Hurricane Proof Fencing: Everything You Need to Know When Installing a Fence in Florida
Since hurricane season has arrived, we want to remind our Orlando residents about the importance of having a high quality fence installed by professionals to ensure your home stays safe and protected during a storm. Winds can blow up to anywhere between 40-80 mph (with gusts up to 100 mph) and the last thing you should have to worry about is the safety of your fence. It’s common for trees to become uprooted and fences ripped from the ground. This is why it’s so important to hire a professional fence company that understands the challenges that are presented along with living in a hurricane-prone area. At Mossy Oak Orlando, we’re here to ensure your fence is protected through whatever storms come your way.
Wind-Proof Fencing Materials
Metal fences
The pickets on standard six-foot-high wooden fences are fitted edge to edge to prevent people from being able to see into a yard. This allows the fence to act as a sail, enabling wind to take down the fence.
Unsurprisingly, wrought iron fencing and sturdy steel picket fencing are some of the best fencing materials for taking on strong gusts of wind. Your typical metal fence has narrow pickets that permit wind through, rather than catching it. Wrought iron fences also have a strength advantage, so when a piece of flying debris comes at it, it won’t be badly damaged.
Vinyl fences
An incredibly durable and high-quality choice for Floridians are vinyl fences. They can withstand strong winds and regardless of how much water or humidity they endure, they will not rust or warp. Vinyl fences have grown increasingly in popularity. They will not deteriorate, chip, or perish like wood fences often do (especially in the Florida heat and storm season).
Aluminum fences
Similarly, to vinyl fencing, aluminum fencing is manufactured perfectly for Florida’s harsh climate. Aluminum fences are double coated in a powder made from polyester, which is stronger than enamel finishes commonly baked on other fence styles. They are maintenance free and will not deteriorate extensively over time.
Anti-Rot Fence Posts
Fences plotted with rot-resistant posts can last much longer, and are more likely to withstand severe situations. Rather than burying the wooden post itself, anchoring it to an object buried beneath the surface helps prevent rotting. There are a few ways of doing this, listed below:
- Anchors- These are essentially long spikes with a bracket that secures to the post. Simply bury the spike into the ground, place your post into the bracket at the top, and tighten it with screws. Anchors provide a secure hold and are much easier to install than footers.
- Footers- Traditionally, these have been commonly used for anchoring posts. Newer methods of doing this are utilized to mitigate the chances of rotting. Most fence installation companies will pour a footer, anchor the post to it using a bracket and concrete anchor bolts.
- Steel posts- These posts are rot-free. They are composed of galvanized steel (which lasts up to 25 years even in the dampest soils).
Mossy Oak Orlando
For any questions or inquiries regarding your current or future fencing needs, call us at (407) 972-0726 today! We are here to ensure that you feel comfortable with all of your fencing choices, so that you’re prepared to weather any type of storm.
