Current news articles for American Fence Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa

American Playground Company, a distinguished division of the leading Midwest playground contractor, American Fence Company, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest branch in Omaha, NE. Extending its services to communities such as Valley, Papillion, Wahoo, Arlington, Ashland, and Council Bluffs, IA, this branch remains steadfast in upholding our commitment to excellence […]

American Playground Company, a division of American Fence Company, has maintained its stronghold as the preeminent playground contractor in the Midwest since its inception. Renowned for its unmatched expertise and service excellence, the company offers an extensive catalog featuring diverse play equipment and playground surfacing options. Complementing these offerings are swing sets, inclusive playground equipment, […]

American Playground Company, a division of American Fence Company and the nation’s leading supplier and installer of playground solutions, celebrates a significant milestone with the opening of a new branch in the vibrant city of Omaha. Known for its diverse offerings, spanning playground equipment, premium surfacing, swing sets, dog courts, and playground screening, American Playground […]

A great deal of technology and expertise goes into crafting a custom metals project. For one thing, the project must go through an experienced designer before fabrication begins; after all, anyone can dream up an impressive-looking item, but it takes skill and knowledge to calculate how each component must be carved and put together. What’s […]

Accidental drownings in swimming pools occur so frequently that most don’t even appear in the news. But we all probably remember the tragic death of Hallie Kraft back in 2020. Three-year-old Hallie wandered from her family as they gathered around an outdoor fire pit. That same evening, the toddler was discovered lying face-down in a […]

Although ranch rail fencing’s no longer the foremost fence style in North America, it remains a beloved staple of rural homes. Driving through the countryside, you’ll inevitably notice various homes that mark perimeters using these elegant panels. (This is the reason behind their initial popularity: for the longest time, fencing in the United States was […]

Mother Nature tends to be erratic in the Midwest. Summer sometimes is blisteringly hot—this year was a doozy—while in other instances the mid-year season feels like extended springtime. Likewise, one can never really predict what winter has in store. In the coming months, Cedar Rapids might experience a slightly cooler version of autumn; on the […]

Property owners have much to consider when it comes to fixtures for their commercial enterprise. In addition to well-maintained office buildings, chairs for the lobby, conference tables, etc., they must think about exteriors: what exists outside company walls, what customers see when they drive past on the highway. (As they say, first impressions are important.) […]

In residential neighborhoods—especially those with houses packed close together—fencing is a common sight. When homeowners lack sufficient spacing from their neighbors, a professionally constructed barrier helps lend a sense of privacy. However, there is another positive to be gained by installing a fence around your yard: it allows greater flexibility for our furry friends. Why […]

Unlike homeowners and commercial property managers, who need fencing year-round, construction sites and public events don’t need permanent security. Temporary chain link fence panels are the perfect choice for short-term security needs. Once the project’s been completed or the event is over, the hassle of taking down fencing is greatly decreased. Keep the security values of traditional chain […]

Fence materials in Cedar Rapids, IA are essential in the building of a residential or commercial barrier. One also needs construction knowledge (there’s more to dependable fence post installation than simply drilling holes), information regarding utility locates, detailed schematics of what lies beneath the surface (imagine the resultant costs of drilling a hole into your […]

As of the early months of 2022, Mississippi and Rhode Island have joined the list of states legalizing cannabis; and while not every state permits the plants to be grown for commercial purposes (Mississippi, for instance, allows medicinal cannabis only), the participating states—and sometimes the individual counties—write their own rules and stipulations for weed farm […]

In centuries past, the general purpose of installing a fence in North America was more to mark the perimeter of one’s land rather than to protect it. To distinguish perimeters and save money at the same time, farmers and ranchers typically resorted to ranch rail fencing—favoring this particular barrier for its simplistic, economic design. Composed […]

When it comes to architectural and mechanical equipment screening in the United States, PalmSHIELD reigns as the premier contractor: staffed by industry experts, managing top-notch fabrication facilities with state-of-the-art equipment, and offering a broad spectrum of customizable panels. Architects and engineers frequently need—and in some cases are legally obliged—to install barriers around certain fixtures and […]

