Friday, December 21, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Decorative Holiday Fence Ideas and How to Implement Them
With Thanksgiving passed, many of us are well into the holiday spirit, so here are a few ideas and implementations for incorporating your fence into your home and landscape's holiday look.
Firstly we have a great idea from DIY Network to upcycle picket fence pieces into a rustic "North woods-style" wreath. The process is to cut the wood pickets and attach them to a large wooden wreath form using hot glue and nails, then securing garland and pine cones with 22-gauge floral wire. Click here for detailed instructions.
On a post & rail fence, simply hanging a wreath over one of the posts offers a simple solution for a rustic country holiday look as in this picture from Alaska in Pictures. In this case it's likely that no fastener is even needed. If a fastening method seems necessary, fishing line works well.
Here's another wonderfully rustic image from Ocracoke, North Carolina of a simple wreath hung on a cedar picket fence covered in lichen. Thanks to George Brown and Pixadilly.com for this one.
Now for those who are looking at a much more refined vision for the season, we would like to offer the following two much more upscale holiday landscape designs.
Below is the Harrington Oaks Christmas look from ideabooks by houzz.com. With a design combining lights, ribbons, wreaths and garlands, you will surely want a fastening system and as mentioned above, fishing line works well. For heavier items like wreaths, just wrap it around a few times. Avoid using nails if possible, but if they are necessary, be sure to use galvanized in avoidance of rust.
Pam offers the look to the right in her Simple Details blog. It's from a page in the Pottery Barn catalog and as she puts it, "After a trip to Dollar Tree for ornaments and my garage attic to retrieve the wreaths, I'm only 658 ornaments, 219 glue sticks, underestimated hours of labor and a dusting of snow, away from the picturesque perfection of page 76!"
Aside from simple hanging a wreath, we also came across a couple of ideas to spruce up a chain link fence for the holidays. What could be easier than to hang Christmas ornaments from the chain link? That's just what Stefanie Girard suggests in her Sweater Surgery blog.
This technique can be used for other holidays as well, but a more traditional look can also be achieved on a chain link fence as Vicky of Chain Link Trellis blog offers below, in which she drapes the fence with artificial (or "fake", as she puts it) garland, which could of course be substituted with the real thing.
In the image to the left from Naturworks organic gardening and landscape design in Northford, Connecticut, who take a completely natural approach to the holidays, we can see how a solid board wooden privacy fence is transformed for the season into a "wall of wreaths", each one custom made.
And the last piece we'll enjoy comes from Dave Huss via photospin.com and represents a holiday fence design which is both non-traditional and rustic at the same time. More of a spring wreath, but the idea could easily be adapted for the winter season. It appears to be a wreath made of barb wire, hanging on a welded wire fence. Don't mind the POSTED Keep Out sign.
If you have any innovative or traditional ideas for incorporating and integrating the fence into a celebratory seasonal holiday design, please share with us and feel free to post pics.
Happy Holidays.
Firstly we have a great idea from DIY Network to upcycle picket fence pieces into a rustic "North woods-style" wreath. The process is to cut the wood pickets and attach them to a large wooden wreath form using hot glue and nails, then securing garland and pine cones with 22-gauge floral wire. Click here for detailed instructions. 
On a post & rail fence, simply hanging a wreath over one of the posts offers a simple solution for a rustic country holiday look as in this picture from Alaska in Pictures. In this case it's likely that no fastener is even needed. If a fastening method seems necessary, fishing line works well.
Here's another wonderfully rustic image from Ocracoke, North Carolina of a simple wreath hung on a cedar picket fence covered in lichen. Thanks to George Brown and Pixadilly.com for this one.
Now for those who are looking at a much more refined vision for the season, we would like to offer the following two much more upscale holiday landscape designs.
Below is the Harrington Oaks Christmas look from ideabooks by houzz.com. With a design combining lights, ribbons, wreaths and garlands, you will surely want a fastening system and as mentioned above, fishing line works well. For heavier items like wreaths, just wrap it around a few times. Avoid using nails if possible, but if they are necessary, be sure to use galvanized in avoidance of rust.
Pam offers the look to the right in her Simple Details blog. It's from a page in the Pottery Barn catalog and as she puts it, "After a trip to Dollar Tree for ornaments and my garage attic to retrieve the wreaths, I'm only 658 ornaments, 219 glue sticks, underestimated hours of labor and a dusting of snow, away from the picturesque perfection of page 76!" Aside from simple hanging a wreath, we also came across a couple of ideas to spruce up a chain link fence for the holidays. What could be easier than to hang Christmas ornaments from the chain link? That's just what Stefanie Girard suggests in her Sweater Surgery blog.
This technique can be used for other holidays as well, but a more traditional look can also be achieved on a chain link fence as Vicky of Chain Link Trellis blog offers below, in which she drapes the fence with artificial (or "fake", as she puts it) garland, which could of course be substituted with the real thing. 
In the image to the left from Naturworks organic gardening and landscape design in Northford, Connecticut, who take a completely natural approach to the holidays, we can see how a solid board wooden privacy fence is transformed for the season into a "wall of wreaths", each one custom made. 
And the last piece we'll enjoy comes from Dave Huss via photospin.com and represents a holiday fence design which is both non-traditional and rustic at the same time. More of a spring wreath, but the idea could easily be adapted for the winter season. It appears to be a wreath made of barb wire, hanging on a welded wire fence. Don't mind the POSTED Keep Out sign. If you have any innovative or traditional ideas for incorporating and integrating the fence into a celebratory seasonal holiday design, please share with us and feel free to post pics.
Happy Holidays.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Let's keep in mind today the role fences have played in the military history and how they've affected the lives, deaths, victories and defeat of US Veterans. Let's look at a couple of famous fences in military history.
Battle of Gettysburg
This letter by Henry Moore of the 38th North Carolina may shed a little light on the subject of the fence. He writes, " As we emerged from the woods we were nearly three fourths of a mile from the Federal lines. We could see about a mile of the enemy's works. We suffered very little from the enemy fire until about half way across the field. We climbed a diagonal fence running across the field and (when we had) climbed it. We were now greeted by heavy doses of canister. Our men were falling in every direction but we managed to struggle on. About 200 yards from the enemy we reached another fence which confused us considerably.
The fire from enemy artillery and infantry were terrible and we were reduced to a mere skirmish line."
WWI
The Dutch-Belgian Wire of Death. Down by the Swiss border, an experimental electric fence, strong enough to kill any person or animal that touched it, had been constructed in early 1915 to isolate thirteen Alsatian villages from Switzerland. It was decided to use a similar fence on a much larger scale to seal off the Belgian-Dutch border. Work began in April 1915 and, using hired local workers, Landsturm troops (third-class infantry) and Russian POWs, the fence was completed in August 1915.
It stretched almost 200 miles from Vaals, near the German border, to the Schelde River, north of Antwerp (see map), more or less following the border, completely on Belgian soil. The main fence was six to ten feet high with five to ten copper wires carrying 2,000 to 6,000 volts, more than enough to kill anyone touching one of the live wires. A series of huts housed the generators and the current could be cut off in sections for maintenance or to retrieve dead bodies. Usually, two outer barbed wire fences, one on either side, would stop stray animals or humans from coming in contact with the electrified fence, though there were sections with only the live fence and nothing to keep people from brushing against it. At regular intervals, guard posts were built and the perimeter was regularly patrolled. The German soldiers were given orders to shoot to kill and some escapees were shot even though they had made it to Dutch territory.
We at Academy Fence Company are fortunate to operate in a time and place where fences are peaceful installations, most of which have safety, beauty and security as their function. Here's to the veterans who have sacrificed their lives and to those who dedicate their lives to help keep it that way.
Peace and Justice.
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| The march across the open field was only stopped by the rail fence at the Emmitsburg Road and because of its height and construction, it prevented the troops from scaling it and getting across the road fast enough. The death toll on this field was phenomenal. photo: gettysburgbeat.com |
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| Photo: http://havemorecake.blogspot.com/2008/07/ through-battlefields-of-gettysburg.html |
The fire from enemy artillery and infantry were terrible and we were reduced to a mere skirmish line."
WWI
The Dutch-Belgian Wire of Death. Down by the Swiss border, an experimental electric fence, strong enough to kill any person or animal that touched it, had been constructed in early 1915 to isolate thirteen Alsatian villages from Switzerland. It was decided to use a similar fence on a much larger scale to seal off the Belgian-Dutch border. Work began in April 1915 and, using hired local workers, Landsturm troops (third-class infantry) and Russian POWs, the fence was completed in August 1915.
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| photo: http://inspiringpretty.com/2012/06/26/ creative-ways-show-off-red-white-blue-independence-day/ |
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
On the Fence? Two Dozen Reasons to vote for... or not to vote for...
Americans who paid even the least bit of attention in history, civics and government classes know the historical reasons they should vote. Today’s reasons are just as urgent. For anyone who may be sitting on the fence. Here is a collection of reasons on both sides, from all over the country:
1. Independent thinkers: To tell New York City millionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg to let Idaho fight its own battles. A court-ordered disclosure this week unmasked Bloomberg as the second-largest contributor at $200,000 to a group called “Education Voters of Idaho. It’s backing the controversial Luna Laws (Propositions 1, 2 and 3) with heavy advertising. The largest donor at $250,000 is Joe Scott, grocery heir and chair of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation. He’s also a large investor in K12 Inc., an online education company that may benefit if the measures pass.
2. Blaine County and District 26 moderates: To give Idaho’s radical-right Republican-dominated Legislature some loyal opposition by continuing to elect Democrats to represent them in Boise.
3. Young women and men: To protect access to effective birth control and abortion. Anyone in their reproductive years who doesn’t take these issues seriously should ask a Baby Boomer or someone older what it was like when abortion was illegal and birth control pills didn’t exist.
4. People whose livelihoods depend on the weather (ask New Jersey who they are): To vote for candidates willing to take action on global warming, which is melting polar ice and, scientists believe, may contribute to fierce storms and environmental damage.
5: Anyone who likes snowsports or needs water: See No. 4.
6. People who like the scales of justice in balance: To determine whether the right-leaning U.S. Supreme Court will lean ever more right or become more balanced when new justices are appointed by the next president.
7. People with local jobs: To protect jobs by voting “yes” for a local-option tax increase to be paid mostly by visitors to support more widespread air service. Having a job or a business in the area may depend on the outcome of this issue.
8. People who want to know what laws will do before they approve them: To send the constitutional amendment to make hunting, fishing and trapping a right enshrined in the state Constitution back to the Legislature by voting “no” as a demand for more information.
