Blog

Charlotte, NC – Hartsell Brothers Fence Company

A fence is an essential part of both industrial and commercial properties. Fences provide the functional benefits of security and privacy, and enhance the look of your building. Aluminum is one of the most common types of materials used to construct fences, largely because of the distinct advantages and characteristics associated with it.

Understanding what an aluminum fence has to offer your home or business can help you figure out if it is the right choice for your fencing needs. Here are some advantages of aluminum fencing.

RUST-FREE

A huge advantage associated with aluminum as a building material is the fact that it is naturally resistant to rust. This means that water and weather exposure won’t cause structural degradation of your fence over time, which can help improve the life span of your fence and cut down on long-run repair and replacement costs.

This innate quality makes aluminum fences the ideal choice for coastal areas that suffer from higher humidity and salt exposure, which can contribute to rust and corrosion.

LOW MAINTENANCE

Additionally, fences that are made out of aluminum do not require a great deal of maintenance to stay structurally sound. Unlike wood and other types of metal, aluminum won’t need to be sealed or painted to maintain the appearance of your fence.

This is because aluminum is powder coated with paint, which means that the paint is fused to the surface of the aluminum instead of sitting on top of it — preventing flaking and chipping. This also means that the color of your fence will not fade over time due to UV exposure.

CUSTOMIZATION

Another advantage of aluminum fencing is the fact that it can come in a wide range of different shades and colors because the material is painted during the manufacturing process. This kind of manufacturing means that you can easily customize the appearance of your fence to match the design and aesthetic of the exterior of your property.​

VERSATILITY

Aluminum fencing can be racked, which means that it can be slanted or adjusted to deal with uneven surfaces. This versatility makes aluminum fences much easier to install in irregularly shaped yards, on hills and in ditches, which can cut down on initial costs.

With non-racked fence varieties, fencing has to be installed in multiple small sections in a stair-like pattern along the side of a slope — which often creates gaps. Because aluminum fencing can be fitted to irregularities and slopes, you can avoid having gaps at the bottom of your fence. For that reason, aluminum fencing provides greater security for uneven yards.

SECURITY

Aluminum fencing is a durable material that cannot be easily cut or broken through. If security is a necessity for your property, you can have spear tops installed on your fence and the posts dug several feet into the ground to make a near-impenetrable barrier to both human and animal intruders.

The durability of an aluminum fencing barrier makes it a great safety installation for pools and dangerous work areas as well. The use of metal panels can make your aluminum security fence an effective privacy barrier as well.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Finally, a major benefit of aluminum as a fencing material is the fact that it can be made out of recycled materials, and it can also be recycled after it is replaced. Recycling helps reduce the overall environmental impact of your property by making use of sustainably sourced materials.

For any questions or concerns that you may have about your fencing needs, please feel free to contact us at Hartsell Brothers Fence Company. Our team of experienced fencing contractors will be more than happy to work with you to find the best fencing solution for your residential or commercial property.

There has been a great deal of innovation when it comes to the access controls for commercial gates. Technology has been able to enhance both security and convenience. Here is a detailed look into gate access controls and how they can upgrade the infrastructure of your property.

Accessing the gate controls has the potential to utilize gate openers across an entire system, as long as it is compatible. Having a commercial gate company install this system will allow all openers to work in conjunction. That means an all access system will grant access through a variety of forms, including pin numbers, swipe cards and smart cards. Those looking for an added security advantage can even opt for access through biometrics, although it may cost a bit more.

Access goes beyond just entrances and exits from the facility. Gate access controls now have the capability of providing a number of features. There is still the option of having an intercom, but technology has enabled video integration to provide real-time footage of the exterior. There is also the option of placing multiple cameras on the premises, providing different vantage points. In the event that your commercial gate is operated by an attendant, there will always be a visual for added security.

Live video is helpful in dealing with present situations, although picture memory is a feature that enhances overall security. This is a way to capture still images that are saved on an SD card. Future security is enhanced with this type of technology.

The larger your commercial property, the more you may need gate access controls that have the capability of integrating an array of functions. Some gate access controls have expanded scalability, meaning they are able to function with a high number of door stations and gates. This may seem like a sizeable investment initially, but could actually wind up lowering costs on security personnel. The bottom line is that less people will be needed to sufficiently monitor the property and that is a result of an investment in superior gate access controls.

Gate access controls also have the capability of being mobile. This allows you to track exactly who is moving on and off your commercial property. Analytics also provide data that can be used for several purposes.