When it comes to fence construction, Do-It-Yourself homeowners have two options: building from scratch—also known as stick building—or installing premade fence panels. In this day and age, many big box stores sell premade panels that simply need to be set between posts (which the homeowner is responsible for installing). While this seems like a quicker, […]

For architects and engineers, mechanical equipment screens are essential fixtures to have during and after a construction project. Also known as louvered equipment screens, these panels—manufactured and sold here at PalmSHIELD—hide equipment from public view without impeding their performance. At the same time, the visual aesthetic of these panels cleanly blend in with surrounding architecture. […]

Once the nation’s most common fence type, ranch rail fencing in Cedar Rapids remains a staple in rural areas, including in Wisconsin. If you have a ranch or country home that you want to enclose with an attractive fence—one that offers plenty of ventilation and functions more to define the boundaries of your property than […]

Although no two fence types are equal—vinyl boasts superior longevity and rot-resilience compared to wood; chain link remains unsurpassed in its combination of visibility and security—it is important to remember that fence maintenance in Cedar Rapids might be necessary on occasion. As permanent outdoor installations, fencing endures precipitation, wind, contact with animals and objects, etc. […]

Schools, fun centers, athletic fields, and communities throughout Cedar Rapids have long needed sports fence panels. Whether you need a fence to enclose your neighborhood baseball field, protect the school track, safeguard swimming pools to help prevent accidental drownings, etc., it is incumbent that you hire out a professional contractor with years of experience operating […]

As the top fence contractor in Cedar Rapids—and the state of Iowa—we’ve taken it upon ourselves to study and master the ins and outs of various types of fencing. Whether you are a homeowner looking for a beautiful wood picket fence to enclose your backyard—something to keep the kids contained while anteing property value—or a […]

No need to feel overwhelmed! It’s not every day that most of us set about purchasing playgrounds and playground equipment in Cedar Rapids, IA. Obviously, you have many questions. How much surfacing do you need? Do you even need surfacing? Are certain kinds of play equipment for kids better—safer—than others? Have you stopped to consider […]

Now that you’ve decided to install a fence around your home or business, the next step is finding the right contractor for the job. There’s no shortage of fence companies in Cedar Rapids, IA—so how do you determine which one is best? Which ones have the best practices for safety alongside product reliability? Is there […]

PalmSHIELD is proud to offer a new AIA-approved continued education course, “The Selection of Architectural Screening.” It is worth 1 LU-HSW for AIA members, available on-demand or live, and requires no prerequisite knowledge. Oh, and did we mention that it’s free? This course is introductory and unbiased, covering the following: The evolution and need for […]

Even though we’ve been in the business of designing and fabricating architectural screening for more than 50 years, PalmSHIELD recognizes the need to continue adapting to changes in the market. Our products offer enhanced security and aesthetics, but we recognize that some projects have to accommodate budgets in which our more typical products cannot fit. […]

The horizontal louver (currently the most popular of PalmSHIELD’s products) is receiving a new look, and a new price to boot! PalmSHIELD customers have placed their trust in our louvered architectural screening for more than fifty years, depending on them to not only protect but provide airflow for mechanical and rooftop equipment as well as […]

Always growing upwards and outwards, American Fence Company is now growing into the park and playground equipment market. American Playground Company is our newest division that specializes in the installation and design of outdoor recreational equipment. Our South Dakota branch recognized the potential in this new division and took charge of making our place in […]

You have made the decision to automate your gate, but you may not know how to go about choosing or installing gate access control. American Fence Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa can make the gate access control process painless for you with their broad knowledge of gate automation. They understand how important quick and easy […]

Do you need rental fencing to protect an event venue or a job site? American Fence Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa makes it simple and easy to rent temporary fence that is guaranteed to keep the area flexible to change and readjustment without sacrificing security. American Fence will gladly install and remove the following 3 […]

Not that long ago, access control was as simple as a push button garage door opener, no more complicated than a garage door opener. With modern advances in technology, it is no longer that straightforward. Now access controls include things such as barrier arms, telephone entry, transmitters, key pads, sensing edges as well as a […]

