Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS for Prairie Fence
How can Heartland make dark colors?
Heartland produces darker colors by sourcing colorants produced from natural pigments. Heartland can produce most any color using its composite compounded with varying colorants.
Is it maintenance free?
No outdoor product on the market exposed to the environment is truly “maintenance free”, which is a major misrepresentation made by most wood plastic composite companies like Trex in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Heartland’s composite building products require substantially less maintenance (time and money) than its main competition, wood.
Will it turn color? Or fade?
Heartland’s products will fade, the extent of which depends upon the environment they are installed. For instance, the product will fade more in high altitude regions compared to areas closer to sea level. Heartland’s products fade approximately 50% less than wood plastic composites and several 100% less than wood untreated. The products will not shift colors.
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Our services include prairie picket fence, green fence, wood fences st louis fences st louis fence contractors st louis fence materials st louis fencing st louis ornamental fences st louis vinyl fences st louis chain link fences st louis wrought iron fences st louis.
Is it graffiti proof?
Heartland’s PrairieFence™ is not graffiti proof. However, spray paint is easier to remove from PrairieFence™ compared to wood and stone fencing. Heartland is developing a technology that will help make its products more graffiti proof.
How does it hold up to weed eaters?
The hardness of PrairieFence™ allows it to hold up to weed eaters and other objects that may impact it very well, especially compared to wood and wood composites. Under certain circumstances, PrairieFence™ can be scratched or scuffed if negligence is exercised.
How high can I make the fence?
Heartland specifies its complete fence system to be erected to heights up to 6 feet. Heartland offers the market PrairiePicket™ in heights up to 8 feet, but should be installed on steel or wood post systems. Heartland’s PrairieRail™ should be used on the 8 foot high fences supported with steel or wood posts.
Do you recommend cementing the posts?
In most cases, Heartland specifies a 10” diameter hole that is 24” deep. Add 2” of gravel at bottom of hole. Set posts in concrete.
Can you make gates from the same product?
Gates can be made from Heartland building products. We recommend the use of universal gate systems with steel hardware such as “Adjust-a-gate” and others that allow the use of Heartland’s PrairieRail™ and PrairiePicket™.
What are the advantages over other composite materials?
Please reference Heartland’s website under Features and Benefits for a complete list of advantages over the competition.
Can I get custom styles made?
Heartland has the ability to do custom styles, but production management needs consulted prior to any commitments being made. Gothic style pickets and others can be produced, but under special order conditions only.
Can I get decking material to match my fence?
Heartland does produce matching deck boards, and they can be ordered.
Can it break?
Heartland’s products have Izod Impact and Compressive properties greater than wood. Its properties are stronger than wood plastic composites and vinyl products. However, under certain circumstances they will break though. It is important for installers of PrairieFence™ products to follow factory guidelines for installation. Under normal use and service conditions the product will not break.
Does it expand?
Heartland’s products have minimal expansion properties that are disclosed on its website and literature (ASTM E 831-93 Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion). They are significantly less than wood plastic composites and wood.
Will it crack, chip, peel or rot?
Heartland’s products under normal use and service conditions will not crack, chip, peel or rot.
Will it mold or mildew?
Mold and mildew are part of the environment and naturally occur. They form on virtually all surfaces and materials such as wood, steel, brass, stone and composite products. Heartland treats its products with zinc borate, an environmentally friendly microbial that is made to inhibit mold and mildew growth. If mold or mildew growth occurs on PrairieFence™ products, remove using composite deck cleaners available at most lumber yards and home centers.
Does it become brittle in winter?
Heartland’s products can fully function in winter, spring, summer and fall. While most polymers become more brittle in extreme cold, Heartland’s composite building products resist the cold and other extreme temperatures better as they are reinforced with natural fibers that help prevent them from being as brittle. Heartland’s fence pickets can even be pneumatically nailed even in the cold of winter without the product cracking.
How does it stand up in the wind?
Heartland’s products have been wind tested in the Rocky Mountain region, which is notoriously known for its high winds (up to 90mph) in the winter months, for several years now with much success. Heartland also works with the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Wyoming for material characterization and testing needs to help ensure its material formulations are sufficient to perform in varying types and degrees of wind. Wind testing is ongoing at Heartland.
How does one clean the fence?
The cleaning of PrairieFence™ depends largely on the substance needing cleaned from it. PrairieFence™ can simply be washed off using a garden hose in most cases, but deck cleaners and other more intense cleaners may be required if pollution tar, mildew, road grime and other more difficult to remove substances get on the fence.
WHAT IS VINYL FENCE MADE OF?
The base ingredient is rigid PVC (polyvinyl chloride) modified to provide superior impact strength and ultraviolet (UV) resistance. The formulation is similar to that of vinyl siding which has a 20-year history of providing long-term durability and structural integrity
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WILL IT TURN YELLOW?
