faq

You've Got Questions? We've got answers.

Want to know more about what you should be asking your contractor?

Do you install wood posts?

No, Oklahoma's extreme wind and climate make installing wood posts for most projects inadvisable. Therefore, we only use 2 3/8”, schedule 20, .095ga, 9’ long, steel, galvanized posts set 42 inches in the ground for our 6’ tall Cedar Privacy Fencing.

Do you set your posts in concrete?

We do not set our posts in concrete; we use a gas-powered driver that drives the posts into undisturbed soil 42” in the ground. This method is far superior to traditional concrete installed posts.

Why do you drive your posts instead of setting them in concrete?

Red River Fence has been keeping up with the newest technology in fencing products, and the best solution for robust and long-lasting fence posts is to drive them deep into the ground.

When we drive our fence posts directly into the ground, we do not need to dig holes, make a mess of your lawn, or wait for the cement to set up before installing the rest of your fence. In addition, with posts that are 42 inches in the ground, you don’t need to worry about heaving, cracking, or erosion.

This technology has existed for over 30 years and made its way into Oklahoma about 15 years ago. Initially, we dug holes and set posts in concrete like almost every other fence company in Oklahoma; however, we have been installing our posts with a driver since September 2013. Driving the posts allows for 1-day installations in most cases and provides better drainage away from the posts without compromising strength. For example, instead of digging an 18" -24” hole, we drive the posts 30-42 inches into the ground without disturbing the soil, preventing settling and leaning posts.

Driving posts is just better in almost every way. So please feel free to Google It and learn more.

How far do you drive your posts into the ground?

We drive our posts to a minimum depth of 30 inches; however, most posts are moved to a depth of 42 inches or 3 1/2 feet! The depth that the posts are driven is directly associated with the type and height of the fence. For example; a 6’ privacy fence will have the posts driven 42” down, but a 4’ tall Ornamental Iron Fence will only have the posts driven 30 inches into the ground. This is because there is little to no wind load on Ornamental Fencing.

What is the gauge of the posts you use?

Because of the force necessary to drive these posts, we use a commercial-grade 2 3/8”, schedule 20, .095ga, galvanized, steel posts. These thicker posts provide more strength, stability, and longevity for your fence.

I already have metal posts- do they have to be replaced?

We can use your existing posts if the posts are straight and installed on 8’ centers. However, if your current posts are thinner-grade, we would not recommend reusing them because we will not warranty materials we did not provide and install.

Where do you purchase your materials?

We purchase all of our cedar products from a wholesale lumber yard. In addition, we buy our pipe, fittings, gate hardware, and other materials from local fence supply houses. For a list of suppliers, visit our Products page and scroll to the bottom.

How thick are the pickets you use?

The standard picket thickness is a true 7/8”. However, for those on a stricter budget, we are now offering 5/8” thick Selkirk Cedar 1x6 as an option.

What’s the difference between spruce and Cedar?

Spruce is the cheaper choice and has a life expectancy of 4-8 years, whereas 7/8” thick Cedar is at the higher end of the price spectrum and has a life expectancy of 15-20 years. In addition, Cedar has many beneficial qualities for outdoor construction. The natural oils in Cedar prevent rot and repel insects and provide a pleasant smell; it is less likely to warp than spruce.

Do you use 2x3 rails?

No, our wood fences are constructed with Cedar S4S 2x4 rails.

What type of Cedar do you use?

We purchase all of our Cedar from mills in Canada or the USA only. Selkirk cedar is an inland cedar closely related to Western Red Cedar.

Do you offer pressure-treated panels?

We do not offer any pressure-treated wood whatsoever and strongly urge you not to use pressure-treated lumber. It comes directly from the mill pressure injected with liquid chemicals. Once this wood is in the sun, the liquid evaporates quickly, leaving the chemicals behind and poorly warping the timber. This warping occurs rapidly, depending on how much sun we get and the temperature, within a month of installation.

What’s the difference between a panel-built fence and building it on-site?

When installed correctly by professionals, a panel-built fence is better than a fence built on-site. The main two differences are labor and quality control. We manufacture our panels in-house with a jig and many quality control procedures. For example, we draw the pickets from a bin and can cull as we manufacture, whereas if we were to load up a bundle of pickets and bring them out to the job, we would be constrained on how much we could cull. In addition, because every panel is built on the same jig, we can guarantee that every 2x4 rail on your fence will be evenly spaced and perfectly parallel.

Panels built on-site will take more time, costing you more money, and you end up with the same product, which is only more expensive and with less quality control. No matter how you slice it, panels are being built. It is all a matter of quality for us here at Red River Fence.

What’s your warranty?

We have a one-year standard warranty on labor and materials installed by Red River Fence, LLC. But you will be pleasantly surprised to know that our warranty is our company’s reputation! We have, throughout the years, stood behind our fences, fixing minor problems for our customers at no charge to them long after their warranty had expired. So when customers ask about our warranty, we smile, knowing that because of the quality of materials we use, problems are a scarce issue, but if one should arise, we fix it.

Why go with ornamental over chain link when privacy isn't an issue?

An ornamental fence adds value to your home, whereas a chain link does not.