American Access Control is the newest member of the American Fence Company family and we are so excited to finally be able to put such a strong focus on access control. American Access Company is an access control vendor and we sell items such as receivers, transmitters, photo eyes, barrier arms, gate operators and much […]

Allentown, Pennsylvania opened up their very first medical marijuana dispensary—Mission Dispensary—on June 12, 2018. This is exciting because they decided to include a PalmSHIELD horizontal louver mechanical screening enclosure as a part of their dispensary. PalmSHIELD’s horizontal louver fence system was installed masterfully by ProMax Fence Systems at the dispensary. The mechanical equipment screening fits […]

With massive construction going on, it is critical that temporary fences are used properly for workers and pedestrian safety. Having installed thousands of construction fences in Cedar Rapids, our crews have sat idle at many job sites while the contractor frantically tries to figure-out where to put his construction fence. We have also gone back […]

There are hundreds of youth and community organizations each year who wish to install their own Cedar Rapids ballfield fencing.  When pencil hits paper to start laying-out their field dimensions, inevitably they begin to scratch their heads.  How do we get a greater distance from center field to home plate then from right or left […]

PalmSHIELD’s perforated panel screen systems are a type of security fencing that comes with a wide array of hole sizes and metal sheet thicknesses. This style of security fence allows a controllable amount of visibility and air flow. Perforated panel systems from PalmSHIELD are made of aluminum, which makes them very lightweight and corrosion resistant. […]

American Fence Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa proves that every gate is a success.  Any large cantilever gate that is longer than sixty-five feet and has a mechanical splice is fully tested in their shop.  This is not an easy task.  Each gate is supported with a series of lifts and blocks to replicate what […]

PalmSHIELD basks in sunny Los Angeles. PalmSHIELD louvers is proud to have been selected by the City of Los Angeles Water and Power as their mechanical equipment closure. The City of Los Angeles has a tight set of requirements relative to their mechanical equipment louvered systems. Louvered equipment enclosures must meet the 31 pounds per […]

If you’ve ever wanted some privacy and wind protection from your chain link fence, consider installing a windscreen or some colored vinyl slats. Both options provide extra coverage on your chain link fence that can reduce visibility, increase aesthetics and block the wind. This can be beneficial from small scale fences up to major baseball […]

Build an industrial chain link fence that is not only sturdy and strong, but also lightweight. Our 1-5/8” x 21’ CR30 Top Rail is specifically designed and engineered for these types of industrial chain link applications. Since they are cold rolled, these pipes have increased hardness and strength compared to a hot-dipped galvanized pipe. Our […]

Since the beginning of vinyl being installed as a fence product it has also been used for many other projects. Your choice is only limited by your imagination. American Fence Company of Cedar Rapids has installed literally hundreds of custom vinyl products throughout the years. Such projects include mail box holders (as per the picture […]

Featuring: 4 foot Over Arch Gate Our 4 foot tall over arch Spear Top Gate is 4’ at its lowest point and slopes up to 4’ 6”. This Cedar Rapids gate has a 16 foot opening and is 24 feet long overall. With this gate, the first impression of your property will give off to […]

PalmSHIELD is excited to announce that we established a complete set of specifications and CAD drawings for our PalmSHIELD Perforated Aluminum Panel System. This information will make it easy for engineers and architects to provide a complete set of specifications for perforated metal panel systems. This is the only complete perforated metal panel specification that […]

PalmSHIELD is excited to announce the addition of our new aluminum bar grating railing and fence panel system specifications and CAD drawings. This information will make it easy and complete for architects and engineers to provide a complete set of specifications for bar grating panel systems. PalmSHIELD has been successfully manufacturing aluminum and steel bar […]

An overscallop ornamental gate is perfect for someone who wants a beautiful, sophisticated gate that will protect their property and require little maintenance. Adding an ornamental iron swing gate to a home or property brings a elegant feel that can also increase your property value. Because they are built of ornamental iron, these gates are […]

More than likely you know of those quaint fences that often line rural properties. These fences are usually made of vinyl or wood and have two, three, or four rails, with lots of open space. This fence style is known as a ranch rail fence, or a split rail fence. Ranch rail fences are many […]

