An ongoing state of emergency 

The Dangers are imminent

Our hearts go out to the people of North Carolina and the massive suffering that they are enduring. The dreadful personal loss, psychological trauma, and physical setbacks are monumental. It is overwhelming to think of the reconstruction and the distribution of supplies that will be necessary for the short term and ongoing. Here, a short example of their present distress: 

Beyond Drastic 

Farmers are devastated. The poultry industry has never seen such unprecedented losses with millions of chickens and turkeys taken by the waters as well as the numerous pork farms that have lost so much. Not only livestock, but also barns, containment structures, and equipment have been damaged and most will face enormous replacement costs. Wire mesh fencing will be a necessity for many farms and parks--both state and federal. For farmers, this will be a watershed (no pun intended) moment as they consider whether to stay in business. Erosion along the coast will require sand fencing and costly structural safeguards. Overall damage estimates may run to 22 billion dollars, and that is probably lowballing it.

A Future

Let's get these people to Thanksgiving Day--that they'll have something to give thanks for, as our country and each of us individually reflects now on the measures to be taken in helping these folks just survive and then rebuild. Interestingly, sending supplies can be more disruptive than helpful, forcing people on the ground to receive, organize, house, and spend time apportioning the goods. Regrettably, what is sent often misses the mark. Sending cash to trusted aid organizations is best for the most part. At Louis Page, we are doing what we can to give assistance with these efforts. 

Mesh: a centerpiece of the game

The screens that surround your Platform Tennis (or paddle tennis if you prefer) court are relied upon unceasingly as the ball remains in play. These walls of mesh can take a beating during play, also from the elements, and from ordinary wear and tear. Now there is a superior mesh on the market all over the U.S. (and indeed, internationally) that sets the bar high for the overall resiliency and longevity of a platform tennis court.

Cause for concern

However, products are flooding the market, in particular, the mass-produced Chinese sources that may be adequate in the short run, but may not stand up in the long haul. Proper galvanization, the tensile strength of the wire and its accurate diameter, and specification of the mesh size are all essential for optimal performance of the game. As the ball hits and bounces off the screen in umpteen directions, the reliability of mesh is key in the moment-to-moment strategizing of the game.

And here we have answers

It is vital that as a court ages, that the durability of the mesh can stand the test of time as the court is exposed to the elements and daily use. In the past, the galvanized wire cloth used for the screens of our courts were machined by Gilbert & Bennett from Georgetown, Connecticut, a company that had made all the wire cloth in the country. The company's closing in 1989 left a void in sourcing mesh for the paddle tennis industry and thus the search was on for an equivalent manufacturer. Regrettably, this is when poultry netting produced in China appeared on the scene as the worldwide hunt for a source ensued. Thankfully, a steel wire company in Belgium named Betafence emerged and became the manufacturer until a few years ago.

From Belgium to Bogota

With map in hand, we now travel to a small town near Bogota, Colombia named Cajica, where a factory exists that carries on this tradition of creating the finest platform tennis mesh. The identical state-of-the-art machinery, that Betafence has maintained for 28 years, has made the voyage to Cajica and the company Andimallas y Andimetales S.A. has now been established, producing a mesh of that same high quality.

It's in the details...

The installation of these machines was carried out by the same technicians that had been involved in Belgium for generations so that the quality, standards, and specifications have been maintained scrupulously. There are huge advantages of working with this type of mesh: it is smoother, easier to install and it can also be tensioned to have exactly the same rigidity as the galvanized after weave mesh, and the galvanization is stronger than the other galvanization system--240 grms-zinc/m2. Rolls are 16 gauge, 1” mesh, 72” x 157.5’ and weigh 296 lbs. 

Winning Team

The mesh is known as "Hexa Sport" and Louis Page has exclusive rights to supply and distribute this mesh for the American market. Louis Page is excited to be teamed with the international company Andimallas y Andimetales S.A., a specialist in the production of hexagonal mesh and we endeavor to supply and rejuvenate Platform Tennis courts across the nation. With 125 years in the business, Louis Page stands front and center in its commitment to delivering the finest in mesh and fence products available. With your game hanging in the balance, here is a resilient mesh that will keep that ball in play.

Rolls are in stock and large orders (40 rolls/container) are made to order.

A three-year project to save the endangered Hawaiian Petrel. 

In the lava crevices on the slopes of Moana Loa, the Hawaiian petrel nests. Now a bit less nervously as a 5-mile hexagonal mesh fence protects these endangered birds from feral cats, who stalk and feast on the birds' vulnerable chicks. The curved floppy top of the fence prevents the cats from successfully scaling it. Take a look at this video which explains the massive undertaking of installing this cat-proof wire mesh fence in a remote location as well as showing the nesting habits of the 'ua'u (or Hawaiian petrel.) 

There used to be thousands of petrels and it is said that their presence would blacken the skies at particular times of the year. The population has dwindled due to increased settlements and people bringing in cats, rats, and barn owls. The struggle goes on as lights are very disorienting to the young birds, causing groundings, which leave them vulnerable to predators. The 'ua'u is also preyed upon by Indian mongooses and feral dogs which this fence also restrains. Two years on, there are reports that this hexagonal mesh fence is proving successful as there is an upturn in the number of nesting sites in the area.   

Tell us about the job and Louis Page will supply the type of fence you need. 

Louis Page assists in protecting people from lava flows--and themselves.

