Aluminum and Wrought Iron Fence Glossary

Adornments: Decorative accessories used to customize fencing and gates.

BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators International Inc.) National Building Code: A nonprofit agency which has members that span the building community to enforce codes. This organization has developed strict guidelines for safety of outdoor, indoor, private, and public pool, hot tub, and spa settings. They have set the standard for model codes in the aforementioned areas. Refer to section 421.10 for enclosures for private swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. www.bocai.org.

BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI: Various organizations which formally consolidated into a single 50,000 + member organization called the ICC (International Code Council). This organization provides world class service to members and customers and is dedicated to public safety through development of building safety and fire prevention codes. Feel free to visit the ICC site for up to date information and services. www.iccsafe.org.

Corner Post: This post is used on a corner where your fence makes a 90 degree turn. Holes are punched on adjacent sides.

Cut Sections: Fence panels that need to be cut to a fit in a desired space.

Deck Mount or Welded Plate: This type of hardware is attached to the bottom of a post and is used in situations where a posts must be mounted onto an existing concrete pad or to a wall.

End Post: This type of post is used where the line of fencing stops. Holes are punched on one side.

Finials: A type of adornment used to customize the top of a picket.

Gate Post: This post is punched like an end post, but has twice the thickness to support the hinges and latching forces of the gate.

Grades: Divisions of strength for aluminum fencing. Higher grades are made with larger and thicker profiles.

Gravity Latch: A standard non-lockable latch, not suitable for pool applications.

Line Post: This post is found within a "line of fencing". Line posts have holes punched on opposite sides of the post.

Locinox Latch: A decorative latch that is key lockable.

Magna Latch: A child safety pool latch that is key lockable. Meets all relevant Barrier Codes for pool and child safety.

Pickets or Balusters: The vertical members of the fence.

Post Caps: A cap which is added to enclose the top of a post. Standard four sided flat caps and decorative ball caps are available.

Post: A vertical member usually installed every six to eight feet. Most posts are cemented in to the ground. The fence sections are attached to the posts.

Rack or Rake: The ability for a fence panel to adjust to a slope. Fence panels are available to accommodate a 30" drop over a 6' span.

Rings: Decorative accessories which may be added to the space between the two top horizontal rails of the fence or gate.

Scrolls: A decorative accessory placed between pickets used to "dress up" fence sections or gates.

Section or Panel: This is the actual fencing that is suspended between the posts. It consists of the pickets and channels which are screwed together.

Self-Closing Hinges: Spring hinges that are standard on most aluminum fences. This type of hardware allows the gate to self-close behind you. Self-closing hardware is required on all fence systems which must meet pool codes.

Stringers, Rails, or Channels: The horizontal bars of the fence. The stringers, rails, or channels increase the stability of the fence sections. Generally speaking, the more rails per section, the greater the stability of the fence.

Swivel Mount: A bracket used to achieve any angle other than 90 degrees.

U-Frame Gate: An upgrade to a standard gate that has a welded frame in the shape of a "U". This results in a much stronger construction and is recommended for high traffic areas.

Wall Mount: A bracket used to attach the fence panels to a blank post, a house, or to brick columns.