Aluminum Cantilever Gates: Lightweight, Durable Option Cantilever gates are easy to use and are space-efficient and long lasting. Our Aluminum Cantilever Gates are very light, and have protected rollers, they are resistant to rust and are available at a competitive price point. These are the safest gates on the market and are the least likely […]

Fir is a very durable, affordable product that is perfect for fencing. America’s Fence Store has Stained Cedar-tone Fir pickets that will give you the consistent color and overall durability you’re looking for in your fence. Fir is resistant to bending, warping and holds nails and screws well without cracking. Pre-staining gives these pickets a […]

Over Arch Driveway Gates: Safety and Style Not much adds an air of prestige and class to a property like an estate gate. Estate gates—also known as drive gates and driveway gates—tend to be situated on a street or driveway to block or grant cars entrance. These gates are usually made of sturdy ornamental iron, […]

Whether you are going to install a wood fence yourself or hire the work completed; you will have to decide on the type and species of wood you want to use. Start with the post. 1. Look into what is available for species. There are several new species of wood fence posts available from your […]

School fencing and gates are a big concern for parents, students and school staff. This quickly became apparent upon the number of readers’ comments I received with the first two blogs. One of the most prevailing themes was the use and care of gates. Many of the parents brought up some very solid concerns regarding the use, placement […]

I recently read a news report about a young child that suffered drowning related injuries. This is a very unfortunate event. What makes it unusual is that the pool was closed for the season. The child was able to get under the pool cover. Once in the pool, he was not able to escape due […]

Last Thursday morning, I was behind a sea of yellow caterpillars. All of them moving in several different directions with heads bopping up and down inside. School is has started…I was reminded. At the next traffic light, I begin to drift away to an article about a teacher who severely damaged her hand in a gate at school. […]

America’s Gate Company is one of the nation’s largest gate manufacturers and providers. We custom build decorative and chain link swing, cantilever, slide, overhead gates and any others you can dream up. We specialize in the extraordinarily large gates and gate retrofits. A gate this size requires complicated engineering and fabrication that considers not only […]

Every major storm that sweeps through your community will leave some damaged fencing. Temporary fencing in Cedar Rapids, IA is always hit hard. Because temporary fencing is just that, “temporary;” it is not set in concrete footings or permanently fixed. Temporary fence panel systems are often anchored with sand bags placed over the temporary fence […]

My neighbor now has new posts in his yard but is waiting on his fence contractor to come back and finish. Yesterday, I had a knock on my door. Standing in my door way was Bob, my neighbor. “I hate to ask but do you know how to reach my fence contractor?” Bob said with […]

If you read my previous blog, I have an update on my neighbor. I witnessed him yesterday digging out his old footings. As I strolled by on my four wheeler, he wiped his brow with a rag and gave me a thumbs up. He was soaked head to toe in sweat. Lesson learned…leave those posts […]

PalmSHIELD provided a new mechanical equipment enclosure for American Family Insurance’s new data center. PalmSHIELD louvers has a long history of providing architectural louvers for data centers. You can find our louvered panel system at the Google, Travelers and Yahoo! date centers. PalmSHIELD is the natural choice for large standalone louvered mechanical screen systems. Data […]

It is thunderstorm season which typically leaves us with a great deal of damaged fence. Just recently, a storm moved through the area and left my neighbor with his wood fence blown over. A handful of the wood fence panels flattened where shear winds made their path. My neighbor knocked on my door after a […]

There has been a recent increase of construction site thefts over the last two years. American Fence Rental has been installing a surprising amount of construction site security fence. Contractors are doing their due diligence in providing site security but thieves are still finding their way into their job site. Though providing security, contractors are […]

Thieves don’t want to make a scene at your front door. They want to sneak around to the back, through your gate and into the basement or patio door. By the time they reach the gate, they are committed. They know that they may have crossed that point of no return and may now attempt […]

Do you need the perfect solution in removing any gaps at the bottom of your gate? Do you not have enough storage space for a rolling, cantilever or swing gate? Your best choice may be a vertical pivot gate. Vertical pivot gates are low weight gates that operate on a single pivot point that is […]

