Q1: What is the difference between spear top, flat top, and loop top picket fence?
The three ornamental steel picket types share the same structural system (vertical pickets welded to horizontal rails, mounted on posts) but differ in the cap profile at the top of each picket.
| Type | Cap Profile | Security Level | Visual Character | Most Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spear Top | Pointed spear bent ~45° outward | High — spear deters climbing | Traditional, decorative, strong visual boundary | Residential, school, commercial perimeter |
| Flat Top | Flat-cut tube top | Medium — clean sightline, no grip | Minimalist, modern, unobtrusive | Pool fence, garden, deck, patio, sport facility |
| Loop Top | Top of picket formed into a closed loop/circle | Medium-High — loop offers some climbing deterrence | Decorative, softer, inviting | Playground, childcare, park, residential |
| Palisade (D/W) | Vertical pales with pointed head (single/double/triple point or round) | Very High — pale head + narrow spacing | Formidable, security-focused | Industrial, military, airport, high-security site |
Key selection rule: If the buyer wants visual boundary + some anti-climb, go Spear Top. If the priority is modern minimalist aesthetics (pool, deck, commercial), go Flat Top. If it is a childcare or playground setting, Loop Top is preferred. If the application is security-critical, go Palisade D or W section.
Q2: What is the difference between D-section and W-section palisade? Which do I need?
D-section and W-section refer to the cross-section shape of each vertical pale in a palisade fence. The shape affects strength, appearance, and cost.
| Feature | D-Section Pale | W-Section Pale |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | One flat face, one convex curved face | Narrower — flat face with two flanges forming a W profile |
| Bending Resistance | Higher — D shape resists bending better | Moderate — W shape is slightly less rigid than D |
| Appearance | Slightly bulkier pale | Sleeker, narrower visual profile |
| Best For | High-security zones, military, prison, industrial | Commercial perimeter, retail, office compound |
| Typical Pale Height | 1.2 m – 2.4 m | 1.2 m – 2.4 m |
| Pale Spacing | Typically 102 mm (anti-climb) | Typically 102 mm (anti-climb) |
Recommendation: If the end user is a government/military/infrastructure project requiring maximum strength, specify D-section. If the buyer is a commercial developer or distributor who prefers the sleeker appearance, W-section is usually sufficient and slightly more cost-competitive.
For either section, the pale head style (single point, double point, triple point, round-top, round-with-notches) is a separate specification — choice depends on the security level required and the visual preference of the end user.
Q3: What fence heights are available? Can you make custom heights?
Standard heights for ornamental picket fence:
- 900 mm — low garden / border fence
- 1000 mm — typical residential garden
- 1200 mm — residential perimeter, pool fence (common in Australia/UK)
- 1500 mm — commercial perimeter, school
- 1800 mm — high-security commercial / industrial
- 2000 mm — industrial perimeter, prison (with palisade top spikes)
- 2400 mm — maximum for standard palisade D/W section
Custom heights: Yes, we can produce non-standard heights. The practical limits depend on the profile section (picket tube size, rail size) and the post specification. Common custom requests include:
- 750 mm — short garden border panels
- 1100 mm, 1300 mm, 1700 mm — metric heights common in Australia and UK markets
- 2100 mm, 2200 mm — tall industrial perimeter
Width (panel span): Standard widths are 1800 mm, 2000 mm, 2400 mm per panel. Custom panel widths are possible for projects with non-standard post spacing.
MOQ for custom sizes: Typically 50 panels minimum per custom size/height. Some suppliers can accept 20-panel lots for repeat orders. See full spec table →
Q4: What surface finish is best for coastal / high-UV / industrial environments?
