A Quick Look at Iron Fences in Ottawa

Meta description: The iron fence Ottawa homeowners use has actually been around for centuries. Discover the reasons why many people have a high regard for this type of fence.

The iron fence Ottawa homeowners use these days actually has a long and distinguished history dating back to the mid-1600s. By the 1700s, wrought iron fences (and also cast iron fences) were becoming more common, especially in larger cities. And even though in the 20^th century steel became the most common metal in architecture, wrought iron fences enjoyed unmatched levels of popularity. Today, many people still enjoy the class of distinction of using this type of fence.

So what makes the iron fence in Ottawa so special?

Beauty

This is perhaps the most commonly cited reason for the iron fence’s popularity. Often the material used for this type of fence is wrought iron. In this case wrought means “worked”, and so wrought iron can be worked into very beautiful and imaginative shapes and designs because it is very malleable. These intricate designs with their swirls and shapes can provide an intriguing look that can complement a classic or modern home.

In some cases, an iron fence may be made from aluminium or steel, but these are similar enough to wrought iron in the factors that really matter. It’s an open design too, and so it is ideal for beautiful homes and gardens that you wish to show off to the world.

Security

Wrought iron is quite tough, especially when compared against materials such as wood and vinyl. People can just shake or kick an iron fence to the ground, and it can keep people out even if they smash the fence with a hammer. The iron fence Ottawa residents favour is really that strong.

In addition, the malleability of the iron fence means that they can be shaped to end in points, which may deter intruders from climbing over the iron fence. Also, these protruding parts of the fence may even come with sharp edges, which can help prevent burglars from breaking in easily. And these security options still don’t detract from the overall beauty of the iron fence. They actually have a decorative function.

Status Symbol

The iron fence may be more expensive than other types of fences, but for some people that’s not a disadvantage. Some homeowners love to show off. They’re status symbols, because just about everyone knows that they’re expensive. And since they’re easy to shape into whatever design you like, nothing prevents you from having your name on your fence as part of the design.

Durability

While rust may be a problem, that’s easily solved by regular paint jobs. And the iron fence owner doesn’t have to worry about other problems that may bedevil the owner of wooden fences. For example, an iron fence won’t rot and it certainly won’t be attacked by insects.

Moreover, strong winds aren’t a problem for an iron fence at all. The open design and the innate strength of the iron guarantee that even after a storm the iron fence will remain standing. 

Facts about the Chain Link Fence Ottawa Residents Must Know

Meta description: You can see chain link fences everywhere, but you may not know as much about them as you should. Read on to discover why chain link fence is so popular in Ottawa.

Just about everyone has seen a chain link fence; they’re virtually everywhere. These fences are made from galvanized steel or aluminium wire and they’re woven together to create the iconic design of the chain link fence Ottawa folks are familiar with.

Uses for the Chain Link Fence

By using a chain link fence Ottawa residents can secure and fence off their properties. Usually these areas are fenced by a chain link fence when function is the highest priority and aesthetics take a back seat (if it is even considered at all). A fence of this type is usually simply functional. The fence keeps people (or animals) inside an area, or the fence keeps them out.

So they’re very useful for various types of institutions, such as prisons where function is everything. Often they’re also used in places which don’t have much of a budget for design aesthetics. Schools often fall into this category, and parking lots, car repair shops, and other commercial areas may also use this type of fence to minimize expenses.

These fences can also be used to keep animals inside an area, so farmers and pet owners use chain link fences extensively. They can also be used for basketball and tennis courts so that the balls don’t go far during the course of the game.

Why Choose a Chain Link Fence?

By opting to use a chain link fence Ottawa residents can enjoy several benefits. One good reason for using it is that it is quite affordable. It’s no coincidence that when a large area needs to be fenced off, a chain link fence is often used.

A chain link fence is also quite durable. There’s no worry about strong winds blowing them down. It won’t be attacked by insects or fungi, and it won’t rot at all. And when you use galvanized steel with zinc coating, corrosion can be minimized considerably.

