FAQs
Experience, Precision, and Trusted Craftsmanship
Ornamental Fence
Our ornamental fences are typically crafted from high-grade steel or aluminum. Our steel products offer classic strength and can be custom welded into intricate designs, while aluminum is lightweight and low maintenance. Both materials are coated with a protective finish to prevent corrosion and ensure longevity.
No – we apply a durable powder-coat finish on our ornamental iron fences that seals the metal. This means your fence will hold up very well in the West Texas climate with minimal upkeep. Simply hosing it off or wiping it down occasionally to remove dust is usually sufficient to keep it looking like new.
Yes. Ornamental fences are not only decorative but also built for security. The metal pickets and rails are securely welded, making the fence difficult to break through. We can incorporate features like pointed finials or spear-tops to deter intruders from climbing. While providing a strong barrier, ornamental fences also allow visibility through the pickets, which can be an advantage for monitoring your property.
A: Absolutely. We specialize in custom ornamental fencing tailored to your property. We can fabricate unique designs, from elegant geometric patterns to classic fleur-de-lis finials, to match your style. You can also choose the color of the powder coating; black is popular for a traditional look, but we offer other colors by request. Our team will work with you on a custom design that complements your home or business and meets any neighborhood covenants.
Wood Fence
We strongly recommend western red cedar wood for fences in our area. Western red cedar is less prone to warping or splitting compared to other woods. It performs well in the hot, dry climate of West Texas and holds up against insects thanks to its natural oils. We use quality cedar pickets and rails for long-lasting fences. In some cases, pressure-treated pine can be used for the fence framework or posts, but we find that cedar provides the best combination of beauty and durability for fencing.
In residential settings, wood privacy fences are commonly 6 feet tall, which provides good privacy. We can also build taller fences (7 feet or even 8 feet) if allowed by local codes or HOA rules – this can offer additional privacy or security. Front yard decorative picket fences are often shorter (3 to 4 feet). We’ll ensure your fence height meets Abilene city regulations and any neighborhood requirements while accomplishing your goals.
We typically use heavy-duty metal posts (galvanized steel posts) set in concrete for our wood fence installations. Metal posts significantly extend the life of the fence – an important consideration in the Big Country’s sometimes tough soil conditions and wind. The posts can be hidden from view by the wood pickets, so you still get the all-wood look, but with the strength of steel underneath. If a customer prefers or a specific project calls for wooden posts, we can do that, but we’ll treat the wood posts to resist rot and pests.
The best way to maintain a wood fence is to keep it clean and sealed. We recommend applying a quality stain or sealant to your fence after installation (and reapplying it every few years) to protect the wood from UV sun damage and moisture. Cedar fences can be left to weather naturally, but they will gray over time; staining helps preserve the color and prevents cracking. Also, keep sprinklers from constantly spraying the fence to avoid excess moisture, and trim any vines or bushes so they don’t attach and trap moisture against the wood. With basic maintenance, your wood fence can last many years in our climate.
Chain Link Fence
Chain link is suitable for both home and commercial use – it’s very versatile. Many homeowners in Abilene opt for chain link fences in their backyards or around gardens because it’s affordable and effective for pet containment. You can also see through the fence, which is good for keeping an eye on the kids or maintaining sight lines to open land. For a residential setting, you might choose a vinyl-coated chain link (available in green, black, or brown) which helps the fence blend into the environment and resists corrosion. Commercially, chain links are common for securing parking lots, equipment yards, or as perimeter security for schools and parks. We tailor the fence specifications (height, gate placement, etc.) to the application.
Chain link is very low maintenance. The galvanized (zinc-coated) steel is designed to resist rust. You won’t need to paint or stain it. We do recommend occasionally checking that nothing has damaged the fence – for example, heavy weed growth or vines can sometimes latch onto the fence and cause tension, so keep vegetation trimmed back. If your fence has a gate, a little lubricant on the gate hinges or a latch every year can keep it swinging freely. Other than that, chain link fences pretty much take care of themselves. They’re a great “install it and forget it” type of fencing.
Barbed Wire Fence
Barbed wire is commonly used to contain cattle and other livestock because it’s an effective deterrent, most animals learn not to push against it after a brief encounter with the barbs. However, it can cause injuries if animals get spooked and run into it or try to force through. It’s generally safe for cattle. For horses, some ranchers use barbed wire, but we caution that horses have thinner skin and can get seriously cut by barbed wire; smooth wire or mesh fencing is often safer for horse enclosures. Sheep or goats with wool/hair might not feel the barbs through their coat and could get tangled, so other fencing types can be better for them. We can advise on the best fencing for your specific animals – in some cases a combination of barbed wire on top and field mesh below works well.
