When it comes to building a fence I would recommend calling in a professional. If you do decide to DIY (do it yourself) or have fence repairs to tackle, make sure you do your homework and ask questions before you start any project. Whether you do it yourself or hire a pro here are some important tips that will help your fence stand the test of time.
Link to Mclassic Metal
Will you need a permit to build a fence? Probably not, but it&#;s a good rule of thumb to always check with your local municipality for up to date building codes. Also, check your survey and make sure there are no issues or easements with your fence. I once heard about a homeowner that was ready to sell their home only find out that their fence was encroaching on the neighbours property. It should have been highlighted when the property was originally bought but it was never disclosed. The neighbours wouldn&#;t settle and the homeowner had to remove part of the fence and mark out the property line with paving stones.
Make sure you know where your property lines are before you a start fence installation or repair. There also might be bylaws on the fence height and appearance.
I&#;m sure you&#;ve seen fences that are back to back. This probably means that at some point the two neighbours weren&#;t willing to be very neighbourly and built two fence walls back to back, each on their own property. Hopefully, with your new fence, you can share the one fence line and the costs. If you do, it might also be a good idea to have some sort of written agreement in place before any construction starts.
Remember to call before you dig so all your underground utility lines are clearly marked. Do your homework.
If you are replacing an existing fence or doing major repairs, make sure it was installed in the correct spot in the first place.
When it comes to replacing fences or any existing outdoor projects, keep in mind the do&#;s and don&#;ts of before you get started on your projects.
Fixing or installing a fence post with concrete is time consuming and labor intensive. I prefer an expanding foam, which replaces two bags of concrete. It&#;s called Sika Post Fix &#; an easy-to-prepare, mix-in-the-bag and fast setting polyurethane foam.
This is a two component, mix-in-the-bag expanding foam that I&#;ve been using on my projects. Here is how it works:
Make sure your fence layout is clearly marked with stakes and line (and checked against a recent survey to make sure you are within your property line). It&#;s a good idea to mark your fence approximately 6&#; from within your property line to accommodate the post and fence structure, less space is required if you are doing a chain link or metal fence.
Remember to address any slopes or elevated ground that may affect your fence layout and installation. For minor sloping, you can use a racked fence, which means the rail (the horizontal bar between fence posts) remains parallel to the ground in all panels. For steeper slopes use a stepped fence format, which looks exactly like it sounds, your fence will look like steps. Take care when doing a stepped fence, as you will have to individually cut your panels to follow the slope.
Wood fences are the most common as they tend to be the most economical and there are several choices available from pressure treated (most cost efficient) to cedar or redwood (more costly) to name a few, but all of them require regular maintenance. Composite and vinyl fences may be more costly upfront but will require less maintenance than natural materials.
For proper and secure post-installation use 6&#; x 6&#; posts for your wooden fence, not 4&#; x 4&#; and remember to properly brace your posts while they are setting. This will ensure your fence and gate are strong.
Whether you choose to use strap hinges or butt hinges, use 3 sets of hinges instead of 2, as the additional hinge will provide more support to the gate.
Use galvanized or stainless steel screws and nails as they are resistant to rust and corrosion.
Make sure your fence posts are installed at least 36&#; deep into the ground, but I would highly suggest 48&#; deep. Again, the more secure your fence the longer it will last. As a general rule, posts should be at least 6&#; below the frost line.
Make sure your posts are secure and properly installed fill the holes with mixed concrete (mixed in a bucket and not mixed in the hole!) or expanding foam. Personally, I am a HUGE fan of Sika Post Fix. It will save you so much time!
To prevent water from affecting your fence posts and causing frost heave, add gravel to the bottom of your hole for extra drainage
This may seem obvious but make sure your fence posts are plum and your fence is level along the top and in a straight line!
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Wood is the most common and probably the most economical fence material, especially if you use pressure treated wood.