Of course, security is also another benefit (which is why it is used to protect property and is featured in many prisons). It’s not easy to get through a tall chain link fence without special tools. You can be assured that people don’t get in, or your children and your pets can’t get out of your property.

Finally, a chain link fence is also easy to maintain. You can just let it be especially if you don’t really care for how it looks. But if you do care about its appearance, you can just opt to have the fence coated with vinyl. These can come in various colours to make it look more appealing. Also, the vinyl covering can help fight off corrosion. And if there is a risk of people running into the fence (like in baseball or basketball), the vinyl covering can help soften the impact.

As you can see, the chain link fence Ottawa residents and small business owners use don’t have to look so forbidding. They can be useful and still look great! 

Tips on Caring for an Iron Fence

Meta description: Here are some tips on caring for your iron fence in Ottawa so it can last a long time.

If there are several problems and disadvantages to an iron fence according to Ottawa, you can probably summarize them in just one word: rust. It’s the one thing that can mar the vaunted beauty of wrought iron and offset the supposed durability of a metal fence. It doesn’t matter that an iron fence can be built to last a lifetime. The fact that a fence is exposed to the elements (and rain and snow in particular) means that it will always be vulnerable to corrosion.

With rust, an iron fence can look dingy and ugly. It can compromise the integrity of the fence and may mean intruders can come into your property more easily. And rusted fences can even represent a health risk especially for young children and pets.

So what can you do about this? Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1.       Simple preventive measures. Just like in medicine and in many housekeeping tasks, preventive measures are the best ways to make sure that an iron fence is protected from corrosion. These measures are especially crucial in climates with high moisture levels due to high humidity and constant rains, which can increase the probability of rust.

Here, the first step is to apply an effective wax or sealant all throughout the fence, which prevents the rust from forming. Then you can also apply a coat of paint to the fence. This minimizes the oxidation crucial to the corrosion process, as it causes less contact between the iron and the air. This can then help prevent or minimize the chance that rust will develop.

2.       Regular cleaning and maintenance. Now that you’ve applied the sealant and paint, it doesn’t mean you can just leave fence be. The iron fence Ottawa homeowners use must also be cleaned on a regular basis. This can be done very easily enough, as you’ll only need some dish soap and warm water.

Cleaning isn’t just necessary because it can help make your iron fence look better. It also removes the grime so you can carefully check your iron fence for any signs that will need your immediate attention. You should check for any signs of rust. And if any chips in the paint are found, then these must be covered right away with a new coating of paint.

3.       Iron fence repairs. Most problems with wrought iron fences can be fixed easily, especially when they’re found at the onset. Small rusted areas can be scrubbed or sanded to get rid of the rust and to prevent any further corrosion. If the rusting is serious, then parts of the iron fence may need to be replaced. But there’s no need to buy an entirely new iron fence.

Keep in mind that dents can also be a problem with an iron fence Ottawa homeowners will have to deal with. For serious dents, it may be more advisable to have a pro fix it than to do it yourself.

What to Consider before You Put Up a Fence in Ottawa

Meta description: You want to put up a fence on your property? Not so fast. Before shopping for Ottawa fences, some factors must first be considered.

For many folks, it can be tempting to just erect a fence all by themselves. It doesn’t seem all that difficult and it makes for a nice DIY project. But in Ottawa fences aren’t just put up easily. You must carefully think about your plan so problems and costs can be minimized.

Here are some considerations that can’t be overlooked when it comes to Ottawa fences.

•        Is It Legal? In some neighbourhoods in Ottawa, fence construction may be subject to the rules set by the local homeowner’s association. There may be some rules regarding type of fence allowed or the height may be limited. In a few areas, fences may not even be allowed at all. So if you build your fence without checking first, you may have to pay a fine, or you may even be forced to remove the fence altogether.

You should check in with your neighbours as well, because they will also be affected by your decision to have a fence. At the very least, it fosters amicable relations when you can get their approval as well.

