The Importance of Secure Fixings and Fittings for Fencing

Arguably, the fittings and fixings that hold your fencing and gates together are the most important part of any security fencing installation. There is simply no point in spending money and time installing security fencing and gates if the fixings used to hold them together have inherent flaws. Poor quality fixings that can be broken or easily removed by their design or placement should be avoided for the following reasons.

Prevent burglary and theft

Nowadays, anything of value can be of interest to thieves. Metal of all kinds including steel are increasingly common targets due to increased scrap metal prices. If the fixings in fencing can be removed easily, not only can these be stolen but also the metal fence panels they are supposed to be securing can be taken and sold on too leaving a site left unsecure. Removal of fixings and subsequently the panels creates access routes for further theft, such as copper cables on railway lines. Secure fixings can prevent scrap metal theft, but all types of theft can be reduced just by simply installing your fencing and gates with secure fixings.

‘Quick and easy installation’

While fencing labelled as ‘quick and easy installation’ may sound like a cost saver, if it’s quick and easy to install, this generally means it will also be quick and easy to take down.

Fixings and fittings to avoid

There are many types of fixing out there, and it’s important to remember that not all fencing and gates are created equally.

Types of secure fixings

Tamper-proof fixings

You’ll see the phrase ‘tamper-proof fixings’ across our website and brochures for our metal security fencing. We manufacture all of our metal fencing using these in one form or another. Our vertical bar fencing and metal railings have concealed bolts and screws, while our welded mesh panels have tamper-proof screws with unique heads that can’t be loosened or fastened with a normal tool. The bolts and rivets which are visible on steel palisade fencing are the main reason we don’t manufacture it (aside from the fact it’s unattractive and hinders surveillance).

Anti-Vandal Mesh Connectors

Our EuroGuard mesh fencing panels are attached to posts using our unique anti-vandal connectors and tamper-proof fixings. Fixings can only be accessed from the secure side of the fence, unlike most mesh fencing systems available on the market. Find out more about our mesh panel connectors and watch the comparison video here.

Shear Nuts

Shear nuts are an extremely secure fixing which we use on our gate hinges. They are a type of breakaway nut which are almost impossible to remove once installed. Once tightened, the hexagonal part of the nut breaks off, leaving a smooth dome which is hard to grip with normal tools.

Clamp bars

With tightly knit mesh fencing such as 358 mesh, panels can be fixed to the posts in different ways, but again not all ways are secure. Some manufacturers use smaller clips and screws/bolts, however, the clips are susceptible to damage – being so small, and it also leaves the edge of the panels exposed to tools that could prise the panel away from the posts. Instead, we attach our close-knit mesh panels with clamp bars and tamper proof bolts.

Concealed Panel-To-Post Connectors

Our vertical bar railings and metal railings all feature concealed panel-to-post connectors with tamper proof fixings.

Welded Pale-Through-Rail Construction

Unlike steel palisade fencing, our vertical bar and metal railings are manufactured with welded pale-through-rail construction - rails are sleeved onto the pales and welded for a seamless, secure finish without any bolts or rivets that could be removed to swing pales aside and gain access. Find out more about why we don't manufacture steel palisade fencing here. 

Remember that fixings play an extremely important role in the security of your fence, so don’t hesitate to ask a supplier what type of fixings are used when looking for fencing and gates.

Watch the video below to find out more about the benefits of our EuroGuard mesh fencing connectors, or read our blog.