Estate Fencing FAQ
Useful information for anyone interested in purchasing or installing estate fencing from Designer Metal.
About Our Fencing:
We can confidently say our fencing will last 100 years in the ground. See our ‘Rusted the Natural Finish’ page for more details.
Weld-together fencing is far superior to any clip or bolt together panel fence. It is far stronger and longer lasting. It can be made to follow curves and contours of the ground. All joins are hidden within the posts. You will never match the aesthetics of our fencing with panels.
Our estate fencing and gates are made from mild steel.
We don’t offer galvanised finish on our fencing or gates; primarily because it is a weld-together system. Our fencing is of a heavier section steel, the structural integrity and longevity of the fence will not be affected by the chosen finish, painted or unpainted.
Installation:
A fit person with practical skills, who can weld, can install our fencing. Please see the videos on the Estate Fencing page to understand what is involved.
At minimum you will need a post driver/thumper (unless you are concreting in). We offer the installation tools on a return and refund basis. All our fencing will require welding.
Our fencing can be installed all year round.
Our posts go deeper in the ground than those of other suppliers. Once fully welded there is no need for additional lateral support, i.e. side/thrust plates.
As a guide, two fit men should be capable of 40-50 metres per day of our 5 rail fencing.
No, 1m centres maximum. Horizontal bars are sold as 6m but will always be 603cms min. As we join rails on posts, spacing can not be more than 6m. You can reduce spacing to give even gaps between to fixed points.
The holes in the posts will allow for a rise of 12cm per metre (approx.).
Anything tighter than a 6m radius will need to be pre-rolled in the workshop. We can pre-roll any radius in the workshop.
We recommend a high zinc-based primer and then an industrial grade topcoat. A two-coat application should be good for 10 years (80-90% coverage after 10 years). Recommended spray application at 60psi (requires compressor with pressure pot). We can put you in touch with our paint supplier to buy direct when you place an order with us.
You can bring them back in person or use a courier. UPS will take heavier items. You will need to email or phone to let us know you are sending tools back first.
We may be able to recommend fencing contractors who use our product – please contact us first.
Livestock Fencing:
Any of the styles we sell are suitable as livestock fencing (cattle). Style 1 is the strongest – recommended for heavy livestock use.
Our fencing has been used in horse paddocks; however, you would need to make a personal decision on the suitability in your own case.
Our five-rail fencing would require additional wire(s) to keep dogs from getting through the space between the horizontal rails (see the Estate Fencing page for spacing specifications).
We don’t. There is no necessity for adding electric wire to our fences; they are extremely strong, with posts heavier and deeper in ground than others.
Gates:
We don’t, although we do offer gate kits that allow you to fabricate your own gates to any size. We now offer these kits with or without the infill (horizontals and cross bracing).
Our gates have been automated by customers. However, we do not make any modifications required for this. We recommend you find a local established automation company for the motors (there are many options and they should offer long-term support, maintenance, repairs etc.). Discuss with the automation company before choosing size or double/single options (there are many factors to consider).
If ordered with fencing we can make gates to match (a minimum quantity applies).
Gates are mostly dispatched steel-banded to a pallet, with posts. The paintwork would inevitably suffer chips and scuffs by the time the goods reached their destination.
Pricing / Payment:
Our fencing is always priced very competitively. Designer Metal prices are essentially already trade prices.
We only accept payment by bank transfer. Details will be on the invoice.
Collections / Delivery:
You are welcome to collect from our workshop (at IP7 6PN) but there are some restrictions:
You will need to pay in advance (availability will then be confirmed).
We are happy for you to collect personally, or to send someone who works for you, with a car, van or trailer.
You will need to ensure the vehicle you are collecting with has sufficient capacity.
Note: We won’t load into a passenger car for you, as we will not be liable for damages to the interior when loading. Steel items have sharp corners/edges so bring old blankets etc. for protection.
We do not allow other pallet lorries to collect from us. We are limited to lorry movements and consequently dispatch pallets once a week with our pallet company, where we control the timings, route in, etc.
If collecting 6 metre rail: recommended trailer size is 16-18 ft although 14ft can suffice (more overhang).
Note: Collection times are mornings only.
Shipping to Ireland/NI can be relatively expensive. We can send posts (if ordered in sufficient quantity) but we would not send you the 6 metre lengths of rail, these would need to be sourced from a steel stockholder in your area. Email us for more details.
If you have other questions you would like answered, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