•        Determine the Purpose of Your Fence. What is it for? Some people just like to build a fence for decorative purposes. But it can also be for security reasons, especially if you’ve just been burglarized. A fence can also keep your dogs from other people’s backyards, keep your young children off the streets, or keep the basketball from getting into the busy street or in your neighbour’s prized garden. The purpose of the fence can help you decide on the materials and the design.

•        Pick a Good Fencing Company. The company you choose should be able to offer every service you need regarding your fence. So if you need someone to repair your fence later on, they should be able to do that for you too. It’s better than having to choose one company to install and then later on you’ll have to go through the whole process of choosing a new fencing company for repairs and adjustments.

To pick a good one, do your research. Don’t just read what they say they can do, but read the online reviews as well. Get estimates from at least three companies, and ask for references. And do yourself a favour and verify those references!

•        Pick the Right Type and Design for your Fence. Your fencing company should be able to help you choose the right fence among your options. Your fence should fulfil its purpose, and it should match your preferences too. Most people prefer one that requires little to no maintenance. And you should also make sure your fence adds to the value of your property. And don’t forget about the entrance design.

Ottawa fences can offer many types of benefits, provided it’s allowed and you choose the best fencing company. 

Surprising Benefits to Using Ottawa Fencing Companies

Meta description: Ottawa fencing companies can offer you many benefits as shown in this guide.

It’s always very tempting to just treat a fencing task as a DIY project. But Ottawa fencing companies can provide you with advantages that a DIY project can’t. They can guide you throughout the process and they can also recommend solutions and fence designs that may better suit your needs. Of course, they can also spare you the hard work and their results are often better than anything you may be able to do on your own.

All these are obvious. But here are some benefits you may not realize yet:

•        They carry insurance. They carry general liability insurance which protects your property from any damage caused by their employees. They also have workers’ compensation insurance so you’re not held liable when an employee gets hurt while working on your property.

•        They can help you with the permits. If they’re an experienced company, they should know the process intimately and they can give you precise advice on what to do and what to expect. Your local homeowners’ association may require special types of fences only, or they may have rules specifying the maximum height of the fence. The fencing company can help you understand what these rules mean.

•        They help locate buried lines. They can contact the local utility company so that they can locate and mark the locations of the power, water, and underground gas lines. They’ll also refer you to a title company or surveyor so you’ll have records verifying the boundaries of your properties.

•        Disposal of an old fence may be part of their job. Check to see that the clean-up is part of the written contract, and see if this entails additional fees. This includes getting rid of the old fence, as well as disposing of old nails and other dangerous items.

•        The fencing company can deal with the neighbors. It can get very awkward if you get into an argument over the extent of your property. The fencing company can inform your neighbors of the real boundaries of your property. Also, they can take care of the grudging task of informing your neighbors about your planned fence.

•        DIY fencing requires lots of specialized equipment. You won’t have to purchase or rent any of these expensive tools, such as a hydraulic post-hole digger. They may even have their own generator to power the equipment they used.

•        They can also deal with any unknown things under the ground. For example, they may hit an unmarked power line while digging and that can be a serious or even fatal problem.

With these benefits, it really doesn’t make much sense to build your fence on your own. Do yourself a favour and choose among the Ottawa fencing companies instead. 

The Many Differences between a PVC fence and a Vinyl Fence

Meta description: Are PVC fences and vinyl fences the same? Not exactly. Read this guide to know where the differences lie.

For most people in the fence construction industry, a PVC fence and a vinyl fence refer to the same item. After all, PVC is polyvinyl chloride which some just shorten to “vinyl”. But there seems to be a recent trend to using the term vinyl fence for the fences that are specifically meant to be an alternative to a wooden fence. On the other hand, PVC fences are those which are constructed from sawed PVC pipes.

Cost of Purchase

This is perhaps the biggest difference, because PVC fences are so much cheaper than other fencing solutions. In fact, this type of fence probably started out as a makeshift DIY solution for those who didn’t have much of a budget for a proper fence. PVC pipes are extremely cheap, while the vinyl fences are much more expensive because they’re meant to be used for fencing.

