What Are the Dangers of “Cheap” Fences?

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Installing fencing around a property is a task that requires significant financial resources. The costs of purchasing and installing a fence can be quite substantial—modern fencing is relatively expensive, although this is offset by its long lifespan. Thus, the desire to save money is quite reasonable.

On the other hand, buying a cheap fence almost never results in the desired outcome. The joy of saving money fades quickly—within the first few months of use (and sometimes even during installation), significant deficiencies caused by cost-cutting in the production of the fence become apparent. So, what should you watch out for, and why is it undesirable to buy cheap fencing? We’ll explain below.

Where Savings Come From?

Cost savings through reducing the cost of the fence is a common practice, especially among less scrupulous companies. In an effort to maintain profitability, these companies reduce the cost of the construction as much as possible, competing in the market based on one factor—price. There are not many sources of savings:

  • Firstly, savings are achieved by reducing the quality and thickness of the metal. Using thinner materials and purchasing Chinese raw materials helps to cut production costs.
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  • Secondly, the configuration of the fencing elements can be simplified. Modern metal fence panels have complex shapes with ribs and additional elements that enhance functionality. By eliminating these “unnecessary” details, the panel becomes 10-15% cheaper, with little to no change in appearance.
  • Finally, another (virtually limitless) source of savings is the anti-corrosion coating. Using the simplest composition also reduces costs, especially since the difference between high-quality and cheap pigments will not be immediately apparent.

So, what are the dangers of such cost-cutting? We’ll explain below.

Metal Thickness and Quality

Using cheap metal with lower thickness is the simplest way to reduce the cost of a fence and compete more effectively in the market. In addition to direct savings, there are also indirect ones—thinner metal is easier to process, allowing the purchase of cheaper cutting and bending machines.

Unfortunately, problems begin during transportation and installation:

  • The thinner the metal used for the rails or panels of a metal fence, the higher the risk of damage during storage, loading/unloading, or transportation. Any damage affects not only the appearance but also the corrosion protection—rust will initially appear at the bends (even if they are immediately straightened).
  • Another issue is the fasteners. Using fasteners to secure thin metal slats often leads to breakthrough at the fastening points. As the saying goes, “if the construction doesn’t fall apart this quarter, it will definitely fall apart next”: even if the metal remains intact during installation, any strong wind gust can tear the panel from its fastenings. This is especially relevant for fences with high sail areas.
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  • Finally, thin metal slats are highly susceptible to deformation. They sag under their own weight and vibrate during strong winds. Over time, this affects both the reliability and appearance of the fence.

Protective and Decorative Coating

Reducing the cost of a fence by using low-quality and, therefore, cheap protective and decorative coatings is also a common practice. The consequences of this approach are quite evident:

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  • Inadequate Galvanization. Poor-quality galvanization of the steel base does not provide adequate protection against corrosion. During mechanical processing, the zinc coating begins to peel off at points of impact and bends, causing the base to rust quickly.

Note: Even if the polymer coating is of good quality, it will not protect the metal from rust due to poor galvanization. Moisture will penetrate the areas of peeling, and the steel base will start to oxidize.

  • PVDF, polyurethane, polyester, plastisol, and other polymers used for decorating metal fences can vary greatly in quality. Cost-saving measures can lead to the polymer layer’s integrity being compromised quickly due to cracking or peeling from the base. The result, as with poor galvanization, is accelerated corrosion of the metal fence with a loss of strength and attractiveness.

Finally, there is an issue related to aesthetics. In addition to corrosion protection, the polymer coating also serves a decorative function. Cheap fences have two unpleasant features:

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  • Firstly, slats painted with different batches of powder coatings may vary in shade. This might not be very noticeable before installation, but once sections are installed, the differences become quite apparent.
  • Secondly, the shade of the protective and decorative coating can change quickly. Cheap pigments fade rapidly under UV exposure, so the appearance of the fence will not remain pleasing for long.

