There are enough challenges in your property. A failing fence should NOT be one of them! While you focus on the building, tenants, and daily maintenance, your fence is silently weathering the storm, quite literally.

The climate in the UAE is hard on all things, including fencing. A sandstorm or the hot summer sun could be the final straw, revealing damage that’s been going on for a long time. The true culprits are often concealed: a worn galvanized finish, UV damaged PVC or rust that has spread from a small scratch. Don’t wait for a failure. Find the root cause of the problem.

What is going on with your property boundary? 

UAE fences do their job well. They are located in the open and are exposed to more than 350 days of sunshine per year, with UV radiation levels always in the “very high” category. There’s also the heat, and the salty air along the coast, and the sand that gets blown around during the dusty times.

There’s a lot to do, and a fence can’t simply look good. It must be able to withstand everything. The type of fencing selected can significantly impact security, durability, and maintenance costs and time for commercial properties, industrial sites, and even villa communities.

 Heat Doesn’t Get Enough Attention

 Rust is the first thing that people think of when thinking of fence damage.

 The sun should be given some attention too in the UAE climate. A metal fence can absorb a considerable amount of heat during the day. High temperatures are applied to materials repeatedly and then cooler temperatures later. Constant change over a long period of time can lead to deterioration.

 The fading and brittleness are also a concern. The colour of powder-coated or painted surfaces that are not UV resistant can fade, peel or even crack very easily. This isn’t just a cosmetic issue. When the protective layer is broken, the metal below is exposed.

 This does not imply that a single coating will be able to solve all of the problems. It won’t. While the zinc layer is very effective at preventing corrosion of the underlying steel, the PVC layer also gives extra protection and is also UV resistant. A hot dip galvanized mesh is much more rust resistant than an electro-galvanized type . In coastal regions, that is a major consideration.

 Moisture And Corrosion Finds The Weak Spots

 Corrosion does not always require a very severe fence damage. The opening may be very small in some instances. Rust may get into the pipe if there is a scratch in the PVC coating, a poor seal at a joint, or a place where moisture has accumulated. That’s why sometimes you will see a small brown patch on a chain link fence that will not necessarily indicate the exact origin of the problem.

 This is worse when water is present and salt in the air, as in coastal regions in the UAE. While galvanized fencing will serve its purpose for a long time, it may need to be replaced in high salinity areas, as the zinc barrier can wear out over time. A PVC-coated version is also available with an added layer of protection against corrosion.

 Fencing Isn’t A One Size Fits All 

 Various properties have diverse requirements. Whether it’s a construction site, a sports facility or a distribution centre, a house that is part of a family-friendly community will need a different solution.

Galvanized chain link fencing is a popular choice for industrial and commercial properties due to its durability and affordability. PVC eco fences are becoming popular for a modern, easy to maintain, heat-resistant boundary. PVC coated fencing with colors such as green or black can enhance the visual appearance of residential villas, which are often designed with several unique features. Although wrought iron is still used for luxurious villas, it requires more frequent maintenance to avoid rust, particularly in coastal areas.

Temporary fencing is used for security and crowd control at construction and event sites. These typically are constructed of galvanized or PVC coated steel and can be easily installed and removed, but they’re also required to be safe and weather resistant.

Keep An Eye On The Details

When looking around the property line, one can easily spot a number of spots that require consideration. A gap between two sections of the road, a joint in a concrete section of road, a post where the concrete has cracked, and a location where the concrete was repaired. They are simply places where various materials or components interface, so care and attention are essential for proper detailing.

A little inspection will tell you a lot. Following a sandstorm, inspect the fence to see if it remains in place. Inspect for obvious cracks, corrosion, damaged coatings, and any loose fixings during routine checks. If a specific area continues to cause issues, note it down instead of each time it happens as a separate occurrence. Patterns matter. If the same area has been patched three times in two years, there may be something more fundamental going on.

It is not a bad thing to fix a small issue when it’s really just a repair that is required. The problem lies when a fence begins to need repairs. There is one section that is set in place this year. One area is in need of attention the following year. Then after the next windy day, a panel falls off.

 Eventually, the question changes. Questions such as “How do we fix this section?” are replaced by “What condition is the whole fence in?”.

That evaluation can identify if ongoing patchwork is worthwhile and if so, if full replacement is better. The answer will vary from property to property in the UAE, depending on the material, the age of the property, previous repairs, sun and moisture exposure, and the type of property. There isn’t a universal answer.

 Don’t Wait For The Warning Signs

 The warning signs are simply a by-product of the situation and should not delay action.

 It’s a common theme in many UAE properties. A property manager observes a rusty area. They note that it needs to be looked at. Weeks go by. The rust spreads. Then, someone from the municipality catches sight of it, and the notice is received.

It was not the warning sign that was the issue. It’s what happens before the notice that counts. With regular fence checks, small fence issues are addressed rather than ignored, and the appropriate fence material is selected for the environment from the outset. There is a much greater likelihood of avoiding larger headaches. It’s better to find out about a fence issue little by little than in the middle of a hectic working week.