Ornamental Iron Fence Supplies | Steel Fence Supply Company Blog

Celebrate National Landscape Architecture Month by Making Functional Improvements

May 062013

To celebrate National Landscape Architecture Month in April, professional landscape architects are hosting a variety of educational events and activities across the country. Inspired by these happenings, homeowners and business owners are joining in the celebration by investing in landscaping projects which add beauty and a touch of class. Spring is a great time to enhance the overall appearance of your home or business by focusing on its exterior. It’s also a good opportunity to enhance security by installing ornamental steel fencing.

Big Benefits

Most people associate landscaping projects with simple beautification; however, the right landscaping strategies can actually offer some other big benefits. Besides adding resale value to a home, residential landscaping improvements can actually save homeowners money. By replacing grass areas with stone or rock, homeowners can cut down on maintenance costs. Additionally, by planting trees in strategic areas, property owners can create shade, which can drastically reduce utility costs associated with air conditioning. Well-planned landscaping projects can even prevent major damage; for instance, by creating better drainage, some strategic exterior alterations can prevent flooding.

Landscaping projects are also important for business owners, who must project a credible image to their customers. A poorly kept or neglected exterior sends the wrong message to potential customers, who tend to view businesses with poor landscaping as unprofessional or mediocre. After all, just as they wouldn’t think very highly of a lawyer who sets an office up in a strip mall; consumers aren’t likely to respect an enterprise which appears to have no regard for its landscaping.

Functional Enhancements

To get the most out of a landscaping project, homeowners and business owners need to make sure they get a fair return on their investments. While rose bushes and fountains may add beauty and style to a property; they aren’t nearly as valuable as enhancements that add beauty while also performing an important function. Stone walkways, retaining walls and patios offer property owners a good bang for the buck; however, few enhancements have as significant an impact as those which offer beauty and security.

Substantial Value

By offering serious long-term value, ornamental steel fencing gives property owners a huge return on their landscaping investments. Not only do these functional improvements make homes look classier; they make them safer. The right steel fencing also makes business facilities appear more elegant and professional, while also protecting valuable equipment and merchandise. By offering a host of benefits, these attractive, functional structures allow property owners to accomplish several goals by making only one smart investment.

Spring Outdoor Home Improvement Tips

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Apr 192013

Now that spring has finally arrived it is time to pack away the overcoats and parkas and break out the shorts and swimsuits. It’s also time to do some much-needed maintenance to not only your house’s interior, but also the exterior including the yard and surrounding landscape. Now that the weather is nicer, it is the perfect chance to break out the ladder and the tools and do some spring outdoor home improvements that you have been putting off throughout this long, cold winter.

One of the first areas that many people look toward is the lawn itself. Now is the time to get out the lawnmower for that first official cut of the year. Make sure that it’s gassed up and operating fully. You may need to take your mower in for a tune-up to make sure it will be able to handle all the strain you put it under this season. If the lawn doesn’t look up to par, consider investing in sod or tilling up the soil and putting down new grass seed so you can have that lush feel between your toes when you walk barefoot through the yard.
Once you have the lawn looking the way you want it, you may want to consider protecting that lawn with good iron fencing. If you don’t already have a property enclosing fence, now might be the best time to upgrade to one. If you do, this is the time to walk around the entire border of your property checking out the integrity of your fence. If you have a wooden fence, make sure that the boards and posts are stable. If you have an iron fence, make sure that the rails are secure. Also, check the hinges and locks for signs of wear and tear and repair these as needed.
Pool owners should also use this opportunity to get your pool ready for the new season. Give the pool a good thorough cleaning and consider getting a professional to help you get your chemicals balanced perfectly at the start of the season. Vacuum out the pool and also clear up any toys or other debris from around the pool area.
Check your roof to make sure that tiles and shingles have not come loose during winter storms. If possible, climb up on your roof to check these out. Otherwise, use a ladder and give it a cursory glance from a safe distance.
Check out the exterior walls of your home and consider either pressure-washing or, if you can afford it, upgrading to a new coat of paint or vinyl siding to give it that fresh curb appeal.
Give your porch screens some love as well. Many times, winter storms with high winds and rain can damage or tear porch screens. Now is a good time to repair and replace these screens.

