BajaNomad

Baja home building forum question: herrerias

Bajavestruz - 7-28-2006 at 03:03 PM

I?m looking to have a metal fence around my raised patio fabricated and installed. The fence will be waist high and will be bolted into concrete. The fence will be to keep people from falling off the edge of the patio. :P There will be a gate.

I have no experience with herrerias or this type of fencing. I need fencing 101 lessons from any Nomads who have purchased or installed iron fencing. What do I need to look for?

I have seen some fences with hollow square railings and some with rectangular hollow railings. Some of the bars are hollow and some are solid. Some are painted and some appear to be powdercoated.

Are there different gauges to the metal? Is it prefabricated or made to order? Are there differences in the welding methods? What can I expect to pay per linear foot? What makes for good quality in a metal fence?

Any guidance you are willing to give is appreciated.

Bob and Susan - 7-28-2006 at 03:09 PM

think about plastic....

they make very nice stuff now....

ALL metal rusts:D

comitan - 7-28-2006 at 03:11 PM

I would just start by calling out welders(Fabs) and see what they offer, and get quotes. I would call at least three. You will learn more from them because we don't really know what you want from the description you gave. If you feel you need more help u2u me since we are neighbors.

Bruce R Leech - 7-28-2006 at 03:38 PM

comitan is right again but also find some similar to what you want and take photos of them to show to the welder. or take him to see them.

In basic terms...

vgabndo - 7-28-2006 at 03:54 PM

According to current state-side standards the railing should be at least 36" tall. Any drop exceeding 30" needs a railing, and the space between the balusters cannot permit a 4" sphere to pass through. The last is about children getting through, or getting their heads stuck. If there is a significant drop, it is cool to avoid horizontal rails (even with just 4" spacing), because children can use them like a ladder.

Part of the point, other than to make people aware of the potential drop, is to physically prevent a (parish the thought) person in a "reduced" capacity from falling. Sufficient strength should be present to resist the lateral load of several people at once leaning for a better view, or whatever other circumstance might put the maximum predictable load on the structure.

I would want to put my money in the suppoirt posts and horizontal rails. Less expensive thin wall tubular balusters, unless they were really sub-standard, should not be a problem.

This may all be "way over the top" if there is not a dangerous fall from your patio.

jerry - 7-29-2006 at 09:02 PM

on any steel fabracation when its finished be sure all welds and surfaces are wired brushed and wiped down with thinner then primed and painted with a quality paint the first time and if close to the beach recote at least every 2 yrs its easy to recoat but hell to to redo after rust is showing
many times the painting is just sprayed on color and will be a problem forever after or left out of the bid completly watch it closely as its being done making sure there are no holes burned throu the tubing letting moisture in and causing rust
i have not been to everywhere but have not seen powdercoating in bajasur that would be the ticket if ya can get it ??

longlegsinlapaz - 7-29-2006 at 10:19 PM

There's periodically an ad in the Gringo Gazette, "Directory of Services" section, but it's spendy & logistics would be a problem because it has to be done in Cabo as they use a dip method, not a traveling spray-on method.

Oso - 7-30-2006 at 12:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajavestruz
I?m looking to have a metal fence around my raised patio fabricated and installed.


I just did this for the deck over my patio. I found readymade sections with posts and fittings at Home Depot cheaper than the guy who welded my gate and backyard "rejas" could make them. It's light but strong enough for the purpose and I did it myself with no welding. All I needed was a hacksaw, drill and screwdriver. Depending on where you are, I'm not sure of availability, price, etc. The cost of raw steel is way up everywhere, including Mexico. A pickup or small utility trailer should carry enough sections easily. I'm not sure what import duty may be, but "doing the math" may be worthwhile.

wornout - 7-30-2006 at 12:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
think about plastic....

they make very nice stuff now....

ALL metal rusts:D


Amen to Plastic because, 'Rust Never Sleeps', and 'Water Always Wins'.

eetdrt88 - 7-30-2006 at 09:51 PM

anybody tried doin one of these cactus style fences?? i've seen a few down in baja done with cholla that looked pretty neat;D

[Edited on 7-31-2006 by eetdrt88]

We transplanted some of the "living fencepost" stuff, but...

vgabndo - 7-30-2006 at 10:52 PM

I think I'll be about 450 years old before it will hold out a dog.:lol:

Bruce R Leech - 7-31-2006 at 05:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
I think I'll be about 450 years old before it will hold out a dog.:lol:


remember you are in Mexico. don't be in a big hurry for anything to happen.:lol:

longlegsinlapaz - 7-31-2006 at 06:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
think about plastic....

they make very nice stuff now....

ALL metal rusts:D


What kind of plastic? Is there a unique composition of plastic used for fencing materials or sections? In my experience, the intensity of the sun is very hard on plastics; plastic outdoor furniture & planting pots break down, get brittle & start to deteriorate quite rapidly. Do you know of a local source in La Paz? It'd be interesting to do some research on this. The vinyl-clad chain link fencing I've seen around here definitely doesn't maintain it's integrity for more than 3 years, but I do realize that's a much thinner material. Any source information Bob and Susan? Does anyone have any actual experience using plastic fencing down here?

Bob and Susan - 7-31-2006 at 06:59 AM

we have about 2000 feet of the plastic stuff...

2 years and it hasn't shown any wear....so far it's good

Here is our source...
http://www.vinylfence.com/railings.htm