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Hurricane Fence Research Paper

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Whether you are a contractor looking to install a fence around your new completed project in a hurricane-prone area of the country or a homeowner just opting to have a fence placed around your yard, you need to know which fences stand the best chance against the high winds and possible flooding that can come when a hurricane strikes. While the forceful winds and storm surges that arrive during the midst of a hurricane can damage virtually anything in their paths, the right fence can stay standing even when conditions get bad and even protect your home and yard from nature's powerful forces. Follow these tips for choosing a fence that has the best chance of staying in good shape when disaster strikes. 1. Steer Clear of Wooden Fencing While …show more content…

There are many other good options that don't bring the risks that wooden fencing does during disaster. 2. Consider the Benefits of Vinyl Hurricane Fencing While a fence that stays intact during a bad storm will save you from having to make costly fence repairs once the weather blows over, an ever greater feature of choosing the right fence for your area is that it could protect your home from flood waters. A vinyl fence can do both. You may think that any solid fencing material would blow over in high winds, but a properly installed vinyl hurricane fence can withstand winds up to 130 mph, which is comparable to the speed of strong winds that can occur during category 4 hurricanes. Good-quality vinyl hurricane fencing can also be up to five times as strong as wood, and it has just enough flexibility that it will sway slightly in the wind instead of breaking …show more content…

A general rule is that the deeper the fence is placed into the ground, the more likely it can withstand the force of flood waters and keep your home-flooding to a minimum if water pools in your street due to the hours of rain that can come during a hurricane. Professional fence installers typically place fence posts one-third the height of the fence underground, but don't be surprised if your installer wants to try to go deeper to protect your yard from flooding. 3. Chain Link or Wrought Iron Are Also Options While vinyl fencing is a great option for homes in hurricane-prone areas, it is not the only option. A basic, functional chain-link fence installed correctly can hold up well in bad weather conditions due to the sturdy metal is is composed of and the air-flow allowed through the chain links that can keep it from being blown over in high winds. An attractive metal wrought-iron fence is also a good option if you want an attractive, strong metal fence that can withstand bad weather. While these fences won't protect the home against flood waters, they can protect it against flying debris that hit the fence instead of traveling through the yard and hitting the home.These metal fences are fire-proof, so there can be no worries of them catching on fire like wooden fences if power lines strike

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