Budget

It is common that cost is a prime consideration in choosing the style of fence, as well as the materials used in that fence. Payne Fence Products can help you design a fence to meet budgetary constraints, and can help contractors work within both design and budget specifications to meet the customer's needs.

Through our relationships with both fence specifiers and contractors, Payne Fence Products has developed some thoughts that will keep the ultimate cost of the fence lower:

FENCE HEIGHT:

Where and when possible, reduce the height of the fence. In some cases, construction codes or ordinances will set a prescribed height. If possible or practical, stay within those limits.

When considering a fence for security, the top of the fence can be designed in a manner to discourage or prevent entry in a manner that allows more flexibility for the designed height. Additional elements, such as barbed tape concertina, can be very effective for security applications.

DENSITY OR SPACING OF MATERIALS:

Another way to keep the fence cost down is to use products that have smaller relative amounts of materials incorporated into the design.

With the Guardian Fence System, this means choosing mesh infills with wider spacing, including Expanded Metal meshes, Woven and Welded Wire meshes, and Steel Grate infills.   

As a general rule, a more dense design yields more security, but a higher cost of materials.

In the case of ornamental iron and aluminum fences and gates (including the EZ-UP Fence System), a 6" spacing of pickets will be less expensive than one with a closer spacing such as 4 5/8" based on fewer pickets being used. Be sure that local building codes allow for such spacing.

For fences used around swimming pools or on balconies, there is generally prescribed spacing (typically, such that a four-inch sphere will not pass through any portion of the fence). Additionally, fewer horizontal rails reduce overall materials, lowering the cost.

MATERIAL GRADE/WEIGHT:

Choosing lighter grade materials, such as commercial grade over industrial grade, will decrease the cost of materials and installation for a project. Generally speaking, a lighter grade costs less, but will withstand less use and abuse and may not last as long as a heavier grade product.

ADDING LONG-TERM VALUE:

Though using non-galvanized steel without powder coating may mean lower initial construction costs, the long term expenses for the fence owner could be very high, and will likely result in dramatically less satisfaction with the aesthetics of the project. On the other hand, galvanized steel combined with an Architecural Grade Powder Coating process will ensure a fence that retains its strength and beauty for many years.

Click here for a guide that shows the general relationships and approximate cost ranges of various fence types and grades.