Composite fencing is made of recycled fibres, plastics and adhesives that can mimic natural wood. It&#;s available in a limited amount of colours and styles. It&#;s easy to maintain, as it doesn&#;t require staining or painting. Composite is durable, though over time may fade, scratch and stain. Composite is about twice as expensive as wood.
Like composite, vinyl is available in many colours, styles and textures, though it can still look plastic. It doesn&#;t need to be painted or stained and is long lasting, as it won&#;t warp, splinter, blister or rot.
Metal fences are coated galvanized steel or aluminum. They are easy to clean with minimal maintenance and are recyclable. If rust appears, it can be removed and treated with a rust primer and paint.
Metal fences are strong and durable and come in a variety of styles. Metal may cost more than wood but is still inexpensive.
Chain link fences are strong, durable and economical (comparable to wood) but tend to be a bit industrial looking, however, they are ideal when fencing a large wooded area.
Take advantage of the warm weather when it comes to building a fence and learn more about other summer maintenance tips that might be on your checklist.
July 30,
Introduction
Looking to build a new fence on your property and having a hard time knowing which material to choose? Arborist Now is here to help!
There are many diverse options as to what can be used for materials for your backyard fence. This means you can choose any style or design you really want easily without being limited by your options.
We are going to be taking a look at our four favorite choices for fencing material as well as providing a nifty guide on helping you choose what the best option is for you.
Colorful Tulips Against a White Fence - Photo by Kristina Paukshtite
The most important aspect to think about before you go shopping for your perfect fence is the material you want to make it out of. What should you consider when you make your choice?
First, let&#;s consider why you want to put in a fence. Are you simply looking for an aesthetically pleasing addition to your backyard? Is it for privacy? Will the fence be used to keep children and pets inside of it?
Whatever your reasons may be, they are the strongest indicators of which material you should buy. Make sure that before you purchase any materials, you have considered every single thing the fence will be used for.
All of the materials we have chosen look very, very different from each other. They can also all be built into very different fence designs. What do you want your fence to look like? What colors and textures will look best with your landscaping?
Having a fence that is functional and looks great will ensure that you will love it for years to come.
Different materials will cost you different amounts. This refers both to actually buying the raw material on its own and the cost to pay someone to build the fence or to build it yourself.
Make sure before you start with this project that you have a budget in mind and a dollar amount that is the maximum you want to spend. That way you have a little wiggle room while considering materials, and narrowing them down will be much easier.
Lastly, the climate that you live in and where you are located are important factors to heavily consider. If you live somewhere with an HOA, they may have certain restrictions on the types of fencing you can put up. Also, different climates are better for certain materials.
Making sure to research any laws and/or HOA rules before getting started, as well as how the material you choose will do in your weather, are great steps to take before choosing a material and style of fence.
Now that we have all the basic questions to keep in mind while choosing a material, let&#;s go through some of the options you have that we think are the best choices. We will consider the positives, negatives, pricing, and purposes that all of these different fencing materials have.
For more Roll Top Fenceinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
The first choice on our list is composite fencing.
If you aren&#;t sure what this type of material consists of, it is generally created from different recycled materials like wood fibers and plastic. The end result is a fantastic fencing material that actually looks like a real wood fence.
It is called "composite fencing" due to the word composite referring to the process of bringing together two or more materials that aren&#;t similar to create something better and stronger. For this particular material of course, this refers to the plastic and wood fibers.
Pros
We absolutely love this material for several different reasons. The first being that it is an incredibly dense, stable, durable product that is mostly unaffected by moisture. This makes it a great candidate for the perfect fencing material, as it won&#;t be damaged over time by weather and nature, even if you live somewhere extremely humid or rainy.
Another aspect that is really great about composite fencing is that it is environmentally friendly. The material is made up almost entirely of recycled materials, which keeps plastic out of landfills.
The fences made of this material are very low-maintenance when it comes to cleaning and maintaining them. They are also very easy to build and install in your yard.
