Want to do something fun in your backyard this Halloween? If yes, throw a Halloween party in your backyard for the kids! The cool fall weather makes Halloween a perfect holiday to have a backyard party! Below are some great ideas to make your Halloween backyard party a blast!
fencing
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Which wrought fencing is best?
We’ve recently talked about wrought iron fencing and alternative materials that achieve the same look. Now for a look at which is best, we turn to this article.
Wrought iron may be classic, but there are a couple reasons why we recommend ornamental aluminum and steel instead. Iron can rust, and thus requires maintenance. Aluminum won’t rust and the treatment for steel prevents it from rusting. The other main consideration is price, because iron is much more expensive than the other two.
If you want to learn more, contact us. We explain your options to you and help design and install the right design for you.
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Cast iron fencing alternative
Wrought iron fencing is a gold standard for fences that look good and also offer quality security. However, the expensive handwork that wrought iron requires is a significant deterrent for many people. One effective alternative is cast iron fencing, which is explained on this page.
Cast iron fencing employs premade fence panels that were formed by pouring molten iron into molds. Once the panels are made, installing the fence is a matter of sinking posts, and attaching the panels to the posts. It’s less expensive than wrought iron but looks just like wrought iron and is just as strong.
If you’re looking for wrought iron alternatives, you should also consider ornamental aluminum and steel. Contact us, and we’ll be happy to go over the options open to you and help you figure out which work best for you.
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The fence was framed
Next on our look at the components of a chain-link fence that you’ll have to consider when purchasing one is the framework that holds the fence up. Three kinds of pipes make up the framework: the terminal posts at either end of the fence, the line posts that are placed at intervals along the fence, and the top rail that runs along the top of the fence. The specifications for the framework will remind you of the fabric we discussed in our last post.
Gauge
Just as it did for the fabric, the gauge measures the thickness of steel used to create the framework’s pipes. Obviously the thicker the steel, the stronger the framework.Diameter
This is that one factor that differs from those of the fabric. You can choose the overall diameter of the framework. The larger the diameter, the more metal it will require to maintain the thickness you want.Coating
You don’t have as many coating options for the framework as you do for the fabric, but there is still some choice. The coatings add color to the fence (typically black, brown, and green) and protect it from corrosion. The coating could be either PVC or polyester.To learn more about all kinds of fencing, contact us. We’ll help you determine which kind of fence and specifications are right for you and then professionally install it.
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Fence fabric basics
As this site describes, there are three main considerations when choosing the fabric for a chain-link fence. The fabric is the wire “netting” that makes up the body of the fence between the support structure.
Gauge
The first and probably most important consideration is the gauge or thickness of the fabric. The gauge measures the diameter of the wire that will be intertwined to create the fabric. Obviously, the thicker the wire, the more protection the fence offers. We typically use 11 gauge fabric for our residential customers.Mesh size
Secondly, customers must decide on the size of the mesh or, in other words, the amount of space between the wiring. Typical sizes run between 2 and 2.5 inches, with the inches measuring the distance between parallel sides of the diamond. Smaller sizes are more expensive because they use more metal and offer more security.Coating
Coatings offer protection and visual appeal to a chain-link fence. Zinc coating offers mainly protection to the metal fence. Aluminum coating will protect the metal as well but will allow rust to develop at the ends, where there are scratches, and where there are imperfections. Vinyl coating is usually used in combination with zinc coating to add color to the fence.To learn more about this or any topic, contact us. We can tell you everything you need to know to make a good decision, then install your fence with no hassle.
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Linking everything together
At Hercules Fence, we cater to many different kinds of clients: residential, commercial, and those needing high-security fencing. But no matter who we’re working for, chain-link fences always seem to be the most popular. There are numerous reasons for this.
Chain-link fences are very cost-effective, offering a high level of protection for a very reasonable cost. It’s versatile as well. Coming in several different grades and thicknesses, chain-link fences provide the framework for fiber-optic motion sensors and security cameras. They can be angled and topped by razor wire if needed. Vinyl coating has also helped make chain-link fence more attractive.
Whatever kind of fencing you need, we can install it. Contact us whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or at a high-security installation. We can help you.
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Fence staining tips
Okay, after reading our recent posts on staining your fence, we wanted to provide some tips on just how to do it. This page offers some good advice, and here are a couple things to make it easier.
- Pick a day when there’s no rain forecast for 48 hours before or after. The termperature also needs to be above 52 degrees
- Begin at the top and work down so you’re only dripping on unstained areas.
- When you get close to the ground, put some paper bags or cardboard on the ground to avoid picking up dirt in your brush or roller.
But the easiest thing to do is contact us. We can help you get the work done inexpensively and without hassle.
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Ironing out your fencing options
In our last post, we mentioned that you have a wealth of options when choosing a fencing material for your home and that some materials can be made to look like others. This trend is especially prevalent in the area of wrought iron where less expensive metals are often substitutes. Here are a couple of them and how they improve on the original.Aluminum
A good black aluminum fence can be a good stand-in for iron. Aluminum is lighter but still durable. You may not want it for heavy-duty security, but if you want matal fence that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, aluminum is the way to go. It’s probably the least maintenance-intensive of all your metal options.
Steel
In many ways, steel is the new iron. It’s stronger than aluminum and not as heavy as iron. It won’t corrode like iron will, so it too reduces the amount of maintenance you’ll have to perform. Steel is so popular these days that it comes in a variety of color and styles. It might be the best all-around option for ornamental fencing out there.
Powder coating
Powder coating is part of the secret to maintenance-free metal fencing. The coating forms a transparent plastic barrier to the fencing material, which keeps the elements from reaching the material, but doesn’t detract from the look or peel away. It virtually eliminates painting and can be applied to aluminum, steel, and even iron.
If you’d like to learn more about these products, contact us and we’ll walk you through your options. We’re well versed in constructing and installing aluminum and steel fences (and iron, too), so we can help you whichever way you choose to do.
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Hercules Fence helps restore the National Mall
There are high-profile jobs, and then there are HIGH-PROFILE jobs. In the U.S., it doesn’t get much higher than the National Mall in Washington, DC, so you’ll forgive us if we toot our own horn about the work we did there.
A lot has been made during the last few years of the deterioration of the Mall and its sites. The wear and tear of 25 million visitors annually is showing as detailed by the Trust for the National Mall. The National Park Service, which maintains it, is developing a plan to give the Mall a facelift. We were honored and happy to contribute to the mall’s revitalization by installing new fencing around some of the most hallowed and most visited landmarks in our nation including the Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, and the Korean, Vietnam, and World War II memorials.
We oversaw the project from conception to completion. We selected an attractive chain-and-post design that steered visitors away from protected areas while still inviting them to visit the landmarks. We then installed nearly three miles of custom fencing in the area.
Obviously, it’s easier for anyone to close off an area where a large project is in progress, but in such high-traffic area as the Mall, that’s hardly possible. As you can see in the video and slideshow of the project, our skilled installers took great care and pride as they performed the task while sightseers continued to make their way around the monuments.
From fencing in the smallest yard to projects like this, Hercules Fence is up to the task and delivers expert service and same eye for functionality and aesthetics for all our customers. Contact us to learn more.