Commercial gates were first designed to provide secure access, although technology has opened up a whole new world for commercial property owners in terms of controlling and monitoring access.

Hartsell Brothers Fence Company

If you own or manage an apartment community and need to put up some fencing, you may feel paralyzed by the vast array of fencing materials from which you can choose. But while vinyl, cedar, and pine fencing all have their places, there is one material that really stands out as a smart choice for apartment communities: chain link fencing. Here are five reasons why chain link fencing works so well for apartment complexes and housing developments

CHAIN LINK FENCING IS AFFORDABLE

If you do not have a lot of capital to put into fencing, chain link is a great choice because it comes at a lower price point than vinyl, cedar, and most other materials. This allows you to get a fence put up sooner, which makes your apartment community more appealing to residents.
Chain link fencing also requires less maintenance than other fencing types so that you will save money year after year on equipment and labor. All you need to do is hose the fence off a few times per year, and check it periodically for rips and loose fence posts.

CHAIN LINK FENCING IS SAFE FOR KIDS AND PETS

You would hate to have a child or pet injured on your property. Not only would this be unfortunate for the injury victim, but it may also mean increased insurance rates and time spent in court. Chain link fencing is a very safe choice for kids and pets. There are no splinters like there would be on a wooden fence, and since you can see through the fence, parents will be able to keep an eye on kids if they happen to be on the other side.

CHAIN LINK FENCING CAN BE MADE PRIVATE IN CERTAIN AREAS

The fact that you can see right through a chain link fence is often cited as a downfall. However, you can make a chain link fence private in areas where you need it to be.
Just slip privacy slats, which are long pieces of vinyl or plastic, between the chain links. This allows you to have the best of both worlds. Leave the fence plain where you want residents to be able to see through it and add slats right behind homes where you think residents may want to feel more isolated.

CHAIN LINK FENCING IS QUICK TO INSTALL

Carrying on construction projects can be tough in an apartment community. Residents need to get in and out to drive to work, and they don’t want the eyesore of a construction site in their yards. Chain link fencing is quick and easy to install, so your residents don’t have to put up with the construction for very long. This is especially helpful if you have prospective tenants come to look at apartments and want the community to look appealing.

CHAIN LINK FENCING DOES NOT ATTRACT PESTS

A termite or carpenter ant invasion can be a real nightmare in an apartment community. These pests may start off with a fence and then work their way into the buildings themselves. Getting inside individual apartments to exterminate can be a hassle, and tenants won’t appreciate the presence of pests. Thankfully, chain link fencing does not attract these pests the way a wood fence might. You don’t have to apply chemical insecticides, either.
If you’re in need of a new fence for your apartment community, get in touch with Hartsell Brothers Fence Company to learn more about our chain link fences. We offer custom fencing, gates, controlled entry features, and other features to meet your specific needs. You and your residents will be happy with the results

There are lots of manufactured products to choose from when it comes to commercial fencing. But sometimes, there is nothing better than a classic wooden fence. Wood has the versatility to accommodate several commercial applications. It is not a common choice of most industrial properties, although there are enough commercial applications that accommodate a wooden fence.

Wood panel
This variety is the most optimal choice for privacy. The cost is typically lower than commercial fences made from other materials. And while it is not impossible to climb a wooden panel fence, it is not an easy task. A wood panel variety is probably the most common choice for a typical commercial property looking to create privacy and security. However, the upkeep is far greater than that of an aluminum or iron fence.

Picket
Commercial properties can utilize a wood fence with pickets, which can be different from that small country home with the white picket fence. The pickets used for commercial fencing can be different from the ones used in the residential sector. They may be longer and sturdier, providing a truly unique appeal for commercial applications. Many restaurants and businesses looking to create an aesthetic appeal will utilize a picket style commercial fence. It is more for the look than the security.

Split Rail
A split rail fence is one that does not completely hide your property because there are spaces between the wooden rails. This variety provides a rustic look and is not as common on commercial properties. These fences are easy to climb and are known more for their aesthetics than security purposes. Split rail is often used to contain livestock as it is the most common application and also blends nicely with the surrounding scenery.

Wood fencing also has the capability of concealing some of the more unsightly items that can be on a commercial property, such as dumpsters and HVAC systems. It also takes away from that industrial feel. Wood can also be painted a variety of colors and completely change the overall appeal of a property.

When purchasing a commercial wooden fence, it is important to account for the maintenance. It will need to be treated. It is also a nesting place for bugs and pests and may also begin to decay from the weather. Preparing to install a wooden fence on your commercial property is going to take some future preparations to ensure it lasts as long as possible.