Factors That Reduce the Lifespan of Your Wooden Fence

Here are factors that can shorten the lifespan of your wooden fence.

If you have a wooden fence around your yard, you have an effective border that defines where your property is. Not only that, but a good fence can also improve the look of your yard, while also increasing the privacy levels that you get around your landscape.

Over time, however, even a strong fence can get worn down. It’s important to know what can reduce the lifespan of your fence. That way, you can take measures to improve its overall longevity. Here are factors that can shorten the lifespan of your wooden fence.

Water

Wood is highly susceptible to water. It can cause your wooden fence to rot or develop mold. Most water exposure your fence gets will come in the form of rain and snow, but you can take measures to lower the impact of these weather conditions. By sealing your fence, you can protect it against weather damage, helping your fence to last much longer.

Sun Exposure

Rain and snow aren’t the only weather conditions that can shorten the lifespan of a wooden fence. As it turns out, your fence can also get worn down by excess sun exposure. You’ll know if your fence has too much sunlight when discoloration starts to happen. The structure of the wood will also start to weaken. A sealant can help to protect your wooden fence against sun damage so that you get more time out of your fence.

Blunt Damage

A wooden fence might also be damaged by factors other than the weather. Different forms of blunt damage, like lawn mowers or the occasional falling tree branch can also be bad for your fence.

For tree branches, it’s good to prune these branches before they have a chance to fall on your fence. For mower-related damage, this can be prevented by switching to a weed whacker for any grass that’s close to your fence.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Factors That Reduce the Lifespan of Your Wooden Fence appeared first on Hercules Fence.

If you have a wooden fence, you want your fence to stay in good condition all throughout the year. Unfortunately, fences can get worn down over time. While this can sometimes be the result of something inevitable, such as weather conditions, there are other times when the problem can be addressed. For example, wooden fences are susceptible to pest damage. In fact, there are various types of pests that can put holes into your wooden fence.

Termites

Termites are acknowledged for causing damage to wooden structures, and your wooden fence will be no exception. The holes they put in your fence are a result of them eating wood. As they continue eating away at your fence, your fence’s structural integrity will become increasingly compromised. If you’re not sure if you have termites, some signs to watch for include:

• Leaning/sagging fence posts
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
• Sawdust at the base of your fence

Powderpost Beetles

Another culprit for wooden fence damage is the powderpost beetle. These critters lay eggs within the crevices of untreated wood. When the larvae hatch, they will tunnel through the wood in your fence. This leaves tiny round holes in your fence, as well as some sawdust, much like what termites leave behind. You want to get your fence treated with some sort of preservative to get rid of these beetles, and prevent others from appearing in the future.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees seem a lot like bumblebees, but they actually burrow into wood in order to lay their eggs. It might not seem like a big deal to just have one or two tiny holes in your wooden fence, but things can get out of hand pretty quickly after the eggs hatch and you have a larger group of bees to handle.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Pests That Can Put Holes in Your Wooden Fence appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Here are tips that will help you take care of your fencing throughout the winter.

Winter presents many challenges for people’s fences. It can bring stormy weather conditions, as well as snow that can pile onto your fence and weigh it down. That’s why it’s important to know how best to take care of your fence during this time of year. Here are tips that will help you take care of your fencing throughout the winter.

Trim Your Tree Branches

One way to protect your fencing this winter is to trim back the branches of nearby trees. As we just mentioned earlier, snow can weigh down our fences, and the same goes for tree branches. When enough snow piles onto these branches, they can fall onto our fences and cause damage to them. Trimming these branches back helps to minimize the chances of this type of damage happening to your fencing.

Keep Snow Away From Your Fencing

Snowstorms can happen throughout the winter season. When they do, you’ll need to move snow away from your driveway so that you can get out of the house when needed. For some people, it might be tempting to take the snow from your driveway, and move it towards your fence. This can become a problem for your fencing.

When enough snow is next to your fence, it can cause fence posts to bend. With enough pressure, these fence posts can end up breaking and cracking. It’s better to find a place away from your fencing to put the extra snow.

Inspect Your Fence for Damage

In order to prevent fence damage from escalating and getting out of hand, you’ll want to frequently inspect your fence for signs of damage. The sooner you can address damage to your fencing, the easier it will be to repair your fence and get it back to normal. Whenever your fence does need repairs, it’s good to contact a local fencing company since professionals will know the best repair methods to follow to keep your fence in top condition.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Tips for Keeping Your Fencing Protected This Winter appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Fences are a great way to add some extra beauty to your yard. Like many parts of your outdoor landscape, fences are prone to changes in color as time goes on. One area that can experience color change is the fence posts, but why is this the case? Today, we’ll be explaining why your fence posts might experience changes in color.

Sun Exposure

The UV rays of the sun can be very powerful, and they also play a role in the discoloration of your fence posts. As your fence continues to receive sun exposure, the sun’s UV rays can effectively bleach out any color your posts may have. This can result in the color of your fence posts fading away. After your fence has been exposed to enough sunlight, it’s possible that you’ll need to repaint your fence in order to give it some color again.

