Can the fence
curve?
If your fence line bends, the sections
can easily be angled in the posts to
follow most curves. For a very tight
curve, just cut the sections in half and
put another post between the two
sections. The sections themselves can
not be bent without ruining their
structural integrity however. |
Can fence follow a
downhill slope?
Most of our standard aluminum fence
sections can follow the contour of the
ground. This is called either raking or
racking. The fences drop about one foot
over the 6' length of a section. If a
greater slope is needed, sections can be
specially fabricated as "double-punched
sections" to traverse a 45 degree angle.
Patriot Fence and Regency "Plus" styles
can not rake at all, while Concord,
Lexington, and 400 Series fence can only
rake about 6 inches over their length.
See diagram of Rake & Step. |
What is the post
spacing?
For Ovation, Encore, Regency, and
Patriot, the posts should be spaced 72"
on-center. Industrial fence posts need a
71-1/2" spacing on-center, while
Residential fences have a 72-1/2" post
spacing. |
What are the
standard colors?
Patriot Fence is only available in
black, while our aluminum fences come in
a black, white or bronze finish.
Finials, ball caps and scrolls are also
available in a gold finish, as well as
black, white or bronze. |
Are custom colors
available?
Yes, but there are two conditions that
must be met. We can only coat custom
colors from October to March (our slow
season) and the job must have at least
1,000 feet of fence. Also, since custom
colors can not undergo the same testing
that our standard colors have passed, we
can only guarantee the finish for 5
years.
***Delgard & Ultra Aluminum have
additional standard colors at no extra
charge. |
Can the fence
attach to brick columns or the side of
my house?
Yes, we have wall mount castings that
allow the fence sections to connect to
any flat surface. These fit over the
ends of the rails and attach to the flat
surface with two screws. We also have
adjustable wall mounts if you need to
come off the flat surface at an angle up
to 45 degrees. |
How far apart
should I space my columns so the
sections will be evenly spaced?
The distance between columns is the
standard post spacing multiplied by the
number of sections you want between the
columns, less the width of one post. For
example, for three Ovation sections
between columns, 3 sections times 72"
(the standard post spacing) minus 2" for
the post, equals 214" (17'-10") between
columns, not 18' as you might expect. |
Can the fence
mount on a patio/deck?
To fasten a post onto a concrete slab,
we recommend that you core-drill the
concrete if at all possible. We do offer
deck mount castings, however, they
should not be used on fences over 48"
tall. |
Can I use these
products as railings?
NO!
Our fences are not designed to be used
as railings and we will not warrant
their use as a railing.
We do have a Aluminum Railing coming out
in the Spring of 2007 - Encore Railing
System. |
Are sections
& gates assembled?
All sections & gates are
shipped assembled. Certain styles
require finials and/or loops to be
installed in the field. We can send
sections broken down for UPS shipping
for an additional charge of $ 10.00 per
section plus the normal UPS charges.
Gates always ship by freight and can not
be broken down for field assembly. |
How tall is the actual fence?
Except where it is noted, the
fence height is the actual length of the
pickets. The post usually extends an
inch or so above the pickets. |
Are latches and hinges included
with the gates?
Self-closing and self-latching
hardware are included in the gate
prices, except for the Estate Gate
prices which only include hinges. Gates
over 60" wide are not guaranteed to self
close due to the size. |
What size gate
opening do I need for my gates if they
are mounted on wood or aluminum posts?
Our swing gates
are sold by their opening size, so a 48”
gate fits into a 48” opening between
posts.
The gates will hang flush with
the face of the hinge post and latch
onto the face of the opposite post.
|
How do I make a
double-drive gate?
Any
two gates can be combined to make a
double drive gate.
When you need a double drive
gate, notify our Customer Service
Department and we will supply two drop
rod assemblies at no charge.
Double gates are also made to fit
a given opening size, so a 12’ double
drive gate will fit inside a 12’
opening.
|
What if the gates
are mounted onto the middle of brick
columns?
For
a single gate only, you will need
to allow 1½” extra to attach the latch
keeper onto the column.
(So a 48” gate needs a 49½”
opening.)
Let your Customer Service
Representative know when you are
ordering a gate for this type of
installation, and they will supply you
with a small piece of aluminum channel
to attach the keeper to the middle of
the column.
For large industrial gates, you
will have to cut off one side of the
hinge to mount it on the column.
|
Can I order special size
gates?
Special width and/or height gates
are available.
We need the exact opening size to
fabricate the gate correctly.
To calculate the cost for a
special width gate, the price of
the next widest standard gate and add
$100 per leaf.
Special height gates (up to 6’
wide) are priced as the next tallest
gate plus a $125 charge per leaf.
These costs are cumulative, so a
59” wide x 45” tall gate would cost $225
more than a 60” x 48” gate.
|
Do I need gate posts on
both sides of a gate?
Yes, heavier posts are needed to
both support the weight of the gate and
to withstand the constant impact when
the gate latches.
|
When do I need to use 4”
or 6” gate posts?
The size and weight of a gate
determine when you need to use these
larger gate posts.
All gates over 24 square feet
need 4” posts, especially when an
operator is placed on the gate.
Consult the individual price
sheets to see if you need a 4” post for
a smaller gate or when a 6” post will be
needed.
We do not punch 4” or 6” posts.
Instead, we include wall mounts
to attach the rails of the fence to
these posts.
|
What if I need a special
post?
Specially punched posts can be
fabricated for an additional $20 per
post.
A sketch is required before these
posts can be made.
If you need a standard pattern on
a longer or shorter post, there is only
a $5 charge as long as the pattern
begins at the top of the post (for
example: a 58” post punched for 48” high
fence).
|
Can I use 2½” posts with
my Residential / Ovation / Regency
fence?
To do this, you must order blank
(unpunched) posts and attach the rails
of the sections to them using the
appropriate wall mounts.
|
Can I get tough-up paint
to match the factory finish?
We supply a small bottle of
touch-up paint with most orders to cover
minor nicks and damage that may occur
in-transit at no charge.
There are also cans of spray
paint available for purchase.
Do not use these air-dry paints
to cover large areas because they will
weather and fade at a different rate
than our FenceCoat powder-coated finish.
We do NOT guarantee these paints
for this reason.
|
What should the spacing be
when I am installing between columns?
The maximum distance between
columns is the standard post spacing
times the number of sections between the
columns minus the width of one post.
For example, if you want to space
your columns so that three Residential
sections fit between the, take 3 times
the post spacing of 72½” minus one 2”
post:(3 x 72.5”) – 2” = 215.5” or 17’
11½” between columns
For Industrial Strength fence this
opening would need to be:
(3 x 71.5”) – 2.5” = 212” or 17’ 8”
between columns
|
How do I attach the fence
to the deck around a pool?
To fasten posts to a concrete slab, we
always recommend that you core
drill the concrete.
If this is not feasible, then you
may be able to use our deck mounts.
These aluminum castings fit
inside the bottom of a post and secure
it.
Since deck mounts fit inside
posts, fence styles with bottom rails
may not work properly since the rails
will be in the way.
You must supply four stainless
steel bolts to attach the deck mount to
the concrete itself.
DO NOT USE DECK MOUNTS ON FENCES
TALLER THAN 4’ HIGH OR FOR GATE POSTS!
THEY WILL FAIL!
|
Can I get Scalloped
sections?
You can purchase the
components for this design and do it
yourself.
Order “undrilled” pickets in our
standard lengths and use standard rails.
Then you can assemble the parts
however you would like.
For gates, order standard gates
and replace the pickets to match the
sections.
|
|