A standard barbed wire fence for cattle or general property fencing is usually around 4 to 5 feet high. We achieve that height by spacing 4 to 5 horizontal strands of barbed wire from near ground level up to the top. For example, a common setup is 5 strands: the bottom strand about 12 inches off the ground and the top strand around 48–50 inches high, with the others spaced evenly in between. For containing smaller livestock or keeping wildlife out, sometimes additional strands or wire mesh in combination might be used. Also, if we’re installing barbed wire on top of an existing fence (like a 6-foot chain link), we might add 3 strands of barbed wire atop to add height and security, often at an angle using extension arms. The number of strands can be tailored to your needs – more strands for smaller animals or higher security, fewer for simple boundary marking.
Barbed wire fences are very low maintenance, which is why they’re popular for large properties. The main thing is to periodically walk or drive the fence line to check for any loose wire or damage. Over time, tension might loosen slightly (especially after heavy winds or if cattle have pressed on it), but it’s fairly easy for us to re-stretch and reattach any slack sections. The galvanized wire will slowly age and can get a bit of rust after many years, but typically the fence will still function well. If a section of wire breaks (for instance from a falling tree limb or an ATV accident), it can be spliced or replaced. Also, keep an eye on the fence posts – if one leans or rots (in the case of wooden posts), it should be reset or replaced to keep proper tension on the wire. We offer repair services to fix or tighten barbed wire fences if you ever need maintenance down the line.
Generally, barbed wire is not suitable for typical residential yards in town – and many city ordinances or homeowners’ associations in Abilene prohibit barbed wire in residential neighborhoods for safety and appearance reasons. Barbed wire is best for rural settings. In a city environment, it poses a hazard to people (and pets) who might accidentally come into contact with it. The only time you might see barbed wire in town is atop high-security fences around industrial or utility facilities, and even then, it’s strictly regulated. If you need security fencing for a residential property, we’d suggest alternatives like wrought iron (ornamental) or privacy fencing, possibly with safe deterrents. We do offer razor ribbon or barbed wire toppers for commercial fences where allowed, but for a home setting, it’s not recommended.
Automatic Gate Operators
We install a variety of gate opener types to suit different gate designs. For swing gates (gates that open inward or outward on a hinge), we often use arm-style operators that attach to the gate and post to swing it open. For sliding gates (that roll to the side), we install sliding gate operators with a gear rack. We work with top brands in the industry that are known for reliability in the Texas climate. We’ll recommend a model with the appropriate power based on your gate’s size and weight – for example, heavy ornamental iron driveway gates need a robust operator. Our offerings include AC-powered units as well as solar-powered systems for locations without easy electricity access.
You have several options for allowing guests to enter. Many of our customers opt to install a keypad or intercom at the gate. With a keypad, you can give trusted visitors a code to punch in, which will open the gate. More advanced systems have an intercom or telephone entry system: when a visitor arrives, they press a call button to ring into your house or cell phone, and you can press a button to open the gate remotely after verifying who it is. Another option is a sensor loop or exit wand, typically used for exiting, which automatically opens the gate when a vehicle drives up from the inside. For deliveries, you might provide a keypad code to the delivery company, or some systems allow temporary or single-use codes. We’ll discuss your needs and set up the access control method that works best for you.
Most automatic gate operators are equipped with a battery backup or manual release. The battery backup (if included or added) will automatically kick in to allow the gate to operate normally for a limited number of cycles during a power outage. This is very useful in Abilene where storms might occasionally knock out power. If you don’t have a battery backup, all gate openers come with a manual release key – you can disengage the operator and open the gate by hand when there’s no power. We can install solar-powered gate systems or add-on solar panels to charge the battery as well, which keeps the gate functional off-grid. We’ll make sure you know how to use the manual release as a fail-safe, but rest assured our gate systems are designed to be secure even when unpowered (they act as locked when not energized).
Yes. We not only install new gate operators, but we also provide maintenance and repair services. Automatic gates do contain mechanical parts (motors, chains or arms, rollers, etc.) that benefit from periodic check-ups. We recommend an annual maintenance service where we inspect the gate alignment, lubricate moving parts, test the safety sensors, and ensure the opener is working smoothly. If your gate opener ever malfunctions – for example, the gate stops opening or you hear the motor running without movement – our technicians can diagnose and fix the issue. As a local company, we can respond quickly to gate operator repair needs in Abilene so your security isn’t compromised for long.
Welding Services
We handle most light-to-medium welding jobs. Common projects include repairing metal fences and gates (fixing breaks or adding reinforcement), fabricating custom gates or iron fence panels, welding steel posts or brackets, and creating decorative metal pieces like arbors or sign frames. We can work with steel, wrought iron, and aluminum. If you have a broken metal patio chair or a trailer that needs a weld repaired, we can do those kinds of small jobs too. For bigger structural welding (like building steel building frames or pipe welding for pipelines), we might refer you to a heavy industrial welder – but anything related to fences, gates, and general home/business metalwork is our specialty.
