5 Chain Link Fence Maintenance Tips: How To Maintain Your Chain Link Fence To Last Longer

Chain link fences have all the essential qualities you need in a fence. They are strong, affordable, and secure. Another quality that endears this fence type to both residential and commercial property owners is they hardly need any maintenance.   The outdoor environment is, however, tough for anything that rusts. The weather in Brantford, which gets very wet, doesn’t help either. So despite its celebrated durability, your chain link fence will still benefit from some regular maintenance. It will last even longer, looking just as good. Here are tips on how to maintain your chain link fence: 1. Keep Your Fence Clean   Chain link fences trap a lot of dirt and debris because of their design. While this does not immediately damage the fence, it does make it look unkempt.  Too much dust and debris will also trap moisture that will eventually cause your fence to rust. Make it a habit to regularly clean your fence of dust and other dirt. You can hose it down or, if it’s oily, lightly scrub it with wire steel and soapy water. 2. Do Not Allow Trees To Grow Through Your Fence   Chain link fences do not damage easily but if you let vines grow through yours they will not hold up as well. Yes, all that greenery on the fence does look appealing, but the cost is usually the structural integrity of the fence.   What happens is as the vines or hedge grows, they will lift the fence off the ground, leaving an opening through which pets can escape and wild animals can sneak in. Besides that, as the vines grow through the links the wire may break creating holes that will make the fence less secure.   3. Maintain A Fireguard   While fire will not completely damage a chain-link fence, it will weaken and make it less structurally sound. The steel wire becomes soft and more likely to break. On top of that, fire removes the galvanized finish that protects the fence from rusting.    To protect your fence from fire, clear the immediate surroundings of the fence of anything that burns. Better yet, maintain a fireguard.   Speaking of rusting:   4. Refinish The First At The First Sight Of Rust   Rust is a chain-link fence’s worst enemy. First, that orange, rusted appearance doesn’t look very nice. It makes the fence look old and neglected. Hardly the look you want for your Brantford property.   Even worse than the aesthetic degradation is the actual physical damage rust can cause. As your fence corrodes rust slowly but surely eats away the wire and the supporting posts, weakening and making them more susceptible to breaking.   You can prevent the worst effects of rust on your fence by acting early. Since rust itself is a sign that the protective galvanized finish has worn off, the simple solution is to refinish the fence with metallic, anti-rust paint.   Before you apply any new finish, it is crucial that you prep the fence by cleaning off all rust and dirt. Otherwise, the new finish will not adhere.    Vinegar is known to be effective at softening rust. It is environmentally sustainable, too, even for removing mold. Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions when refinishing, but wait until it has fully dried.    5. Attend to Repairs Timeously   The best way to deal with rust is to catch it early. If you leave it to spread the refinishing job can become too overwhelming. So it is a good habit to regularly inspect your chain link fence for rust and physical damage.   Check areas to the bottom of the fence as they are more likely to rust. Pay particular attention to the upright and supporting posts as these hold the fence together. Areas where the fence appears to sag typically points to an issue that needs to be attended to quickly.   Jay Fencing is the leading chain-link fence installation and repair contractor in Brantford, ON. Whether it is to fix a broken fence to install a new one from scratch, we are at your service. Contact us here to discuss your needs.

What Makes a Good Commercial Fence?

  Businesses in Cambridge, as indeed everywhere else, face many risks. But if there is one all-consuming concern for every business owner, it has to be physical security.    To ensure your assets are secure, and your staff is safe, a good commercial-grade fence is a bare minimum. What makes a good commercial fence, though?   How to Choose a Suitable Commercial-grade Fence   A good commercial fence protects your business property, physical assets, and employees from thieves, vandals, and other trespassers. In essence, a good fence is one that keeps out unwanted visitors.   While a good commercial fence has to be secure, it must accomplish a bit more than that. And because every business is unique, you have to choose the right fence for your business. Luckily, you have more than enough options.   To select the right fence for your Cambridge business, ask yourself the following questions. If you are short on time, you can always seek the guidance of a commercial fencing contractor.   1. What is the Main Purpose of My Fence?   This may sound like an odd question to ask, but we don’t look for the same qualities in a fence. While we all instinctively feel we have to protect our premises from unwanted visitors, we don’t all face the same security threats. Some areas are safer than others.   For a lot of businesses, the need to increase commercial curb appeal is just as, if not, more important than securing assets. If that’s you, the more ornamental wrought iron fence will work much better than a chain-link fence that tends to be plain and uninteresting.    Privacy is another quality other business owners prioritize in a fence. Depending on the nature of your business, you may decide to keep your premises totally blocked off from the street.    That is why masonry wall fences, which combine privacy and security, are a popular choice in industrial districts. Vinyl fences are a cheaper option that offers great privacy.     2. What is the Weather Like in My Area?     Weather plays an important role in your choice of fence, whether it is for your commercial or residential area. Different fencing materials have varying tolerances for the elements.   Wood fences, though not very popular for securing commercial properties, do not handle wet conditions and extreme sunlight very well. If a wood fence fits the aesthetic you are looking to create for your commercial property, be prepared to spend more on maintenance costs.    For fencing options that have great weather resistance, consider chain-link, wrought iron, and vinyl fencing. These are also good low-maintenance options.    Then again, those options may not be the most suitable if you are looking to create an inviting feel that attracts customers to your business. For that, you need a fence that beautifully complements your building’s design.     3. What is My Budget?   Whatever your main purpose is for your commercial fence, you have to balance your needs with your budget. Some fences are more expensive than others.    So if security is a priority for you but you are hamstrung by a limited budget, a chain-link fence will be a more practical option than the more secure but pricier wrought iron fence. Ask your fencing contractor what options you have for fencing materials. They are more experienced and best placed to advise on your best options.     Do You Need a New Fence for Your Commercial Property in Cambridge?   Of course, you don’t always need a new fence. If you already have a fence securing your commercial property, get an experienced commercial fencing contractor to come over and inspect it. All your fence may need are repairs here and there.    Wrought iron fences, for example, have a long service life, but they need regular maintenance to keep their looks. Regular painting will keep rust at bay and preserve their rustic beauty.   That said, if your fence now costs too much to maintain or no longer meets your security needs, you should look to invest in a new one.   Jay Fencing is one of the oldest and most trusted commercial fencing contractors in Cambridge, Ontario. Consider us for your next commercial fencing project.

