| Q1: |
I have no idea where
to start. What should I do first? |
| A: |
First create a sketch of your
application. You will also need to have some idea of
what type of fencing you would like to have. Some things
to consider when making choices:
- What material do you want or need? Aluminum or Vinyl?
- Do you have any design limitations such as: You
have a pool or your sub-division has height and
color restrictions
- How many gates do you want and where will you
put them?
- Is your application level? Will you install the
fence on a slope?
- Will you install the fence on a deck or cement
patio?
Once you have considered the basics, fax your sketch to out toll-free
fax number 888.813.3623. We will put together
a quote for you in under 24-hours if you have
supplied all the information we need to complete your
quote. |
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| Q2: | What colors do your fences come in? |
| A: | Most fence models come in
Black, White, Bronze and Green with some exceptions. The
colors available vary by the brand. For example:
Delgard fences can also come in Sandstone, OnGuard
fences also come in Beige and Brown and XCEL fences only
come in Black and White.
Note: Expect longer
lead-times for Bronze, Green, Brown and Beige colors. |
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| Black |
White |
Bronze |
Green |
Brown |
Beige |
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| Q3: | Do posts come
included in the price of the fence section? |
| A: | No, posts are sold separately
and each application usually needs a different number of
each type. |
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| Q4: | What posts do I need
to complete my fence? |
| A: | Posts are specifically routed
to accept the rails on a fence section. |
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Here is a list of posts available and their uses.
- Line Post:
A line post is routed to be placed between 2 fence
sections running in a straight line.
- Corner Post:
A corner post is routed to be placed between 2 fence
sections creating a 90-degree angle. Custom angles other
than 90 degrees can be created with an END POST and
ADJUSTABLE FLANGES.
- End Post: An end post is routed only on one
side and is placed at the end of a fence run. It can
also be used with ADJUSTABLE FLANGES to create angles
other than 90-degrees.
- Gate Post:
A GATE POST is placed on either side of a gate and is
routed the same way as an END POST. The difference
between GATE POSTS and END POSTS is that GATE POSTS are
thicker and have are a thicker gage in order to
sustain the weight and force of a gate repeated opening
and closing.
- Blank Post:
A BLANK POST is a post that has no routed holes and is
used where there is a change in grade or slope or a gate
is being installed next to a structure.
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| Q5: |
I am ordering a 36-inch tall fence and the posts are
coming up as 36-inch too. Don’t I need longer posts to insert
into the ground? |
| A: |
No, the posts description uses the fence height, so it's
easier to match up a fence section to a gate and posts. All posts have an extra length of
about 2 feet to put into the ground.
The actual dimensions are shown at the bottom of the product
detail page. Here is an example of what the dimension of a
residential 36-inch high post are.
Fig 1 - Actual Dimensions
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| Q6: |
I have a corner of my yard that is not a 90-degree angle.
How do I fence this in? |
| A: |
By using an END POST and ADJUSTABLE FLANGES.
The number of ADJUSTABLE FLANGES needed is determined by how
many rails are on the fence section.
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| Q7: |
How can I install my fence on an incline? |
| A: |
There are a few ways to accomplish this:
- The first way is
referred as racking. With
racking (see Fig 2), each section is adjusted as seen in the
picture below. Most sections can rack up to 25-degrees, which is about 1 foot per
6 feet ( 1 section ). The image below shows how an aluminum fence section
looks like when it is racked.
- If a steeper angle of racking is needed,
sections can be ordered with extra-racking, also known as
double-punching. Extra racking accommodates angles up to
45-degrees.
-
Lastly, you can use adjustable flanges to angle a fence
section.
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| Fig 2 - Racking
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| Q:8 |
I want to mount my fence on a concrete or wood surface,
How can I accomplish this? |
| A: |
Base flanges will be needed to secure your post to a hard
surface. Delgard posts require you to cut the post to the
desired height and attach a Base Flange. Kingsford posts
have the option of having the base flanges welded on at the
factory. To fasten the flanges a hard surface, you need to
use a lag bolt fastener. If your application is
concrete, then you will also need some type of lag shield
(see Fig 3) to secure the flanges to the surface. Suggested
size of masonry anchor: ¼" x 2½" long
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Fig 3- Lag Shield
or Screw Anchor
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| Q9: |
Can the fence be cut to custom lengths? |
| A: |
Fence sections can be cut down to the desired
length with a hacksaw, reciprocating saw or a chop saw. |
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| Q10: |
What hardware comes with a gate? |
| A: |
Most of our Aluminum Fence Gates have welded
frames, and the pickets are screwed into the frame.
These also include Self-closing hinges and a magnetic,
key-locking latch come with each gate. Delgard’s
Guardian series gates include a Magna-Latch for child
safety. These latches are available for all gates. The
two most popular model are shown in Figures 4 and 5
below.