The material also gorgeous. It looks almost just like real wood, except that it does do better with moisture. If you are interested in a wood fence but are concerned about how it will hold up, this is the material for you.
Cons
The only negative aspect to consider for this material is that it is considerably more expensive than other types of fencing materials. Per linear foot, this material can cost anywhere from $9 to $45 depending on the quality and the type of fencing you are considering.
White Vinyl Fencing with Decorative Posts - Photo by Brett Sayles
Next on our list, we have vinyl fencing. This is another great choice for your yard, and it&#;s really popular in residential neighborhoods as well.
Vinyl fencing is a type of plastic fencing created with PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This material is mixed with other materials to create an incredibly strong, durable fence that can withstand any kind of weather.
Pros
This type of fencing is very easy to care for. You won&#;t experience any issues with warping or rotting, and the fence will not split or blister like other materials do. This material won&#;t ever need to be painted, stained, or sanded&#;it will consistently look the same for as long as you have it in your yard. You can simply spray the fence with a hose to clean it off, too.
It is also incredibly safe for children and pets. They will not be able to easily get over or through the vinyl fence, and it is not treated with any harmful chemicals for them to ingest. There are also no splinters or nails for them to hurt themselves on.
Cons
One of the negatives that people tend to mention about this type of fencing is that it isn&#;t quite as pretty as having a wood fence. However, there are also many people who love the clean white look of a vinyl fence.
Another aspect to consider is that algae, mold, and mildew can build up on vinyl fences and cause ugly stains if they are not washed regularly.
This material is also more expensive than wood. It will cost anywhere from $20-40 per linear foot for the materials.
Image by Rita Und Mit from Pixabay
Wood fencing does, of course, make our list, as it is a gorgeous addition to any landscaping and a favorite among many homeowners.
Pros
The aesthetics of having a wooden fence cannot really be beaten by any other material. Wooden fences are natural, easy to make into any style you desire, and absolutely beautiful.
They also tend to cost less than purchasing vinyl or composite fencing. There are different factors to consider, such as the quality and type of wood you go with, but you will still see a significant price difference.
Installation is fairly simple too. Most of the materials you will need to build and install it yourself can be found at your local hardware stores. Adding railings, flower boxes, or other elements is easily done with a wood fence too.
Cons
Wood fencing is going to be a lot harder to maintain than other materials. It is more likely to be infested by bugs or even rot after long periods of time. Maintenance will be a fairly constant and consistent task if you go with a wooden fence.
Moisture can also be very damaging to a wood fence. The material can warp, causing the fence posts to lean or even fall if they aren&#;t inspected regularly.
A Wrought Iron Fence Lined with Flowering Shrubs
Our last choice that we love for fencing material is wrought iron fencing.
This is a gorgeous, sophisticated, vintage-looking fencing material that will definitely add some character to your home and landscaping.
Pros
Wrought iron fencing is incredibly strong&#;even more so than wood and vinyl fencing. This makes it a fantastic choice for a security fence, as it will be much harder for an intruder to get through.
It is also fairly easy to maintain, especially if you have it painted. Paint keeps away any tiny pits that may form in the metal, which will cause the fencing to corrode over time.
It is also a very aesthetically pleasing look, and the material is versatile. You can make all kinds of different designs for your fence with wrought iron.
Cons
This is definitely a very expensive choice for fencing material. It will cost you around $25 to $30 per linear foot.
A White Picket Fence Accented with a Variety of Flowers
Now that you have the right questions in mind and different materials to choose from, you are all ready to get started!
If you do find that you need some additional assistance in creating the perfect fence for your landscaping, contact a landscape architect for some professional assistance.
Concerned about installing fencing near your trees, or do you have a tree that is encroaching on your backyard fence? Contact Arborist Now for help addressing these and all your other tree concerns!
Originally published on June 15, .
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit 358 Security Fence.