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DIY aluminum fencing: Service and value wins again

Last year my wife and I decided to have an in ground swimming pool installed but were concerned about the cost.  After about a month of research we finally narrowed our pool companies down to two.  Then the “what can you do for me that the other company can’t” began.  We wanted to do as much work as possible for cost savings.  We requested bids for both complete installation (including deck, fence, and landscaping) and just pool.  We decided on just the pool and do the deck, landscape, and fence ourselves.

The decking and landscape was an easy choice for materials.  The fence was a different story.  Every local building supply and hundreds of on-line companies sell aluminum fencing.  After receiving several estimates from four different suppliers, iFence had by far the best deal.  I was not only impressed with the price but the quality of the material was better as well.  Thicker walls on the posts and rails come standard with iFence, you have to pay for the same thickness with other companies.  And some companies don’t offer a .080 thick wall on post.  The web-site (www.ifenceusa.com) is amazing, very informative and easy to navigate.  It has everything you need to make your selection and decide your needs.  The design studio feature is very nice, you can see how each style will look in a home setting…choices, choices, choices.

Another important fact about iFence is that the customer service is second to none!!!  My sales representative (John) talked me through every step of the order.  He asked questions to get me started in the right direction, helped me decide on the correct style, color, and configuration.  John at iFence even gave me some installation advice to make my life easier during installation.  Payment and shipping was seamless.  And once my fence arrived, all I had to do was unpack it and install.  Every part was there in perfect condition, how rare is that?  After installation our pool area was the talk of the neighborhood.  Everyone kept asking about our fence and how great it looked.

I know it’s only a year old but it still looks great.  With literally 8-10 children (including my two) and several parents in and out our pool area daily, we have had zero issues with our iFence.  We are so impressed with the product and service of iFence, I just ordered another fence to enclose an area at our walkout basement to contain our dogs.  And again the customer service (John) was great!

My point in all of this is there may be a better company, there may be a better price and fence but I have not found it.  By purchasing the fence through www.ifenceusa.com and installing it ourselves we saved over $1500.   ifence sells a great product, the service is impeccable.  I would recommend to anyone wanting to install a fence, save yourself some time and headache by calling iFence FIRST!!

Very Satisfied Customer,

Rickey Webb

Elizabethtown, KY

Installing an aluminum fence post onto a concrete surface

There are two types of flanges that can be used for this application. The most durable post-to-surface mounting attachment we offer is welded flanges for posts. Factory-welded, then powder coated, these durable, welded base flanges are ideal for mounting a post to hard surfaces such as concrete. They are sized appropriately for each type of post’s base and then welded to the base. For best results, use welded flanges when the surface grade is level or near-level. Shimming can sometimes work if the surface near level. Attractive skirt covers are available to conceal the weld as well as the bolts and shims used to secure the post to the surface. An alternative is our two-piece wedge flanges for posts. Though not as strong, they can be more versatile because they enable you to cut each post on location, which can be useful in keeping the top of the fence level when the grade below fluctuates. For a durable and versatile installation without the use of flanges at all, you may want to consider coring a hole into the concrete surface and installing your posts by re-cementing. Properly executed, this can be a very effective installation approach, but we strongly recommend you contract a professional concrete cutting company to do the coring.

The view is better with aluminum fences!

The best attribute of Integrity™ aluminum fences is that your view is not obstructed by the fence. This means you can easily keep an eye on the pool area. Beyond your pool there may be a beautiful lake, a wooded area, or just wild flowers. Integrity™ aluminum fences let you continue to enjoy your surroundings with minimal obstruction, especially when ordered in bronze or black. When privacy is important, we recommend landscaping with natural foliage as a barrier on either side of your Integrity™ fence. Most local codes do not permit privacy fences taller than 6′, which means you’ll be boxed in while others from a distance may still be able to look in. Take a look at our extensive photo gallery and then ask yourself, ”How could a big tall plastic wall be this attractive?”

Driveway gates very versatile in aluminum

Integrity™ Aluminum driveway gates can be welded to fit an exact opening between existing pillars. These metal gates are durable and maintenance free. The powder coated finish will not crack, chip or peel. There are many ways to order a driveway gate. Your gate can be arched in 3 different ways or it can be ordered straight. A driveway gate can be a single-leaf or it can be a double-leaf. You can order posts with your gate or you can mount your gate to existing posts or pillars. Styles range from simple and contemporary to traditional and ornate. Many colors are available. Regardless of what style/color you select, you will have a list of features to choose from. You may want a U-frame base support or a mid rail to attach an opener. Perhaps you want to add Puppy Pickets. These come in multiple configuration variations. Other adornments such as circles or scrolls at the base are also popular. You can use our design studio to create just the right look for your driveway, then click the icon for a free quote on your perfect gate.

