3 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Westminster fencing

Curb appeal is important not only when you have visitors over. It can also be the deciding factor of whether or not you’ll get the amount you want when you list your home on the MLS. Whether you’re selling your house or not, however, the following tips for improving its curb appeal will help you out a lot:

  1. Paint it. One of the most underrated methods for increasing curb appeal is to use a good ol’ fashioned can of lead-free paint and choose the right colors for the home’s walls, the fence and even the roof – depending on whether the material supports repainting or not.
  2. Plant a new garden. A lot of times, when you buy a new home, you’ll find the garden was neglected or that the previous owner tried to nurture plants and types of grass that did not grow well in that particular climate. Reading up on what plants, flowers and trees you should plant will help you work around this issue, and hiring a gardener or getting advice from a landscaping expert can be an even better solution.
  3. Hire a landscaping company to install rock gardens, restructure your sloped garden and install various other elements that can really spruce up your home’s curb appeal. Landscaping professionals know exactly what will do the trick, and many experts believe that you should never try to sell your home without first having a reliable landscaping expert over to help you improve its curb appeal first. Favored Westminster fencing pros also encourage homeowners to make sure perimeter fencing is in good shape and sturdy. A falling down, or rusty, fence will never shed good light on your home’s curb appeal.

Are Picket Fences Really Becoming More Popular These Days?

A picket fence is one of the more traditional types of fences you can opt for when you need new fencing for your home. Colonists used these fences to keep their chickens from running away, and today you can keep the curb appeal of your home from running off by employing the same method.

Although PVC, metal, vinyl and bamboo fences are also highly popular, there’s something about the traditional appeal of picket fences that make them among the most sought after fencing products – especially when we’re talking about the quintessential white picket fences that you’d see in popular movies and commercials.

Westminster fencing

These fences are pretty sturdy to begin with, being made from wood. They’re extremely stylish and built to last, and they don’t prevent onlookers from seeing the beauty of your home and garden. Also, should your fence be broken or damaged, you can easily repair it yourself or have someone do it for cheap.

Best of all, a quality, customized picket fence will be quite affordable and easy to install, so you can have it set up in no time and avoid spending too much money to do it. In fact, having Westminster fencing pros install a new white picket fence is a sure way to increase your home’s curb appeal with minimal expenses when you’re thinking of moving to a new place, and you want to maximize the amount you can get for your old house.

Creative Ideas in Residential Fence Design

 

Fences play an essential part in the creation of a beautiful curb appeal. They do more than just provide you with safety and security. They also ensure the framework for your garden or other areas in your courtyard. Westminster fencing design specialists say that the best chosen type of fence matches the home’s surroundings and general style.

Westminster fencing

Modern black horizontal slats are minimalist, yet very elegant and stylish. This type of fence is very easy to maintain and very solid.

Rustic-style fences are another popular and charming option in contemporary home design. Cedar tones tend to create a warm atmosphere, while also ensuring the much needed privacy.

Backyard walls can be made of concrete, for a modern look, completed by highest-degree safety and security. Adding geometrical finish lines is the best option in this case.

A vertical timber fencing system looks imposing and powerful. It is the best idea in case you have no problem exposing your yard, while also keeping intruders at a distance.

An etched metal fence door with a unique and interesting pattern is yet another creative idea for your fence design. Bamboo privacy fence can look both beautiful and clean.

A modern gabion wall can be another unique choice for homeowners who are into creative options for their fencing projects.

What is the Best Wood for Residential Fencing?

Wooden fences represent an amazing addition to mostly any home. There may be several different reasons why you would want to install a fence: security, privacy, noise reduction, or just for its beautiful appearance.

Your local weather primarily dictates the type of lumber you can use for your fence. Thus, you should choose the exact type of wood for your fence depending on the fact whether you live in a dry or humid area, or if it is prone to freezing in winter.

Another important aspect to take into consideration is the wood’s degree of resistance to insects or other similar pests. Some wood species are more susceptible to insect infestations than others.

Westminster fencing

Your budget is yet another major criterion for choosing the exact wood type for your fence. At any rate, you should know that top quality Westminster fencing can be the best kind of investment, as you will experience fewer problems in the future, and therefore will spend less money on repairs or replacements.

The most popular types of wood fences include pine, cedar, redwood and cypress. No matter the type you choose, you should always treat your fence with weatherproofing solutions in order for it to last for a long time.

 

What is the Easiest Type of Fence to Install in Your Yard?

Perhaps the easiest type of fence that you can install in your yard is the vinyl picket fence. This type of fence is quite popular all across the USA, and can be seen in movies, commercials and family photos.

Westminster vinyl fencing

Vinyl is lightweight and highly resistant. At the same time, it is very easy to work with, which makes the perfect choice of many homeowners. The posts can be installed in only a couple of hours and then simply add the vinyl pickets to complete your fence. Vinyl fences are low maintenance and solid, and can come in a wide variety of styles, colors, textures.

Vinyl privacy Westminster fencing can be another great option for your yard. This refers to the type of fence that you need for privacy around pools, backyard or for protection against the outside elements such as strong winds. With the proper tools, such fences are very easy to install and maintain.

