We would always recommend you do your homework! Today many companies present themselves online as reliable contractors. In recent years; many organizations have been created to protect homeowners and provide information on contractors such as the Better Business Bureau or BBB. Referrals in our industry we feel are a very valuable reference and we recommend you consulting with your friends and neighbors for a reliable fence contractor they have used in the past.
Like all industries; Interstate too has its competitors. Yet when selecting a high value quality fence; Interstate’s product mix can offer you the best products for all budgets. It’s important that you ask “What Makes an Interstate Fence Better” than all other fence products on the market today. If there is a product sample you may need or specific request of materials and design; we are happy to support your contractor to satisfy your request.
We are more than happy to assist you in the selection process and make our recommendation of a contractor in your area. Simply provide us with your contact information along with critical details of your project; and we will make our recommendation of an Interstate Contractor in your area specific to the project and materials you are looking for: CLICK HERE!
You have made a great start by reading this information and familiarizing yourself with Interstate’s products. Selecting a suitable contractor is the second critical element to a successful fence project. Good Installers just like quality products help ensure your fence will be an investment in your home to last throughout the years.
Some recommended items to request from a contractor;
Documentation regarding their Home Improvement License to verify they are authorized to perform installations in your State and Town.
Documentation of Insurance; to ensure their workers and your property are protected against any unforeseen circumstances that may arise during an installation.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG: Any project which entails breaking soil require the contractor to coordinate with your local utility companies to identify underground objects such as gas, water and electric lines.
Aluminum is a product which does not rust and its color finish is a powder coated back on enamel so there is no need to re-paint. It is recommended that homeowners do monitor the performance of gate hinges and latching hardware especially in pool situations.
Jerith carries several grades of aluminum fence which range from a residential grade typical for the common residential application to a heavier grade for commercial/industrial applications. Whatever the at hand may be; feel confident Jerith has a solution. Consult your contractor for their expert recommendation on the grade of fence for your project.
The following styles have been engineered by Jerith to satisfy U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Swimming Pool Enclosure Code:
Styles: #101 Modified, #200 Modified, #202 Modified, Ovation, #111 Modified, #211 Modified, Bravo, Symphony, Concord Modified
Be sure to verify the requirements for swimming pool fencing in your area before ordering.
Aluminum Fence is most commonly recommended as a pool enclosure as well as a perimeter fence where privacy is not an issue.
Interstate represents and supplies aluminum fence products from a manufacturer in the USA named Jerith Aluminum Fence. Jerith Aluminum Fence has been nationally distributed and installed since 1961. Jerith is the highest regarded product in the industry and satisfies the most stringent of residential and commercial specifications. Interstate is the exclusive dealer of the Jerith Liberty Fence Line in the North East; ask for it by name!
Wrought Iron Fencing & Railing is a heavy industrial steel product which in the last 25 years has been limited primarily for use in commercial applications. The emergence of aluminum as more widely used building product delivered opportunities to the fence industry as comparably lower cost, lower maintenance product which has proved to successfully perform. In fact; today’s alloys with a yield strength of 35,000 PSI are significantly stronger than typical steel products.
All lumber is produced with a stated width, which is the target size. As milling has become more accurate, target sizes have moved closer to surfaced or planed sizes, i.e. 5 1/2″. As the width diminishes, the actual width is scant-or less than-the nominal width. See examples below:
Untreated, unpainted Whitewoods will last 3 to 7 years, depending on local environment conditions. (Source: USDA Forestry Book.)
Yes, you can choose from a number of readily available commercial products. Read the directions closely. They’ll describe various wood-cleaning problems and recommend the proper cleaning solution.
Small, sooty-looking circular spots are caused by mold or mildew. Mildew occurs when there’s low air circulation, moisture, temperature and food source (wood). Installing your fence will expose the wood to airflow and stop mold.
The species Spruce, Pine and Fir make up the grouping known as Whitewoods. Fence board cut from these species have a white appearance when first installed. While these species are prevalent throughout North America, Whitewood fencing products are produced primarily in a belt ranging from Eastern to Western Canada.
Even though pressure-treated wood is protected from termites and fungal decay, it is still a porous, natural material. Wood swells when it absorbs moisture and shrinks when it dries out. The drying process creates stresses in the wood, which contributes to cracking and warping. The sun’s ultra-violet (UV) rays cause the wood to turn gray. Pressure-treated wood is subject to these effects, just like other lumber.
It’s economical; works easily with common tools; is naturally attractive; durable; strong for its weight; and is readily available in a wide variety of sizes and styles.
It’s wood that has been pressure-impregnated with an effective preservative. This treatment helps wood resist attacks by termites and decay-causing fungi.
It’s unique to the Northern California coast and adjacent regions. Redwood is harvested in commercial forests from San Francisco to Southern Oregon in a strip along the Pacific Ocean.
The backrails should be no more than 8″ from the fence board tops and bottoms. Fence boards 6′ high should have three back rails. Spacing your rails this way will help control the wood’s natural tendency to warp, due to expansion and contraction.
What can be done to eliminate the effects of weathering and keep that “new fence” look? While there’s no way to eliminate the weathering of wood, it’s relatively easy to minimize the effects:
Use three back rails (6′ fence), two backrails (4′, 5′ fence), or 4 backrails (8′ fence) for more hold-down points.
Use only hot-dipped galvanized, or stainless steel fasteners with a ring or spiral shank to minimize warp and rust stains.
Treat the surfaces of fence boards with a water-repellant solution to reduce the rate that moisture is absorbed and released. This solution should also have a good UV inhibitor if you don’t want the fence to gray.
Follow a regular maintenance program of cleaning and refinishing every few years with a “clear” or “toner” water repellant containing UV inhibitors. This will revitalize a dingy appearance caused by dirt, mildew or graying. It’s like washing and waxing your car. Opinions differ on how necessary it is to perform regular maintenance, but most agree your fence will look much better for the effort.
Correct nails and nailing practices are essential for successful installation. Choosing a needle point nail is a common mistake. While the most commonly used nail is a diamond point, a blunt point will reduce splitting also. Overdriving nails is another problem that distorts wood and causes excessive splitting. Predrilling will help reduce any splitting that can occur.