Aluminum fence installation tips

Question from a recent aluminum fence shopper planning for his project:

We are installing a gate at the sidewalk next to our house. The sidewalk itself has a slight grade incline up from the gate. How do we deal with this issue when installing an aluminum gate?

Our answer:

Here are the potential solutions:

1. Have the gate open out and away from the incline in the opposite direction.  (Gates are universal and can swing in either direction unless prohibited by code, which may be the case if this is a pool project.)

2. Set the gate and the fence higher off grade – just enough to not scrape.

3. Narrow the width of the gate so that it’s reach into the grade incline is minimized.

4. Order a gate slightly shorter than the adjacent fence. The top will then correspond to the adjacent fencing, but the bottom will not. (This will be more obvious with a flush bottom fence.)

5. Go with a classic bottom fence, then shorten gate at bottom on site as needed. At least the bottom rail will still correspond to adjacent fencing. (Note: “Classic bottom” means the vertical pickets protrude down below the lowest horizontal rail.)

This is an example of our customer service. The above answer was taken directly from one of our email correspondences. Welcome to iFenceUSA.com!

Magna-Latch® ideal for pool-safe gates

What do you do when the gate meets code at 48” tall but the latch mechanism must be 54” above grade?  The solution is here!  This state-of-the-art latch is the “hands free” way of closing your gate and greatly reduces the risk of leaving a gate open for kids or pets to slip out. One of the world’s safest gate latches, ideal for swimming pool gates and other child safety enclosures, Magna-Latch’s® magnetically triggered action means there’s no mechanical resistance to closure. Problems with gate latches jamming or sticking, associated with traditional mechanical latches, are eliminated. It can be installed quickly and easily to gates of all materials, adjusts horizontally and vertically, during and after installation. Series 2 is 20% stronger than previous models and has been tested to 400,000 cycles. It will last the test of time. Visit is at iFenceUSA.com to learn more.

BOCA pool safety code | aluminum pool fences

Swimming Pool Fences Are Usually Subject to Strict Guidelines

Integrity Aluminum Products™ places a high priority on safety and we want you to be aware of potential hazards for children. Always remember that when a pool is involved, pool fences are subject to more restrictions for the safety of children. Please take the time to review our pool safety link.

Pool-safe Latches and Hinges for Swimming Pool Fences

Ordinary latches and hinges just don’t cut it when you are enclosing a swimming pool. The gates must be auto-closing and self-latching. Additionally, the latch mechanism that opens the gate must be positioned at least 54” above grade according to the BOCA pool safety code. This may seem to be in conflict with some fence styles that only have to be 48” tall to meet the same code that requires the latch to be 54” above grade! This rule can be satisfied with specially designed latches that attach to the gate but have a release mechanism that protrudes above the gate as needed. We carry a full line of gate latches and hinges, featured in our product gallery .

How Tall does a Pool Fence need to be?

That depends. And we’re not trying to be smart.  Often, there is confusing and conflicting information about pool fence height requirements. Yes, a pool fence must be at least 48” tall.  But not all 48” fences comply with this minimal requirement. Any fence that has more than 1.75” of space between vertical pickets (and most do) must then pass another hurdle: the lowest horizontal rail (some might call it a bar) must have a clearance of at least 45” from it to the top of the next higher horizontal rail. Let’s call this the 45” rule. This is to prevent children from slipping their feet between the vertical pickets and climb on the “bars”, using them like rungs on a ladder.  So many fence styles with 3 horizontal rails must be taller than 48” in order to comply with the 45” rule. In fact, most flat top metal fences need to be 54” tall to comply, and most spear top fences need to be 60” tall to comply. How the bottom rail is positioned on a fence can also impact the overall height needed for compliance. For instance, a flush Bottom Rail can make the difference needed for a pool fence to comply in a slightly shorter overall height. Feel free to call us at 800-762-8876 if you need more information about whether a pool fence style complies with the B.O.C.A. pool safety code. We are happy to answer your questions.