PalmSHIELD offers louvered and secured equipment enclosures. Copper and all other precious metal prices have increased over 60% since 2007. Thieves are averaging no less than $100.00 for tubing stolen from a residential ac unit installation. Recently, the local Houston news reported two commercial HVAC units dropped two stories from the top of a shopping […]

Cantilever gates are the best choice for automated gates. A cantilever gate is suspended above the ground thus there is no concerns regarding terrain, road conditions or icy weather. The gates upper and lower guide wheels guide the gate through the entire opening. Unlike the sweeping effects of swing gates, cantilever gates roll back and […]

Got hills & valleys? A rolling gate is your best choice. A rolling gate is a type of slide gate. The most popular slide gate is a cantilever gate. Cantilever gates use rollers that are attached to support posts with no rollers or wheels touching the ground. The cantilever gate is cantilevered over the opening. […]

PalmSHIELD has been engineered to meet the category one 90 mph wind load requirement for an architectural louvered screen system. Though we do not provide generalized engineered stamped drawings; we do review our engineering to assure that our design will meet designed load requirements relative to the overall design and selection of materials. Ultimately, it […]

Many a customers have said after their fence was installed, “I wish I would have gone with a …..gate instead.” American Fence Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s staff are professionals within the fence industry. As the professionals, we are obligated to point out the features, benefits and liabilities of each type of gate installation. On […]

American Fence Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa is excited to share with our customers the new Cedar tone stained Fir pickets and rails. These pickets and rails have a fantastic track record with us of standing the test of years of Midwest winters and hot sunny summer days. When Sierra Pacific, the United States largest […]

Your temporary construction fence should be your first line of defense at your construction site. Not only does it aid in keeping materials and tool safe; it keeps potential lawsuits from curious trespassers out. Construction sites are dangerous, especially in the dark. It is easy for others to quickly get hurt. According to the Chain […]

Incense Cedar fence pickets, rails and posts are one of the most durable and decay-resistant of native American woods. It is produced from a forest tree found in California, southern Oregon and western Nevada. Incense Cedar is generally known in the lumber industry as one of the twelve woods of the Western Woods Region Incense […]

Drive to any of our fully staffed facilities in Sioux City, Lincoln, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Kansas City, Kansas; Sioux Falls, South Dakota Des Moines, Iowa and Cedar Rapids, Iowa and pick-up temporary fence panels, posts, stands and sand bags today for your event tomorrow. American Fence Rental inventories thousands of temporary fence panels and event […]

American Fence is your one stop shop for all your fencing needs. We also have available all fence materials at wholesale costs. If your a “Do it yourself” home owner call us today for your free estimate. We have acres of stock material at your disposal for purchase. Whether you are wanting tried and true […]

Cedar Tone Stained Fence. What are the benefits of using pre-stained pickets, rails and posts? It must be said at the beginning of this piece…there is no substitute for using pre-stained fence boards. These are wood pickets, rails and posts that are stained by the mill, packaged and shipped to your local DIY store. Nobody […]

It’s construction season! American Rental Fence is the leader in temporary construction rental fence in the Midwest. Though we have over ten thousand fence panels rented-out; American Rental Fence has over three thousand panels in inventory in Sioux City, Lincoln, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Des Moines, Iowa; and Kansas […]

At The American Fence Company we want our fences to last for years, but not all fences are meant to be forever, as we also offer temporary fence. If you’re looking to rent a Temporary Fence System, you’ve come to the right place, we are proud to announce the American Fence Rental Company website is […]

What is all the fuss about Fir? White Fir has been successfully used for wood fencing for over a decade. Without question, Western Red Cedar is the premier choice for wood fencing however it is expensive. For considerable less, you can select a White Fir fence picket that will last at least eight plus years. […]

Spring is only four days away residential fence projects are in full swing. Give us a call today for your complete residential fence needs. We have the largest inventory of residential fence products in the Midwest. Call us today to schedule your no cost, no obligation residential fence estimate. We have all the tried and […]

