EXTERNAL WORKS

Definition: describes any work carried out to the external environment of a

building project. These can be works for functional or aesthetic features.
Examples include:
● Site preparation works.
● Roads, paths, pavings, and surfacings.
● Soft landscaping, planting, and irrigation systems.
● Fencing, railings, and walls.
● Exterior fixtures.
● External drainage.
● Minor building works and ancillary buildings

GATES AND FENCES

Types of gates and fences;

1. Sliding gates

A sliding gate works on the mechanism of moving swiftly as one moves it.
Unlike a conventional gate which needs to be opened from the middle, you
have to slide the gate to open it.

2. Swing gate
A swing gate that swings in either direction and closes when released.

3. Automatic gate

Automatic gates are electric gates that are designed to move into the obstructing
position automatically upon the approach of something e.g train and move into the
clear position when the train has been cleared for the crossing. These gates are
used in conjunction with flashing light signals.
 4. Cantilevered gates

This is a type of gate which is supported by rails that run along the inside
of a fence structure. These types of gates are suspended across the gate
from the counterbalance, with no wheels on the ground.

Fences
Necessity of a Fencing

Security and Safety

● The first and most important reason for providing fencing on your
property is for security.
● Fencing protects your valuables and more importantly protects you and
your family.
Boundaries

● Without fencing it can be difficult to tell where your property lines are
and installing fencing will help to define the correct boundaries between
your neighbor’s territory and your own.

Privacy.

● Fences can separate your home from the outside world. There are no
prying eyes of strangers or neighbors watching your family offer
freedom and worry.

Aesthetics

● Fences are a great way to appeal to the curb appeal of your home.
● There are many ideas available for fencing that can enhance the aesthetic
appeal of your house, as well as increasing the property value.

Resale

● Installed fencing with good quality, excellent security, and privacy

aspects will increase the value of your home.
● If you are looking to sell, it can substantially increase the sale price.

Types of fences
1. HERAS FENCING
❖ Heras construction fencing is exceptionally durable and flexible,
allowing you to erect fences and dismantle them with ease.
❖ This type of security fencing also prevents people from walking
across sites they’re not supposed to, and it is a fencing style that can
be used again and again.

2. MESH PANEL FENCING

❖ This type of fencing offers a medium level of security and is the most
popular option for sites due to its appearance.
❖ It is available in a range of colors, this easy to assemble fence allows people
to see into the site without compromising on security.
3. HOARDING FENCE

❖ Hoarding, in wooden hoarding, in particular, is very cost-

effective and is mainly used when you need to conceal vacant
properties and construction sites.
❖ Metal hoarding fence is ideal when you need to secure your site
for a long period
4. CHAIN LINK FENCES
❖ A chain-link fence is a roll of wire attached to poles that are dug into
the ground for support.
❖ They also work for any construction site, commercial, residential,
and industrial projects, and they’re preferred due to their price,
availability, and durability.
 5. BARRICADE FENCING

❖ Barricade fences help to block vehicles from entering construction

sites. Protecting sites from vandalism and potential theft, these fences
are strong and durable, providing an all-round effective solution.

❖ Note: Barricade fencing is often used alongside other types of

fencing.

Materials used for gates and fences

1. 1. Wood
Wood is one of the more traditional options for you to have for your
property. Wood is designed to create a classic look. It offers a warm
and welcoming feeling to any spot.

Pros

● A great gate will add a sense of privacy to a spot. This

comes as wood is typically a little thicker than most other
materials.
● This can last for the entire life of your property provided
that you maintain it well.
● In addition to being stained, you can always paint a gate.
● Most types of opening fixtures and knobs that you attach
onto your gate will blend in perfectly with a wood body.

Cons

● The wood surface has to be sealed regularly so it will not

wear out and develop rot.
● This can be rather heavy depending on how big your fence
is.

2. Aluminum
Aluminum is a popular choice for how it offers a sturdy look. It has
a nice shine and can be painted in one of many styles. It is also light
in weight and can come from recycled materials.

Pros

● This is very easy to maintain as it will not take in water or

rust.
 ● It can be thick or thin; you have the option to choose any
kind of body here.
● Door knob and opening fixtures can be integrated into the
aluminum body.

Cons

● This is not appropriate for use in spots where the weather

might be intense. It could dent if there’s lots of rain or hail.
● Aluminum can scratch rather quickly.

3. PVC
PVC is traditionally used to create a wood-like body. The polyvinyl
chloride body can come in either a solid form or in a series of
sleeves that can be added over existing wood surfaces. It creates a
solid nonporous design. Stakes can also be attached to a spot
through an adhesive material.

Pros

● PVC is a popular choice for how it resists many weather

conditions without experiencing any rust.
● You can order PVC in one of many different colors.
● The design can mix in well with any door opening features.