Yes. We have a mobile welding unit with generators and all the equipment needed to perform welding at your location. Many fence and gate repairs are best done on-site – for example, if a wrought iron gate hinge breaks, it’s easier for us to come weld it back rather than take the gate off-site. Mobile welding also allows us to work on large structures (like long fence runs or heavy ranch gates) without you having to transport them. We service the greater Abilene area and can travel to your ranch or job site with our mobile welder. Just let us know what you need welded, and we’ll come prepared.
Absolutely. As both a fence and welding company, one of our strengths is creating custom metalwork for your yard or business. If you have a design in mind for an ornamental entry gate, decorative panels, or even metal artwork, we can likely fabricate it. We will discuss your design ideas (you can show us examples or sketches), take measurements, then cut and weld the metal to bring it to life. We love a good custom project, our welding shop in Abilene is equipped for cutting, and welding metal to make unique pieces.
We do small repairs on various metal items, for example, welding a crack on a utility trailer, fixing a broken weld on a metal pipe railing, or mending a piece of farm equipment. As long as it’s a repair that involves steel or aluminum welding and it’s within our capability (and not something like heavy engine welding), we’re happy to take a look. Many locals bring us their metal odds and ends that need fixing. If it’s a quick weld job, we can sometimes do it on the spot or within a short time frame. Our welders are versatile, so feel free to ask about any metal repair you need.
Decorative Arbors & Entry Features
Great question! They are similar, but in general, an arbor is a smaller structure, often an arch or a gateway feature, usually placed over a path or gate. It typically has two or four posts and an arched or flat top where vines can grow. A pergola is usually a larger outdoor structure with four or more posts and a lattice or open-roof structure (often flat) that provides partial shade over a patio or deck. Pergolas cover larger areas for seating, whereas arbors are more of an entryway accent or a place for plants at the garden gate. In our context, we mostly build arbors and entryway arches associated with fences and gates. If you’re interested in a pergola (say, a shade structure in your yard), we can certainly discuss building one as well, as it’s a similar skill set.
We can do it either way. Some arbors are freestanding, meaning they have their own posts set in the ground on either side of a walkway or gate. Other designs can be attached to fence posts or to the gate structure itself. For example, we could extend your fence posts taller at the gate and build an arched trellis between them, effectively making the gate and arbor one combined structure. If you have sturdy gate posts (like metal posts or 6×6 wood posts), attaching an arbor top to them can be a nice seamless look. Freestanding arbors give flexibility in placement and can be put a little away from the fence as a separate feature if desired. We’ll design the arbor based on the layout of your fence/gate and the aesthetic you want.
We use either wood or metal (or a combination) for most decorative features. For wood arbors, cedar is an excellent choice because it holds up outdoors and matches our cedar fences. We can craft lattice, arches, and rafters from cedar and secure everything with galvanized hardware. For metal arbors or arches, we use steel or wrought iron, which our welding team custom fabricates. Metal entry features can be more intricate, we can include decorative iron scrolls, laser-cut panels (for instance, with your family name or a Texas star emblem), and other artistic details. Often, we’ll do a mix: say metal arch and gate, with wooden side panels or stone columns. Speaking of columns, some entryways incorporate masonry, while we don’t do large stonework ourselves, we work with local masons if you want brick or stone columns alongside the ironwork. We’ll coordinate to ensure the metal gate or arbor attaches perfectly to the stone or brick columns. In summary, we’re flexible with materials and will use what best suits the design and your maintenance preferences.
Wood arbors, like any outdoor wood structure, should be protected with stain or sealant. We recommend staining a cedar arbor to match your fence and re-stain every few years to keep the wood healthy. This prevents rot and keeps it looking good. If you allow plants to grow on it, keep an eye that vines don’t completely overwhelm and add too much weight – trim them as needed. Metal arbors are low maintenance if properly coated. Our metal features are typically powder-coated or painted with a rust-inhibitive finish, so they shouldn’t need much care aside from occasional cleaning. If you notice any rust after many years, a touch-up paint can cover it. Also, if the arbor is part of a gate structure with moving parts, we’ll let you know if any hinges or bolts need periodic tightening (generally not common unless it’s a swinging structure). Overall, maintenance is pretty simple, just like a fence, a little upkeep will make sure your entry feature lasts a long time.
Concrete Work
A mow strip (or concrete curb) is a strip of concrete that runs along the bottom of a fence line. It’s usually about 4–6 inches tall and maybe 6–8 inches wide, forming a continuous curb under the fence. Its purpose is to act as a weed barrier (so grass and weeds don’t grow right under the fence) and to make mowing easier – your mower’s wheels can run alongside the curb and you won’t have grass right up against the fence. For wood fences, the concrete curb also keeps the wooden pickets from touching the soil, which helps prevent rot and insect damage to the wood. Essentially, it’s a way to reduce maintenance and increase the fence’s lifespan. We often pour mow strips for homeowners who want a clean, finished look and less yard work.