9. People who wish to exercise their right under Idaho law not to produce a photo I.D. in order to vote: To show up at the polls and simply ask to sign a statement declaring that you are the person you say you are.
10. Fashionistas: To be able to wear the cool red, white and blue “I voted” sticker all day long.
Top 10 Reasons NOT To Vote For Barack Obama
10. He loves coffee flavored yogurt.
9. His best friend is a cat burglar.
8. He wants to sew your grandma’s mouth shut.
7. He runs the bath for terrorists so it will be ready when they get home.
6. He wants to eat everyone’s pets.
5. His face actually belongs to someone else and he used Face/Off technology to steal it.
4. Michelle Obama hates the American smell of fresh laundry.
3. His favorite song is “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Wiser.
2. He wants to give our money to one of those “homeless” crusty punks who doesn’t seem like he/she is actually homeless.
1. America!
So that’s 20 reasons now.
Marc Anthony’s Three Reasons to Vote Obama
Top 10 reasons to vote Obama out of office
Bring this list to the attention of undecided voters to help them make up their mind that it is, indeed, time for a change.
1. Jobs not being created
Don’t let the official 7.8 percent unemployment rate for September fool you; work-force participation is at a record low and 23 million American are looking for work. Ten times as many people have dropped out of the work force during Obama’s term than have found a job. His last attempt at helping the unemployed—the 2009 stimulus package—cost nearly a trillion dollars with minimal impact on creating actual jobs.
2. Debt crisis spiraling
Under Obama, the nation has accumulated nearly $6 trillion in debt over four years and a second term would likely add more. The cost of financing the national debt will quickly skyrocket as interest rates rise. Obama’s only plan to staunch the bleeding is to tax the rich. But even if he succeeds in letting the Bush tax cuts expire for families with incomes over $250,000, the annual deficit of $1.2 trillion would only fall to $1.12 trillion.
3. Obamacare outrages
Obama’s signature achievement—the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act—is more unpopular today than it was when he signed it into law. Obamacare adds to the deficit, while raising taxes on Americans of all stripes, even while harming job creation. Many families will lose their current health care coverage and surveys of doctors show many will flee the profession.
4. Foreign policy unraveling
The attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi—and the administration’s incompetence after—is a dramatic example of the unraveling of Obama’s entire approach to foreign policy. Now Muslim mobs are protesting the United States around the world, apparently unswayed by Obama’s Cairo outreach. Add his ill-fated Russia “reset,” and his snub of world leaders at the United Nations and the result is a foreign policy with not a single positive achievement.
5. Economic anemia
We didn’t expect a rapid recovery after the recession, but we’re past a point where the economy should have begun to show steady growth as businesses become more confident, hire workers and consumer spending increases. But growth this year is under 2 percent. With crushing burdens and uncertainties heaped onto businesses—from Dodd-Frank and Obamacare to EPA regulations and tax hikes—Obama has managed to defy the business cycle.
6. Class warfare rhetoric
Obama has taken class warfare to a new level, attacking the successful as being greedy and heartless for not paying their fare share. He demonizes bankers, Wall Street and demands that the “millionaires and billionaires” be taxed at higher rates. The irony of it all is that his policies will do the most harm to the middle class, with his job killing programs, and small businesses, by hiking their taxes.
7. Partisan politics
Unlike Presidents Reagan, H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush who all reached across the aisle to secure legislation with bipartisan support, Obama has tried to ram through his agenda without any help, as many of his major initiatives failed to attract a single GOP vote. For a president who promised change, he has only increased its harshness by constantly attacking the opposition.
8. No more Biden
After his debate with Paul Ryan, Vice President Joe Biden’s “regular-guy” schtick is wearing thin. His smirking and laughing, when the nation wanted to hear a serious debate on the issues, was demeaning to the office, and makes the idea of “Crazy Joe” being a heartbeat away from the presidency a sobering thought. We can only hope that with a Romney-Ryan victory, Biden will go ahead and get a one-way Amtrak ticket back to Delaware, or better yet, Scranton, Pa.
9. Clean house of incompetents
It’s not only the anticipation of Biden’s departure from office that gives cheer, but finally the nation can get rid of the whole gang that couldn’t shoot straight. From White House spokesman Jay Carney and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice’s cloudy account of the Libya attack to Attorney General Eric Holder’s outrageous obfuscation on Fast and Furious, we’ve seen quite enough of Chicago-style politics.
10. No plan for future
Just as Obama has found it hard to run on his record, his constant attacks on Romney mask the fact that he doesn’t have much of a plan to turn things around. A president’s normal route for pushing an agenda is often contained in his annual budget request to Congress. Obama’s spending blueprint is such a joke that every year it is the Republicans that introduce it as a bill and then both sides of the aisle unanimously vote against it. His only plan is to tax and spend the U.S. into oblivion, with future generations crushed by a mountain of debt.
Here are the top 10 reasons why you should not vote for Mitt Romney in the 2012 election:
10) Romney isn’t too clear about the environment.
Romney does believe in global warming, but he is not too sure how much humans are responsible. He advocates for renewable resources and wants to to wean America off foreign oil, but he also supports drilling supports drilling in the Arctic Wildlife National Refuge.
9) Gun Control: to have or not to have?
Romney has been quite wishy-washy on his views on gun control. In 2004, he passed one of the tightest bans on assault weapons in Massachusetts. But, later on, Romney bought a lifetime membership to the NRA and hopes to endorse the National Rifle Association. Though gun control is not one of the main issues for this campaign, it has been brought to recent light since the Aurora, CO shootings.
8) Poor people should NOT go to college.
Romney’s running mate Paul Ryan has proposed a budget that would eliminate $170 billion from Pell grants. Pell grants allow low-income students to receive funding for college without repayment. This budget cut would possibly effect 1 million students if passed.
7) Let’s take some federal funding away from schools.
Romney’s plan involving disabled students could possibly eliminate programs like Title I in public schools. Funding for these types of programs is already dwindling. If this law were enacted, it may leave public schools without the resources to provide for the students who did not qualify for their school of choice.
6) Obamacare flip-flop.
Romney recently stated in an interview with NBC’S “Meet the Press” that he “is not getting rid of all health reform [that the Affordable Care Act enacts].” The Affordable Care Act has a ban on discriminating against people with pre-existing insurance. He condoned that ban in the interview, yet in an update later that night, an aide states he does not support that part of the law. One of Romney’s main platforms is to get rid of Obamacare, but he flip-flops on this issue as he does on his opinions on gun control.
5) Discusses things at inappropriate times.
Romney’s harsh criticisms of Obama’s response came only hours after the deaths of four Americans in Libya. Romney stated that Obama was sympathizing with the attackers. Many people believe that this statement was not very tactful.
4) Gay people are not allowed to marry.
Mitt Romney states in the National Review Online, “I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman and I have been rock solid in my support of traditional marriage.” But the sanctity of marriage is no longer sacred, with the divorce rates being 50% for first marriages.
3) Women have no choice over their own bodies.
Romney opposes abortion except in case of rape, incest, or harm to the child or mother. He wants to limit women’s rights on the choice to abortion. Abortion has always been a hotly contested issue between Republicans and Democrats, but women should have the choice. It does not matter what one’s religious beliefs are, it’s the fact that the establishment may govern that choice.
2) He’s rich, white, old, and a male.
He’s like the stereotypical president that America had tried to stray away from when electing President Obama.
1) He has to have his wife talk him up.
Ann Romney’s speech was mostly about women, but she also had to make her husband seem more approachable. What Mitt Romney lacks is the personality that Obama certainly has with the general public.
With a stagnant economy Obama will try everything to remind you that Romney is a bully, a jerk and a greedy, self absorbed rich guy who is out of touch. All that really matters is what will Romney do as President and what will Obama do with another 4 years as President. I would encourage you to vote for the candidate you agree with and believe in, not because the other guy is wealthy, because the other guy had a crazy reverend, and not because one guy was a bully or the other guy is black. Those reasons are silly ones to vote for or against anyone. Just as it would be racist to not vote for Obama simply because he is black, it is equally racist to vote for Obama simply because he is black. That’s the same as not voting for Romney because he is white, a clearly racist idea.
So don’t vote for the one you disagree with or don’t trust. Or better yet, as it is in politics, vote for the one you disagree with less or don’t distrust quite as much.
read more: http://www.quora.com/2012-U-S-Presidential-Election/What-are-the-reasons-that-I-shouldnt-vote-for-Mitt-Romney-in-the-2012-election
Read more: http://conservativebyte.com/2012/10/top-10-reasons-to-vote-obama-out-of-office/#ixzz2BS42ctLRoffice/#ixzz2BS3gQpbB
Read more: http://conservativebyte.com/2012/10/top-10-reasons-to-vote-obama-out-of-office/#ixzz2BS42ctLRoffice/#ixzz2BS3gQpbB
read more: http://www.policymic.com/articles/14701/top-10-reasons-not-to-vote-for-mitt-romney-in-election-2012
On the Fence? Two Dozen Reasons to vote for... or not to vote for...
Monday, October 29, 2012
Japaneese Garden Fence Helps lighten the Monday Mood
Japanese Fence – zenjapaneselandscape.com
It’s one of those Mondays. The Frankenstorm is threatening my hometown of New Jersey, and down here in North Florida it’s just getting cold – 55 degrees in the sun and I know all you Northerners are thinking, “you call that cold?”. Well it’s only cold inside the house.
Tedious chores like posting our All About Fences (whoo-hoo) blog on different web directories and one of them insists we add this ugly number to a post: WDU6Y5JCSFQH (don’t ask), so there needs to be a post to add it to and double-you-dee-you-six-why-five-jay-see-ess-eff-cue-aych by itself didn’t seem very engaging.
A web search of Monday Fence yielded someones blog with a bathing suit clad woman face down on top of a wooden fence – with some comments about where users would like to put their wooden posts – isn’t gonna lift everyone’s spirits, but somehow this gorgeous gallery of Japanese Garden fences offers the hope that with determination (or a lot of money), wonders are possible with the simple use of fences and stones.
Japaneese Garden Fence Helps lighten the Monday Mood
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Smelter Aluminum Scrap Price Steady at 17 Cents a Pound
[caption id="attachment_845" align="alignright" width="145"]
Smelter Aluminum[/caption]
As you may know, metal is a limited resource here on earth and much of the metal produced today comes from recycled sources. There is a website called Scrap Monster which lists the different types of scrap metal and it's US market value.
Mixed Irony Aluminum "shall consist of assorted scrap aluminum contaminated with Iron, the aluminum content must be a minimum 70% and iron may not exceed 30% Must be free of excessive plastics, oils and other materials prohibitive in the sweat furnace operation."
