Archive for How-To Guide

Installing an aluminum fence post onto a concrete surface

December 2, 2011 Comments Off

There are two types of flanges that can be used for this application. The most durable post-to-surface mounting attachment we offer is welded flanges for posts. Factory-welded, then powder coated, these durable, welded base flanges are ideal for mounting a post to hard surfaces such as concrete. They are sized appropriately for each type of post’s base and then welded to the base. For best results, use welded flanges when the surface grade is level or near-level. Shimming can sometimes work if the surface near level. Attractive skirt covers are available to conceal the weld as well as the bolts and shims used to secure the post to the surface. An alternative is our two-piece wedge flanges for posts. Though not as strong, they can be more versatile because they enable you to cut each post on location, which can be useful in keeping the top of the fence level when the grade below fluctuates. For a durable and versatile installation without the use of flanges at all, you may want to consider coring a hole into the concrete surface and installing your posts by re-cementing. Properly executed, this can be a very effective installation approach, but we strongly recommend you contract a professional concrete cutting company to do the coring.

aluminum fencing, How-To Guide

Aluminum fence installation tips

June 27, 2011 Comments Off

Question from a recent aluminum fence shopper planning for his project:

We are installing a gate at the sidewalk next to our house. The sidewalk itself has a slight grade incline up from the gate. How do we deal with this issue when installing an aluminum gate?

Our answer:

Here are the potential solutions:

1. Have the gate open out and away from the incline in the opposite direction.  (Gates are universal and can swing in either direction unless prohibited by code, which may be the case if this is a pool project.)

2. Set the gate and the fence higher off grade – just enough to not scrape.

3. Narrow the width of the gate so that it’s reach into the grade incline is minimized.

4. Order a gate slightly shorter than the adjacent fence. The top will then correspond to the adjacent fencing, but the bottom will not. (This will be more obvious with a flush bottom fence.)

5. Go with a classic bottom fence, then shorten gate at bottom on site as needed. At least the bottom rail will still correspond to adjacent fencing. (Note: “Classic bottom” means the vertical pickets protrude down below the lowest horizontal rail.)

This is an example of our customer service. The above answer was taken directly from one of our email correspondences. Welcome to iFenceUSA.com!

aluminum fencing, Aluminum Gates, How-To Guide

How to buy a metal gate in the right size

January 5, 2011 Comments Off

When planning to install a metal (or any) gate over a concrete walkway, keep in mind that the gate needs to be wide enough so that you are able to install the gate posts on each side of the concrete, therefore, we recommend leaving yourself a little extra space. For instance, if you are going to want a 48-inch wide gate, an ideal limit for the width of your walkway is 45 inches. Pavers can be more forgiving, but it’s still better to plan for success .

With pools, the fence is often ordered in advance of the installation of the concrete, so you’ll want to go over this point with the concrete installers. Don’t assume anything! Talking about these details with your concrete professional will ensure the success of your project!

If the concrete has already been poured and the walkway is wider than the the gates typically available from metal fence suppliers, relax! A metal gate can be very cost effectively welded in the specific size you need!

One more thing, when hugging the concrete with your pool fence, there is a key point to remember. Where the walkway meets the pool deck it is common for the concrete’s corner transition to curve rather than abruptly turn 90 degrees. This means that your 45-inch wide walkway is going to flare out just where you intend to put your gate posts and your gate is rendered too narrow.  This type of mistake will probably delay the completion of the installation and likely cost you more money! Don’t let this happen to you!  This issue is resolved in one of two ways: by narrowing the walkway or, by buying a wider gate. Advise your contractor of your decision! Of course, at times, attaching posts to concrete by use of welded flanges is another possibility but this, too, needs to be planned out.

Our FAQ link addresses these circumstances and the best way to plan for success! If you have unanswered questions, SmartTools™ are excellent and easy-to-understand resources. Or, you may prefer to call us and ask us directly. We welcome that approach and are here to serve you!

aluminum fencing, Aluminum Gates, How-To Guide, metal fences

How to plan for a swimming pool safety fence

January 3, 2011 Comments Off

When considering a new swimming pool, it is very important to plan ahead for a safety fence to protect children from the possibility of accidental drowning. For instance, swimming pools can be enclosed by a fence surrounding the pool while totally detached from your house or other “pass through” structure. Another plan is to use the house itself as a partial barrier, with fencing extending out from it to enclose the pool area and then terminating back at the house. The latter plan may comply with your local community pool safety codes (usually with alarms on all points of entry into the pool area from within the house), but it is our considered opinion that a separately enclosed pool area offers children a greater degree of protection. A child that “slips” outside would still have another layer to get through.

We encourage you to thoughtfully plan for the safety of children, not only your own but also others who may visit, and make decisions based on what you think is best, and the governing laws in your community. These laws, or codes, often comply with what is known as the BOCA pool fence safety standard. Some communities offer more relaxed versions of this standard while others demand more stringent standards. Usually, you can find out what the laws in your community are by simply getting on line and searching the name of your county, township or city along with “pool code” or “building code.”  If this doesn’t work, call the appropriate government office directly and ask for a copy of the code. Additionally, it is a very good idea to see if you have a neighborhood association and whether this association has additional binding requirements.

At iFenceUSA.com, we specialize in pool fence designs that comply with the BOCA code for pool safety. We can also modify fences, as needed, for more stringent requirements. Please visit our link on pool safety to learn more about the BOCA pool safety standard. You can also call us for compliance assistance. We are happy to review any document you provide us with, as well as supply you with architectural drawings that give detailed dimensions of our products. These can be very useful as governing authorities often require this information at the time permit(s) are pulled for your project.

We cordially invite you to put our experience to work for you. No pressure, just good old-fashioned service.  No kidding.

aluminum fencing, How-To Guide, pool safety , , , , ,

Learn how to order an aluminum fence with Integrity™ SmartTools™

January 2, 2011 Comments Off

Integrity Aluminum knows exactly what you need to know to execute a successful fence project strategy. Our SmartTools™ link offers a complete how-to guide to buying aluminum fencing. Accept our invitation to ”pick our brains” by using the smartest consumer information tools in the business, SmartTools!™ Our goal is to provide you with detailed information for every process, but our level of direct involvement is dictated by you. We are happy to guide you along the way or we can step aside while you take the reins!

aluminum fencing, How-To Guide