It’s one thing to follow a spec. It’s another to question it, improve it, and deliver it without compromise. We take a strong concept and deliver it on the ground.
“We can save the client thousands of euros with fifteen minutes on site at the early stage of the project.” – Shane Winters, Managing Director
Design teams are asked to satisfy aesthetics, safety, durability and budget – often with details that only get tested on a muddy Tuesday, months after the design has been signed off and built into the budget. By then, if a technical challenge appears, it’s even harder to engineer a solution. The challenges are too many to list, but include things like fencing size, transportation, site access, safety, and clashes with ducts, cable trays or sprinkler pipework – all surfacing long after the fencing drawings are signed. Our role is simple: protect the intent, simplify the build, and remove the friction between drawing and ground.
Last month we discussed our solution to planning for overhead services – see HERE
Irish Fencing sits in the space between the drawing board and the digger. The architect sets the intent-form, line, rhythm-and we use decades of shop-floor and site experience to make that intent buildable, compliant and on budget. Our job is to translate a beautiful idea into a durable detail: right-size the sections and centres, check how the fence meets the ground, and engineer fixings that pass muster long after hand-over. Take the classic sketch of railings “sitting on” a wall: elegant on paper, but the wall may not carry the load. We’ll propose a buildable interface-pockets through the wall, baseplates to an RC upstand, or independent posts-so the look survives while the structure stands up.
We coordinate the conversation between architect, builder and client, then hand a clear solution to the structural engineer to sign off. In short: protect the vision, solve the problems early, and deliver something that lasts.
Case Study 1 – Dominick’s Bridge, Drogheda
The intent: a light, open riverside balustrade – elegant, transparent, and in keeping with the setting.
The challenge: the stainless-wire infill created gaps too wide to meet child-safety standards and carried a high fabrication cost.
Specified → Simplified: when the design team asked, “What can we do?”, we suggested downsizing a proven railing detail we had previously delivered for Dublin Port. The solution stayed true to the initial design, keeping the curved top rail and twin-handrail language, but swapping the infill to mild-steel round bars at tighter centres – engineered for load, durability, and budget.
Outcome: safer, cleaner lines and a more economical build. The finished railing drew praise from all quarters – including the Managing Director of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, who singled it out on a site visit to the bridge.
Domincks Bridge – click to see case study
Dublin Port inspiration – click for case study
Case Study 2 – Distillers Building, Smithfield, Dublin
The intent: striking sliding and swing gates that match the scheme’s architecture.
The issue: the design existed as a concept, not a working detail – no allowance for site tolerances, loads or logistics.
Specified → Simplified: we measured on site, produced manufacturing drawings, resolved track geometry, posts, section sizes and clearances, and coordinated installation methodology.
Outcome: the architect’s look, delivered as a robust, serviceable gate system that works every day.
Case Study 3 – St Mel’s Cathedral, Longford
The intent: honour the historic frontage; deliver new side and rear railings that sit comfortably with it.
The issue: the original front railings were partially damaged; matching their mass everywhere would be unnecessary and costly.
Specified → Simplified: we restored the original frontage (custom moulds), then designed modern railings for the flanks – visually sympathetic, lighter and more economical, and fully engineered for fixings and durability.
Outcome: heritage respected, budget protected, and a coherent perimeter.
What we refine most (so drawings work first time)
- Section sizes & centres – right-sizing posts/rails so weight, spans and loads make sense.
- Wall–fence interfaces – foundations, baseplates, pockets and anchors decided before the wall is built.
- Tolerances & handling – design for real weights and on-site access; avoid details that look neat but can’t be installed.
- Coatings & fixings – life expectancy matched to environment; data, not vague “powder-coated” lines.
“If there’s a wall, talk to the fencing contractor before you build it.” – Shane Winters, Managing Director
When to bring us in (and who signs what)
- Earliest helpful point: concept to developed design (RIBA 2–3). A 30-minute review gets everyone aligned on sections, fixings and interfaces.
- Design assurance: we propose the buildable detail; structural engineer signs off for BCAR.
- On site: we’ll mark pockets, agree sequences and keep the whole thing tidy at hand-over.
Five prompts for design teams (pre-tender)
- What section sizes/centres match the spans and loads here?
- How will the wall–fence connection be built (pockets/baseplates/foundations)?
- What’s the coating spec (microns, process) for this environment?
- Have we allowed for tolerances/handling of real panel weights?
- Can we see a sample or mock-up before we lock the spec?
Fit the intent, simplify the build.
Need a quick spec review? Send drawings to info@irishfencing.com – we’ll highlight risks, suggest buildable options, and keep your design intact.
We manufacture fences in Ireland. And we’re sound.