Quality Vinyl Fence does not turn yellow. When it contains at least 10 parts titanium dioxide (TI02), which prevents ultraviolet degradation.
WILL IT BREAK IN COLD/HOT WEATHER?
As with most plastics, vinyl will become less flexible in colder weather conditions. However, unless subjected to unusual impact, it will not break. It is normal for materials to expand and contract during temperature changes. Our product has been engineered to accommodate normal temperature swings and changing climatic conditions.
WHY DOESN'T VINYL FENCE COME IN DARK COLORS LIKE BLACK?
Titanium dioxide is the main ultraviolet inhibitor. It is a white pigment. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a dark color while having this significant amount of white pigment. Dark colors also absorb heat. There is no current technology that dissipates this heat buildup.
DOES IT CHALK?
Light chalking is a normal occurrence of any pigmented surface. Washed away by rainfall and normal changes in weather, this process helps to keep your fence looking like new.
HOW STRONG IS IT?
PVC can be impact modified and quality vinyl fence is engineered to meet or exceed the requirements necessary for excellent performance in the field.
WILL A WEED EATER SCRATCH OR HURT IT?
Vinyl fence products have smooth surfaces with no nails, sharp edges or chance for splinters. You, your children, pets and animals are all safer. Vinyl has a tough surface, retains virtually no moisture and has no taste - therefore horses will not "crib" or chew on a vinyl fence. In addition, our experience shows that vinyl fencing holds up to routine property maintenance, including the use of most types of weed eaters.
HOW DO I CLEAN IT?
Use of a non-abrasive liquid cleaning agent is normally sufficient. However, for more stubborn stains, a product similar to Soft Scrub may be helpful.
CAN I PAINT IT?
Vinyl fence does not require painting maintenance. If you decide to paint it, an epoxy-based paint needs to be used in order to adhere to the smooth vinyl surfaces. As with any painted product, it would have to be repainted in time. Caution - painting your vinyl fence will typically results in loss of manufacturer's warranty.
WHY IS IT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN WOOD?
Over the long run, vinyl fence is cheaper than wood. Although your investment is more initially, this is where your expense ends. The cost difference is quickly eliminated once the substantial cost of continuous maintenance of a wood or metal fence is considered.
Areas we serve, St. Louis,Missouri, Franklin, St Charles, Lincoln, Warren, St Clair, Madison Affton , Allenton, Ballwin Bella Villa Bellefontaine Neighbors Bellerive Bel-Nor Bel-Ridge Berkeley Beverly Hills Black Jack Breckenridge Hills Brentwood Bridgeton Calverton Park Carsonville, Castle Point, Champ Charlack Chesterfield Clarkson Valley Clayton Concord, Cool Valley Country Club Hills, Country Life Acres, Crestwood, Creve Coeur, Crystal Lake Park, Dellwood, Des Peres, Edmundson, Ellisville, Eureka, Fenton, Ferguson, Flordell Hills, Florissant, Frontenac, Glasgow Village, Glencoe, Glendale, Glen Echo Park, Grantwood Village, Greendale, Green Park, Grover, Hanley Hills, Hazelwood, Hillsdale, Huntleigh, Jennings, Kinloch Kirkwood, Ladue, Lakeshire, Lemay, Mackenzie, Manchester, Maplewood, Marlborough, Maryland Heights, Mehlville, Moline Acres, Normandy, Northwoods, Norwood Court, Oakland, Oakville, Olivette, Overland, Pacific Pagedale, Pasadena Hills, Pasadena Park, Peerless Park, Pine Lawn, Richmond Heights, Riverview, Rock Hill, Sappington, Sherman, Shrewsbury Spanish Lake, St. Ann, St. George, St. John, Sunset Hills, Sycamore Hills, Times Beach, Town and Country, Twin Oaks, University City, Uplands Park, Valley Park, Velda City, Velda Village Hills, Vinita Park, VinitaTerrace, Warson Woods, Webster Groves, Wellston, Westwood, Wilbur Park, Wildwood, Winchester, Woodson Terrace, Augusta, Cottleville, Dardenne, Prairie Defiance, Flint Hill, Foristell ,Harvester, Josephville, Lake St. Louis, Matson, New Melle, O'Fallon, Orchard Farm, Portag,e Des Sioux, St. Charles, St. Paul, St. Peters, Weldon Spring, Weldon Spring, Heights, Wentzville, Albers, Aviston, Bartelso, Beckemeyer, Breese, Carlyle, Centralia, Damiansville, Germantown, Huey, Keyesport, New Baden Trenton, Wamac, Brighton, Chautauqua, Delhi, Dow, Elsah, Fidelity, Fieldon, Grafton, Jerseyville, Otterville.
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