So let’s put it this way. A PVC fence (which is made out of PVC pipes) is generally more affordable than many types of wooden fence. A vinyl fence, however, is more expensive than not just the PVC pipe but also the wooden fence.

Ease of Installation

When you’re installing a vinyl fence, all you really need to do is to follow the instructions of the manufacturer. This should be easier since it is actually designed to function as a fence.

Meanwhile, building a PVC fence requires more effort. You will have to buy PVC pipes in the exact same measurement, or you can saw a long PVC pipe to get several pipes with the same length. You will have to carefully plan the length of each pipe, especially when you want some variety in the lengths.

Design

While these two types of fences may both be made from polyvinyl chloride, they don’t look in any way alike. Keep in mind that the vinyl fence is intentionally made to look like a proper fence. So the parts are all moulded to whatever shape you fancy and they may come in a colour you like. A fence like these can look very attractive indeed. They can look like a classic picket fence or it can be a privacy fence instead.

With the PVC fence, there’s no escaping the fact that you made this out of a series of PVC pipes. It looks very basic and it’s not quite as attractive.

Lifespan

As they’re made from the same material, they both have the same advantages against termites, fungi, and the elements. The polyvinyl chloride on both types of fences can withstand them all. Both fences require very little maintenance, and soap and some water from a hose may be enough to clean them both.

But there’s really no guarantee how long a makeshift fence made from PVC pipes will last. And if a particular PVC pipe breaks, then you’ll have to replace it yourself.

With the vinyl fences, however, there’s usually a warranty. So if anything breaks during the warranty period, the manufacturer can repair or replace the fence.

Conclusion

So which one should you get? If you’re on a tight budget, then you’ll have to go with a PVC fence. But if you need a real alternative that can compare favourably with wood fences, then get the vinyl fence. 

Ottawa Fence Companies: How to Pick the Right One

Meta description: Here are some indications that show you which Ottawa fence companies to avoid.

Not all Ottawa fence companies are good. In fact, a few can be downright suspicious. So you may want to think about working with another fence company when you encounter any of the following red flags:

1.       They don’t have a website. In this day and age, that’s a real concern because just about every legitimate business has it’s own website.

2.       They don’t have an actual office. Without an office, it’s very difficult to verify the legitimacy of a contractor.

3.       They ask that you make out your payments to an individual. That may mean that they’re unlicensed, which is really risky for you. You’ll have to settle with substandard work, and you’ll also be accountable if any worker suffers an injury while working on your property.

4.       You’re asked to pay in cash. This is a common tactic of questionable fencing companies, as cash is just about impossible to track. Protect yourself by paying with your credit card or a check.

5.       They tell you to pay upfront in full. You’re supposed to make the final payment only when you’re totally satisfied with the result. Even those who ask for an upfront deposit usually only ask for 10%.

6.       They don’t have documentation of their company’s insurance coverage. That’s a sign they don’t have insurance at all.

7.       There’s a pending legal action against the contractor. Their case may cause them stop working on your fence before it is completed. That would be a major inconvenience for you, as you’ll be forced to either get another fence company or finish the job yourself.

8.       They don’t have references. Either they’re new or they don’t have anyone among their previous who’s willing to recommend them.

9.       There’s no firm written contract. This is no time for a handshake deal. The contract must contain an itemized list of fees and costs. It should specify when the job will start and end, what the responsibilities of the fence companies are, when payments are due, and to whom the payments should be rendered.

10.   They use subcontractors for the entire job. That gives the contractor (and you) less control over the quality of the fencing and the timeliness of the work.

11.   They’re not a member of any professional association or affiliation. You’ll want a company that is affiliated with the right groups because that’s a sign that their references and background check out.

12.   They don’t offer any warranties on their actual installation work. Good companies have warranties for at least 2 years. Some even offer up to 5 years.

13.   They don’t have the pertinent info and documentation you need when you ask for it. These things should be ready at all times.

So there you have it. We have at least 13 signs of a company you may want to avoid. Save yourself the trouble and go with Ottawa fence companies who pass through these checks with flying colours