Just a thought that your new aluminum fence may at one point in time have been the hubcap on your 1982 Oldsmobile - or were those made of plastic?
Smelter Aluminum[/caption]As you may know, metal is a limited resource here on earth and much of the metal produced today comes from recycled sources. There is a website called Scrap Monster which lists the different types of scrap metal and it's US market value.
Mixed Irony Aluminum "shall consist of assorted scrap aluminum contaminated with Iron, the aluminum content must be a minimum 70% and iron may not exceed 30% Must be free of excessive plastics, oils and other materials prohibitive in the sweat furnace operation."
Just a thought that your new aluminum fence may at one point in time have been the hubcap on your 1982 Oldsmobile - or were those made of plastic?
US Marines Build Residential Fence for Fellow Soldier
[caption id="attachment_835" align="alignright" width="300"]
Photo: Chuck Beckley/The Daily News[/caption]
Too often we hear stories of our veterans feeling unappreciated and forgotten, but here's a case (story by Amanda Wilcox of Jacksonville Daily News) where a disabled US soldier in need received help from fellow marines.
Johnny McCallon had served his country for 16 years and suffered a traumatic brain injury after an improvised explosive device blew him out of a second story window during a tour of duty in Iraq. He later developed post traumatic stress disorder in addition to back and leg injuries he sustained during the blast. As a result, he was medically discharged from the Marine Corps in 2007.
The PTSD was consuming and he slowly lost hope in humanity, finding solace only in his canine companions, of which he had eight packed into a small home in Hubert, North Carolina.
“With Johnny’s PTSD he identifies better with dogs then he does with people,” said Johnny’s fiancée Sandy Tonkens.
McCallon walks with a cane and his injuries make it hard to properly walk each of the dogs, so he lets them run around in their yard. But the yard isn’t fenced, and the dogs often run off the property into other people’s yards and even in the street.
The couple decided it was time they build a fence around their yard to give their dogs a secure place to run, but when they found out building the fence around their large property would cost $22,000, they were crushed.
Sandy Tonkins started knocking on doors and asking for donations and was eventually recommended to contact the Semper Fi Fund, who, to Tonkens’ surprise, provided money toward the fence and organized a volunteer project with the United Way of Onslow County and 2nd Marine Division to build a fence around McCallon’s Hubert home.
A total of 90 Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment visited the land over a three-day period to build the fence.
Craig Wagner, president of United Way of Onslow County, helped organize the event with the Semper Fi Fund, providing volunteers and collaborating with local businesses like C&S Bushhogging who cleared the land for free and Home Depot who provided employees at no cost to help use some of the tools needed to build the fence.
“Our service members have sacrificed so much for our country and when we can do something like this it’s really not even a fair tradeoff,” Wagner said.
“It’s a fence,” Tonkens said. “But the meaning behind the fence is priceless. They gave him new life.”
Contact Jacksonville Daily News Military Reporter Amanda Wilcox at amanda.wilcox@jdnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AWilcox21.
[subscribe2]
Photo: Chuck Beckley/The Daily News[/caption]Too often we hear stories of our veterans feeling unappreciated and forgotten, but here's a case (story by Amanda Wilcox of Jacksonville Daily News) where a disabled US soldier in need received help from fellow marines.
Johnny McCallon had served his country for 16 years and suffered a traumatic brain injury after an improvised explosive device blew him out of a second story window during a tour of duty in Iraq. He later developed post traumatic stress disorder in addition to back and leg injuries he sustained during the blast. As a result, he was medically discharged from the Marine Corps in 2007.
The PTSD was consuming and he slowly lost hope in humanity, finding solace only in his canine companions, of which he had eight packed into a small home in Hubert, North Carolina.
“With Johnny’s PTSD he identifies better with dogs then he does with people,” said Johnny’s fiancée Sandy Tonkens.
McCallon walks with a cane and his injuries make it hard to properly walk each of the dogs, so he lets them run around in their yard. But the yard isn’t fenced, and the dogs often run off the property into other people’s yards and even in the street.
The couple decided it was time they build a fence around their yard to give their dogs a secure place to run, but when they found out building the fence around their large property would cost $22,000, they were crushed.
Sandy Tonkins started knocking on doors and asking for donations and was eventually recommended to contact the Semper Fi Fund, who, to Tonkens’ surprise, provided money toward the fence and organized a volunteer project with the United Way of Onslow County and 2nd Marine Division to build a fence around McCallon’s Hubert home.
A total of 90 Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment visited the land over a three-day period to build the fence.
Craig Wagner, president of United Way of Onslow County, helped organize the event with the Semper Fi Fund, providing volunteers and collaborating with local businesses like C&S Bushhogging who cleared the land for free and Home Depot who provided employees at no cost to help use some of the tools needed to build the fence.
“Our service members have sacrificed so much for our country and when we can do something like this it’s really not even a fair tradeoff,” Wagner said.
“It’s a fence,” Tonkens said. “But the meaning behind the fence is priceless. They gave him new life.”
Contact Jacksonville Daily News Military Reporter Amanda Wilcox at amanda.wilcox@jdnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AWilcox21.
[subscribe2]
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Hollaender Speed-Rail Fittings Proudly Distributed by Academy Fence
[caption id="attachment_818" align="alignright" width="250"]
Hollaender® Speed-Rail Fittings[/caption]
Aluminum 535 is an alloy combining aluminum and magnesium resulting in a product with good combination of strength, shock resistance and ductility. It can be polished and anodized. It has excellent machining properties and an exceptional finish can be produced, especially when machined with carbide tools at maximum speeds. It is highly resistant to corrosion and will not need any additional surface treatment for most applications.
I'm telling you this because we're proud of the material the long-lasting Hollaender® fittings we distribute are composed of.
Hollaender's® lines of modular pipe fittings - Speed-Rail® slip-on fittings and Interna-Rail® internal fittings - are the broadest line of aluminum pipe fittings available - ANYWHERE!
Hollaender® pipe fittings are made of high tensile strength, aluminum/magnesium alloy 535 with physical strength characteristics comparable to that of malleable iron at only one-third the weight. This alloy can be used with any other metal, including carbon or stainless steel, without fear of electrolytic (dissimilar metal) corrosion.
More than 75 years of American-made experience and superior manufacturing technology have resulted in the most reliable, durable, and high-quality products.
Their pipe fittings and handrail systems today can be found everywhere you look. From rocket launchpads and complexes to oil rigs, from Hollywood movie studios and modern amusement parks to the fixtures in your favorite retail stores, and from water treatment plants to powergen facilities around the globe.
Our relationship with Hollaender® enables us to sell high-quality Hollaender® Speed-Rail Fitttings at a price as low as you'll find anywhere so please order now or contact us with any questions or comments.
Hollaender® Speed-Rail Fittings[/caption]Aluminum 535 is an alloy combining aluminum and magnesium resulting in a product with good combination of strength, shock resistance and ductility. It can be polished and anodized. It has excellent machining properties and an exceptional finish can be produced, especially when machined with carbide tools at maximum speeds. It is highly resistant to corrosion and will not need any additional surface treatment for most applications.
I'm telling you this because we're proud of the material the long-lasting Hollaender® fittings we distribute are composed of.
Hollaender's® lines of modular pipe fittings - Speed-Rail® slip-on fittings and Interna-Rail® internal fittings - are the broadest line of aluminum pipe fittings available - ANYWHERE!
Hollaender® pipe fittings are made of high tensile strength, aluminum/magnesium alloy 535 with physical strength characteristics comparable to that of malleable iron at only one-third the weight. This alloy can be used with any other metal, including carbon or stainless steel, without fear of electrolytic (dissimilar metal) corrosion.
More than 75 years of American-made experience and superior manufacturing technology have resulted in the most reliable, durable, and high-quality products.
Their pipe fittings and handrail systems today can be found everywhere you look. From rocket launchpads and complexes to oil rigs, from Hollywood movie studios and modern amusement parks to the fixtures in your favorite retail stores, and from water treatment plants to powergen facilities around the globe.
Why? The reasons are simple:
- They have a handrail system to meet any application.
- Their slip-on fittings are cost effective, easy to install, and reusable.
- They are vertically integrated. In other words the design, casting, and manufacturing is done under one roof.
- Aluminum-magnesium alloy is strong, corrosion resistant, and usable with any metal pipe.
- They have the capability for in-house development of innovative ideas.
Our relationship with Hollaender® enables us to sell high-quality Hollaender® Speed-Rail Fitttings at a price as low as you'll find anywhere so please order now or contact us with any questions or comments.
Fence Misunderstandings and Miscommunications
[caption id="attachment_814" align="alignright" width="250"]
Fence Miscommunication Cartoon from http://www.worldfencenews.com[/caption]
In any sales or contracting endeavor, communication absolutely has to be the first step. We hear stories of fences being erected outside of regulations, as in this story from Morocco, Indiana where between the cities board, employees, the property owner and contractor - all with the best of intentions - a privacy fence was erected that exceeded the towns height regulations.
There's a story in Yahoo's Law & Ethics forum from a few years ago where a contractor actually demolished the client's neighbors fence and the property owner was liable for replacement.
So let's all remember to take a deep breath often, and take our time to communicate properly in any transaction - especially if regulations, ordinances or other peoples property are involved. Well communicated fences make better neighbors.
Fence Miscommunication Cartoon from http://www.worldfencenews.com[/caption]In any sales or contracting endeavor, communication absolutely has to be the first step. We hear stories of fences being erected outside of regulations, as in this story from Morocco, Indiana where between the cities board, employees, the property owner and contractor - all with the best of intentions - a privacy fence was erected that exceeded the towns height regulations.
There's a story in Yahoo's Law & Ethics forum from a few years ago where a contractor actually demolished the client's neighbors fence and the property owner was liable for replacement.
So let's all remember to take a deep breath often, and take our time to communicate properly in any transaction - especially if regulations, ordinances or other peoples property are involved. Well communicated fences make better neighbors.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Fence Climbing Big Foot Video!
Well you never know what we're gonna hit you with in the word of fence news and trivia, and if there ever was a reason to be sure you have a tall, secure fence this is it!
One of a series of films taken in a Texas Habituation site, this is the best known. Known as the Fence Climber, it has caused a stir recently. Some say it looks too much like a human to be a Sasquatch but the fact is that the fence is just over four foot tall, making the figure very large.
As you can - barely - see, it's impossible to tell even what kind of fence old Sasquatch is climbing here, but I recommend at least a twelve foot fence with two layers of barbed or razor wire as protection. If you are one of the people unfortunate enough to have neighborhood, city or county regulations to recon with you may have to settle for wood fence, aluminum fence or vinyl fence, but with this guy running around - and believe me, he's out there - well... Some people recommend leaving peanut butter sandwiches at the edges of your property as a distraction.
