Evaluating What Type of Stain Can Work Best for Wooden Fences

Wooden elements often have to be coated or painted or treated in some way in order to prevent them from succumbing to the elements. When you have a wooden fence, it’s even more important to take proper care of it. Unlike siding and roofing, fences are in the full firing line of the elements, often being bombarded with wind, rain and UV rays from all directions. This means your wooden fence might actually need all the protection it can get.

Now, you can treat your fence with various oils, paints and special coatings. However, not all of them will be effective. Stain is an important additional option you can consider. Unlike paint, stain is more watery, and it actually seeps into the wood while providing you with the means to still view the wooden texture in all of its glory – especially if you use a transparent stain.

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Of course, in many cases residential fencing company Denver stain professionals will actually recommend an opaque stain if you want to protect your fence in the best possible way. Opaque staining products will act almost like paint, except that instead of just covering the wood with a layer of colorful coating, it actually drains into the wood for added protection.

This quality of stain makes opaque staining one of the most efficient methods for protecting your wooden fence without sacrificing its beauty and texture. You can choose a transparent stain for less protection and an opaque stain for complete protection from sunlight, wind and water damage, depending on your specific needs.

Of the Fence Types – Which One Is Durable and Affordable

In case you are planning to install a new fence around your property, you may be interested in finding out which is the most durable and cost-efficient type of fence. A Better Business Bureau accredited residential fencing company in Denver suggests that before starting a fencing project, there are certain details you may want to consider. This includes budget, the exact purpose of your fencing system, such as for pet containment, privacy and so on, or the typical climate for your region.

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The most durable type of fencing is masonry wall fencing. In this category we could include brick, stone, stucco, concrete or block. This type of fencing is recommended in a wide variety of climate conditions. At the same time, masonry is renowned for blocking out sounds, so it is recommended in noisy neighborhoods.

Another super strong kind of material is steel. Because they do not bend or bow easily, steel fences cannot be easily damaged or vandalized. Despite the fact that steel fences can rust if they are located on coastal areas, they are usually resistant to outside weather, especially in case they are coated with a layer of zinc.

Aluminum or wrought iron fences are yet some other great options for those who want a durable and relatively affordable type of fencing.

What is the Best Motorized Gate For Residential Homes

Burglar resistance could be defined as the capacity of a certain door or gate to keep unwanted visitors outside, thus keeping the building safe. It is very important to know which motorized gates are best for residential homes, especially if you are concerned about the general safety of your home.

Apart from the safety aspects, a gate also makes the first impression of your home and general feel of your living environment. Automatic gates give you the comfort of knowing that kids, pets, uninvited vehicles and persons stay outside of your property.

Swing and sliding doors are among the most popular. They can be manufactured in different styles and sizes, in timber or steel. In fact, motorized gates are usually made of basically four types of materials, namely: timber, steel, PVC and aluminum. Each of these materials can offer different advantages, depending on your specific wants and needs. For instance, you can go for an aluminum gate which has a wood grain type of finish, and thus enjoy the functional benefits of aluminum combined with the beauty of the timber imitation.

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Despite the fact that the Internet abounds in information, including DIY specifications and ideas, it is highly recommended to ask for advice from a qualified gate installation residential fencing company Denver team.

How to Protect Your Residential Fence from Summer Heat

Residential fences are an important part of your property, and protecting them from outside elements is quintessential to the longevity and safety of your home.

The summer sun can deteriorate mostly any type of fence, but especially wood fences. In order to make sure that your fence is safe and sound in summer, you probably may need to take measures in the previous seasons, starting from the fall and winter of the previous year. Thus, you may need to replace any rotten pickets or rusty hinges, before they get more deteriorated and cause more severe problems to your residential property.

Cleaning away any kind of debris or vegetation is also of paramount importance for keeping your residential fence in a good shape. Before preparing for sun proofing procedures, it is very important to clean your fence properly, probably with a pressure washer.

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Residential fencing company Denver experts recommend that painting or staining your wooden fence with UV-resistant covering is the next thing to do in order to have a safe and sound fence all throughout the hot summer days.

You can use a brush or a sprayer, depending on the type of product that you are using and on the instructions that are typically printed on the product’s package.

