Crash, boom, bang is what my potential client heard as her fence came through the window. Not once, but twice as the hurricanes of 2004 rolled through Central Florida. As we sat at her kitchen table, she asked “What can I do to prevent this from happening again?” I responded, “The answer was simple, when it comes to hurricanes and fences there is no better protection than prevention.” For the next hour we spoke and as our conversation drew to a close she said, “If only someone took the time to explain.” Our number one goal at Paramount Fencing is to educate our clients. With the hurricane season upon us there are three important things to consider when having a fence installed in an area of frequent high winds or hurricanes.
The first question to consider is what type of fence will be installed? It’s important to understand the requirements are different for each product. For example, a six foot in height vinyl fence should be installed using six foot on center sections, with a nine foot long post and a minimum of three feet in the ground with sixty pounds of concrete per post. Whereas, wood should be installed eight foot on center with a ten foot post four feet in the ground and no concrete. If it’s a vinyl, wood, or aluminum picket fence the post can be shorter by one foot, but concrete is still mandatory on vinyl and aluminum to prevent leaning.
The second question is how long are the posts and how far apart will they be? Understand the best defense against a hurricane or high winds is leverage and linear strength. Leverage is the post depth divided by the amount of exposed surface. For example, if you have six feet of exposed wood fence above ground and the post depth is four feet in the ground the fence has a 66% coverage ratio. Whereas, if the exposed surface is six feet of exposed vinyl and the post depth is three feet in the ground the fence has a 50% coverage ratio. To optimize maximum protection or leverage on any solid surface, fencing system should posses at least a minimum coverage ratio of 50%. Linear strength can be measured by the amount of post used in a single stretch or the distance from one center of one post the next post. The more post in a stretch the stronger the linear strength will be.
The third question is what type of fasteners is being used to keep the fence together? For example, vinyl fence is light by nature and assembled using one of two different methods. The first method is known as inner locking system. Each post is routed to receive a certain rail size and lock into place using a serious of crimps. Depending on the manufacture of the fence they might have one crimp on each side of the rail. It is preferable that rail posses two crimps on each side of the rail. The second method is a screws and brackets and this assembly method provides the least amount of linear strength. During a hurricane screw and bracket systems are the first to com down!
If it is a wood fence what good is it if it falls apart at the seams during a hurricane? If the fence system to be installed is wood it is important that each 2” x 4” x 16’ is attached to the post using 3” inch ring shank nails. A ring shank nail has about 75 reversed ovular looking rings that puncher the wood and act like a screw. To achieve maximum effectiveness against hurricane winds the runners must be staggered to insure there is no open seam on any one post. Last, it is best that the wood fence is assembeled piece by piece using 1” pickets and 2” ring shank nails.
If the fence is all ready installed don’t be the victim this hurricane season prepare with three simple steps. One, remove all gates or doors from the fencing system. This can be easily accomplished by removing the pins that join the two hinges. Two, secure all seams with screws. If it a wood fence 3 ½” screws should be place at every seam. If it is a vinyl fence do not screw seams together because you will void the manufacture warrantee. Three, secure the center of each stretch with bracing. This can be accomplish by purchasing 2” x 4” x 8’s and cutting them in half, cutting each end at a 45 degree and attaching one end to the fence and the other to the ground.
A hurricane or high winds is often the number one cause of a damaged of fence, but it is not necessary to become a victim. These three questions and three steps are often over looked, but can make the difference. Like the old saying goes, “If you fail to plan, than you plan to fail.” If you are planning to get a fence make sure you ask the three questions, educate yourself, and if you need help feel free to contact us at info@paramountfencing.com or call 407.341.2720.