More info on our friend Big Foot here at the Big Foot Forum.
One of a series of films taken in a Texas Habituation site, this is the best known. Known as the Fence Climber, it has caused a stir recently. Some say it looks too much like a human to be a Sasquatch but the fact is that the fence is just over four foot tall, making the figure very large.
As you can - barely - see, it's impossible to tell even what kind of fence old Sasquatch is climbing here, but I recommend at least a twelve foot fence with two layers of barbed or razor wire as protection. If you are one of the people unfortunate enough to have neighborhood, city or county regulations to recon with you may have to settle for wood fence, aluminum fence or vinyl fence, but with this guy running around - and believe me, he's out there - well... Some people recommend leaving peanut butter sandwiches at the edges of your property as a distraction.
More info on our friend Big Foot here at the Big Foot Forum.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
First Fence Email Newsletter
Today is a big day for us. We're sending out our first email newsletter - to over 30,000 customers.
Come see us at http://www.academyfence.com or http://blog.academyfence.com.
Come see us at http://www.academyfence.com or http://blog.academyfence.com.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Word of the Month: Fence Eater
[caption id="attachment_718" align="alignright" width="300"]
Honeysuckle on Fence - photo: http://www.clematis.com.pl/wms/65103.html[/caption]
A fence eater is a vine that will engulf a fence faster than you know it. They may be invasive in some climates due to their vigorous nature. Some good examples of fence eaters are Silver Lace Vine, Passionflower, Trumpet Vine, and Honeysuckle (avoid the invasive kind, please!) and any relative of the Morning Glory.
Honeysuckle on Fence - photo: http://www.clematis.com.pl/wms/65103.html[/caption]A fence eater is a vine that will engulf a fence faster than you know it. They may be invasive in some climates due to their vigorous nature. Some good examples of fence eaters are Silver Lace Vine, Passionflower, Trumpet Vine, and Honeysuckle (avoid the invasive kind, please!) and any relative of the Morning Glory.
Word of the Month: Stainless
[caption id="attachment_449" align="alignright" width="300"]
Stainless Steel Rods[/caption]
Stainless steel is an iron alloy (a substance made up of two or more chemical elements) which is resistant to corrosion, rust and stain due to its low carbon content.
Despite the name it is not fully stain-proof, most notably under low oxygen, high salinity, or poor circulation environments.
Stainless steel is a 100% recyclable material.
There are various types and grades of stainless steel and in chain link and industrial fencing, a high grade stainless steel will compose the brightest and longest lasting fence.
Stainless Steel Rods[/caption]Stainless steel is an iron alloy (a substance made up of two or more chemical elements) which is resistant to corrosion, rust and stain due to its low carbon content.
Despite the name it is not fully stain-proof, most notably under low oxygen, high salinity, or poor circulation environments.
Stainless steel is a 100% recyclable material.
There are various types and grades of stainless steel and in chain link and industrial fencing, a high grade stainless steel will compose the brightest and longest lasting fence.
Portable Dog Kennel Installation Tutorial
New Jersey fence installation legend, Eddie Kochell* and another fence installer demonstrate how to assemble an academy portable dog run kennel. (Text instructions below.)
*Eddie Kochell has been with Academy since the 1970's - even since the company was known as Tuff Fence. Eddie's tradition is being carried on by his formidable son, Dino Kuchell, who is still with Academy Fence.
1. Get the first section and stand it up straight
2. While one person holds the first section, lift another smaller section and place it next to the first.
3. Using the provided hardware, attach the two sections using 1 screw and 2 latches (twice per connection - high and low).
4. As before, get the third section and attach it using the same procedure.
5. Attach the the final section as before.
6. Your new dog run is now complete.
7. Lock the gate by using the dog's leash.
2. While one person holds the first section, lift another smaller section and place it next to the first.
3. Using the provided hardware, attach the two sections using 1 screw and 2 latches (twice per connection - high and low).
4. As before, get the third section and attach it using the same procedure.
5. Attach the the final section as before.
6. Your new dog run is now complete.
7. Lock the gate by using the dog's leash.
*Eddie Kochell has been with Academy since the 1970's - even since the company was known as Tuff Fence. Eddie's tradition is being carried on by his formidable son, Dino Kuchell, who is still with Academy Fence.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Vinyl PVC Fence vs Aluminum Fence Compared and Expained
[caption id="attachment_765" align="alignright" width="400"]
< - Vinyl Fence on Left - Aluminum Fence on Right - >[/caption]
Came across a great article on the Hurricane Shutters blog today comparing vinyl to aluminum fences.
Fence professional Terry Lewis compares the two mediums - Vinyl PVC Fence and Aluminum Fence - by three categories; privacy, security and fence configuration (and flexibility of design).
As Lewis compares the two different fence types, he correctly sites that where security is the priority, aluminum fences are more advantageous, whereas vinyl fence offers a better option where privacy is the primary concern.
Security
Vinyl fence's primary security limitation is that the material does not have the strength to hold large, heavy gates. Vinyl Gates are only manufactured in sizes between 3’ wide single panel swing gates and 12’ or 16’ wide double panel swing gates. Large gates are usually constructed with posts and frames made of pipe, with vinyl fence panels attached. Vinyl products are rarely used in automated gate systems.
Ornamental aluminum fence does not match iron or steel in strength, but does have the structural integrity to sustain gate sizes which vary from 3’ wide walk gates to 30’ wide slide gates. Aluminum gates install and work with ease. Self-closing hinges, pool latches, magnetic latches, gate operators and access controls for lager gates work well with the aluminum fence. These gates are easily used for automated access control systems.
Privacy
The designs of vinyl fence are typically based on wooden fences, which limit visibility as well as light and sound passage across the fence.
The aluminum fences are based on iron fence designs, which do not traditionally limit visibility, and while privacy slats and screens are available for ornamental aluminum fence, they detract from the traditional wrought iron look.
Maintenance
Both vinyl and ornamental aluminum fence are very low maintenance. A simple occasional wash with soap and water is all it takes to keep the fence as beautiful as the day it was installed.
Color & Design
Vinyl fence is available to match almost and traditional wood fence design and while white and off-white are the most common colors, manufacturers are offering more options as well as various textures (most commonly wood-grain).
Aluminum and ornamental aluminum fence can be found in hundreds of traditional and modern designs with various types of finials at the top. The standard powder coating colors of green, brown, white and black give years of attractive protection. Additional color variations are being increased, and some suppliers produce custom colors.
Price
In cost of materials and installation, aluminum and vinyl pvc fence are comparable at $26 to $40 per linear foot.
As always please contact us with any questions as we carry both premium vinyl fencing and aluminum fence, and there is always a fence installation specialist with at least twenty years experience available when the office is open. Your questions or comments are also welcome below.
< - Vinyl Fence on Left - Aluminum Fence on Right - >[/caption]Came across a great article on the Hurricane Shutters blog today comparing vinyl to aluminum fences.
Fence professional Terry Lewis compares the two mediums - Vinyl PVC Fence and Aluminum Fence - by three categories; privacy, security and fence configuration (and flexibility of design).
As Lewis compares the two different fence types, he correctly sites that where security is the priority, aluminum fences are more advantageous, whereas vinyl fence offers a better option where privacy is the primary concern.
Security
Vinyl fence's primary security limitation is that the material does not have the strength to hold large, heavy gates. Vinyl Gates are only manufactured in sizes between 3’ wide single panel swing gates and 12’ or 16’ wide double panel swing gates. Large gates are usually constructed with posts and frames made of pipe, with vinyl fence panels attached. Vinyl products are rarely used in automated gate systems.
Ornamental aluminum fence does not match iron or steel in strength, but does have the structural integrity to sustain gate sizes which vary from 3’ wide walk gates to 30’ wide slide gates. Aluminum gates install and work with ease. Self-closing hinges, pool latches, magnetic latches, gate operators and access controls for lager gates work well with the aluminum fence. These gates are easily used for automated access control systems.
Privacy
The designs of vinyl fence are typically based on wooden fences, which limit visibility as well as light and sound passage across the fence.
The aluminum fences are based on iron fence designs, which do not traditionally limit visibility, and while privacy slats and screens are available for ornamental aluminum fence, they detract from the traditional wrought iron look.
Maintenance
Both vinyl and ornamental aluminum fence are very low maintenance. A simple occasional wash with soap and water is all it takes to keep the fence as beautiful as the day it was installed.
Color & Design
Vinyl fence is available to match almost and traditional wood fence design and while white and off-white are the most common colors, manufacturers are offering more options as well as various textures (most commonly wood-grain).
Aluminum and ornamental aluminum fence can be found in hundreds of traditional and modern designs with various types of finials at the top. The standard powder coating colors of green, brown, white and black give years of attractive protection. Additional color variations are being increased, and some suppliers produce custom colors.
Price
In cost of materials and installation, aluminum and vinyl pvc fence are comparable at $26 to $40 per linear foot.
As always please contact us with any questions as we carry both premium vinyl fencing and aluminum fence, and there is always a fence installation specialist with at least twenty years experience available when the office is open. Your questions or comments are also welcome below.
Aluminum Fence compared with Steel and Iron
Maintenance Free
[caption id="attachment_740" align="alignright" width="300"]
Specrail Brand Aluminum Fence[/caption]Unlike other types of fences, a properly constructed and coated aluminum fence is virtually maintenance free!
Aluminum does not rust like iron, which is classified as a ferric metal which will oxidize and rust. Aluminum is non-ferric and will not rust.
Many people do not realize that aluminum is a chemical element, which it is estimated will take over 10,000 years to disintegrate. It is also the third most abundant element, next to oxygen and silicon.
Aside from keeping shrubs and trees trimmed back from the fence and cleaning it with soap and water, or just a powerful garden hose sprayer, the only concern is the potential of bending the aluminum with heavy lawn or garden equipment, in which case replacing the damaged fence parts is not a large project.
Security
Aluminum, steel and iron fences are typically more secure than wood or chain link because wood fences can easily be scaled and chain link fences can easily be cut, while aluminum, steel and iron fencing with spear-topped pickets make for a harder fence to breach.
While less impenetrable than steel or iron panels, the aluminum fence easy to install, attractive, resistant to corrosion, and effective at preventing unwanted guests or pests from entering an area, and in keeping children and pets within a designated area.
Practicality
Aluminum fence panels are very lightweight, especially in comparison to steel, iron or wood.
Since aluminum fence panels are often used to fence in an in-ground pool, the panels almost always meet pool regulations. In many places, this means that the panels will be eight feet tall (2.43 meters) or higher. The panels can be affixed to posts composed of aluminum or other materials such as wood, steel or iron.