 

Taking a Look at How to Maintain Your Wooden Fence Most Effectively

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Wood fence maintenance is essential if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on installing a new fence once every few years. The following tips from a wooden residential fencing company Denver pro will help you ensure that and keep your wooden fence happy and healthy for a longer time:

  • One of the main things to check for is whether there might be any loose nails that are visible around the pickets. If you find any, make sure to hammer them back into place to keep your fence in good condition and keep it resilient.
  • Insect damage is a big one. No matter how well it’s treated, wood is still an organic material, and insects and termites can easily take an interest in your wooden fence. So make sure you check regularly to see whether your fence is infested in any particular area.
  • Keep any large bushes, weeds and vines away from your fence. Wooden fences are easily tipped over by larger weights when they lean on them. Also, keeping vegetation away from your fence can prevent moisture damage and mold.
  • Posts should be fastened securely into the ground, and the soil around them shouldn’t be washed away by excessive water. If that happens, you might have to remove some of the dislodged soil and mud and ensure that your fence posts go deeper into the ground.

Is it Time for a New Fence?

Fences add personality to your property and may also provide privacy and security, but only if they are in good shape. Do you know whether it is time for a new fence, or you can keep the existing one for a few more years?

You can get the right answer by inspecting your fence closely. If you find the following problems, it might be the right time to consider calling a front range residential fencing company Denver contractor to build a new fence, because this one is nearing the end of its lifespan:

  • Sections where boards are coming off, or rotten boards
  • The fence is leaning and you can no longer make it stand up straight
  • Cracks and splits in the wood
  • Metal posts and links rusted all the way through
  • Grayish and/or yellowish colored stains
  • Mold, mildew, or moss growth
  • Small holes in the wood, caused by wood eating pests

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It is also time for a new fence when an accident such a tree falling or a vehicle running through the side of the fence causes irremediable damage.

Also, if your fence doesn’t match the rest of your property anymore, or looks like it has been installed by several different people, you can also take the decision to replace it.

Tips for Mending a Broken Fence Post

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Fence posts are usually made from strong material, but even these resilient components can break or get damaged if they are exposed to the elements for too long or if they are affected by other forms of impact. A broken fence post will compromise the strength of the entire fence, so it is very important to have a BBB A+ rated residential fencing company in Denver fix the post right away. If you choose to try to do the repair on your own, here are some suggestions:

Wooden posts – wood is sensitive to moisture, to extreme heat or cold and to insect attacks. If you notice any rot, signs of an infestation with pests or cracking, see whether the damaged part can be removed and replaced with some suitable repair material – if the damage is too extensive, you might have to replace the post. To prevent the recurrence of the problem, apply suitable surface treatment on the repaired post or on the replacement post;

Metal posts – the only things that can get to metal are rust and physical impact. If your post develops rust, remove it with some suitable chemical, then apply rust preventive coating; if the post has been bent by strong winds or animals, straighten it and make sure that the base holds the post firmly in place. If necessary, dig a hole around the post and fill it with cement to ensure stability.

How to Maintain a Cedar Fence

Wood is a natural material, so wooden fences are the most exposed type of fences to the elements: sun, frost, moisture, pests and mold affect them directly, so they need constant maintenance and even refurbishing. You do not need any in-depth specialized knowledge to know what you need to do to protect your wooden fence, but sometimes the help of a cedar residential fencing company Denver pro can be helpful.

Before you get started, check if the fence is in good condition. Rain, wind, frost, or even insects and animals can affect the integrity of a fence, so it is advisable to repair the problems before you begin the maintenance operations.

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For this you need to check each nail, screw, plank or railing and fix the loose or broken elements. Make sure you also inspect carefully the bottom of the fence, where the planks meet the ground, to identify and potential rot issues.

The next step is cleaning the fence and sanding it (which helps removing scratches and roughness caused by moisture and allows the lacquer/ paint to adhere better). The final step in the wood fence maintenance involves the application of lacquer or paint, with the role of protecting the fence from the weather and the action of pests and enhancing its aspect.

Cutting Costs on a New Fence

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The first aspect to consider when you try to cut costs on a new fence is scheduling the installation during winter, because contractors are not so busy and may be even willing to offer you discounts. Fencing in the cold season is possible during clear days with reasonable temperatures that do not interfere with materials used in the process.

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The cost of a fence install also depends on the materials you choose. Fencing materials are priced by the lineal foot, but a forged iron fence will be more expensive than a PVC or chain link fence. There are also different installation requirements that influence the price. A quality residential fencing company in Denver will be able to give you an estimate based on your specifications.

Another aspect that must be taken into account is related to labor costs. Average fees vary between $30 and $50 per hour, but certain conditions can increase the cost (steep slopes on your land, areas that are hard to access, too many trees, pre-existent structures that must be removed etc.).

You can also cut on some costs if you deal yourself with the marking underground utilities and get the city permits, otherwise the contractor will entail additional costs for all these.

Another consideration that you must know about is that your geographical location may also affect the cost of having a new fence installed on your property.