Aluminum fences are also considered easy to install. All you need to do is put all the pieces together, namely to assemble several rail sections, without having to chop or nail.

Those who are a bit more experienced at handiwork can try installing an ornamental iron fence. This fence can look gorgeous and be highly resistant.

Does it Make Sense to Consider Power Washing Your Cedar Fence?

Westminster fencing

Fences are a wonderful addition to any home or commercial property. A good fence can protect your children and pets, while also keeping out unwanted visitors. Nevertheless, since fences are obviously exposed to outside elements, they need extra care, protection and thorough cleaning on a regular basis.

With the help of a good pressure washer, Westminster fencing pros confirm that you can make the cleaning process easier. However, in the case of a wooden fence, such as a cedar fence, you need to be extra cautious about it, so as not to do more harm than good. Your purpose is to rid your cedar fence of dirt, mold, etc., and to help it regain its beauty and freshness. You need to wear protective equipment such as eye wear, to prevent any eye injury. Also, you could consider using a little bit of bleach, in order to get rid of mold or algae.

For cedar fences, it is highly advisable to use lower pressure devices, and this means using wider tips, such a 40 degree tip. At the same time, it is best to use pressure which is lower than 1800 Psi on wooden fences. Otherwise, the wood can sometimes even get split, which can further develop into more serious deterioration of your fence.

Getting a Strong and Appealing Fence: Should You Consider a Horizontal Fence?

While horizontal Westminster fencing options are typically more expensive than vertical ones, there are a few good reasons for that. First, the fences will require more support, as horizontal boards tend to sag more, so some of the extra cash will go into more materials. Second, the fences look more appealing than a conventional, vertical fence. Third, they might also require additional maintenance over time.

With a beautiful horizontal fence made from materials such as pine, redwood or cedar, you’ll find that your home’s overall curb appeal will be increased a great deal. The unique shape and appearance of the fence will already complement your home’s beautiful appearance, and as an added bonus, there are also more unique design and customization options that you can consider, such as employing an art deco design.

Westminster fencing

Another benefit of a well-made horizontal fence – especially if it has metal posts for better support – is that it lasts longer. Unlike regular vertical posts that will develop rot at their base, horizontal fences will remain strong and healthy for a much longer time. Modern horizontal Westminster fencing will have no problem maintaining its integrity longer and even acting as a good option for a privacy fence for a long time, without the need for constant maintenance.

Can Fences be Built in Winter?

You can definitely build a fence in winter, and for a couple of good reasons. First of all, you need to make sure that the earth is not frozen yet, before you embark on any building activity for your fencing system.

One good reason for choosing the cold season to build your fence is the fact that most trees and shrubs go through a period of hibernation. So in case you have trimmed your trees and other plants around your yard, building a fence can be a very good idea. Thus, you no longer have to worry about harming your plants in any way.

Westminster fencing

Another great reason is the fact that in demand Westminster fencing contractors can work at a higher speed than in other seasons, because they usually have less work and therefore getting the job done quickly is to their own advantage also.

At the same time, if you build your fence in winter, you are actually preparing your home and household in general for any kind of harsh weather. Once you have your fence installed, you can enjoy your cozy winter season inside your home, no longer having to worry about staying outside, to supervise the job, and help with building your fence, and so on.

How the Rising Cost of Lumber Affects Your Fence Project

Wood is the oldest material used for most construction project around your home, including your fencing system. Wood is typically associated with the idea of elegance, class and European traditions. Westminster fencing companies near me confirm that the costs of lumber seem to be increasing, which can affect the price and completion of your fence project.

The reason for the rising cost of lumber is that there is a shortage of this type of material on the market. Pressure treated wood has become hard to get, and some have to wait for months on end until they receive their desired products.

Westminster fencing

Lumber which is typically used for outdoor projects can come at higher prices, and can also be a bit more difficult to obtain these days. Costs may be fueled by the occurrence of natural disasters, as well as other things such as the current pandemic, which caused many people to have to stay inside their homes instead of working outside.

The biggest concern is the uncertainty of price rising. So many mills got closed during the lockdown, a lot of work remained undone, and therefore many people found themselves facing the unprecedented situation of not being able to finish or even start their fence projects because lumber prices doubled or tripled.

Is it Better to Paint or Stain my Fence?

Once you have a new fence installed, there are three good options available. Thus, you can leave it natural, paint or stain your fence. Knowledgeable Westminster fencing contractors confirm that each of these alternatives has its benefits and drawbacks.

Westminter fencing company offers pros and cons of painting vs staining fences

Painting a fence remains the classic option for most homeowners. However, it requires more maintenance, because a fence needs to be repainted every 1-3 years. At the same time, when repainting your fence, you should first scrape off all the old paint, prepare the surface for applying new paint, and then finally do the re-painting job.

A vinyl fence can save you a lot of work, in case painting your fence does not sound like an appealing option. Also, you may want to find out more about staining your fence.

Staining requires less maintenance than paint, and because of that it is the preferred version of many people. The initial cost of staining may be higher than in the case of painting your fence, but you will have to re-stain less frequently than in the case of re-painting. Because stain does not crack or peel, staining your fence does not require you do as much work as in case you were painting your fence. Simply by power washing your fence you may have accomplished the preparation stage.