Design
Aluminum fence panels come in an array of designs that often mimic the common designs of other fencing material such as iron and steel, and typical designs feature two or three horizontal beams interlaced with several vertical posts.
Most aluminum fence panels are of a simple design, though a wide variety of elaborate designs are also available. The color of the panels is typically black, though other colors are usually available, with white being the second most common color for aluminum fence panels.
Installation
Aluminum fence panels, due to their light weight, are much easier to move, ship and handle than their wood, steel or iron counterparts. They are also typically rackable.
Fencing a sloped yard can be a challenging fence project, but a rackable fence panel is a panel that can adjust to follow the slope of the landscape. Whereas standard fence panels have a profile that is rectangular, with rails that run perpendicular to the pickets and posts, a rackable panel is designed with flexible connections that will angle up to 30 degrees (residential grade).
Privacy
While Vinyl PVC Fencing is geared more toward privacy than aluminum, privacy screens and slats are manufactured for aluminum fence and aluminum privacy fence is also manufactured. At about the same price as vinyl pvc (but more secure) or steel (lower-maintenance) fence, aluminum fence is for many, the path of least resistance.
Please browse the Academy Fence selection of Aluminum Fence and feel free to contact a specialist at Academy Fence with at least twenty years experience in aluminum fence installation and supplies with any questions, and as always your comments are welcome.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
How to Find a Good Fence Contractor
There's an article that came out a few years ago by Josh Garskof in Money Magazine that offers some terrific insight into finding a good contractor, and I reference it extensively here.
The following are four web resources and a few rules of thumb to get you connected with a fence contractor you'll love.
Four websites you'll want to be aware of:
Finding the Fence Contractor
The best resource will be friends, family and other members of your community who have had satisfactory fence work done, so definitely ask around. If you find someone who already has references within your community it's probably a safe bet to get a consultation and move forward.
Otherwise you will look to either the internet, yellow pages or Fence Company Directory.
Choosing a Good Fence Contractor
The following are nine tell-tale signs with which to distinguish a fence contractor you'll be happy with as opposed to one who you may end up taking to court.
Good Signs:
Reputation. You've hopefully already asked friends and neighbors to recommend good fence contractors, but a more reliable source of referrals is other people in the trades. For example a lawn care company or landscaper who has worked alongside a particular fencing contractor.
If they're willing to put their professional reputations on the line by vouching for someone they've already had business dealings with, they must like what they see.
The business card includes a local address. A fence installer who provides a physical address that's in your community is far less likely to disappear on you than someone whose true locale is hidden behind a post office box.
Long list of references. Even terrible contractors have had a few happy clients along the way - or have family members who can play the part when you call. The longer the list of references, the less likely it's rigged.
Once you have the references' contact information, Angie Hicks, the founder of angieslist.com recommends calling, "a handful of them, skipping around the list."
Warning Signs:
Company car is a rusted-out jalopy. A bucket of bolts that leaves an oil slick in your driveway doesn't bode well for the attention to detail or fiscal stability of the person driving it.
"That's not to say everyone has to ride around in a gleaming new truck," says Dick Mitchell, president of the New Orleans branch of the Better Business Bureau, the national nonprofit that lends its logo to participating companies meeting its standards (you can find a searchable list of member contractors at bbb.org). "But it should be clean and well maintained." Painted-on signs are better than magnetic ones, which are cheap and temporary.
Requesting payment in cash. Even if you don't care that someone's shirking their taxes by taking cash (or a check made out to cash), consider what other costs they may be cutting - like licensing fees, insurance bills and skilled crew members.
To investigate a potential contractor's finances, look them up at contractorcheck.com, where (for $13) you can find information about their licensing, insurance and financial stability, as well as any legal actions against them.
Mobile number not provided. For the most part, the only way to quickly get hold of an installer is by cell phone. If they don't want to give out that number, it isn't because they're conserving their minutes - they don't want to be reachable.
Red Flags:
They want you to skip the permit - or have you apply for it. Any major improvement project legally requires a building permit, which means that inspectors will check the work. If a contractor wants to go without a permit, it means they'd rather not have anyone looking over their shoulders (other than you, but let's face it, you don't know what to look for).
If they want you to apply for the permit yourself, it could be because they don't have the necessary state licensing - and it means you'd be the middleman between the inspector and contractor instead of letting them work things out directly.
They solicit business door to door. A fence installer rings your bell to say they just did a job in the neighborhood, they have extra materials and will cut you a rock-bottom deal if they can work on yours that afternoon. Sounds great, right?
Trouble is, you have no idea who they are or if they're going to do the job right. And if that new fence starts collapsing three months later, you'll never get them back to repair the damage.
They make you uneasy. Ultimately, you have to feel comfortable letting these people onto your property. Clearly, you're not going to hand your keys to someone who flips a cigarette butt into your azaleas or leers at your children.
If they don't look you straight in the eye, or if you just have a gut feeling that something might be amiss, go ahead and cross them off the list. Nowadays, thankfully, there are plenty of fence contractors available to do the job.
Three questions to ask references about a fence contractor:
As always - please contact our fence installation specialists if we can be of help in any way. And as you know, we welcome your comments.
The following are four web resources and a few rules of thumb to get you connected with a fence contractor you'll love.Four websites you'll want to be aware of:
FenceCompanyDirectory.com - Free resource to find fence contractor by State and County.
bbb.org - Free resource to find Better Business Bureau ratings (A+ - F) on fence contractors.
AngiesList.com - Subscription-based (less than $10/mo) website to search or post service reviews.
ContractorCheck.com - Find financial, licensing and insurance information on fence contractor for a small fee.
bbb.org - Free resource to find Better Business Bureau ratings (A+ - F) on fence contractors.
AngiesList.com - Subscription-based (less than $10/mo) website to search or post service reviews.
ContractorCheck.com - Find financial, licensing and insurance information on fence contractor for a small fee.
Finding the Fence Contractor
The best resource will be friends, family and other members of your community who have had satisfactory fence work done, so definitely ask around. If you find someone who already has references within your community it's probably a safe bet to get a consultation and move forward.
Otherwise you will look to either the internet, yellow pages or Fence Company Directory.
Choosing a Good Fence Contractor
The following are nine tell-tale signs with which to distinguish a fence contractor you'll be happy with as opposed to one who you may end up taking to court.
Good Signs:
Reputation. You've hopefully already asked friends and neighbors to recommend good fence contractors, but a more reliable source of referrals is other people in the trades. For example a lawn care company or landscaper who has worked alongside a particular fencing contractor.
If they're willing to put their professional reputations on the line by vouching for someone they've already had business dealings with, they must like what they see.
The business card includes a local address. A fence installer who provides a physical address that's in your community is far less likely to disappear on you than someone whose true locale is hidden behind a post office box.
Long list of references. Even terrible contractors have had a few happy clients along the way - or have family members who can play the part when you call. The longer the list of references, the less likely it's rigged.
Once you have the references' contact information, Angie Hicks, the founder of angieslist.com recommends calling, "a handful of them, skipping around the list."
Warning Signs:
Company car is a rusted-out jalopy. A bucket of bolts that leaves an oil slick in your driveway doesn't bode well for the attention to detail or fiscal stability of the person driving it.
"That's not to say everyone has to ride around in a gleaming new truck," says Dick Mitchell, president of the New Orleans branch of the Better Business Bureau, the national nonprofit that lends its logo to participating companies meeting its standards (you can find a searchable list of member contractors at bbb.org). "But it should be clean and well maintained." Painted-on signs are better than magnetic ones, which are cheap and temporary.
Requesting payment in cash. Even if you don't care that someone's shirking their taxes by taking cash (or a check made out to cash), consider what other costs they may be cutting - like licensing fees, insurance bills and skilled crew members.
To investigate a potential contractor's finances, look them up at contractorcheck.com, where (for $13) you can find information about their licensing, insurance and financial stability, as well as any legal actions against them.
Mobile number not provided. For the most part, the only way to quickly get hold of an installer is by cell phone. If they don't want to give out that number, it isn't because they're conserving their minutes - they don't want to be reachable.
Red Flags:
They want you to skip the permit - or have you apply for it. Any major improvement project legally requires a building permit, which means that inspectors will check the work. If a contractor wants to go without a permit, it means they'd rather not have anyone looking over their shoulders (other than you, but let's face it, you don't know what to look for).
If they want you to apply for the permit yourself, it could be because they don't have the necessary state licensing - and it means you'd be the middleman between the inspector and contractor instead of letting them work things out directly.
They solicit business door to door. A fence installer rings your bell to say they just did a job in the neighborhood, they have extra materials and will cut you a rock-bottom deal if they can work on yours that afternoon. Sounds great, right?
Trouble is, you have no idea who they are or if they're going to do the job right. And if that new fence starts collapsing three months later, you'll never get them back to repair the damage.
They make you uneasy. Ultimately, you have to feel comfortable letting these people onto your property. Clearly, you're not going to hand your keys to someone who flips a cigarette butt into your azaleas or leers at your children.
If they don't look you straight in the eye, or if you just have a gut feeling that something might be amiss, go ahead and cross them off the list. Nowadays, thankfully, there are plenty of fence contractors available to do the job.
Three questions to ask references about a fence contractor:
How has the work held up over time?
Make sure to talk to one homeowner who had the work done at least a few years ago - enough time for flaws to reveal themselves.
Was the contractor easy to reach?
You want a contractor who picks up their cell phone right away when you call - or at least returns messages within a few hours.
How were problems resolved?
Every job will hit snags; the real test of a contractors merit is how well they handle them. They should have been able to minimize delays, added expense and anxiety - and get the job done right in the end.
Make sure to talk to one homeowner who had the work done at least a few years ago - enough time for flaws to reveal themselves.
Was the contractor easy to reach?
You want a contractor who picks up their cell phone right away when you call - or at least returns messages within a few hours.
How were problems resolved?
Every job will hit snags; the real test of a contractors merit is how well they handle them. They should have been able to minimize delays, added expense and anxiety - and get the job done right in the end.
As always - please contact our fence installation specialists if we can be of help in any way. And as you know, we welcome your comments.
Academy's Best Friends: Yard Dogs' Honorarium
[caption id="attachment_726" align="alignright" width="300"]
Okay we're a little remiss on portraits, but here's Sereno, wagging his tail.[/caption]
Out here on Day Street in Orange, NJ we've always kept a yard dog or two around, and believe me, they are loved. So we wanted to offer a little honorarium and introduction to our readers who may have known them over the years as well as to those that missed out.
Weather permitting, they'd have the run of the fenced in yard by night and be in and out of the shop by day.
