One of the first things I wanted to tackle when I bought my new home was the fence. It was old, leaning, and missing boards. It certainly was not up to the task of keeping the dogs in our back garden. I wanted a new fence which provided privacy, strength to keep the dogs contained, and was maintenance free. This blog is all about fences. I plan to write about the different types, how to maintain them, and how to choose the perfect fence for your situation. From steel to bamboo, privacy to animal containment, there is a lot to know about the different fences available to you.
A chain-link fence is out in the elements: rain, sun, wind and hail. Thus, if you install one of these barriers, you want to know that it will endure and not require replacing any time soon. Read on to find out the ways these fences are protected.
Galvanised Steel
The wire diamond mesh in these fences typically consists of steel. Any metal that contains a trace of iron will rust. Because steel consists of iron, carbon, and other elements, it is susceptible to corrosion. That's why the meshing is often galvanised. This process involves the metal element being dipped in molten zinc. Once removed, it retains a zinc film that repels rust. Thus galvanised mesh fences can withstand rain and moisture without degrading — though, over decades, the zinc layer can wear away.
PVC Layer
Instead of installing a silver fence, you might want to create a smart-looking barrier in green, black or another colour. For this, you can install a mesh that's coated in PVC, which is available in various colours. This plastic coating shields the inner steel from moisture and oxygen, the combination of which induces rust.
Powder Coating
With a coloured fence, you also need to consider the posts and rails. Rather than being covered with PVC, they're often powder-coated in a matching colour to the mesh. During this process, a dry powder of pigments and resins is sprayed onto a metal object before it's baked in a furnace, melting the mixture to form a hard, smooth, painted finish. This tough cover buffers the metal from the outer environment.
Stainless Steel
As mentioned, it's the iron content within steel that results in rusting. While all kinds of steel contain iron, one variety — stainless steel — also has an element — called chromium — that cancels out the rusting. Thus, stainless steel doesn't rust, regardless of its iron content. Sometimes chain link fences use stainless steel, which offers more protection than a galvanised option. As it's more expensive, typically, stainless steel is used in harsh commercial environments or marine locations, where the moist salty air can wreak havoc on metals.
Because of these various forms of protection, chain link fencing can withstand harsh environments and all the elements that nature can throw at it. Galvanised steel creates a classic silver fence with a zinc film, or you can use mesh covered in green or black PVC, with matching powder-coated posts and rails. For extra resilience, you could opt for stainless steel.
For more information about chain link fencing, contact a local fencing contractor.
Share13 October 2020
