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The Beauty Of A Glass Fence
Admin • October 16, 2017
Sometimes a fence is required in a certain area, such as around a pool to keep children out when they aren't supervised or around a garden to keep animals from eating the plants, but a homeowner doesn't want to block their view with a standard fence. This is when people realize the beauty of a glass fence. Learning more about glass fences will make it easier to decide if they are right for your yard.
View Isn't Blocked
A glass fence consists of a series of glass panels, which can be either framed or unframed. The glass is see through and barely noticeable, so the fence will not interfere with views of the rest of the yard and the surrounding area. This helps make the space look larger than it would if it was broken up with a more visible fence. This means parents can see children swimming even if they're not in the fenced-in pool area.
Very Strong
While some people might worry that a glass fence would break easily, this isn't usually the case because extra-strong glass is used. For example, with a frameless glass fence, the tempered glass is installed in a stainless steel track that's set in concrete and is about six times stronger than regular glass. Although someone heavy leaning against the fence might break it, the main risk to glass fences is getting scratched.
Not Climbable
Some types of fencing are relatively easy to climb, which can defeat the purpose of the fence. However, a glass fence presents a slippery surface that children aren't going to be able to climb, which is part of the reason why glass fences are common around pool areas.
Easy to Clean
A glass fence is easy to clean with either soap and water or a glass cleaner, but just keep in mind that you'll need to clean both sides of the fence. Don't use abrasive cleaning materials or razor blades. How often you'll need to clean will depend on whether every little spot on the glass bothers you or if you can deal with a few spots for a while. Besides cleaning, not much maintenance is required with a glass fence, as it doesn't need to be painted or stained.
Wildlife Considerations
Once consideration with glass fencing is that wildlife might not see it. Similar to how birds or insects sometimes fly into windows, they might fly into the fence and get injured. Up to half of the birds that fly into glass don't survive. Moving any nearby bird feeders and bird baths can help minimize this problem.
Cost Considerations
Because the installation process with a glass fence is complicated, a professional should handle it. The panels can be heavy and need to be put in a certain way. This is part of what makes a glass fence so expensive, potentially costing up to three times as much as a fence made out of one of the least expensive fencing materials. It averages about $118 per linear foot of fencing. Higher fences and those on hilly land will cost more.
Type of Glass Fence
There are three types of glass fences -- framed, frameless, and semi-framed. Frameless fences are more expensive than framed fences but don't have fence posts to interfere with the view. Semi-framed fences only have side posts, while framed fences have metal on all four sides of the glass panes. For those fences with posts, there are a wide variety of styles to choose from so the posts will match with other landscaping or architectural details.
The professionals at Sam's Fencing Inc. can help you choose the most suitable fence for your home.
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A stair handrail is a utilitarian installation, something that helps prevent you from falling while navigating the stairs. However, a handrail also carries visual weight. It helps draw the eyes upward along with the stairs. When you go to choose a handrail for your house, you want it to match the overall style. Below are some ideas for choosing a handrail to promote your home's unique style.
Wrought iron is a gorgeous fencing option that can significantly increase your home's value. What's more, wrought iron fencing is very strong and durable. That said, just like any other fencing, you do need to maintain wrought iron to keep it looking fresh. Below are four maintenance tasks you should perform on your wrought iron fence. Wash the Fence All fences require some sort of cleaning. In the case of wrought iron, you'll simply need to hand-wash it. You should clean your fence at least once a year, or any time you notice it's gotten particularly dirty. To wash your fence, make a solution of warm water and dish soap in a bucket - you don't want an abrasive cleanser as this can scratch the surface of the fence. Use a large, soft sponge to wash the fence. If you need to use a brush to remove bird droppings and grime, don't choose one with especially stiff bristles. After soaping up the fence, rinse all the suds away with a hose. Make sure you completely rinse away the soap because lingering residue can appear as discoloration. You want your wrought iron to dry thoroughly. The sun and air should be sufficient to that end. However, you might give any hidden corners a once-over with a towel so they don't stay damp. Look for Scratches or Rust Any fence you have installed needs to be inspected annually. When it comes to wrought iron, you're on the lookout for scratches in particular. While iron isn't especially prone to scratching, it is a little softer steel. Therefore, make sure you give your fence a good once-over. This inspection is important because scratches can cut through the coating on the exterior of the tubes of iron. The coating is what prevents your wrought iron fence from rusting, and any chinks in that armor can affect its efficacy. Speaking