How can you get your new aluminum fence around natural obstacles in your yard?
Your new aluminum fence is going to face some natural obstacles before installation. These obstacles include slopes, hills, and dips in your yard. How can you get your aluminum fence around these obstacles? In this week’s blog, we present a guide to navigating these obstacles. Please read on to learn more!
Aluminum Fence Panels and Physics
Aluminum fence panels are constructed in such a way that their panels will point down while the post doesn’t. In fact, the fence picket will remain standing. This method is known as racking. What can racking do? Racking helps aluminum fences follow the natural slopes in your yard, either uphill or downhill. Just because your yard looks perfectly flat and level to the untrained eye does not mean it actually is.
Different Aluminum Fence Heights Follow Different Slopes
A few weeks ago, we discussed how to establish different fence heights. Different fence heights are meant to follow different slopes. Racking works better when there is an uninterrupted slope. But these slopes aren’t all that common.
In fact, every yard is different. But three types exist for sloping lawns and yards. Standard racking works for small slopes, rackable works for medium slopes, and heavy rackable is for steep slopes.
Sometimes, the yard will overlap with the driveway gate. Be sure the components of your fence will work for the size of the area you plan to build over. Raked and stepped fencing might help here.
What’s the Difference Between Raked and Stepped?
Raked fencing follows the slope wherever it goes. Stepped fencing, as its name implies, will rise upwards like a set of stairs. When choosing which one to implement for your aluminum fence, consider the following questions:
Do I Care About Gaps? Raked fences will leave gaps, while stepped will not. Gaps can present risks to users and just look visually unappealing. Fence gaps also let pets escape and wild animals wander in.
What Style Do I Like Best? Even gaps and straight lines look better.
Just How Steep is the Slope in My Yard? There are limits to how much aluminum fences can be raked and stepped, after all.
Choose Hercules Custom Iron
Whether you would like precast bollards or your aluminum fence to be repaired, replaced, or would like an iron fence (period!), the pros at Hercules Custom Iron are ready to help. For more information and to learn how we can meet your custom fencing needs, contact Hercules Custom Iron online or giving us a call at 1-800-331-2590. We will ensure your investment serves your family for years to come! For updates and to see projects we’re working on, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, and Pinterest.