FAQ

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. See diagram of Rake & Step.

What is the post spacing?
Each manufacturer is different. Ultra, Gemstone & OnGuard are 72-1/2” center to center for residential fence. iDeal is 72” center to center for residential fence. Spacing is listed in the details of each fence.

What are the standard colors?
Black and bronze are standard colors across all brands. Many brands offer many color options.

Are custom colors available?
Yes, but there talk to us about other color options. Custom can be expensive.

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 residential sections between columns, 3 sections times 72-1/2” (the standard post spacing) minus 2" for the post, equals 215-1/2" between columns, not 217-1/2” 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 possible. We do offer welded deck mount castings at an added cost.

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 an Aluminum Railing system by Ultra and iDeal aluminum.

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 $ 20.00 per section plus the normal UPS charges. Gates always ship by freight and cannot 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.

What size gate opening do I need for my gates if they are mounted on wood or aluminum posts?
Our swing gates are sold in 2 different ways. Ultra, Gemstone and iDeal all by their opening size, so a 48” gate fits into a 48” opening between posts. OnGuard makes gates full size so a 48” gate is 48” wide and you need to add 1-1/2” to accommodate for hinge and latch. 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. 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.

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. Extra charges can apply, or we typically charge up to the next full width and height gate. Speak to a customer representative.

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 determines when you need to use these larger gate posts. Typically, all gates over 24 square feet need 3” or 4” posts, especially when an operator is placed on the gate. Consult your representative 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 at a charge.

What if I need a special post?  For special posts or “T” posts, we use wall brackets to make this work.

Can I use 2½” posts with my Residential?  Yes, let your sales representative know you are doing this. This is very common.

Can I get tough-up paint to match the factory finish?  We have small bottles of touch-up paint and spray paint. Spray cans are difficult to ship and require a special hazardous cost.