of, you also want to watch out for any direct signs of rusting. Upgrades in manufacturing have significantly minimized the rust potential of the material. However, you want to stop any corrosion before it has a chance to affect the structure of the fence itself. Watch for Signs of Fracture The fact that wrought iron is a little softer than steel actually increases some of its durability. The softer material can better resist shocks and vibration, say, from large trucks passing by. However, the iron can start to fracture with repeated shocks. Luckily, the material "announces" that its structural integrity has been compromised. You might see rust starting to form as the protective coating falls away. You may even see small cracks. If you start to see these signs, have the affected panel replaced before it pulls on the adjacent panels and compromises their structural integrity. Keep Plants Away From the Fencing As always, one of the best maintenance tips is to prevent damage from occurring in the first place. Plants draped over fencing creates a gorgeous effect - from afar. Unfortunately, the plants can trap moisture under their foliage, which promotes corrosion. A weighty plant can even affect the structure, though this is less likely with wrought iron than with vinyl. Therefore, your best bet for maintaining your wrought iron fence is to keep plant life away from it. Watch what's growing at the base of your fence, and cut it back so the vegetation doesn't climb up the posts or rails. Likewise, don't intentionally train a plant over your fencing. A better option is to install a nearby trellis constructed for that use. You'll get the same effect without the fence damage. When you are cutting back vegetation, be careful with your weed whacker. Hitting the base of the fence with blades isn't good for the machine or the fencing. With just a little due diligence and maintenance, your wrought iron fence can last a lifetime. Let Sam's Fencing help with all your fencing projects.
Your home's front porch is the first thing many people notice when they come to your property. The railing and banister you have surrounding your porch provide a protective support for people who use it, but these same structures can also add beauty and curb appeal to your home. If your front porch railings and banister are bent, showing signs of age, or starting to rust, then it's time to upgrade. Speak to your fencing contractor about the various popular materials used in exterior stairs, and explore your options here as well. Wrought Iron Durable, long-lasting, and very attractive, wrought iron is an ideal choice for both a railing and a banister. This material gives your front porch classic yet contemporary appeal. What makes wrought iron an ideal material choice in fencing and railing construction is this - wrought iron is extremely easy to manipulate. This means the metal is very easy to bend and create patterns with, allowing you to customize the appeal of your front porch railing easily. However, you don't have to use wrought iron, or any other material, alone. For example, you can design a railing with swirling rails while having the banister formed out of sealed, rustic wood for an elegant appeal that is also naturally charming. Glass A steel-enclosed glass railing is not only elegant and contemporary in its design, the material is streamlined and extremely unique as well. Tempered glass is often used in railing construction for added strength and durability. If you choose frosted glass for your stair's construction, then the glass will offer a surprising amount of privacy to your front door as a railing style. Frosted glass allows light to penetrate the area but creates little transparency, allowing you to enjoy your front porch whenever you wish without feeling exposed. Wood Wood is a classic choice for a banister and railing. The same wood often used in deck building (cedar and redwood) is often used in railing design as well. Choose wood that is sealed and treated for UV rays to prevent the wood from drying out or fading under the sun's glare. You can choose to leave wood in its natural shape for a woodsy, charming appeal, or select wood that has been rounded and sanded for a more modern approach to wood railings and banisters. For the banister, consider aged driftwood, barn wood, or a large plank of exotic wood to give your porch railing added appeal. Vinyl Vinyl is a wise choice for your front porch if you want a streamlined railing that won't go out of style. Vinyl is one of the most popular choices for residential fences because the material is easy to install, relatively inexpensive, and requires little maintenance. If you want the same streamlined appearance of vinyl yet you want to have more freedom with design choices, then wood is a lovely alternative. Steel Steel is similar to wrought iron in its durability and ability to last for many years. This material can be decorative but does not come in a variety of shapes and styles for railing use. Still, if you have a wider front porch that requires a reliable railing and banister, steel is an excellent option. Steel can also be powder coated or painted to meet your exterior decorative needs. Your fencing contractor will assist you in choosing the best type of railing and banister material for your front porch. When you hire a professional fencing expert from Sam's Fencing Inc., you are in quality hands for your fencing and railing project. Call our team to schedule an appointment today.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address:
10039 Prospect Ave., Ste. K Santee, CA 92071
Phone:
Office:
619-334-9771 | Mobile:
619-654-0789
Email:
sam@samsfence.net
Fax: 619-334-9772
CA License #946946