Picket Fences vs. Chain Link Fences

When considering putting up a fence, there is a lot to think about both for your house and for your family. Not only does it affect the look and feel of your home, but it is also a matter of privacy. Do you live in a neighborhood you trust? If so, you won’t need any steel gates with barbed wire to protect your family, and a picket fence may do nicely. If you’re worried about people, either your kids or someone else’s, climbing you’re your fence, a wire or chain link one might be your best bet. Maintenance is another big factor, as wood can be charming but can be also hard to keep up with, and chain link fences are sturdy and reliable, but can sometimes be subject to rust. These are the types of questions you’ll want to ask your fence expert or installer.

 One thing you’ll want to do first is check with your city and neighborhood regulations; sometimes they have rules for what materials, and even what height your fence will need to be. Next decide on privacy. Many people will do a tall private fence in the backyard and a picket fence in the front for aesthetics. Ask an expert about what type of wood is best for your area, and be sure to ask about how to maintain it. Another good option is vinyl fencing which in most cases can just be power washed every once in a while to keep clean.

The chain link fence is often the go-to fence. While it’s not much on looks, it is secure, and it is durable. The picket fence is charming, nostalgic, but not always practical, especially depending on your choice of materials. It depends on your location, your funds, and your personality. To find the perfect marriage between utility, looks, and cost is going to be something to mull over, talk with your family about, and possibly bring in a consultant or expert opinion.

To compare costs for vinyl picket fences vs. chain link fences, click here now! 

5 Things You Can Do to Care for Your Wooden Fence

A new wooden fence is a beautiful thing. The repetition of plank after plank of treated pine, stained just to perfection, can calm the mind, and give your yard a feeling of calm, serene, privacy. Over time however, the beating sun and pouring rain can weather your fence, causing it to fade into a greyish color. For painted fences, after a few years it is natural to see paint fade or peel. If left unattended, the wood will continue to decompose, making it more susceptible to mold and fungi, and eventually necessitate replacement. Regular fence maintenance will go a long way to protecting your investment. Here are five things you can do to care for your wooden fence. 

You undoubtedly already have a long list of to-dos as a homeowner, but fencing guidelines suggest that your fence only needs to be cleaned and re-stained once every three to five years. This is a comparatively little amount of time compared to what you spend mowing the lawn or cleaning and making repairs to the interior. To maintain your wooden fence, simply follow these steps:

1. Use plastic sheeting to protect the grass under your fence. This step is optional, but if you are using any cleaning solutions with harmful chemicals it is important that you do not allow it to seep into the groundwater, where it will then become an environmental hazard.

2. Prepare your mixture. Many people prefer to purchase a wood cleaning solution from their local hardware store, but a mixture of one part bleach to two parts water will work fine.

3. Soak the fence. Using a paint brush, apply the cleaning solution to your fence, allowing the mixture to completely saturate the wood grain. You should notice that the grain becomes brighter and cleaner.

4. Spray clean, dry, and repeat as necessary. After the cleaning solution has been allowed to soak into the wood. Spray the fence clean with a high pressure water sprayer. Hold the sprayer close to the wood to get off old paint and debris. Allow it to dry, and repeat the process until the fence is clean and ready to be re-stained.

5. Re-stain or re-seal. Now simply apply your sealant or tinted stain with a clean paintbrush. Many people prefer a sealant over a stain because they enjoy the clean wood grain look. However for a little color on your fence, always use a colored stain rather than paint. Paint will not seal and protect the wood as well as a stain. 

For more fence maintenance and repair tips and services check out Titan Fence & Supply today!