These are just a few ideas that can help to get your home’s exterior and yard in top shape for the spring and summer. Just a few hours on the weekends will go a long ways toward making sure the outdoor portion of your property is beautiful and lively.

Simple Ideas to Reduce Rusting in Iron Fences

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Mar 262013

Buying and installing an iron fence is a major property improvement project that a homeowner or business owner will consider with great care. Many property owners are not aware that standard iron fence will rust within just one or two years, while galvanized steel fence will often remain rust free for 20 years. But, once the investment has been made, you definitely want that iron fence to last as long as possible. Even if it’s a big pain. In time, one of the biggest fears of iron fence owners is rust, that corrosive element which can damage and destroy your investment. Rusting is a two-part problem. First, homeowners need to know how to deal with rust that has already begun to form on their fence. Second, they need to know what to do to prevent rust from returning.

Removing Rust—There are a lot of products on the market right now which claim (with varying degrees of success) that they can remove rust. Checking out online reviews for these individual products can be helpful, or you can go with an old-fashioned cleaner—white vinegar. Just apply a little to a paper towel and the dab it on the rusted spots and let it stand for about half an hour before scouring off the rust with a Brillo pad or other piece of steel wool. When scrubbing the rust, be sure to do so gently. You don’t want to scratch the iron-work underneath and permanently nick it. That is why the vinegar is so important since it will loosen the rust and make it easier to remove with the steel wool.
If the rust that has formed on your fence is particularly heavy, you may have to use a disc-sander with sandpaper, but again this is an extremely last resort as you want to be careful not to scratch or nick the paint and iron under the rust.
As for preventing further problems with rust there are a couple of options:
- The first of these is to apply liquid wax to the fence. This serves to coat the fence and create a protective layer that will prevent further rusting. This can be done pretty simply with a paper towel.
- Another option is to apply a rust converter. This will take some extra work as it will need a roller and brush to apply and you will need to apply paint primer when you are finished as well to seal it.

Taking care with your fence and doing regular maintenance will keep your home’s investment looking fresh and strong for years. Just make sure to walk the fence line regularly and inspect it for rust accumulation and take these steps when necessary to prevent any corrosion from creeping in.

Should You Install Your Own Iron Fence?

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Mar 202013

Installing a fence, perhaps around your property, can be a daunting thought. There’s a lot to plan and think through before proceeding. Where is the best place to buy fence materials? What will the installation cost be? Can I do it myself, or do I need to hire a fencing contractor?

You should treat a fencing project just like anything you might build. You will probably need to get local planning permission before proceeding, which in turn will mean that you will need properly prepared plans of the project beforehand.

Consider you neighbors

Do you know exactly where your property boundary is? Most people have a good idea where it is, but encroach on your neighbor’s land, even by an inch or so, and you may find your friendly neighbor is not quite so friendly any more. Always be certain that you have the legal right to do it, before you do it. Your iron fencing project will go much smoother as a result.

It’s probably a good idea to drop along each neighbor who borders your property and discuss your plans with them. They might be concerned about your plans as it may obstruct their view in some way, or impinge on them in some other way.

There are many types of ornamental fence, and the one you plan to erect may not be the right style of fence, or the most suitable wrought iron fence for the neighborhood, or indeed, for you. A quick friendly chat with your neighbors will do wonders for your local public relations. You might even pick up some useful tips too.

Licensed, Insured and Bonded?

You will most likely employ a fencing contractor to do the job for you, unless of course you have prior fencing experience. Assuming that you get a fencing contractor, you will need to ensure that he is properly licensed, insured and bonded.