There are some fencing products on their way to Hawaii. It seems some physical barriers are required to offset the lava-play aficionados and looky-loos that are putting themselves at peril. For us at home, observing the mesmerizing lava flows from your screen of choice is a popular pastime, quite understandably. However, far from these screens is the tough job of predicting the actions of people who are curious or foolhardy enough to want to get close to the volcanic activity. Louis Page has been called in to help supply the fence and mesh needed to curb these adventurous and possibly harebrained scofflaws. Remember that vinyl coated high tensile wire is the fence of choice for longevity and strength.  

An over-reaction? I don't think so. 

The dangers are numerous:

• Those fascinating sea water explosions of boiling water and steam require onlookers to be at least a 1/4 of a mile away for safety. That steam is not just water vapor! 
• Methane gas is created when vegetation is inundated without oxygen, exploding up to 100 yards ahead of the lava flow.
• The flows emit fumes that contain glass particles, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid--no walking or standing in these toxic clouds.
• And some folks are enticed onto the new land created by the lava hitting the ocean--called benches--which are very unstable and prone to collapse.

Tourists and Hawaiian residents, observing bursts of gas and flame from the streams of lava, are being arrested for walking on hardened igneous rock and trespassing citations are handed out as people avoid barricades to take pictures, being caught going through areas with toxic gases.

Pele's Hair

And if the above list wasn't enough, there are the fine flaxen tresses of Pele. Named for the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, droplets of cooling lava are stretched up to six feet in the wind and should not be touched as it is actually volcanic fiberglass that can be very sharp and penetrate the skin. Here is a quick video to illustrate this phenomenon:

The Bad News

Entering certain zones bring a $5000 penalty and a year in jail. These reflect fines and punishments increased recently by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.  

Is there a type of fence that you need to manage or direct pedestrians? Louis Page can assist you in finding just the right fence for your site.

 Pool Safety First

Getting serious about a swimming pool? Great! However, don't ignore the fence around the pool and pool area--particularly in the case of young children who are curious and are intrigued by water, and will undoubtedly want to investigate the area where all the fun happens. The right fence and mesh products are an indisputable protection. Too many folks have suffered tragic losses--when one thinks about how easy it is to get caught up with what you're doing and for a toddler to slip from your periphery. Vigilance is naturally the key, but it's advised, well more than that, it is mandatory to have solid backup--meaning reliable products that help in our struggle to keep our pool environments a safe place--reserved for refreshment, relaxation, and fun. 

No doubt you have put a lot of thought into the plans for the pool and its surrounds--the shape, depth, and position of the pool, the appropriate (and beautiful) landscaping, and all the details that will bring your ideas to fruition. Here are some thoughts about some necessities to check off your list.

Self-Closing Gates

Consulting the town building inspector is one of your first stops. Requirements and restrictions are an important key to your pool project. If this is a DIY project, familiarizing yourself with your local pool safety laws concerning your fence and various specifications is vital. Self-closing gates are a good example: a child is not necessarily going to close a gate, particularly if the goal of being in the pool is tantamount! So a self-closing gate is really a universal requirement.

If you are having the fence installed by a reputable fence company any questions you may have can be answered by them. Still, understanding the codes ahead of time will help you anticipate these obligations.

A Fence that Protects Against the Unthinkable

We must face the fact that installing an excellent fence around the pool of your dreams is for everyone's safety and quite literally a protection for you and your family and friends against catastrophe. Planning the fence is as important as designing the pool.

Here are some, not all, above-ground and in-ground swimming pool barrier requirements: 

• 48 inches in height or higher
• should not be climbable
• is foothold-free
• have self-closing gates
• have self-latching gates
• handhold-free
• small openings: horizontal - no wider than 1-3/4"; vertical - no higher than 4"
• able to be locked
• a clearance from ground level to the barrier should less than 4 inches

Thankfully, there are a variety of styles of pool fence that meet code requirements. 

Moving on, If you are presently planning to upgrade your current fence or planning to install a new fence, one of your choices is fence panels or cutting a welded wire fence roll. Here are some further ideas:

Panels or Do-It-Yourself

A little more costly, a swift and straightforward method for ensuring safety around a pool are panels that are made flat and cut to your specifications. The savings in time may be worth it. The number of finishes, gauges, and configurations of mesh are many and come in sheets that are unframed. The frames can be created during the time the panels are being delivered. 

To save some money, you can cut the welded wire fence roll into panels yourself. Bear in mind that this will provide some challenge and that two cuts are required for each panel, the first panel excepting. The cut wires that remain exposed must be trimmed so that they are not left ragged. Some fortitude is necessary as wire cutting demands a steady hand and some patience. Naturally, the thicker the gauge of the wire, more strength will be required. On that, going the panel route saves quite a bit of your time and spares your hand.

And for you Do-It-Yourselfers--as welded wire has a memory, so to speak--roll the cut panel in reverse, tie it up, and let it soak up the sun for a day. 

Mesh and Gauge: the facts

The mesh openings, wire gauges, and finishes are identical in the cut panels or in the rolls, and on that, we have a post which may be helpful in making the right fence choices--just follow this link to read about it. 

Opening sizes for mesh are available in various possibilities of finish: galvanized, vinyl coated, stainless steel and plain steel. Standard sized roll widths for the panels, which are made flat and cut to size, come in 72", 60", 36", 24" and 18". However, the length can vary somewhat, depending on your need. Please feel free to ring us with any questions--(800) 225-0508.