Rust, also known as iron oxide, forms as a result of a few chemical reactions between iron, water, and oxygen. The resulting material not only looks unattractive but is also weak and brittle. Most people will be able to bend and/or break it.
This is not an ideal state for a commercial chain link fence. You should want to protect your property's fence from rust. Luckily, there's an easy way to do that. Many types of chain link fence coatings can inhibit the formation of rust. Read on to learn about three examples.
Rust-Inhibiting Paint Commercial property owners don't have to buy a new coated fence. They can easily apply a layer of rust-inhibiting paint. However, the process of doing this requires many steps. Business owners must completely clear off any existing dirt, rust, paint, etc., from the fence. They also need to wear protective gear to protect themselves from any chemical fumes. In addition, they need to wait for the ideal weather conditions that won't negatively affect the final result. Once they have applied the paint, though, they can expect it to last far longer than an unprotected one. Also, they can keep applying new layers over time. This isn't the case with vinyl or galvanized coatings.
Vinyl Coating Vinyl (or polyvinyl chloride) is a type of plastic made from ethylene and chlorine. At the current moment, it's the second most popular resin in the world. With all the benefits that it offers, this popularity is understandable. Like most plastics, vinyl is highly durable. It's also resistant to moisture and humidity. Both of these properties make it very effective at protecting a chain link fence from the elements. Usually, business owners will buy fences already coated with vinyl industrial chain link fence coating. These fences also come in a variety of colors. Property owners can easily choose an option that complements a building's exterior.
Galvanization The galvanization process involves coating iron or steel in zinc. This metal acts as a protective barrier and takes all the damage, so the iron or steel doesn't have to. This improves the longevity of the fence. Zinc will still eventually wear away, but the same is the case with vinyl. Also, zinc isn't inherently waterproof. However, the patina it forms after oxidation is a great moisture barrier. As with vinyl-coated fences, there's no way for business owners to apply a galvanized coating themselves. They must buy a pre-coated fence.
Get a Chain Link Fence That Lasts
After you're finished with this article, do some more research on the best chain link fence coatings. All this information will further help you decide which coating is best for your property's fence. Once you've decided on what you want, consider our services. We've been providing the Greater Toronto Area with high-quality commercial and industrial chain link fences for over 65 years. When you're ready, use this form to request a free quote from Urban Fence.