Your fence, unless it is something like a very short 6-foot run of fence, will most likely cost you more than $500, so it is in your best interests to make sure a bond is in place. This will protect you if your fencing contractor fails to meet the terms of the contract, for any reason. If such a situation arises, having a bond in place will save you a lot of money.

The need for liability insurance should be obvious. This will cover any work related damages that might happen. Workmen’s compensation insurance is also important. While you may think that part of it is really none of your business, you really don’t want injuries or health risks that are not fully covered happening on your property.

A proper fencing contractor is one who has paid all the necessary local fees, and one you can probably trust. If your contractor seems a bit cagey about the subject of codes and permits, ask yourself what he has to hide. Contact your local licensing authority if you need to find out.

Avoid sub-contractors, if possible

The best situation concerning fence installers and contractors is where all the workmen are employed by the contractor. This ensures a certain continuity and control. If a contractor sub-contracts all or part of the work to another company, he loses a degree of control, and you lose even more control.

Your iron fence installation will go much more smoothly if the workmen are fully accountable to the fence installation contractor you hired in the first place. The hierarchy will be properly defined, and you will sleep much better at night too.

Choosing a good, reputable fencing contractor from the start is one of the best tips you can have when you install your own iron fence. You won’t have to worry about fence materials, getting a suitable post hole digger, making sure posts are pre-routed, and that’s always assuming you get the right size of posts in the first place. Getting a good contractor will leave you with nothing to worry about apart from how your fence will look when it’s finished.

Increase School Security with High Security Fencing

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Mar 032013

Recent events have led many to refocus their attention on school security or, in many cases, the lack thereof. Unfortunately, these latest happenings are just another drop in a seemingly bottomless bucket of unfortunate school-related incidents.

Years ago, school security didn’t get much media attention; however, these days, it seems that drugs and violence have infiltrated every nook of society. To keep kids safe, school and government officials are pondering all sorts of strategies aimed at keeping the wrong people off school grounds. While many of these plans revolve around aggressive and controversial policies; others are founded in simple, practical solutions which reduce the risk of tragedies, while also reducing the chances of unforeseen consequences.

Physical Barriers

For years, steel fence panels have been used to protect all sorts of important facilities, including airports, parking lots, highways, public parks, government buildings and more. Today, these barriers are being used to protect more and more schools from people who might seek to harm the precious children within. While not impregnable, these barriers serve as powerful deterrents that keep potentially dangerous people out and wondering students in.

Low-risk, High Return

While people argue about the costs and merits associated with installing armed security personnel on school grounds; smart school officials are busy installing steel security structures that provide effective results without heightening risk. Guns can end up in the wrong hands; and security personnel can prove too costly for communities that are already fighting to stay under budget. On the other hand, high security fencing poses virtually no harm to school children. It also helps to keep drug dealers, child abductors and violent criminals where they belong: outside school grounds.

Another Major Benefit

In a perfect world, children would do exactly as they’re told, while ignoring the lure of dangerous activities. Unfortunately, in the real world, children frequently put themselves at risk by leaving school grounds without permission. When kids are left unsupervised, they may engage in dangerous activities. They may also run across dangerous adults who could threaten their very lives. Steel security fencing helps school administrators keep tabs on students; so they can be sure they stay within the protective confines of school grounds.

Reliable, Lasting Structures

Because they operate under strict budgets, schools need to be sure they are investing wisely in equipment that will stand the test of time. Ornamental Fence Supply instills confidence in its customers by providing quality security fencing that will stand the test of time. Registered with the U.S. Federal Government Central Contractor Registration (CCR), Ornamental Fence Supply only offers the most reliable galvanized prefabricated ornamental steel fencing panels and gates which are prefinished with superior powder coated finishes that are built to last. We offer high security fence options such as Impasse Fence, which is one of only two fence systems in the USA that is certified under the Safety Act by the US Department of Homeland Security. Learn more about how quality security fencing can protect your facility, contact us today.