Cons

● PVC can scratch and dent quickly.

4. Wrought Iron
 ❖Wrought iron is known for being a little heavier and denser
than most other metals.
❖Wrought iron features an intense black color in most cases
although you could add paint to it if you want.
❖The most important part of wrought iron is that it is very
sturdy. It will not wear out or bend easily.

Pros

● This can be accentuated with a variety of artistic designs.

You can order wrought iron gates that have special patterns
etched on top or you can order extra posts that go on top of
the gate.
● It is difficult for anyone to try and cut through wrought
iron. This comes from how thick it is.

Cons

● Although you can paint your wrought iron, the paint can
chip off over time.
● You must sand your wrought iron every couple of years.

5. Vinyl
❖Vinyl has been used as a popular choice for how it replaces
wood with a new compound that resists all sorts of issues.
❖It will not collect lots of water nor will it scuff easily.This is
made with chlorine and ethylene mixed together.
❖It can be prepared in a mold and used in any kind of shape you
want it to be in.

Pros
 ● This can be prepared in any kind of shape with natural
grooves added to create a good wood-like design.
● This will not weaken due to intense rainfall. Water will
slide off of the vinyl.

Cons

● This could fade due to the sun’s rays. You should add a
sealant over a vinyl fence gate to ensure it stays
comfortable.
● Avoid keeping one of these fence gates near spots that kids
or pets might regularly be found in. While the chemicals
that are naturally emitted by a vinyl body will blow away
quite well while outdoors, they can still be harmful if
someone is too close to it for far too much time.

6. Bamboo
❖Bamboo has become a beloved wood material for fence gates
in recent years. This is thanks primarily to how bamboo is a
fast-growing wood that is environmentally friendly.
❖But what’s more is that bamboo has a dense body that won’t
wear out quickly. Bamboo is also made with a thick body that
contains fewer pores.

Pros

● Your gate can feature either solid bamboo wood planks or

cylindrical bamboo panels just like what is found in the
wild. Bamboo is very easy to shape in a number of forms.
● Bamboo offers a beautiful natural tone although you can
also get a great stain added onto it if you prefer.
 ● This can be prepared with a darker base with lighter wood
in the middle part.

Cons

● Although this is a thick and sturdy option, it can chip or

dent if you are not careful.
● Scratches can quickly develop around the bamboo wood.
● You can always choose live bamboo but you would have to
trim it regularly. Live bamboo can grow by about a foot in
a typical year.
● This is not ideal for use in colder areas.

Methods of prevention of materials used for gates and fences

Timber

Timber can deteriorate when it is exposed to wet rot, dry rot, woodworms and
shrinkage

Preservation includes:

· Prevention from dampness

· Application of anti-fungal treatment

· Good ventilation

· Painting to exclude moisture

· Removal of any infected timber

· Application of preservatives such as bitumen, creosote-tar, creosote

Stone

Stone can deteriorate when exposed to acid rain.

 Prevention includes:

· Application of special treatments

· Removal and replacement of damaged stones

Concrete

Concrete can easily be attacked by sulfates.

Prevention includes:

· Addressing any signs of dampness

· Using sulfate-resistant cement

Steel

Corrosion is the main cause of degradation of steel

Prevention includes:

· Galvanizing- that is coating steel with zinc

· Painting which excludes moisture

· Use of stainless steel in areas with high moisture exposure.

PVC
Pvc fencing boards should not be allowed to come into contact with fuels, solvents,
oil, greases, paints (silicones) or heat sources during storage.

Factors to consider when choosing the perfect fence

1. Use of gate or fence
2. Durability of gate or fence
3. Aesthetics of the gate or fence
4. Ease of access
5. Security
6. Privacy
Costing
Building a new fence or gate requires budgeting. There are several factors that
affect the cost of your fence or gate. You can control some of these factors to save
money.

1. Material
The prime factor that affects cost is the material. Luckily, this is a factor you can
control. The most budget-friendly material is chain link, though a simple wire
fence can come in at a lower cost
One factor to keep in mind is maintenance costs associated with your new fence.
The above estimates are based on upfront costs. However, different materials have
higher maintenance costs

2. Size and length

The length of your fence will affect the cost because of the materials involved.
What's more, a longer fence requires more posts to keep it sturdy

3. Labor
Labor is another big factor concerning cost. Your fencing contractors put a lot of
work into building your fence. For instance, with the posts, they must dig the hole,
add cement, and sink the post. Those tasks are difficult and time-consuming. You
can ease some of this cost by trying to keep your fence line as simple and
unobstructed as possible

4. Overhead costs

Overhead expenses are other costs not related to labor, direct materials. They
represent more static costs and pertain to general business functions, such as
paying accounting personnel and facility costs.