Curb Appeal For A Commercial Property: It Starts With The Right Fence

  There is only so much curb appeal you can create by fencing your business premises to look like a fort. Secure as it has to be, your place of business still has to look inviting to customers and visitors.   We don’t often associate curb appeal with commercial properties. That may be because curb appeal is a concept popularized by realtors, meaning the general attractiveness of a property when seen from the sidewalk. The idea is that a house that looks good from the outside is easier to sell.   Commercial curb appeal helps your business make the right impression on customers and visitors. It helps you gain the trust of customers, distinguishes you from your competitors, and boosts employee pride and loyalty.   How to Add Appeal to Your Commercial Property in Cambridge   There is a lot that you can do to add curb appeal to your commercial property. You can update your building’s facade with a new paint job and signage, repaint your parking lot, add lighting, as well as remove clutter and clean the surroundings. But if you have a fence around the commercial property, that’s the place to start.    You have quite a few commercial fencing options available. But as different fences have their own unique qualities, you have to know which ones add the right amount of curb appeal. Let’s explore those options:   The Best Fences for Commercial Curb Appeal   While it’s essential that your commercial fence is secure and durable to protect your physical assets, there is no reason why it can’t also be aesthetically pleasing. As a business, it is natural that you should also care about your costs, meaning the fencing option you choose has to be low-maintenance.   To enhance your commercial property’s outdoor space and boost its curb appeal, consider the following commercial fencing options: 1. Aluminum Fence   Aluminum fences have a polished industrial look that adds beauty and lends a professional feel to your place of business. As a material, aluminum is strong and has excellent rust resistance, making it a durable and low-maintenance fencing solution.   Aluminum fences can be welded into many different, sophisticated designs and can be adjusted to fit uneven landscapes. All this gives your commercial fencing contractor enough leeway to design a fence that is unique and which fits your building.   2. Wrought Iron Fence   Wrought iron fences have a timeless, almost understated appeal. Just adequately decorative and customizable, this a safe fencing option that works well when you are not sure what aesthetic has the right feel for your business.    Thanks to their welded construction, wrought iron fences are strong and durable. As long as you maintain it well, you don’t have to worry about replacing the fence for many years to come. The best ones are powder-coated to protect them from rust, making them even more durable.    3. Steel Fence   Steel fences are a sleek choice for commercial properties like office blocks where the aesthetic is smart and professional. Painted black, they are an elegant way to frame your building for the best curb appeal.    Typically see-through yet strong due to the welded construction, a steel fence will help to showcase your building’s unique features and beauty. These fences have an ornamental beauty you would normally associate with wrought iron fences, but without the high maintenance burden.   4. Vinyl Fence       Vinyl fencing looks clean and polished. The fences have it all; they are decorative, hardly need any maintenance, are strong yet affordable, and have excellent fade resistance. While they tended to only come in a few colors, now there is a wide variety of colors and textures to choose from.   For commercial properties that need an extra bit of privacy, vinyl is probably your best option outside masonry walls. The fences are available in a variety of heights and, depending on your chosen design, are completely opaque. This gives them great privacy, which helps to keep unsightly areas of your property out of view from visitors and passersby.   Not sure which of these fences fits your commercial property in Cambridge, ON?   Jay Fencing is a leading commercial fencing contractor in Cambridge. ON. We are here to walk you through all your fencing options and help you find the one that adds the right amount of curb appeal to your commercial property. Contact us for a consultation.