Other Sources of Savings and Associated Risks

In addition to the fence itself, savings can also be made on other components:

  • Additional elements—such as trims, caps, parapets, etc.—must be high-quality and durable; otherwise, they will start to rust quickly. The same applies to support posts: attempting to use ordinary pipes without anti-corrosion treatment will result in the need to replace the fence framework due to corrosion within just 5 years.
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Important! The only way to determine what the foundation should be is to order a project design. The costs of designing will be offset by savings on future fence repairs.

  • Finally, do not skimp on installation. If you buy a fence and assign its installation to an unqualified crew, you are taking a significant risk. Without proper experience, there is a chance of incorrect or careless installation: the fence may be initially uneven or may lean over time. Additionally, in nearly 100% of cases, inexperienced workers severely damage the slats at the fastening points, leading to the development of corrosion.

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Safety of Use

When installing cheap fences, it is important to consider potential risks and injuries that may arise from poor quality of assembly and materials. Here are some of them:

  • Sharp Edges and Elements: Low-quality processing and assembly can result in sharp edges and rough spots, increasing the risk of cuts and injuries.
  • Structural Instability: Poor material quality and improper installation can make the fence unstable, posing a danger during strong wind gusts or accidental contact.
  • Poor Welding and Fastenings: Cheap fences may have unreliable welds and fastenings, which can lead to the collapse of structural elements and cause injuries.
  • Corrosion and Decay: Premature deterioration can cause decomposing fence elements to become health hazards, such as sharp particles that can cause injuries.
  • Falling Hazards: An improperly installed fence may not withstand loads, making it dangerous during strong wind gusts or when subjected to heavy objects.
  • Hazards for Children and Pets: Poor-quality fences can create potential dangers for children and pets, such as sharp parts and hazards that could cause injuries.

Choosing the right fence, checking material quality, and following installation recommendations will help avoid such risks and ensure safe use.

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Warranty

Another aspect to consider when choosing a fence is warranty service. Cheap fences typically offer limited or even no warranties, which can become a significant issue in the long run.

  1. Limited Warranty on Materials: Manufacturers of cheap fences may provide limited warranties on the materials used to make the fence. This means that in case of corrosion, deformation, or other damage, your rights to replacement or refund may be restricted.
  2. No Warranty on Installation: When you save on the cost of the fence, manufacturers might not provide warranties for the installation process. This means that if problems arise due to poor installation, you might have to cover the costs of repairs or replacement yourself.
  3. Limited Warranty on Protective and Decorative Coating: If the fence has a protective and decorative coating, such as powder coating, cheap options may offer limited warranties on corrosion resistance and color retention. This can lead to a loss of the fence’s aesthetic appeal due to fading or peeling of the coating.
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Cost-Efficiency for the “Healthy Person”

Do reputable companies economize on fence production? Absolutely! However, the key is not just the fact of cost-saving but how it is achieved.

The cost of construction can be reduced in several ways:

  • Optimization of Rail Configuration: Investing in design work and prototype testing is necessary. But it’s worth it: developing a new profile that is easier to manufacture while maintaining the same mechanical properties as more expensive rails quickly pays off.
  • Production Optimization: The main source of savings is automation. The less manual labor (which is becoming increasingly expensive even in our country), the lower the cost of each fence. This type of cost-saving is especially prominent in large-scale production, as seen with companies like Mehbud.
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  • Minimizing Defects: This cost-saving method is directly related to the previous one. Precisely tuning automatic lines ensures minimal defects and waste, which also impacts the cost.

As the last section demonstrates, cost-saving is indeed possible, and these opportunities are utilized by reputable manufacturers. However, playing with quality to reduce costs (and increase profitability) always comes at the expense of the customer. Therefore, purchasing an extremely cheap fence can lead to serious problems. Some issues will become apparent almost immediately, while others will be noticeable over time. In any case, the costs of replacing or repairing the structure will far exceed the amount saved.

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Production vs. Garage Production

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