The list of Academy’s best friends - the few, the strong - must include:
Bell - There at the beginning, our snappy, snippy little, ultra-fierce queen bitch was fiercely loyal to her principles, but mostly to Louis R. Those who met her still speak of the thickness of the chain she bore during the day in the metal shop… and how even that left them feeling insecure when her rules were tested.
Tuffy - Good old friendly, fun, alert and protective Tuffy was a dark wolfish shepherd, and everyone’s buddy. He started at his life at the family household where he bonded with the Cavallo family on South Valley Road in ‘The Valley’ of Orange, NJ. He was afraid only of Uncle Dominick which was attributed by Dominick to the fact that at one point he had taken him to the veterinarian. But he sure ran for cover whenever he saw Uncle Dominick coming. When Tuffy was full grown he inherited his true domain, the Tuff Fence (the name under which Academy Fence Company originated) facility on Day Street in Orange NJ. He acclimated quickly and served in harmony with Bell. Mutual Respect? Who knows, because Bell didn’t take to many.
Ruffy - An accepted johnny-come-lately bruiser with an enormous head with a thick body and wide stance, Ruffy was cool headed and well behaved, but looked like you wouldn't want to rile him up. He had a low-pitched bark and might be considered a baritone, if they had dog choirs. He was a subdued character and was rarely riled.
Tuffy Two - At least half sheppard, and probably up to half great dane, Tuffy Two was also lovingly raised at the family household. Tuffy Two was grudgingly (by some family members) released from full time home, part-of-the-household family dog to operate a post at the Academy Fence Headquarters on Day Street in Orange, NJ. To exactly which family member or members Tuffy Two was attached was a much disputed controversy.
With his flawless attitude, all dogs - and even some riley wolfs - would benefit from knowing Tuffy Two. Quintessential. Classic. Tuffy Two defined the reason dogs are our best friends.
Loop Cap - Loop Cap was a small, loveable shepherd and everybody knew she was Dino's buddy.
[caption id="attachment_727" align="alignright" width="300"]
Sereno Modeling a Chain Link Dog Run[/caption]
Sereno - Sereno's name came from the Italian word for serene, meaning clear, serene, calm, cloudless, sheltered. He was acquired when one of us asked a man walking a dog if he had another one like him (ie: from the same litter). As it turned out, the man said he was walking him for the pound, and we could probably follow him back and take him. We did. He was predominantly shepherd, but his squarish head revealed some rottweiler genes. Super cool dog.
Let us know if you have any cool memories of the Academy Dogs over the years.
Okay we're a little remiss on portraits, but here's Sereno, wagging his tail.[/caption]Out here on Day Street in Orange, NJ we've always kept a yard dog or two around, and believe me, they are loved. So we wanted to offer a little honorarium and introduction to our readers who may have known them over the years as well as to those that missed out.
Weather permitting, they'd have the run of the fenced in yard by night and be in and out of the shop by day.
The list of Academy’s best friends - the few, the strong - must include:
Bell - There at the beginning, our snappy, snippy little, ultra-fierce queen bitch was fiercely loyal to her principles, but mostly to Louis R. Those who met her still speak of the thickness of the chain she bore during the day in the metal shop… and how even that left them feeling insecure when her rules were tested.
Tuffy - Good old friendly, fun, alert and protective Tuffy was a dark wolfish shepherd, and everyone’s buddy. He started at his life at the family household where he bonded with the Cavallo family on South Valley Road in ‘The Valley’ of Orange, NJ. He was afraid only of Uncle Dominick which was attributed by Dominick to the fact that at one point he had taken him to the veterinarian. But he sure ran for cover whenever he saw Uncle Dominick coming. When Tuffy was full grown he inherited his true domain, the Tuff Fence (the name under which Academy Fence Company originated) facility on Day Street in Orange NJ. He acclimated quickly and served in harmony with Bell. Mutual Respect? Who knows, because Bell didn’t take to many.
Ruffy - An accepted johnny-come-lately bruiser with an enormous head with a thick body and wide stance, Ruffy was cool headed and well behaved, but looked like you wouldn't want to rile him up. He had a low-pitched bark and might be considered a baritone, if they had dog choirs. He was a subdued character and was rarely riled.
Tuffy Two - At least half sheppard, and probably up to half great dane, Tuffy Two was also lovingly raised at the family household. Tuffy Two was grudgingly (by some family members) released from full time home, part-of-the-household family dog to operate a post at the Academy Fence Headquarters on Day Street in Orange, NJ. To exactly which family member or members Tuffy Two was attached was a much disputed controversy.
With his flawless attitude, all dogs - and even some riley wolfs - would benefit from knowing Tuffy Two. Quintessential. Classic. Tuffy Two defined the reason dogs are our best friends.
Loop Cap - Loop Cap was a small, loveable shepherd and everybody knew she was Dino's buddy.
[caption id="attachment_727" align="alignright" width="300"]
Sereno Modeling a Chain Link Dog Run[/caption]Sereno - Sereno's name came from the Italian word for serene, meaning clear, serene, calm, cloudless, sheltered. He was acquired when one of us asked a man walking a dog if he had another one like him (ie: from the same litter). As it turned out, the man said he was walking him for the pound, and we could probably follow him back and take him. We did. He was predominantly shepherd, but his squarish head revealed some rottweiler genes. Super cool dog.
Let us know if you have any cool memories of the Academy Dogs over the years.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Distinguishing Premium vs. Discount Vinyl Fence. A Simple Comparison.
[caption id="attachment_634" align="alignright" width="167"]
Chesterfield CertaGrain by Academy Fence[/caption]
Chesterfield CertaGrain by Academy Fence[/caption]There are dozens of manufacturers of Vinyl PVC Fence, and becoming informed of the difference in quality and longevity of the various brand options can be overwhelming. Allow us to simplify the process.
All Vinyl PVC Fence can be put into one of two easily distinguishable categories; Premium and Discount. Although the pricing for either grade will vary significantly, it is critical to be able to distinguish between the two to ensure you are getting what you pay for.
Premium Vinyl PVC Fences will be strong, durable and will look new after decades, while even the best discount Vinyl PVC Fences will be weak, easily crack and turn yellow with in just a few years. If you are not getting a premium Vinyl PVC Fence, it is wise to consider a comparable style of a cedar wood fence, which will outlast a discount quality Vinyl PVC Fence.
Two fundamental differences: 1. Material Density & Thickness 2. Fastening Method
| 1. Material Density and Thickness | ||
Premium Vinyl PVC Fence | Discount Vinyl PVC Fence | |
| The "heavy wall" Vinyl PVC Post is thick and strong enough to be set directly in to the ground for stable lifetime endurance. It is not necessary to set a rot prone wood post first and sleeve it with a "vinyl pvc post" sleeve. | A discount "vinyl fence post" is composed of a wood post, as the fence foundation, with a vinyl sleeve over it. The life of the fence is then based on the life of the wooden post. | |
Remember, the premise of a Vinyl PVC Fence is that it will outlast a wood fence by decades. | ||
| 2. Fastening Method | ||
Premium Vinyl PVC Fence | Discount Vinyl PVC Fence | |
Routed Post & Rails  Premium PVC Vinyl Fence components are fastened together by routed components, so that the structural integrity is inherent in the design. The pickets go into the horizontal rails, and the rails go into the post. Full vertical pickets are lodged inside the rails, and the full horizontal rails are lodged inside the posts. | Hardware Fasteners  Brackets, nuts, bolts and screws are used to attach the pickets onto the rails and the rails onto the posts. Structural integrity is reliant on the diameter of (potentially rust-prone) screws and other hardware. | |
All of the Academy Fence Vinyl Fence is premium quality. Please call or email us anytime and speak with a specialist with at least twenty years of experience in the fencing field.
Our Fence Specialists are Looking Into It
[caption id="attachment_624" align="alignright" width="300"]
photo: http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/hole,knothole/Interesting[/caption]
Did you hear that the hurricane blew down the fence around the Nudist Camp?
Yes. Our fence specialists are looking into it.
photo: http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/hole,knothole/Interesting[/caption]Did you hear that the hurricane blew down the fence around the Nudist Camp?
Yes. Our fence specialists are looking into it.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Pre-Barbed Wire (Thorny Fence) Settlements in America
[caption id="attachment_611" align="alignright" width="300"]
Cattle Drive - photo: Longhorn Alliance[/caption]
Although these days not everyone celebrates Christopher Columbus' "discovery" of America, today seemed like a fitting day to look at how fences played a role in European settlement in North America and this article on the History of Longhorn Cattle is illuminating.
As many of us memorized, it was in 1492 that the first ships reached the shores of the Americas. As soon as the following year in 1493, Spanish settlers accompanying Christopher Columbus brought the first few long-horned Iberian cattle with them to the Antilles Islands (Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola). It wasn't until November 1868 that barbed wire was developed (Patents for improvements to wire fencing were granted to Michael Kelly and Joseph Glidden). So all the way through to the late 19th century, missionaries, followed by private ranchers would raise cattle on open plains.
Through the 16th and 17th centuries Iberian Longhorn cattle were imported to Mexico, as far north at 200 miles from the border of what is now Texas. Ranches were established quickly, and soon large populations of Iberian longhorns were seen throughout the Panuco Delta as well as south and west of the port of Vera Cruz. From there, long-horned cattle gradually migrated, with Spanish explorers, settlers, and mission priests, north along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. The first known cattle in Texas arrived in the early 1700s with Franciscan missionaries as they began to build a chain of missions extending through the San Antonio River valley and out to the present city of Goliad. Spanish expeditionaries brought sheep, goats, horses and “horned” cattle on their overland voyages both as food on the hoof to sustain them during their travels and also as seed stock for settlers once having arrived at their destinations.
Before barbed wire, the lack of effective fencing limited farming and ranching practices, and the number of people who could settle in an area. The new fencing changed the West from vast and undefined prairies/plains to a land of farming, and widespread settlement.
It's also notable that during the 18th and 19th centuries, the commercial importance of longhorns (since they were at that time the predominant breed of cattle) was to supply the hide and tallow industries of Europe and, after the Revolutionary War, of New England as well. Before the advent of electricity in the early 20th century, candles were the world’s chief source of night light. Tallow, the main ingredient in candles, soaps and lubricants, was obtained by rendering animal fat. Hides were important to the shoe, boot and leather industries. Therefore, “Hide and Tallow” companies became the major users of cattle carcasses, first in California and later in Texas and other southern states. In the absence of refrigeration, meat was largely a byproduct and of little commercial value.
