Perhaps you’re looking for a little more security? Maybe you’re looking to enhance the aesthetic of your property? Whatever the case may be, you’re hoping to install a commercial fence.
The only thing left to do is to choose a material. Unfortunately, you don’t know the first thing about business fence options. Fortunately, we do.
So, without further ado, here are 6 tips for choosing a commercial fence for businesses.
1. Choose a Fence That Meets Your Security Needs
Not all businesses require the same level of security. Whereas a factory or warehouse or prison requires substantial security, a restaurant or office requires only a small amount of security. As such, these buildings are better served by different types of fences.
Your goal is to assess the security needs of your building and determine which type of material best suits it. Of course, to do this, you’ll need to know which materials provide the best security.
The most secure materials are steel and wrought iron. Next up on the security totem pole are composite and chain link fencing. Rounding out the list are vinyl and wood.
2. Choose a Fence That Meets Your Privacy Needs
In addition to meeting your security needs, you also need to meet your privacy needs. Again, your need for privacy will vary based on the type of business that you run.
If you run, say, a high-security warehouse, you’ll need something opaque that can’t be seen through. If you run a restaurant, on the other hand, you’ll need something that keeps your establishment visible from the street.
The materials that provide the most privacy include wood, composite, and vinyl. Next, up is chain link fencing adorned with privacy slats. Rounding out the list are steel and wrought iron, both of which are almost entirely see-through.
The height of your fence can make a difference here as well. Standard fences stand at around 6 feet tall. Note, though, that you can always go bigger.
3. Remember to Read Up on the Building Codes
Depending on where your building is located, it may or may not have complete freedom in regard to fencing. See, building codes can affect the types of fencing that a business can install.
For instance, if you run a restaurant in a downtown district, you might only be allowed to install high-end metal materials like steel and wrought iron. At the same time, if you’re in a busy part of town, you might not be able to put a fence on the front of your property.
There are all sorts of building codes that could affect your ability to build the fence you want. Make sure to read up on the codes in your area before you go and waste a substantial amount of money.
4. Consider the Primary Purpose of Your Fence
All fences provide some level of security and privacy. However, the primary purpose of your fence will be the thing that most affects its materials and construction.
Maybe you’re building a fence to keep out intruders? Maybe you’re building a fence to enhance the aesthetic of your property? Perhaps you’re looking for a bit more privacy on your commercial property?
There are other possibilities, as well. For instance, maybe you’re housing cats and dogs and need a way to prevent them from escaping? Or maybe you manage tennis courts, and need a way to keep tennis balls on the premises?
Only by considering factors such as these can you choose the perfect fence for your business. These factors will dictate not only the material of the fence but the height of the fence as well.
5. Think About Maintenance
Regardless of the material that you choose, you will need to perform maintenance on it from time to time. Note, though, that some fence materials require more maintenance than do others. As such, you have to be strategic.
The more maintenance-intensive fence materials are wood and wrought iron. These materials require not only regular cleaning but de-rusting, sanding, sealing, and painting as well.
Toward the bottom of the maintenance needs totem pole are chain link, steel, vinyl, and composite. In the majority of cases, these materials require no more than regular cleanings.
Remember: additional maintenance equals additional money, not to mention additional time. So, while a specific material may seem like a good idea initially, it might turn out to be a seismic pain.
6. Assess Cost
The costs of fencing materials are wildly different. Whereas some materials are cheap in terms of both the initial purchase price and maintenance costs, others are expensive on both fronts. Some other materials are initially expensive but require almost nothing in the way of maintenance costs (and vice versa).
The most expensive material is wrought iron, which is expensive in terms of both purchase price and maintenance costs. Next up is steel, which is expensive initially but requires almost no maintenance whatsoever.
Composite costs a lot initially but incurs almost no maintenance expenses. Vinyl is cost-effective in all respects. Chain link fencing is downright cheap, both in terms of the purchase price and maintenance.
And then there’s wood. Wood is fairly inexpensive to purchase and install, but it requires a great deal of maintenance. As such, it can actually end up costing quite a bit over the years.
Consider your budget now and in the future. Then, choose a fence material that aligns with that budget. There’s sure to be an industrial fencing option for you.
A Number of Commercial Fence Options to Choose From
And there they are, 6 tips for choosing a commercial fence. Put these tips to good use, and you’ll find just the fence for your business.
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