Preventing Moisture Build Up in Your Wood Fence

Three things should be taken into account when you have a wood fence, to prevent moisture build-up.

  • the type of wood
  • proper water drainage
  • wood protection

The choice of wood is made by taking into account several criteria: durability, resistance, aspect, price etc. Being a natural material, wood can be damaged by moisture, especially in the areas close to the earth, which commonly get affected by rot. That’s why the best wood for fencing is the type used in construction.fence installationWhen building the fence, there are other things to taken into account too. As we said, the biggest problem is decay. Wood that rots in contact with the soil gets more easily damaged by wind, or falls under its own weight. Therefore, in addition to using a resistant type of wood, responsible Arvada fence company contractors must also ensure water drainage and protection of the buried portion of the fence. Proper drainage is ensured if gravel and sand are put in the holes that you dig for the fence poles. If the gravel is also “bonded” with cement instead of earth, the resistance increases even more.

There are also solutions designed to be applied directly on the wood, ensuring moisture proofing and a long lasting beautiful aspect: lacquers, paints, waxes, oils and other impregnation substances. Just remember to choose products designed for outdoor use.

How Far From the Street Can You Build a Fence?

Many people want to maximize the size of their yard by installing the fence on top of their property line. Is this a good idea? And how far from the street can you build your fence?

It depends on where you live and the regulations specific to your city, county and covenant. If you have doubts, the best thing is to refer to the subdivisions protective covenants, or check with planning and zoning. Your experienced fence provider Metro Fence Company Inc, will be able to help you with this information as well.

Before you have your fence installed, get a survey from your county deed and assessor’s office, if you do not have it already, just to be sure that you do not accidentally put the fence outside your property`s line. If you do not do this and install your fence where it doesn’t belong, you will likely have legal issues and may be forced to rebuild your fence.

Typically, a fence must be set 2-8 inches from the property line. However, a subdivision with large yards is different than an urban row home, and those inches may vary, considering that they can make an important difference. This is why jurisdiction must be respected.

Also, if your home is a part of a homeowner’s association, you must comply with the association`s rules about fence placement.

fence installation

Tips for Choosing a Great Fence Gate

Naturally, the first things that attract attention to a property are the fence and gate. These elements have the power to influence the viewers’ perception therefore they must never be underestimated.

When we choose the fence, we must determine whether it will have a decorative or protective role. Its functionality will determine the style, as well as the dimensions and materials. The fence and gate Denver contractors can help you integrate harmoniously with the style of the property and with the design of the yard.

gatesAs far as the front gate is concerned, it can be made from various materials (forged iron, wood, PVC etc.), as long as they make it a good match for the fence and the other exterior elements and arrangements.

You must carefully evaluate your usable space, in order to determine the right type of gate you can install. Am ample space can easily accommodate any design, but smaller areas translate into limited options when it comes to choosing a front gate.

Gates with automatic operation via a remote control become increasingly common, as they provide convenience and security. If you consider installing an automated sliding gate, remember that you need sliding space along the fence. For certain field conformations and less available space, you can opt for an automatic swinging gate, which is more expensive, but it is a price you pay for functionality.

Why Winter is a Great Time for a New Fence

chain link fenceFrom some points of view, winter can be a great time to install a new chain link fence in Denver, especially if you plan to hire a professional worker to do the job. Fencing companies do not have so many projects in the winter, so it is less likely to be put on a waiting list. In addition, you are more likely to benefit from discounts.

Installing a fence in the winter can also be done on your own, if you take into account some valuable advice.

First of all, do not schedule this kind of work in a very cold day, with temperatures below 0 degrees and/ or precipitation, as it will be difficult to dig into a frozen ground and almost impossible to pour concrete for making the fence resistance structure. Make sure weather conditions allow you to work normally, and if they don`t, wait for days with more pleasant temperatures.

Winter is a great time to install a new fence also because landscaping is easier. The yard is dormant, so the vegetation is less likely to be damaged in the process of construction. Besides, winter is a time to relax indoors, by the fireplace and by the time when the weather will become warmer, there will be no fence installation getting in the way of you having fun in the sun.

Things to Consider Before Repairing Your Fence

There are different types of fence problems and some of them can be fixed easier than others. Before repairing your fence, you must take into consideration different aspects.