Yes, in many cases we can retrofit a concrete curb under an existing fence. The process involves digging a narrow trench along the fence line, directly beneath the fence. We typically have to temporarily detach the bottom of the fence (for example, we might remove the bottom rail of a wood fence or lift the chain link fabric slightly) to get clearance to pour the concrete. Then we place forms or use the ground as a form, and pour concrete to create the strip. Once it cures, we reattach or adjust the fence as needed. It’s actually easier to do this during a new fence installation (because we can pour the curb right after setting posts), but we can certainly add it later too. If the fence posts are set in concrete already, we just pour the new curbing between the posts. It can rejuvenate an older fence by giving it a new solid base and tidier look.
Besides curbing, we handle most of the concrete needs that go hand-in-hand with fence and gate projects. This includes: pouring concrete for all fence posts (we always set posts in concrete for stability unless a customer requests otherwise for some reason), installing concrete gate pads (a small slab where a rolling gate might travel or where a swing gate might land, to keep it level), and building concrete footings for gate columns or pillars (if you have brick or stone columns at a gate, for example, we pour the footing they sit on). We also do concrete repair for fence-related structures, say part of an old concrete retaining curb has cracked, we can fix or replace that section. If you need a driveway entry apron or a sidewalk section replaced as part of a fence job (maybe to coordinate with a new gate), we can usually accommodate that as well. Essentially, we won’t leave you needing to find a separate concrete contractor for minor concrete pours associated with our fence work.
We construct our concrete work following best practices to minimize cracking and movement. For curbing and slabs, that means we may cut control joints or leave expansion gaps at intervals so the concrete can expand and contract a bit with temperature changes. We also ensure a proper concrete mix and thickness for the application. In Abilene, extreme cold isn’t usually an issue, but the summer heat and dry conditions can cause soil movement. By reinforcing with rebar or wire mesh, we give the concrete extra strength to hold together. Hairline cracks can still occur over time (almost all concrete gets some), but they’re usually not structural. We design fence curbs to float with minor ground shifts, the continuous strip acts as a beam. If any significant cracks or heaving do appear down the line, we stand by our work and can repair sections of concrete if needed. Overall, properly mixed and cured concrete will last many years; we’ll make sure you get a stable base for your fence.
Gate Operators
Military & Teacher Discounts
Our discounts are available to several groups. Active-duty military members, military spouses, and veterans (retired or honorably discharged) are all eligible – basically anyone who is serving or has served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or National Guard. We also extend the discount to educators, meaning certified school teachers at any level (K-12, college professors, etc.), and even school staff in some cases. If you are a teacher or professor with a valid school ID or teaching certificate, you qualify. We kindly ask for some form of ID or proof (like a military ID, VA card, or school ID badge) when you sign the contract, just to verify eligibility for our records.
We generally offer around 10% off the total cost of a project for eligible military and teachers. This discount typically applies to the fence installation labor costs, and in many cases we extend it to materials as well. For example, if you’re getting a $5,000 fence, a 10% discount would save you $500. The exact discount can vary depending on the scope (very large projects might have a cap), but we aim to be generous. It applies to all our services – whether you’re installing a new fence, adding an automatic gate opener, scheduling a welding repair, or any combination thereof. The discount is applied during the quote stage, so you see the savings upfront. We do occasionally run additional promotions, but the military/teacher discount can usually be combined with current sales or at least ensures you get whichever is the better deal.
It’s simple – just mention that you are a teacher or military (or veteran) when you call us or request a quote. Our team will note that and apply the discount to your estimate. When it comes time to sign the contract for the work, we’ll just verify your status by seeing a relevant ID. For example, if you’re active military, showing your military ID card, or if you’re a veteran, maybe a VA ID or even a driver’s license with a veteran designation. For teachers, a school ID or teaching certificate works. There’s no complicated paperwork or coupon needed. We want to make it as easy as possible: just tell us, and you’ll get reduced pricing. If you forgot to mention it initially, you can still let us know before finalizing the order, we’ll happily adjust the price.
Currently, our primary formal discount programs are for military and educators. However, we deeply respect first responders (police, fire, EMTs) and other community heroes as well. While we don’t advertise a specific first responder discount, we often do extend similar courtesy discounts to those customers on a case-by-case basis – so it doesn’t hurt to ask us. As for senior citizens, we haven’t established a specific senior discount, but we do occasionally have promotions that seniors can take advantage of. Our goal is to be fair in pricing for everyone and provide top value. We often find our quotes come in lower than competitors anyway due to our efficient operation, but beyond that, we use the military & teacher discounts as an extra thank-you where we can.