Today, I’m going to talk about security fencing for commercial properties and focus specifically on the bread-and-butter fencing types: aluminum and iron. We’ll first examine some different use cases and then determine the fence style and material best suited for your business and property.
Case #1: “I offer a non-premium product or service and want to cover a lot of acreage.”
Let’s say you own a rental property and sell the installation and delivery of tiny homes or prefabricated sheds.
Obviously, people need to be able to see the tiny homes and sheds. You have a non-premium product that needs to be seen but also protected.
Start with a chain link fence for affordability and flexibility.
Most commercial properties do just fine with a chain link fence at a height of six or eight feet. Here are some of the advantages:
- Fast Installation
- Low Cost
- Weather Resistant Galvanized Steel
- Adaptable for Low-to-High Security Situations
Chain link fencing covers a lot of acreage at an affordable cost.
Chain link is ideal if you need security fencing for commercial properties with a lot of acreage. Why? Because you can cover 500 feet or 170 yards in a straight line with just two terminal posts. (Terminal posts are the thickest posts, identifiable by large “caps”) and 50 line posts.
Higher-grade mesh is cut-resistant.
Now, that’s a lot of material, but it’s inexpensive, and there are options for higher-grade chain link mesh that is resistant to cutting tools.
Add additional deterrents easily.
Outfit the front of your property with standard chain link fencing and secure high-value items by adding barbered wire or razor wire. Cheap composites can be added to chain link fences to shield items or locations from view.
What are the downsides to chain link security fencing?
Chain link fencing is vulnerable to advanced cutting tools and vehicles, and it will lower the value of a high-end product or service because it’s affordable. So, the case for chain link—affordability—is a case against chain link.
It all depends on the property and what you want people to think about your business.
Cost of Chain Link: Approx. $25 per linear foot.
Case #2: “Premium products or services and plenty of visibility.”
Let’s move to the far end of the pasture from pre-fab sheds into personalized garage spaces for high-end vehicles.
Choose a wrought iron security fence for high-end commercial properties.
Wrought iron fencing is going to be more expensive because you’re going to be using higher-grade steel and a lot more of it.
Typically, we would recommend a wrought iron security fence for properties with the following characteristics:
- Low or very low acreage
- In need of visibility in and out
- Oriented toward premium products or services
- It is likely to appreciate in value or with homeowners interested in selling
- Containing high-value items
Wrought iron fencing is often painted black. It’s elegant, but there are also plenty of options for deterring bad guys.
Let’s look at three types of wrought iron security fencing, then talk about the overall advantages,
Wrought iron security fencing for commercial properties is about deterrence.
1. Flat-top wrought iron fencing offers the lowest level of deterrence:
Pickets extend to the top rail with nothing pointy on top. It’s not easy to climb, but it’s not frightening either.
2. Pressed-point wrought iron security fencing comes in second in deterrence.
Instead of a smooth top, trespassers encounter rows of iron spikes. Each picket extends through the top rail and is pressed to a sharp point, some of which are pre-pressed. Can you sit on this fence? Absolutely not.
3. Curved-top wrought iron security fences offer the highest level of deterrence.
The curved top is designed so that after each press-pointed picket extends through the top rail, it curves toward the outside of the fence and up, too. So, trespassers have to climb up the wall to an overhang with sharp spikes.
What are the advantages of wrought iron security fencing?
There are many advantages. Some are obvious. Some may surprise you.
- Strength & Durability
- Construction Quality
- Visibility & Property Value
Let’s touch on each one briefly.
Yes, iron is strong.
One of the best features of a wrought iron fence is its pure strength. Iron is just plain hard.
Welded construction and durable hardware make fences one solid piece of iron.
A criminal with a hand grinder will have to change discs to cut through a single post, whereas, with a chain-link fence, the same criminal has better options.: more places to cut and softer metal to cut through.
Welding pickets together and using high-strength fasteners prevents vehicles and objects from breaking through.
Visibility goes both ways. Property value increases
Seeing out is just as useful as seeing in. Wrought iron leaves no place for criminals to hide. Wrought iron boosts property value because of its quality, longevity, and style.
Again, choose the fence that fits your property.
Chain link works. So does wrought iron. What do you need, and what’s your security risk? Think about other systems like cameras and guard dogs you can use to supplement security fencing.
Sometimes, it takes a visit to the property with an experienced commercial fencing contractor. We’re those guys. Contact Juno Construction for a free quote today, and let’s secure your property.
– Carlos Rivero, Owner & Operator
JUNO Construction Group, LLC