Installation Tips for the Safety of Small Children

Keeping pool fencing a safe distance away from objects outside the pool area such as air conditioner units is addressed by the BOCA pool safety code and is almost universally enforced by inspectors. This is a good idea for the protection of children. When retaining walls are involved and it is not possible to maintain adequate clearance from the incline, consider installing your aluminum pool fence on the high ground! All of our Resort Collection™ aluminum pool fences comply with the rigid safety standards of BOCA!

Local Pool Fence Safety Codes Can Vary

While some communities have very relaxed codes, others have adopted more stringent safety laws. We recommend you review your local pool fence legal codes before ordering your aluminum pool fence, as these laws often vary from B.O.C.A. pool safety standards. If a permit is required, we recommend you obtain the permit before ordering your aluminum fence. Often, a neighborhood association may have restrictions as well. Sometimes, these restrictions are in conflict with the local government codes and this needs to be worked out (usually, government trumps the neighborhood). We provide the fence specifications you need to determine B.O.C.A. code compliance, but we don’t guarantee compliance with your local laws so it is important that you do your homework to determine what local codes you will be subject to, whether government- or association-initiated.

More Information about Swimming Pool Fencing

Visit is at iFenceUSA.com to learn more.

How to buy a metal gate in the right size

When planning to install a metal (or any) gate over a concrete walkway, keep in mind that the gate needs to be wide enough so that you are able to install the gate posts on each side of the concrete, therefore, we recommend leaving yourself a little extra space. For instance, if you are going to want a 48-inch wide gate, an ideal limit for the width of your walkway is 45 inches. Pavers can be more forgiving, but it’s still better to plan for success .

With pools, the fence is often ordered in advance of the installation of the concrete, so you’ll want to go over this point with the concrete installers. Don’t assume anything! Talking about these details with your concrete professional will ensure the success of your project!

If the concrete has already been poured and the walkway is wider than the the gates typically available from metal fence suppliers, relax! A metal gate can be very cost effectively welded in the specific size you need!

One more thing, when hugging the concrete with your pool fence, there is a key point to remember. Where the walkway meets the pool deck it is common for the concrete’s corner transition to curve rather than abruptly turn 90 degrees. This means that your 45-inch wide walkway is going to flare out just where you intend to put your gate posts and your gate is rendered too narrow.  This type of mistake will probably delay the completion of the installation and likely cost you more money! Don’t let this happen to you!  This issue is resolved in one of two ways: by narrowing the walkway or, by buying a wider gate. Advise your contractor of your decision! Of course, at times, attaching posts to concrete by use of welded flanges is another possibility but this, too, needs to be planned out.

Our FAQ link addresses these circumstances and the best way to plan for success! If you have unanswered questions, SmartTools™ are excellent and easy-to-understand resources. Or, you may prefer to call us and ask us directly. We welcome that approach and are here to serve you!

How to plan for a swimming pool safety fence

When considering a new swimming pool, it is very important to plan ahead for a safety fence to protect children from the possibility of accidental drowning. For instance, swimming pools can be enclosed by a fence surrounding the pool while totally detached from your house or other “pass through” structure. Another plan is to use the house itself as a partial barrier, with fencing extending out from it to enclose the pool area and then terminating back at the house. The latter plan may comply with your local community pool safety codes (usually with alarms on all points of entry into the pool area from within the house), but it is our considered opinion that a separately enclosed pool area offers children a greater degree of protection. A child that “slips” outside would still have another layer to get through.

We encourage you to thoughtfully plan for the safety of children, not only your own but also others who may visit, and make decisions based on what you think is best, and the governing laws in your community. These laws, or codes, often comply with what is known as the BOCA pool fence safety standard. Some communities offer more relaxed versions of this standard while others demand more stringent standards. Usually, you can find out what the laws in your community are by simply getting on line and searching the name of your county, township or city along with “pool code” or “building code.”  If this doesn’t work, call the appropriate government office directly and ask for a copy of the code. Additionally, it is a very good idea to see if you have a neighborhood association and whether this association has additional binding requirements.

At iFenceUSA.com, we specialize in pool fence designs that comply with the BOCA code for pool safety. We can also modify fences, as needed, for more stringent requirements. Please visit our link on pool safety to learn more about the BOCA pool safety standard. You can also call us for compliance assistance. We are happy to review any document you provide us with, as well as supply you with architectural drawings that give detailed dimensions of our products. These can be very useful as governing authorities often require this information at the time permit(s) are pulled for your project.

We cordially invite you to put our experience to work for you. No pressure, just good old-fashioned service.  No kidding.