Cattle Drive - photo: Longhorn Alliance[/caption]Although these days not everyone celebrates Christopher Columbus' "discovery" of America, today seemed like a fitting day to look at how fences played a role in European settlement in North America and this article on the History of Longhorn Cattle is illuminating.
As many of us memorized, it was in 1492 that the first ships reached the shores of the Americas. As soon as the following year in 1493, Spanish settlers accompanying Christopher Columbus brought the first few long-horned Iberian cattle with them to the Antilles Islands (Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola). It wasn't until November 1868 that barbed wire was developed (Patents for improvements to wire fencing were granted to Michael Kelly and Joseph Glidden). So all the way through to the late 19th century, missionaries, followed by private ranchers would raise cattle on open plains.
Through the 16th and 17th centuries Iberian Longhorn cattle were imported to Mexico, as far north at 200 miles from the border of what is now Texas. Ranches were established quickly, and soon large populations of Iberian longhorns were seen throughout the Panuco Delta as well as south and west of the port of Vera Cruz. From there, long-horned cattle gradually migrated, with Spanish explorers, settlers, and mission priests, north along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. The first known cattle in Texas arrived in the early 1700s with Franciscan missionaries as they began to build a chain of missions extending through the San Antonio River valley and out to the present city of Goliad. Spanish expeditionaries brought sheep, goats, horses and “horned” cattle on their overland voyages both as food on the hoof to sustain them during their travels and also as seed stock for settlers once having arrived at their destinations.
Before barbed wire, the lack of effective fencing limited farming and ranching practices, and the number of people who could settle in an area. The new fencing changed the West from vast and undefined prairies/plains to a land of farming, and widespread settlement.
It's also notable that during the 18th and 19th centuries, the commercial importance of longhorns (since they were at that time the predominant breed of cattle) was to supply the hide and tallow industries of Europe and, after the Revolutionary War, of New England as well. Before the advent of electricity in the early 20th century, candles were the world’s chief source of night light. Tallow, the main ingredient in candles, soaps and lubricants, was obtained by rendering animal fat. Hides were important to the shoe, boot and leather industries. Therefore, “Hide and Tallow” companies became the major users of cattle carcasses, first in California and later in Texas and other southern states. In the absence of refrigeration, meat was largely a byproduct and of little commercial value.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Moving Baseball Fence for an Environment that is Fair for Both Hitters and Pitchers
[caption id="attachment_603" align="alignright" width="300"]
Safeco Field - Flickr photo by matt garber[/caption]
We need to do a whole blog on what goes into a baseball fence one of these days, but in the meantime, here's an interesting one from the News Tribune.
The Seattle Mariners announced today that they are moving some of the fences in at Safeco Field for the 2013 season.
“Our goal was to create an environment that is fair for both hitters and pitchers,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. “Considering the current field dimensions, as well as the climate in and around Safeco Field, we feel this will be accomplished with this new layout.”
The specific changes, as written about by Greg Johns on MLB.com:
• In the left-field corner, the distance down the left-field foul line remains the same, at 331 feet.
• Instead of jutting out quickly to 341 feet, the corner of the left-field wall will jut out to 337 feet.
• The hand-operated scoreboard will be moved, and as a result, the height of the outfield wall will be eight feet from foul pole to foul pole.
• From the left-field corner to the power alley in left-center, the wall will be moved in four feet.
• The distance at the left-center-field power alley will decrease from 390 feet to 378 feet.
• From left-center to straightaway center field, the distance the wall will be moved in will vary from four feet to a maximum of 17 feet. At straightaway center field, the distance will decrease from 405 feet to 401 feet.
• From straightaway center to the right-center power alley, the wall will move in four feet. The distance at the power alley will decrease from 385 feet to 381 feet.
• From the right-center-field power alley to the right-field line, the dimensions will remain the same.
The Mariners are last in the American League in scoring (3.0 runs per game), home runs (0.68 per game) and batting average (.218) at home this season through 79 games. On the road, they are sixth in scoring (4.5), tied for sixth in home runs (1.15) and ninth in batting average (.247).
The team has hired Populous, a Kansas City design firm, to figure out how to move in the fences and make the other changes to left field.
The Mariners solicited bids from contractors to do the work but have not awarded a contract.
The cost is expected to be over a million dollars. They should be using Academy Fence installers, of course, even in Seattle.
Safeco Field - Flickr photo by matt garber[/caption]We need to do a whole blog on what goes into a baseball fence one of these days, but in the meantime, here's an interesting one from the News Tribune.
The Seattle Mariners announced today that they are moving some of the fences in at Safeco Field for the 2013 season.
“Our goal was to create an environment that is fair for both hitters and pitchers,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. “Considering the current field dimensions, as well as the climate in and around Safeco Field, we feel this will be accomplished with this new layout.”
The specific changes, as written about by Greg Johns on MLB.com:
• In the left-field corner, the distance down the left-field foul line remains the same, at 331 feet.
• Instead of jutting out quickly to 341 feet, the corner of the left-field wall will jut out to 337 feet.
• The hand-operated scoreboard will be moved, and as a result, the height of the outfield wall will be eight feet from foul pole to foul pole.
• From the left-field corner to the power alley in left-center, the wall will be moved in four feet.
• The distance at the left-center-field power alley will decrease from 390 feet to 378 feet.
• From left-center to straightaway center field, the distance the wall will be moved in will vary from four feet to a maximum of 17 feet. At straightaway center field, the distance will decrease from 405 feet to 401 feet.
• From straightaway center to the right-center power alley, the wall will move in four feet. The distance at the power alley will decrease from 385 feet to 381 feet.
• From the right-center-field power alley to the right-field line, the dimensions will remain the same.
The Mariners are last in the American League in scoring (3.0 runs per game), home runs (0.68 per game) and batting average (.218) at home this season through 79 games. On the road, they are sixth in scoring (4.5), tied for sixth in home runs (1.15) and ninth in batting average (.247).
The team has hired Populous, a Kansas City design firm, to figure out how to move in the fences and make the other changes to left field.
The Mariners solicited bids from contractors to do the work but have not awarded a contract.
The cost is expected to be over a million dollars. They should be using Academy Fence installers, of course, even in Seattle.
Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2012/10/02/mariners-announce-safeco-field-fences-coming-in-for-2013/#storylink=cpy
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Ranchers turned Thieves Cut Fences to Steal... Grass - New Mexico
[caption id="attachment_598" align="alignright" width="300"]
Sept. 26, 2012 - Cattle graze on a ranch outside of Encino, N.M. photo: Russell Contreras/AP[/caption]
We picked up this story today in the Spokesman about people in New Mexico cutting fences to steal grass.
With extreme drought drying out grazing land and driving up hay prices, authorities in drought-stricken states say some ranchers have started stealing hay, cutting neighbors' fences or leaving gates open so their cattle can graze on greener pastures.
Authorities in other drought-stricken states say they’ve seen similar fence cuttings, along with thefts of livestock and other materials as ranchers struggle to stay in business.
In some cases, stealing a neighbor’s grass may be the only way for a rancher to feed his or her livestock, but victims say their livelihood is being threatened too.
“We’ve had around five cases in the past few weeks where someone says his cattle just happened to walk through a gate that just happened to be open or an instance where a fence was clearly cut,” Sheriff Michael Lucero said. “And I suspect there are more cases, but they aren’t being reported.”
Ranchers from Missouri to Texas and west into New Mexico have sold off huge portions of their herds this year because the worst drought in decades dried up their pastures and they couldn’t afford to buy food for their animals. While grass thefts might seem relatively harmless, ranchers say they threaten the businesses and animals that are left.
Petty crime and burglaries aren’t unusual in isolated Guadalupe County, but this is an apparently new field of crime for New Mexico, and it’s not clear just how many grass thefts have happened since most aren’t reported, and even when they are, most don’t result in arrests, said Myles Culbertson, executive director of the New Mexico Livestock Board.
“It’s extremely hard to make a case. You almost have to have an eyewitness,” he said.
It seems there is always another test of our ethical and moral boundaries around the bend. I have to ask myself what I'd do in the situation of these ranchers on either side of the fence.
Sept. 26, 2012 - Cattle graze on a ranch outside of Encino, N.M. photo: Russell Contreras/AP[/caption]We picked up this story today in the Spokesman about people in New Mexico cutting fences to steal grass.
With extreme drought drying out grazing land and driving up hay prices, authorities in drought-stricken states say some ranchers have started stealing hay, cutting neighbors' fences or leaving gates open so their cattle can graze on greener pastures.
Authorities in other drought-stricken states say they’ve seen similar fence cuttings, along with thefts of livestock and other materials as ranchers struggle to stay in business.
In some cases, stealing a neighbor’s grass may be the only way for a rancher to feed his or her livestock, but victims say their livelihood is being threatened too.
“We’ve had around five cases in the past few weeks where someone says his cattle just happened to walk through a gate that just happened to be open or an instance where a fence was clearly cut,” Sheriff Michael Lucero said. “And I suspect there are more cases, but they aren’t being reported.”
Ranchers from Missouri to Texas and west into New Mexico have sold off huge portions of their herds this year because the worst drought in decades dried up their pastures and they couldn’t afford to buy food for their animals. While grass thefts might seem relatively harmless, ranchers say they threaten the businesses and animals that are left.
Petty crime and burglaries aren’t unusual in isolated Guadalupe County, but this is an apparently new field of crime for New Mexico, and it’s not clear just how many grass thefts have happened since most aren’t reported, and even when they are, most don’t result in arrests, said Myles Culbertson, executive director of the New Mexico Livestock Board.
“It’s extremely hard to make a case. You almost have to have an eyewitness,” he said.
It seems there is always another test of our ethical and moral boundaries around the bend. I have to ask myself what I'd do in the situation of these ranchers on either side of the fence.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Don't Buy Post and Rail (Split Rail) Fencing... Yet
Post & Rail has been traditionally used for horse corrals, and other livestock enclosures. Now-a-days it is commonly used for yard and garden fences. If you're interested in this rustic style of fence, please familiarize yourself with the characteristics you'll be looking for.
Rails
Rails are normally 11 feet long, which provides 6 inches of railing on either end, for insertion into post at the standard spacing of 10 feet apart.
[caption id="attachment_479" align="alignright" width="300"]
Husky Post and Rail Fence by Academy Fence[/caption]
Rails should be made of a softwood, typically either spruce or hemlock. Mixed hardwood rails are usually lower in cost, but make a poor choice because of their tendency to rot, mildew and discolor. The Academy Fence rails are cut from a "very husky" (thick) beautiful softwood rails of a very hard-to-find variety, pictured to the right.
Posts
Posts should be made of locust wood, which in Abraham Lincoln's time would have been a Black Locust - an extremely hard wood, resistant to rot and durable, prized for furniture, flooring, paneling, fence posts and small watercraft - and is now usually a cross-pollinated variety.
