Wrought iron fencing looks good and can last a lifetime. The fence can also help guard your yard and home against thieves and intruders if designed and maintained properly.
1. Add Height to the Design
Taller fences are more difficult to scale, which makes them more secure. The ideal height is tall enough so an adult-sized person can't easily grab the top of the fence and pull themselves over, which typically means the most secure fence is 6 feet or taller. Taller fences may be also required by local regulations for specific security purposes, such as fencing around a swimming pool.
2. Minimize Picket Spacing
The quickest way to undermine a security fence is to space the pickets wide enough so someone can squeeze through. Pickets that aren't spaced correctly can also be a safety risk, as a child or pet could get their head stuck between them. Building codes determine the required spacing to ensure safety, which means placing the pickets close enough together so no one can fit between them or spacing them widely enough so nothing gets stuck. The narrower spacing requirement is better for security.
3. Install Some Climber Deterrents
Some would-be intruders persevere even if the fence is tall, which is where climber deterrents come to the rescue. On wrought iron, these deterrents most often take the form of decorative pointed finials on the tops of both pickets and fence posts. This option is more attractive and less unwelcoming in appearance compared to barbed wire and other options.
4. Mind the Bottom Gap
Don't overlook the space at the bottom of the fence, between the bottom of the pickets and the ground. A wide enough gap can provide a place for people or animals to crawl underneath with minimal digging. Uneven terrain is what leads to wide gaps. Your installer can put in concrete or stone curbing to fill this gap. Another option is to use landscaping, such as a low-border shrub with sharp leaves or thorns, to block intruders.
5. Plan for Good Maintenance
A badly maintained fence can offer other opportunities to intruders. For example, rusted-out pickets can easily be broken or the old welds pulled apart to create an opening in the fence. Checking for and promptly repairing any damages to the finish prevents rust and provides an opportunity to inspect for loose welds or damaged hardware that is in need of repair.
Contact a wrought iron fence service to learn more.
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