What to Check on a Fence Sample Before Ordering
TL;DR
- PrimeAlux offers free samples. Look at the sample outdoors, at different times of day, next to your house.
- Check the colour, the surface texture, the slat profile and the slat edges.
- Compare what you hold with what the quote names. Sample sizes and what each sample includes are available upon request.
A product photo shows you a fence on a screen. A sample shows you the colour next to your brick, the texture under your hand and the edges where the slats end. Most of what you want to learn from a sample takes a few minutes and a window.
The checklist
| Check | How | Write down |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Hold it outside in direct sun, then in shade, then near a window in the evening | Whether it still reads as the colour you want |
| Against your house | Hold it next to brick, siding, the deck and the gate or door colour | Anything that clashes |
| Surface and texture | Run your hand over it, and look at it from an angle | Smooth, grained or textured |
| Slat profile | Measure it against the 100 × 20 mm slat size | Whether it matches the product page |
| Edges and joins | Look at the ends and where slats meet the frame | Anything rough or uneven |
| What a short sample cannot show | Remember that a short piece does not show the stiffness or performance of a full panel | Questions to ask about the full panel |
Colour and finish
PrimeAlux fences come in four standard colours, and the product pages also mention powder-coat colours and textures. The Privacy and Privacy Plus pages list a UV-resistant 3-layer and powder coating finish. A sample cannot show you years of weather, so use it for colour and texture, which it shows well.
Light changes colour. Check the sample at more than one time of day, and photograph it in the spot where the fence will go. For finish ideas see our post on aluminum fence colours.
Free samples
Ask for a sample
Free samples are available. Request one through the contact form or call (437) 333-3032.
Slat profile and orientation
The slats are 100 × 20 mm. Orientation is horizontal or vertical, and it changes how the fence reads from the street. If the sample is a single slat, hold it both ways and picture the run. The three panel types, Privacy, Semi-Privacy and Privacy Plus, differ in slat spacing and reinforcement, and one sample may not show that. Ask what the sample represents.
Key facts
- A sample cannot show you years of weather, so use it for colour and texture, which it shows well.
- Sample sizes and contents are available upon request.
- Compare it with the panel type, colour and slat orientation on your quote. If they differ, ask which is correct before you order.
Ask about the sample itself
- Which panel type and colour is it?
- Is it a slat, a section of panel, or a finish chip?
- How big is it?
Sample sizes and contents are available upon request. You can ask for a sample on the contact page. The product pages offer a sample visit, and PrimeAlux has a shop in Mississauga.
At the sample
Tick items off as you go. Your ticks stay in this browser and are never sent.
Visit the shop
Visiting for a sample?
Call (437) 333-3032 before you travel so we can have the sample ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are samples free?
Yes. The product pages state that free samples are available so you can see the product and handle it.
Can I look at a sample in person?
The product pages offer a sample visit, and PrimeAlux has a shop in Mississauga. Contact us before you travel so we can have the sample ready.
Will a sample show the whole fence?
Not necessarily. A sample shows colour, texture and slat profile. It may not show the slat spacing of Semi-Privacy or the reinforcement of Privacy Plus. Ask what your sample includes.
The product pages list the specifications for each panel type.
What should I compare the sample with?
Compare it with the panel type, colour and slat orientation on your quote. If they differ, ask which is correct before you order.
This article is general planning information. Product specifications come from the PrimeAlux product pages and may change. Confirm dimensions, mounting and installation details with PrimeAlux before ordering, and check your local bylaws and permit requirements. This is not engineering or legal advice.