Dirt

Today, we’ll be explaining why your fence posts might experience changes in color.

It’s also possible for your fence posts to be exposed to dirt. Dirt can get on your posts for various reasons, such as rain falling on them, or if windy weather blows dirt onto them. Generally, dirt is easier to notice when you have a light fence color, so the visual appeal won’t be as affected if you have a fence with a darker color. If you want to get the dirt off of your fence, all you need to do is wash it off with a little bit of soapy water. After that, just rinse your fence off, and allow it to dry.

Weathered Wood

If you have a wooden fence, it will change color as the wood ages. Instead of the traditional brown appearance of a wood fence, the wood will start to become more grey. Between exposure to water, sunlight, and dirt, wooden posts can easily lose color with time.

You can restore your fence’s color with a little bit of staining every few years. Not only does this make your fence posts look better, but it can also help your fence posts last longer overall.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Why Fence Posts Might Alter Their Color appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Here are some examples of preventative maintenance tips that you can use to keep your vinyl fence in good shape.

Do you have a vinyl fence in your yard? Vinyl fencing can be a beautiful addition to your yard that also contributes to the security of your home. These fences only last, however, if you take good care of them. It’s best to perform preventative maintenance on your fence rather than wait for problems to rear their ugly heads. This can save you time and money on upkeep expenses. Here are some examples of preventative maintenance tips that you can use to keep your vinyl fence in good shape.

Keep Your Vinyl Fence Clean

Regular cleanings will be important for any fence, and the same goes for vinyl fences as well. Fortunately, getting your fence clean doesn’t require many steps. First, you should take a garden hose and spray off the accumulated dirt and grime on your fence. After that’s done, you might need to use a sponge or soft-bristled brush to get rid of grime that’s more stubborn. While scrubbing down your fence, use a mixture of warm water and some dish soap. This should leave your fence boards looking like new again.

Trim Any Nearby Vegetation Around Your Fence

Foliage around your fence can cause problems if you don’t trim it beforehand. For example, severe weather conditions can cause tree branches to fall onto your fence. Because of this, it’s a good idea to trim vegetation in advance. This will help keep your fence protected in the long run.

Perform Regular Fence Inspections

Giving your vinyl fence frequent inspections is very important because it allows you to detect signs of fence damage while they’re still small and manageable. Generally, you should give your fence an inspection roughly two times per year. This can help you save money on repair expenses down the road because fence damage doesn’t have time to grow and become more problematic to fix.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Preventative Maintenance Tips to Help Preserve Your Vinyl Fence appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Here are decorations that you could add to your fencing this Halloween.

Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s not too late to get into the spirit of the holiday! There are many areas around your yard that can be decorated for Halloween, and your fence is one of them. Fortunately, fences provide the perfect space for many festive decorations, and we want to share some ideas with you before the holiday arrives. Here are decorations that you could add to your fencing this Halloween.

Add Skulls to Your Fence Posts

Skulls and skeletons are staples for any Halloween celebration. As such, adding skulls to your fence posts makes for a simple, yet effective, way to make your fence look more ominous. If you want to be a little less spooky, you could instead add miniature pumpkins to your fence posts for a more general “autumn-like” appearance.

Give Your Fencing Some Cobwebs

Cobwebs are easy to install on any fence, and they serve to make your fencing look more creepy as a result. When you add cobwebs to your fence, you sell the illusion that your fence hasn’t been touched for a long time. It promotes a look for your house that suggests it’s been abandoned, which tells other people to beware whenever they get close. A lot of bagged cobwebs are actually water-repellant, allowing them to endure rain without too much difficulty.

Invest in Orange Lighting

Lighting can be a great investment for many people’s landscapes, and it’s especially nice to have during Halloween. Halloween is the perfect time to cast an orange glow across your yard with the help of orange lighting for your fencing. You could even carve some Jack-O-Lanterns and add lighting to them as well to add to the ambiance of your yard. What’s great about getting outdoor lights is that you can get different colors for different times of year, meaning that outdoor lights have year-long upside for your fence that persists long after Halloween is over.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Decoration Ideas For Your Fencing This Halloween appeared first on Hercules Fence.

A wood fence can offer plenty of upside for your home.

Fences are among the best investments that people can make for their homes. They create a visible border for your property, all while raising your home’s curb appeal and security levels. When deciding on a fence for your house, there are many materials you could consider. Out of all of these materials, there are few that can match the appeal of a traditional wooden fence. A wood fence can offer plenty of upside for your home.

A Wood Fence is Easy to Maintain

A perk that wooden fences have comes in the form of how easy they are to maintain. All you have to do is wash them occasionally with some soap to get rid of any dirt your fence may have accumulated. Even if your fence gets damaged, fixing the damage is often fairly easy. A fencing company can replace any damaged fence boards with new ones, and this can be done without needing to replace the entire fence.

Wooden Fences Increase Property Value

Like many fences, wooden fences serve to boost the property value of your home. Potential homebuyers love the security that a strong wood fence offers. Also, wooden fences have this classic and traditional appearance that makes their look appealing to people. This means you may be able to sell your home for a higher price if you install a wood fence beforehand, making wooden fences a smart financial decision.

