear away and create toxins as they break down.

You also want to ask about coatings and paints and whether these are toxic; metal fences will need repainting over the years or a new powder coating to protect the metal and restore the colour. Ensure you can use nontoxic coatings and that the processes for recoating are not damaging to the environment. In some cases, you can even have the fence, or parts of it, made with recycled metal or PVC parts, which is also a very environmentally friendly choice.