Concrete Fence
By: Amanda Campbell
Updated: August 16, 2010
Homeowners across the country are now looking for alternatives to wood fencing that has to be treated each year and replaced about every five years. Concrete block walls like this have become very popular.
PROTO II is a post tension masonry fence system used primarily for subdivision wall construction, residential and multi-family fencing, commercial and industrial.
The special features of the system include a concrete masonry unit (CMU) of various widths (depending on wall height requirements) that has molded tongue and grove head joints so only the bed joint (horizontal) is mortared which allows for a much higher production rate than conventionally laid masonry. The post tension rods are anchored into the foundation and tensioned with a plate on the top course to achieve the desired strength required for wind loads. This saves labor as well as material dollars over conventional-steel reinforced concrete grouting inside the block.
Also, the CMU can be produced with many decorative colors and textures, such as split face, sand blasted or ground face. Several different footing options can be used depending on soil conditions. Each wall is engineered accordingly and the design engineer shall also check and sign off on the torque of the rods. The system must be installed by a licensed installer.
