Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from dealers and customers, covering products, ordering, and everything in between. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Reach out and our team will get you an answer directly.
Company Overview
What is SHAPES Unlimited?
SHAPES Unlimited, Inc. is your privately held fabricator / wholesale distributor of aluminum building products serving our core Northeast, Southeast and Midwest markets and expanding services to the western U.S. Since its founding in 1996, SHAPES has provided a variety of aluminum extrusions to the window, door, fencing and railing sectors. With in-house fabrication, powder coating facilities and fence panel and gate assembly, we can deliver the breadth of components, along with ready-to-install products to a customer’s facility or job site. By sourcing our products from suppliers, both domestically and internationally, we can provide our customers with the required quality, JIT service, competitive pricing and value-added supply chain solutions.
Where is the SHAPES Unlimited warehouse/fence manufacturing facility?
Our brand new state-of-the-art facility is located at 13001 Mahoning Avenue, North Jackson OH 44451.
Who We Sell To
Can homeowners buy from SHAPES Unlimited?
As a wholesale distributor, we sell only to the trade; we do not sell to the general public. If you wish to contact us regarding pricing or quoting of any kind, you must be part of a contractor, installer, or window manufacturer business, and we would be happy to refer you to one of our qualified partners.
Where do I get SHAPES Unlimited products?
Give us a call, and we can recommend professional companies in your area for your given product and several ECommerce Customers, who would be happy to assist.
Ordering & Payment
How do I place an order with SHAPES Unlimited?
Orders can be emailed in to our order processing team, or faxed in. Orders are acknowledged within 24 hours of receipt, and you will receive a copy of the sales order for your records.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept all major credit cards (up to a maximum dollar amount of $7,500). Wire transfers, ACH transfers, check, and certified checks are also accepted.
Will I pay sales tax on my purchases?
All transactions are taxable according to the laws of the state where the purchase is going unless a resale certificate or tax exemption certificate is provided. We do not charge tax, we have to collect it.
What are my payment terms?
All new customers must be prepayment for the first order to setup a history on the account, and then we can provide a credit application for evaluation. Credit will only be granted to new customers with the meeting of certain prerequisites. Net 30 days terms are awarded to customers who qualify.
What are your general terms and conditions of sale?
Our General Terms and Conditions of Sale are located on our Customer Service page.
Where is your warranty registration information?
Our Warranty Registration form is located on our Customer Service page.
Shipping & Delivery
How does SHAPES Unlimited ship orders?
Our customers have the choice of using FedEx LTL freight, having a SHAPES Unlimited truck deliver to you (up to 20,000 lbs.), or having a 48′ or 53′ box or flatbed truck deliver for full truckload orders (30,000 lbs.+). If you have a preferred LTL or other freight company you would like us to use, simply provide their info and account number and we’ll ship.
How quickly can SHAPES Unlimited ship my order?
Typically, we allow 5-7 days for in stock materials to ship out of the SHAPES warehouse, either with LTL freight or on a SHAPES or contracted truck. Non-stocked materials will have a lead time, which can vary from as little as 1-2 weeks up until 10-16 weeks depending on the product category.
Products, Fabrication & Custom Options
What are knock-down fence products?
We sell full bundles of lineal fence products, also called knock-downs, in Residential, Commercial and Industrial grades, to fence contractors, installers, distributors, etc. We sell these primarily to those companies who build or distribute their own aluminum fence panels, so they can build/install or ship based on their own schedules, instead of having to wait for another fence supplier to build the panels and ship to them. These products are fully fabricated, powder coated, and ready to assemble.
How are knock-down fence products packaged?
All of SHAPES Unlimited, Inc. knock-down fence products, window screen extrusions, and other extrusion are packed and sold in full bundle quantities only. Corner keys, springs, pull tabs, and other hardware for window screen extrusions are sold in full box quantities only.
I've never built aluminum fence panels before. Can you provide me with the items needed to build my own?
Yes we can, that’s one of our specialties! We can provide you with the assembly jigs, color matched assembly screws, diagrams for assembly, on-site assembly training, etc. so you can build your own fence panels resulting in quicker installs as well as gaining an advantage on your competition.
Do you build fence panels as well as supplying knock-down fence products?
Yes, we assemble fence panels through our Assembled Fence, Rail and Gates division. We assemble panels in 3 different grades, Residential, Commercial and Industrial grades. Lead times vary for assembled fence products, but our goal is to have your order ready within 4-5 weeks of placing the order.
Can I buy gates that match the fence products I buy from SHAPES Unlimited?
Yes, we fabricate, weld & powder coat all of our gates in house, which allows us to ensure the gates pass our strict quality standards for workmanship and finishing.
Which will be better for my fence business, knock-down lineal fence products or assembled fence panels? Is there a price difference?
That depends. If you want to build your own fence panels, we would suggest buying the knock-downs so you can assemble panels as needed and install with your own labor; this is the more cost effective way. If you want ready to install panels, also known as job lots, all you have to do is take the fence to the site and install. Pricing can vary, call your sales representative or customer service for accurate pricing.
I have my own routers in-house to fabricate my own custom fence rail design into the posts. Can SHAPES provide me with blank posts ready for fabrication?
Yes we can! We stock a number of powder coated aluminum extrusions that require further processing.
I have my own designs of aluminum fence rail & post profiles, with my own fabrication designs & stocking requirements. Can SHAPES assist me with a stocking agreement?
Yes we can! As a stocking distributor, we can utilize a Master Supply Agreement and stocking agreement to create a customized stocking package tailored specifically for you based on your volume of product usage and frequency of deliveries.
What kind of finish comes on the fence products I buy from SHAPES Unlimited?
All of our decorative aluminum fence products and welded gates have a powder coated finish, meeting or exceeding AAMA standards.
What are aluminum stiffeners for vinyl fence/railing?
Aluminum stiffeners are inserted into the vinyl profile to provide strength, rigidity and prevent sagging or deformation of the vinyl profile due to exposure to heat.
Need Help With Something Else?
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Can't Find What You're Looking For?
Still have questions? Our team is ready to help with pricing, availability, or anything else about becoming a SHAPES Unlimited customer. Reach out and we’ll get you an answer directly.