Simply put, a masonry thinwall fence is a wall system whereby the continuous concrete foundation is eliminated. An engineered masonry beam spans the width between two reinforced concrete and masonry piers. The columns of the thinwall fence are designed specifically to hold the weight of the panel. This system has many advantages over traditional double-wythe fencing, including cost per linear foot, engineering, and erection time.
Less material equals less cost. A double-wythe wall, as the name suggests, is two brick wide. This equates to twice as much material, but only offers the same durability as that of a thinwall fence. Also, the double-wythe wall utilizes a grade beam underneath the panels of the fence. By contrast, in a thinwall fence system, the panels of the fence are free-floating. This free-floating effect has two major benefits. First, it eliminates the grade beam, thereby further reducing the material costs. Second, because the panes are not resting on a grade beam, they are free to move as the earth dictates, thereby helping reduce the chance of cracking, leaning, or breaking.
Because of the technical nature of the thinwall fence system, each fence should be engineered to insure that it is able to withstand specific windloads, various soil conditions, and the weight of the panels. On fences that Hoggatt, LP constructs, a certified structural engineer reviews the plans for that particular job, not a uniform blueprint for all projects. This allows Hoggatt, LP to offer warranties on all its projects.
As most business people have figured out the old adage “Time is Money” is false. Time is much more valuable than money. To this effect, another advantage of the thinwall fence system is erection time. The layout and construction of the grade beam, and the building and cleaning of the dispensable second side are eliminated when using a thinwall system. This is time saved; time that could be spent generating revenue. The faster a fence is complete, the sooner the developer can sell completed lots, thereby recouping costs and generating money.