Finish choice is driven by the destination market environment and the buyer's maintenance capability. The four main options:
| Finish | Best Environment | Expected Lifespan | Maintenance Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-Dip Galvanized (HDG) | Industrial, inland, moderate humidity | 15–25 years | Low | Standard for most export markets. ASTM A123 spec. |
| Powder Coated (on galvanized) | Residential, commercial, decorative | 20–30 years | Very low | Purely decorative over HDG; colors via RAL chart. Not for marine. |
| PVC Coated (PVC over galvanized) | Coastal, marine, high humidity | 20–30+ years | Very low | PVC layer protects zinc coating from salt. Recommended for beachfront. |
| Duplex (HDG + Powder Coat) | Highly corrosive, industrial, coastal | 30–50 years | Minimal | Best protection available. Premium pricing. UK/Australian coastal projects often specify duplex. |
Quick selection guide by market:
- Australia (coastal): PVC coated or Duplex — most buyers in QLD, WA, NSW coastal insist on PVC or Duplex
- UK (general): HDG + powder coat is the standard specification; Duplex for coastal/industrial
- USA: ASTM A123 HDG is baseline; many specifiers ask for powder coat color per ASTM F2408 or F2681
- Middle East (Saudi/UAE): HDG or Duplex — high heat and sand abrasion make Duplex preferred for premium projects
- South Africa: HDG + PVC is common for coastal KZN province
Q5: What are the standard colors? Can I get custom RAL colors?
Standard stock colors (ready-made, no MOQ surcharge):
- Black (RAL 9005) — most common, suits most architectural styles
- Green (RAL 6005 / RAL 6073) — traditional fence color, blends with landscape
- White (RAL 9010) — less common but available
- Grey (RAL 7037 / RAL 7040) — commercial applications
Custom RAL colors: Yes. Any RAL color chart number can be matched for powder coating. Typical MOQ for custom RAL:
- 50 panels minimum per color for standard custom RAL
- 100+ panels for non-standard or premium color formulations
- Sample color chips (50 × 100 mm steel swatches) available for color approval before bulk order
Sample policy: We can send 2–4 color chips by courier (buyer pays freight). Full panel samples: typically 1–2 panels at cost price + shipping. Panel samples are credited against the first bulk order if order quantity meets the MOQ threshold.
Q6: What gates are available to match steel picket and palisade fence?
Every fence system should be quoted as a complete package including the gate. We supply three main gate types to match spear top / flat top / loop top and palisade systems:
| Gate Type | Description | Max Opening Width | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swing Gate — Single Leaf | One panel swinging on hinges, mounted to a gate post | Up to 1500 mm wide per leaf | Pedestrian entrance, garden gate |
| Swing Gate — Double Leaf | Two panels meeting in the center, each on separate hinges | Up to 6000 mm (3 m per leaf) | Vehicle entrance, driveway, site entry |
| Sliding Gate | Gates slide sideways on a track; no swing clearance needed | Up to 12 m wide (telescopic option for narrower openings) | Industrial, warehouse, tight-site perimeter |
| cantilever Sliding Gate | No ground track; gate hangs from a cantilever truss | Up to 9 m per leaf | Clean surface requirement (road, courtyard) |
Gate to match palisade: Palisade swing gates and sliding gates use the same D-section or W-section pale profile as the fence line — request gate when specifying fence type.
Gate hardware: Gate posts, hinges, latch, drop bolt, and gate stop are included in the gate package. Self-closing hinges and locks are available as optional accessories.
Q7: What is the minimum order quantity for custom colors and custom sizes?
MOQ varies by specification level:
| Item | Standard MOQ | Custom / Non-Standard MOQ |
|---|---|---|
| Standard color (Black, Green, Grey, White) + standard size | 10 panels | — |
| Custom RAL color | 50 panels per color | 100 panels for specialty formulations |
| Custom height (non-standard mm) | 50 panels per height | Negotiable for project orders |
| Custom panel width | 50 panels per width | — |
| Palisade D-section / W-section (standard) | 20 panels | 50 panels for custom pale head type |
| Gates (per type/size) | 1 gate | 5 gates for non-standard sizes |
Mix-and-match: Standard-color standard-size panels of different fence types (spear top + flat top + loop top) can usually be combined to meet the MOQ threshold. Custom color panels must be ordered separately by color.