Temporary construction rental fence is not so temporary. American Fence Company uses only top notch quality commercial grade materials in the construction and installation of our temporary fences. We also use a simple ring design on our panels that makes it easy to modify the system. No complicated hardware, and nuts and bolts that get […]

Ornamental fence for the twenty first century. Twenty years ago, the majority of residential ornamental fences were stick built. Stick built is a crude terminology for welding ornamental fence panels in local fabrication shops after attempting to field verify elevations and length of fence runs. This method was very time consuming and rarely perfect. Worst […]

Did you know that American Fence Company provides more decorative custom metals products than any other fabricator in the Midwest? You can find our custom metals work in some of our most beautiful homes, universities, state capitols and nuclear power plants. Our work spreads across the United States from coast to coast. American Fence Companies […]

Year after Year America Fence Company has set the standard in pet fence needs. Whether large or small pets our sales staff can recommend the right fit for you. You may have seen other fence projects constructed on a slope, as a result the gate leaves a large gap due to the “stair step” affect. […]

Custom wood fences are tricky. The tried and true solid, shadow box and picket wood fences use proven installation techniques that guarantee a long lasting installation. Most qualified fence contractors successfully install hundreds of these fences every year. Materials, fasteners and techniques are industry standards and there is a great deal of literature on “How […]

American Fence Company builds over one thousand slide gates and over four thousand swing gates each year. Each and every gate is fabricated to our customers’ unique requests. From a single 150’ long slide gate at one of the Nation’s largest airport to a four thousand pound ornamental decorative slide gate at the governor’s mansion […]

PalmSHIELD rolls into the Village of Glenview Train Station PalmSHIELD was selected as the mechanical equipment louvered screen system of choice for the Village of Glenview. The Village selected an eight foot tall PalmSHIELD louver system to protect and hide a compressor unit at the local train station. The Village staff elected to install the […]

Our customers have been asking for a detailed specification to include in their project plans and specifications to be sure that they get the Ultra Latch and no substitutions. We are happy to oblige. Below is a detailed specification to assist your contractors in selecting and installing the Ultra Latch for your application. American Ultra […]

For over 55 years of experience and 100,000 feet plus of temporary fence installed in eight states, American Fence Company can help you with the latest and best security solutions. We can help you secure and protect any construction job site, special event, work area, disaster relief zone or other restricted area from public access. […]

We are your preferred fence contractor for custom estate gates. Contact us today for help designing your custom gates. We will work with you through every tiny detail. If you want to add an automatic residential entry system we can do that too. With a fully staffed fabrication shop and years and years of experience […]

If you’re in Nebraska and in the market for porch rail contact us today for your free estimate. Take a look at this completed project. Close XQuote Request Sent Successfully!We will be in touch shortly.

As we round the corner on another Midwest winter, our neighborhood’s vinyl fences are still standing.  Surprising? Of course, not. Vinyl fencing has been around for over twenty years. Its popularity has grown exponentially as it replaces wood and ornamental in popularity.  Yet, there are still many home owners and neighborhood associations that are hesitant […]

Purchasing vinyl coated chain link fencing can be confusing.  One contractor says “9 gauge material” on his proposal while another says “11 gauge wire”.  Which one is better?  Undetermined. Why the confusion?  It all stems from the gauge.  Is it finished gauge or core wire gauge?  According to ASTM  668, vinyl coated chain link is […]

Every day, we go through dozens of doors without giving it a second thought.  We just don’t realize the precision that goes into a door and jamb.  Isn’t it amazing how the strike hits the strike plate each and every time? Ok, not that amazing. The cold reality is that your gates are not doors. […]

Why the confusion?  It all stems from the gauge.  Is it finished gauge or core wire gauge?  According to ASTM  668, vinyl coated chain link is specified and ordered by the metallic core wire.  However, according to various suppliers, they may interpret your request to mean a finished gauge ( metallic core wire plus vinyl […]

When I was a boy I use to work summers at my father’s fence company.  Back then, cedar fence boards were rich with dark red, brown and orange hues.  The boards had a strong cedar smell that was so pungent that you might have thought you were locked in your grandmother’s cedar closet.  Back then, […]