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Fig 4 - Vertical Pull
Magna-Latch |
Fig 5 - Top Pull
Magna-Latch |
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| Q11: |
I would like to do this myself, where can
I find installation instructions? |
| A: |
Manufacturer installation instructions can be found here:
Manufacturer Installation Instructions |
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| Q12: |
What is the BOCA code? What are the
requirements for pool fencing? |
| A: |
For Pool Fencing, BOCA means that the fence
meets certain standards for safety. Often times this is
referred to as a Pool Barrier. Simply stated it means
the fence needs to meet these basic requirements:
- The top of the fence must be at least
48-inches above ground
- Pickets spaced no more that 4-inches
apart
- Pickets cannot exceed 1-3/4 inches in
width
- The lower two horizontal rail must be
a minimum of 45-inches apart
- The horizontal rails need to be on
the pool side of the fence
- The lowest rail needs to be no
farther that 4-inches above ground
- Gates should open away from the pool
- Gates should be self-closing
and self latching
- The gate release mechanism of
the gate should be at least 54” from the bottom of the gate.
These requirements are for safety in order
to keep smaller children from being able to access a pool.
The rules eliminate handholds and footholds and minimize the
size of the openings and put the gate latches above the
reachable height of small children.
See all of our pool only fence
sections from Delgard, Gilpin, OnGuard and
Xcel
Note:
The minimum height for a 3-Rail fence used for Pool
applications is 54” due to the above rules.
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| Q1: |
How can Prizm make dark colors? |
| A: |
Prizm Vinyl has been
manufacturing vinyl products for over 25 years. Through
superior technology, Prizm Vinyl has created a chemistry
that reduces the heat of PVC material without affecting the
UV inhibitors. |
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| Q2: |
Is it maintenance free? |
| A: |
Prizm Vinyl does require a limited amount of
maintenance. Under normal conditions this maintenance is in
the form of annual washing of the fence with a mild
detergent to keep it looking new. |
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| Q3: |
Will white vinyl
fencing turn yellow? |
| A: |
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) is the chemical that
protects vinyl from turning yellow. Prizm Vinyl uses the
highest effective amount of TiO2 to maintain the color. |
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| Q4: |
Can it break? |
| A: |
Prizm Vinyl can break if subjected to a direct
impact such as an automobile crashing into a fence line.
Under normal use, the fence will not break when installed
properly. Pickets are easily replaced if damaged. |
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| Q5: |
Does it expand? |
| A: |
It is normal for Prizm Vinyl to expand and
contract during temperature changes. Your contractor will
allow for expansion and contraction during the installation
process. |
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| Q6: |
Will it crack, chip, peel or rot? |
| A: |
No. During the life of the product it is
warranted against surface cracking, peeling,
chipping or rotting. |
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| Q7: |
Will it mildew or mold? |
| A: |
Prizm Vinyl will, when subjected to extended damp
weather, collect mold and mildew. The material however can
be cleaned with a solution of mild household detergent and
water. |
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| Q8: |
Does the product become brittle in winter? |
| A: |
As with most vinyl products, Prizm Vinyl
will become less flexible in the coldest weather
conditions. However, unless subjected to unusual
impact, it will not break or crack. Our products
have been engineered to accommodate temperatures
ranging from -65°F to 120°F. |
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| Q9: |
How does it stand up in the wind? |
| A: |
Prizm Vinyl is designed to withstand
normal wind load. The amount of load is dependent on
the installation of the posts and horizontal rails.
If installed according to Prizm Vinyl’s
specifications the fences will stand up to 60 mph
wind load.
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| Q10: |
How do you clean the fence? |
| A: |
As with all exterior products, Prizm Vinyl will
become dirty when exposed to the elements. A mild
detergent and water should be sufficient to keep
your fence looking new. For tough stains, Soft
Scrub™ or baking soda will work well. To remove
stubborn stains use Simple Green™ and 0000 steel
wool. Power washing will provide the best
results. |
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| Q11: |
Is the fence graffiti proof? |
| A: |
Although not classified as graffiti proof, Prizm
Vinyl is easy to clean and most paint comes off with
just a little effort. It may require the use of a
pressure washer or in extreme cases the use of paint
thinner. Very fine sandpaper (400 grit) can be used
when some spots will not come off using the above
methods. |
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| Q12: |
How does it hold up to weed eaters? |
| A: |
As with all vinyl products, direct contact with
lawn and garden equipment can cause damage to the
posts and pickets. Use caution when operating any
type of equipment near fencing, especially
commercial trimmers, which are more aggressive.
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| Q13: |
How high can I make the fence? |
| A: |
Since the picket material is solid, Prizm Vinyl
can accommodate heights up to 12’. However any fence
over 6’ is considered a custom design. Always check
with local building codes. |
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| Q14: |
Do you cement the posts? |
| A: |
We recommend the use of cement in all posts-
please see our detailed installation instructions.
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| Q16: |
How big should the hole be to cement the posts? |
| A: |
A good rule of thumb is to dig the holes twice
the diameter of the post and put cement to within
two inches of the top of the hole on the outside.
Then pour cement into the post above the ground. See
the Prizm Vinyl fence installation instructions for
further details. |
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| Q17: |
Can I get custom styles made? |
| A: |
Virtually any style that can be made from wood
can be made out of Prizm Vinyl materials. With 6
colors and solid wood-like pickets, the styles are
only limited by your imagination. Contact your local
dealer/contractor with your custom design
specifications.
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| Q18: |
Can you make gates from the product? |
| A: |
Prizm Vinyl fabricates gates from the same
material as the fence. The hardware is powder-coated
stainless steel.
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