Avoid posts made of treated wood. Not only do they lose the traditional look of natural lumber, but until 2003 the preservative most commonly used in residential pressure-treated lumber was chromated copper arsenate (CCA), an extremely toxic chemical. Contemporary treated lumber uses less toxic alternatives... amine copper quat (ACQ) and copper azole (CA), but whether these new chemicals will turn out to be less hazardous in the long term is anyone's guess.
All posts should include a galvanized staple on top to prevent splitting.
Number of Rails - 2 or 3
Academy Fence Products
If you or anyone you know is currently considering or shopping for a Post and Rail fence, please consider Academy's Rustic Split Post & Rail fencing, which features 11ft Hemlock rails (considered the best), enclosing spaces between posts 10 feet on center. Post are made from high quality locust wood, and all posts are reinforced with a galvanized staple at the top. This combination results in an esthetically pleasing, long lasting fence.
Additional Features
Color PVC coated welded wire is easily attached to render Post & Rail into an attractive dog enclosure, yard guard or pool code fence. Choose one of the styles here for additional information and pricing, or send in your choice of style and layout measurements on our quick quote form.
Rails
Rails are normally 11 feet long, which provides 6 inches of railing on either end, for insertion into post at the standard spacing of 10 feet apart.
[caption id="attachment_479" align="alignright" width="300"]
Husky Post and Rail Fence by Academy Fence[/caption]Rails should be made of a softwood, typically either spruce or hemlock. Mixed hardwood rails are usually lower in cost, but make a poor choice because of their tendency to rot, mildew and discolor. The Academy Fence rails are cut from a "very husky" (thick) beautiful softwood rails of a very hard-to-find variety, pictured to the right.
Posts
Posts should be made of locust wood, which in Abraham Lincoln's time would have been a Black Locust - an extremely hard wood, resistant to rot and durable, prized for furniture, flooring, paneling, fence posts and small watercraft - and is now usually a cross-pollinated variety.
Avoid posts made of treated wood. Not only do they lose the traditional look of natural lumber, but until 2003 the preservative most commonly used in residential pressure-treated lumber was chromated copper arsenate (CCA), an extremely toxic chemical. Contemporary treated lumber uses less toxic alternatives... amine copper quat (ACQ) and copper azole (CA), but whether these new chemicals will turn out to be less hazardous in the long term is anyone's guess.
All posts should include a galvanized staple on top to prevent splitting.
Number of Rails - 2 or 3
- Posts for a two rail fence should be 6ft long.
- For a three rail fence the posts should be 7ft long.
Academy Fence Products
If you or anyone you know is currently considering or shopping for a Post and Rail fence, please consider Academy's Rustic Split Post & Rail fencing, which features 11ft Hemlock rails (considered the best), enclosing spaces between posts 10 feet on center. Post are made from high quality locust wood, and all posts are reinforced with a galvanized staple at the top. This combination results in an esthetically pleasing, long lasting fence.
Additional Features
Color PVC coated welded wire is easily attached to render Post & Rail into an attractive dog enclosure, yard guard or pool code fence. Choose one of the styles here for additional information and pricing, or send in your choice of style and layout measurements on our quick quote form.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Costs of Galvanized Steel may Rise after Elections
[caption id="attachment_559" align="alignright" width="300"]
Galvanized Steel Pipe - photo: http://smallbusiness.chron.com[/caption]
Galvanized steel prices may begin to rise again as construction and automobile manufacturing begin to recover. According to Metal Center News - a trade publication for the metals distribution industry (centers that warehouse, process and distribute carbon and stainless steels, aluminum and copper and brass) - earlier this year, "demand for galvanized steel continues to suffer from a weak construction sector. Despite price hikes announced for January and February, suppliers are concerned that new and restarted production capacity will put downward pressure on pricing in 2012."
This could translate into lower prices on galvanized fence products for us, but contrarily, the construction market has been showing some recent signs of growth. Bill Sternard, executive vice president of Viking Materials Inc., Minneapolis states, “I’m not saying it is picking up significantly, but the numbers are improving.”
The automotive market’s growing need for galvanized steel is a whole different story. “We are seeing demand strengthen as automotive builds recover,” says Jim Mortensen, general manager of automotive sales for Dearborn, Mich.-based Severstal North America.
North American automotive production is expected to reach 13.8 million to 14.0 million light vehicles in 2012, up from just under 13 million in 2011, says John Anton, director of the steel service at IHS Global Insight, Washington, D.C. That’s a major improvement from the 8.6-million-vehicle pace at the depth of the economic downturn. Anton expects annual auto industry output to return to 15 million vehicles by 2013.
As we all know prices are affected by supply and demand. Earlier this year it was reported that major steel suppliers had announced plans to raise galvanized prices by $80 to $110 a ton in three separate rounds, two effective with January shipments and the other with February shipments.
Richard McLaughlin, steel practice director for Hatch Beddows, Pittsburgh inferred that prices could rise significantly, “after the presidential elections and... banks become more confident about lending money” .
So if you are considering galvanized chain link fence products, you might want to make a move before November.
Galvanized Steel Pipe - photo: http://smallbusiness.chron.com[/caption]Galvanized steel prices may begin to rise again as construction and automobile manufacturing begin to recover. According to Metal Center News - a trade publication for the metals distribution industry (centers that warehouse, process and distribute carbon and stainless steels, aluminum and copper and brass) - earlier this year, "demand for galvanized steel continues to suffer from a weak construction sector. Despite price hikes announced for January and February, suppliers are concerned that new and restarted production capacity will put downward pressure on pricing in 2012."
This could translate into lower prices on galvanized fence products for us, but contrarily, the construction market has been showing some recent signs of growth. Bill Sternard, executive vice president of Viking Materials Inc., Minneapolis states, “I’m not saying it is picking up significantly, but the numbers are improving.”
The automotive market’s growing need for galvanized steel is a whole different story. “We are seeing demand strengthen as automotive builds recover,” says Jim Mortensen, general manager of automotive sales for Dearborn, Mich.-based Severstal North America.
North American automotive production is expected to reach 13.8 million to 14.0 million light vehicles in 2012, up from just under 13 million in 2011, says John Anton, director of the steel service at IHS Global Insight, Washington, D.C. That’s a major improvement from the 8.6-million-vehicle pace at the depth of the economic downturn. Anton expects annual auto industry output to return to 15 million vehicles by 2013.
As we all know prices are affected by supply and demand. Earlier this year it was reported that major steel suppliers had announced plans to raise galvanized prices by $80 to $110 a ton in three separate rounds, two effective with January shipments and the other with February shipments.
Richard McLaughlin, steel practice director for Hatch Beddows, Pittsburgh inferred that prices could rise significantly, “after the presidential elections and... banks become more confident about lending money” .
So if you are considering galvanized chain link fence products, you might want to make a move before November.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Razor Wire: Stainless Steel vs. Galvanized Comparison
Razor wire, which is also known by the names Razor Ribbon, Helical, Security Barbed Tape and Concertina Wire, is a mesh of metal strips with sharp edges whose purpose is to prevent passage by humans. The term "razor wire", through long usage, has generally been used to describe barbed tape products. While razor wire is much sharper than the standard barbed wire, it's not actually razor sharp.
Razor wire can be made out of either stainless steel or galvanized steel. This article will explore the benefits and drawbacks of the two.
The fundamental difference between stainless steel and galvanized razor wire is that the galvanized wire is protected from rust and weathering by a coating which can be scraped or scratched off, leaving the wire exposed to the elements, while in stainless steel, the actual material that the razor wire is made out of is resistant to rust and weather because of its carbon content has been reduced through the blending of metal alloys at high heats.
The stainless steel is universally accepted as the preferred option. This is because of its superior performance in strength, longevity and appearance. Because of its highly corrosive resistant properties, the razor edges of the stainless steel razor wire stay and sharp. While the leading edge of the galvanized type tends to lose its vividness due to the thin zinc coating that peels off leaving the ‘razor barbs’ blunt and less effective both physically and psychologically. Stainless steel will far outlast the effectiveness galvanized wire by many many years (decades).
[caption id="attachment_454" align="alignright" width="300"]
Stainless Steel Razor Wire - photo: www.alibaba.com[/caption]Stainless steel is more costly to manufacture and is therefore more expensive to the end user. However with this information and knowledge consumers can properly compare and assure knowing what they are getting at a minimum and certainly be able to avoid purchasing the galvanized type when the two types are close to the same price.
This relative comparison becomes even more apparent when product use is very long term, especially near or under water.
As always when there is labor involved, in the long run higher quality material is usually more economical due to the long-term reduction in installation and maintenance costs.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Watch Welded Wire Fence Being Manufactured
Check out this awesome video of Oklahoma Steel's Fencing Materials Plant complete with ripping bluegrass sound track! We love robots! Thanks to Louis E. Page for posting on their great blog.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Sometimes Fence Installation IS Rocket Science
[caption id="attachment_512" align="alignright" width="300"]
NASA Space Fence Graphical Interface Representation[/caption]
Michael Cooney of NetworkWorld reports on a $3.5 billion Space Fence to be installed by NASA, which is expected to be operational by 2017.
Construction is expected to begin September 2013 and is planned to take 48 months to complete construction and testing, the Air Force said.
The Space Fence is part of the Department of Defense's effort to better track and detect space objects which can consist of thousands of pieces of space debris as well as commercial and military satellite parts. Approximately 19,000 objects larger than 10 cm are known to exist, according to NASA. The Space Fence will replace the current VHF Air Force Space Surveillance System built in 1961.
Lockheed Martin reported earlier this year that a prototype system it is developing to track all manner of space debris is now tracking actual orbiting space objects. Raytheon and others are involved in that Space Fence development process.
And we thought we built some fancy fences.
NASA Space Fence Graphical Interface Representation[/caption]Michael Cooney of NetworkWorld reports on a $3.5 billion Space Fence to be installed by NASA, which is expected to be operational by 2017.
Construction is expected to begin September 2013 and is planned to take 48 months to complete construction and testing, the Air Force said.
The Space Fence is part of the Department of Defense's effort to better track and detect space objects which can consist of thousands of pieces of space debris as well as commercial and military satellite parts. Approximately 19,000 objects larger than 10 cm are known to exist, according to NASA. The Space Fence will replace the current VHF Air Force Space Surveillance System built in 1961.
Lockheed Martin reported earlier this year that a prototype system it is developing to track all manner of space debris is now tracking actual orbiting space objects. Raytheon and others are involved in that Space Fence development process.
And we thought we built some fancy fences.
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