Iron Fences: A Mix of Security and Beauty

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Feb 202013

Iron fences have the best of all worlds. They are strong and sturdy, providing excellent security where it’s needed, and they can also be designed as extremely pleasing to look at, which can only enhance your property from an aesthetic point of view.

It’s a sad fact that we live in an age when not everyone can be trusted. For this reason, everyone owes it to themselves to stay vigilant and do whatever is necessary to discourage intruders. Chain link fencing, for example, can be very efficient in this respect, but it lacks the simple pleasing effectiveness of well designed ornamental iron fencing.

Properly constructed iron fences and gates are constructed as essentially one piece. The individual pieces are welded together, and this means they are very difficult to take apart. In the case of wooden or vinyl fencing, the finials and pickets can easily be dismantled with nothing more than just a simple screwdriver. Welded panels make the kind of security fencing that allows you to sleep deeply and soundly at night.

Modern wrought iron railings

Of course, most modern wrought iron railing is not actually constructed from so called true wrought iron. The wrought iron term stems from a time before steel was properly discovered and developed, when iron was wrought, or worked, by hand. The raw iron metal was extremely ductile and malleable, which allowed it to be worked into elaborate and decorative scrolls, twists and sweeping curves. The result was something that achieved both beauty and security at the same time.

Today’s modern wrought iron railing is actually made from mild steel. It is a steel with a relatively low carbon composition, which means it is reasonably ductile and malleable, though perhaps not as much as real iron. It lacks the flaws that wrought iron has, which is a result of flux and other impurities in the metal, giving it a distinctive textured look. However, you can often see this texture effect added to mild steel fencing and gates that are deliberately made to appear like original wrought iron.

Custom made wrought iron fencing

An iron ornamental fence can of course be fully custom made to a customer’s individual needs and taste. Some custom gate and fence systems are so beautifully and thoughtfully designed that they can truly be considered works of art. This in no way should detract from the security properties of the fence or gate. It can, though, make your premises look much more friendly and homely, but at the same time still pose a serious problem to any would-be intruder.

There is, of course the added cost of a real prefab steel or custom fabricated iron fence, as opposed to cheaper alternatives, such as chain link fencing ornamental structures. However, most people would agree that iron fencing is quite simply the best, and if that’s what you want, or that’s what your commercial or industrial project requires, then you have to be prepared to admit it, and pay the difference.

Is it really worth the extra you will pay? In a word, yes. This type of fencing is superior in so many ways. It has very long lasting durability, which only adds to its security qualities, which can give you the peace of mind you deserve. It also creates an image of strength, security, and stature.

Maintaining a wrought iron fence

It is, of course, necessary to properly maintain your iron fence and any gates you might have. Like all ferrous metals, they will be susceptible to rust over time. For that reason, it is a very good idea to select galvanized steel ornamental fence panels and gates. This galvanized steel fencing should then be finished with a baked on powder coat finish, which are available in many colors. Ornamental fences made from galvanized steel should not require maintenance for 20 years.

With a little bit of planning, your iron or galvanized steel fence and gates will provide you and your family or business with all the strength and security you need, while looking timeless and elegant for many years to come.

Top-Quality Fencing by Ameristar Fence Products

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Jan 092013

Whether it’s for enhancing landscapes or improving security systems, the use of metal ornamental fences is fast becoming a popular trend. The reason for this is because these fences beautify the surroundings and provide maximum security. If you’re considering a decorative metal fence installation for your home, property or business, you must prioritize products from reliable manufacturers who sell Ameristar Fences.

Tips on Ornamental Fencing

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Jan 082013

Ornamental fencing has come a long way from providing security to families and enhancing the appearance of houses. It has constantly developed in terms of design, material, and uses. There are fences now made of wood, iron, aluminum, bricks, and many other materials. Fences are also available in different designs with artistic details. Continue reading »