Repeat orders: Once a custom specification is confirmed, follow-up orders for the same specification typically have lower MOQ (20 panels) since the tooling/jig setup cost has already been absorbed.
Q8: Do you provide samples? What is your sample policy?
Color chips (RAL swatches):
- 2–4 powder-coated steel chips, 50 × 100 mm each
- Shipped by DHL / FedEx; buyer pays freight (~USD 25–45 per shipment)
- Delivery time: 5–7 business days to most destinations
- Color chips are free; freight is the only cost to the buyer
Panel samples:
- One panel (standard size: 1200 × 1800 mm or as agreed)
- Priced at production cost (typically USD 30–80 per panel depending on profile complexity)
- Freight Collect — buyer arranges and pays shipping
- Lead time: 5–10 business days to produce
- Panel sample cost is credited in full against the first bulk order ≥ 50 panels
Pre-production sample (mass production approval):
- Available for orders ≥ 200 panels — we send one pre-shipment inspection panel for approval before the rest is shipped
- Inspection panel cost credited against final invoice
Sample delivery destinations: We ship samples to importers, contractors, and project buyers in all major markets. Common destinations: Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
Q9: How is steel picket and palisade fence packed for export?
Export packing is designed to survive ocean freight handling (port-to-port or door-to-door container shipment). Standard packing specification:
| Packing Layer | Material | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Individual panel | Interleaved cardboard or foam between panels | Prevents zinc/powder coat damage in transit |
| Bundle | 4–10 panels wrapped in stretch film | Keeps panels together as one handling unit |
| Corner protection | Cardboard corner protectors or foam blocks | Protects panel edges from fork-lift impact |
| Pallet | Standard timber pallet (ISPM 15 heat-treated) | Allows fork-lift loading/unloading at destination |
| Waterproof wrap | Heavy-duty plastic moisture barrier (VCI film optional) | Salt spray / rain protection for ocean freight |
| Container stuffing | Panels bundled and strapped to pallet; posts in separate bundles; accessories in cartons | Organised for one-stop unpacking at site |
Container loading plan: We provide a loading plan showing exactly how panels, posts, rails, and accessories are arranged inside the container (20 GP vs 40 GP vs 40 HC). Buyers can verify count and specification before the container is sealed.
Marking: Each pallet is marked with: buyer PO number, item description, panel quantity, net/gross weight, and destination port.
ISPM 15: All timber packaging materials are heat-treated and marked per ISPM 15 — accepted in all major export markets including Australia, USA, UK, EU, New Zealand.
Q10: What certifications do you have for steel picket and palisade fence?
Certification requirements vary by destination market. Below is a summary of certifications we hold and which markets they cover:
| Certification | Standard | Markets Covered | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | Quality Management System | All markets (general) | Factory-level quality process |
| ISO 14001 | Environmental Management | EU, UK, Australia (preferred by specifiers) | Increasingly required for government projects |
| SGS / Bureau Veritas | Third-party inspection | All markets | Pre-shipment inspection available on buyer request |
| CE Marking | EN 13481-1 / EN 10223-2 | EU, UK (post-Brexit recognised) | Required for fence sold in EU/UK |
| ASTM F2408 | Ornamental Steel Fence (USA) | USA (commercial/residential) | Black/green/white powder coat fence |
| ASTM F2611 | Palisade Fence Systems (USA) | USA (industrial/security) | D-section and W-section palisade |
| Australian Standard AS/NZS 4680 | Hot-dip galvanizing | Australia | For HDG finish; often specified with AS/NZS 3750.9 |
| Warranty document | Factory-backed performance warranty | All markets (negotiated per project) | 5-year warranty on structure; 10-year on HDG coating |
Market-specific requirements: If your project or customer requires a specific certification not listed above, tell us the standard number and destination market — we will confirm whether we hold it, are working toward it, or can arrange third-party testing to that standard.
Documentation package: Every export shipment includes: Certificate of Origin (CO Form E or as required), commercial invoice, packing list, and Bill of Lading. Mill test certificates for steel raw material (yield strength, tensile strength, zinc coating weight) are available on request.