First, the material your fence is made from. Wood fences are beautiful additions to your property, but they are more prone to damage than other materials. Wood is affected not just by moisture, but also by insects and weather, so before starting a repair project for what seems to be a few broken boards, carefully inspect for other signs of damage too. Pooling water around the fence might need to be redirected and insects destroyed. If you use fillers to patch some boards or replace a few boards altogether, the repairs will be visible forever, as they will likely look different in color, even if they weather in time. This is not necessarily bad, as natural materials are beautiful through their imperfections, but if you prefer a uniform aspect, you should also consider adding a (new) layer of paint to your fence.Westminster CO vinyl fenceWith a vinyl fence, things are way easier, as this material is very resistant, flexible and is not being affected by moisture, weather or insects. It might get damaged only due to heavy impact, and the biggest threat is cracking. Damaged areas must be replaced.

As about metal fences, repairs may require welding and the skills of a Westminster fencing professional with knowledge and equipment for this job.

Regardless the material it is made from, if your fence has some extensive damage, you might also have to consider replacing it instead of repairing it.

How to Make Sure Your Wood Fence Doesn’t Warp

Wood warping is a problem that commonly appears in outdoor elements and applications such as fences or decks. It is caused by changes in moisture content and, as a result, some parts of the wood may start looking different than others and eventually get unusable. Therefore, a fence affected by wood warping will need to be replaced sooner or later.

wooden fence in ArvadaWhen you install a wood fence, you should know that some types of wood have better warp resistance than others. Cedar is very dense, which makes it naturally resistant, and redwood has a natural chemical that prevents moisture from being absorbed. Another type of very stable wood, once it reached its equilibrium moisture content, is fir.

Other than opting for a resistant type of wood, there are some other ways to make sure your wood fence does not warp.

Expert Arvada fencing contractors treat wood properly prior to installation. Wood should not be kept in a humid environment, nor placed directly on the earth. Wood should be stacked uniformly, on a flat surface to have proper air exposure. Stain or paint the boards, when they reach their EMC; this measure will restrict moisture absorption.

What are Snow Fences

Residents in mountain areas have always been affected by the risk of snow slides, in the winter. The need to live alongside this continual threat has led to various attempts to reduce it by building complex systems of artificial structures. These artificial structures are necessary because deforestation and the development of tourism in these regions have led to a reduction in natural barriers that stop snow slides. Also, the intense traffic in these regions implies an increase in security requirements, to protect ski resorts, residential areas, roads and railways.

winter fencesSnow fences greatly reduce the risk of snow slides. Snow expert residential fencing Denver contractors design them to stabilize the snow, prevent it from reaching certain areas, and even stop avalanches, where this risk exists.

When installing a snow fence, you have to take into account certain aspects.

  1. Decide on the areas you must protect from snow slides
  2. Study the direction and intensity of the predominant winter winds
  3. Determine the best distance between the snow fence and the area that needs to be protected. A fence installed too closely will only make things worse
  4. Carefully select the height of the fence. As a general rule, a 2.4 meter snow fence will protect an area of ​​up to 74 centimeters annual snow fall.
  5. Consider multiple rows of fences if needed
  6. Dig holes for fence posts deep enough to bury 1/3 of the height of the post; this ensures the resistance of the fence to wind and the weight of the snow.

Why Vinyl Fencing is Great During Winter

Due to the materials and components they are made of, vinyl fences are very durable and come with very long warranties. Vinyl fences and gates in Denver installed correctly will preserve its aspect regardless of its age and the climatic conditions in the area.

This material does not rust (unlike wrought iron), its color does not fade (unlike wood), so it does not require periodic painting and varnishing.  This type of fence will not get affected by moisture either. Mold stains may appear occasionally, under certain circumstances, but only at the surface of the fence, without affecting its structure, and can be removed easily using water and detergent.

vinyl fencingPVC fences are not infallible; they can also get damaged by heavy impact such as the impact with a vehicle. However, vinyl fences are five times more flexible than other fences, as well as immune to insects attack, fungi and rot.

To have a clean fence, all you need is a water hose and possibly a stain remover. Moreover, unlike other PVC materials that lose their flexibility in cold temperatures, special vinyl components used in fences make them adapt easily to temperature differences (from minus 30 to 60 degrees plus) while maintaining their shape and flexibility.