Wooden Fences are Customizable

While there are many fence options that homeowners could choose, wooden fences are among the most customizable. You have a wide variety of paint colors you could choose for your fence, and you can adjust the height to whatever your home needs. You also have many different types of wood from which to create your fence. This makes it easier to settle on a wood fence that complements your property the best.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Why You Should Install a Wood Fence appeared first on Hercules Fence.

It’s good to prevent wood fence leaning whenever possible, and we’re going to show you ways to accomplish this today.

A wooden fence can do wonders for your yard. Not only does it improve the overall appearance of your yard, but it also affords your yard more security and privacy. As time passes, however, you may find that your wooden fence is starting to learn inward. There are many factors that can cause this, like a faulty installation, soil erosion, or factors caused by weather. It’s good to prevent wood fence leaning whenever possible, and we’re going to show you ways to accomplish this today.

Ensure Your Fence is Properly Installed

How the fence is installed determines its structural integrity in the long run. That’s why you want to be sure that your wood fence is installed properly. This helps to prevent other fence problems, including fence leaning, from occurring. Generally, fence posts should be 2-3 inches deep, and you should anchor them into place by using concrete. This gives your fence a solid foundation that keeps it in one place.

Keep Up With Fence Maintenance Procedures

It’s good to check on your fence regularly to make sure it hasn’t suffered any damage or wear. If you notice that your wood fence has begun rotting, you should get the affected areas replaced quickly, before they have a chance to affect the rest of your fence. Otherwise, your fence’s structural integrity can be severely compromised, and fence leaning is much more likely to happen.

Stay on Top of Soil Management

As we mentioned earlier, soil erosion has the potential to cause fence leaning. Because of this, you’ll want to combat soil erosion by adding concrete or gravel to the perimeter of your fence posts. Something else you can do is add vegetation, like plant grass, around the base in order to help secure the soil into one place. The more secure your fence posts are, the less likely fence leaning will end up happening.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Ways to Keep Wooden Fence Leaning From Happening appeared first on Hercules Fence.

There are many reasons why fall is a good time to get a fence installation done for your home.

Fall is a season that varies vastly from summer. The leaves alter color, and the temperatures drop significantly. With these changes, you’ll want to get your yard ready for the new season. One home project you can consider during this time is a new fence installation. There are many reasons why fall is a good time to get a fence installation done for your home.

Enjoy Moderate Temperatures

Summer is a season that brings intense heat, which doesn’t provide the best conditions for a fence installation. It’s good to wait for the cooler temperatures of fall, which offer more stable conditions for your fence to get built. The cool air, combined with dry soil, can make installing your fence posts much easier. This helps the fence installation to go more quickly and smoothly.

Fence Contractors Are Less Busy

The busiest times of year for fence contractors tend to be in the spring and summer. This makes it harder to schedule appointments with them, so it will take longer before you can enjoy your new fence. By getting a fence installation in fall, planning a time to meet with a fence contractor is much easier. When contractors aren’t as busy, they’ll have more available time slots from which to choose. This means you’ll have the freedom to decide when the best time for your fence installation will be.

Get Your Fence Secured in Place Before Winter

A weakened fence could have problems lasting through the winter season. The snow and ice that pile up throughout winter could become too much for your fence, resulting in significant structural damage. By getting your fence installation in fall, you can have a strong and reliable fence in place before the harsh cold of winter arrives. A newly-installed fence has a much better chance of enduring the winter season.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Why Get a Fence Installation During Fall appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Here are tips that will help you make your fencing look like new again.

A well-made fence can make all the difference when you’re trying to improve your home’s aesthetic appeal. As time passes, however, fencing can start getting worn down. This leaves your fence looking beaten and battered, as well as unsightly. Restoring your fence’s look is recommended in this situation, but how does one go about doing this? Here are tips that will help you make your fencing look like new again.

Consider Doing Some Power Washing

If you want to give your fencing a big boost in appearance, power washing can go a long way. Dirt and grime will accumulate on your fence’s surface as time passes. By power washing your fence, you can get rid of this unwanted debris so that the look of your fence can be restored. If you have a wooden fence, you should let it dry entirely before you try adding any paint or stain. This helps the paint/stain apply to your fence more evenly.

Give Your Fence Some Paint or Stain

Speaking of painting or staining your fence, this is another great way to make your fencing look a lot better. Paint is recommended if you want your fence to have a more uniform appearance. If you want your fence to retain its natural color, staining is the preferred option. Just be sure that whatever color you choose for your fence goes well with the rest of your landscape.

Consider Adding Decorative Features to Your Fencing

Another way to bolster your fence’s appearance is by adding a couple of extra features. It could be post caps, finials, or lattice panels, among other things. You could even take a more natural approach and invest in vine plants that can grow along your fence. This makes it even easier for your fence to work well with the other natural elements of your yard.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post How to Make Fencing Look Like New Again appeared first on Hercules Fence.